2022 Kentucky Volunteer Forum

Education is critical in preparing volunteers for the role they accepted and should be designed to enhance their knowledge and skills (Kerka, 2003). Volunteer education develops the knowledge and skills volunteers need to execute their roles effectively (Brudney, 1990; Culp, 1997; Cumming, 1998; Wilson, 1976). Volunteers respond more favorably to roles and responsibilities when they understand and are able to perform the tasks required of them (Hoover & Connor, 2001). Therefore, volunteers need meaningful education opportunities (Fox, Hebert, Martin, & Bairnsfather, 2009). Ineffective volunteer development opportunities result in poorly executed programs and disgruntled volunteers (Cook, Kiernan, & Ott, 1986).

Education, then, is a necessary component of volunteer administration. Education benefits volunteers, programs, and organizations in many ways. Education increases volunteer satisfaction and leads to stronger organizational commitment (Anderson, 2005; Wilson et al., 2007). Moreover, volunteer education increases program sustainability (Snider, 1985) and is a powerful recruitment and retention tool, as a lack of training is an often-cited reason for high turnover rates among recruits (Fahey, Walker, & Lennox, 2003). Volunteer development benefits the organization by inspiring, motivating, and celebrating accomplishments (Wise & Ezell, 2003).

The Kentucky Volunteer Forum provides Extension volunteers with professional development opportunities to provide both introductory and continuing education to develop and enhance the skills and knowledge necessary for their volunteer role, to answer questions, and to provide a means to complete volunteer accreditation requirements as well as continuing education requirements for certified volunteers.

The Kentucky Volunteer Forum has been held during the even-numbered years since 2000.   Originally a professional development conference targeting 4-H volunteers in Kentucky, it has been expanded to include all Extension program areas and opened its doors to 4-H volunteers and staff nation-wide.  

Together, the Harrison and Taylor County Horticulture Agents planned a track of 12 Horticulture workshops to take place on Friday and Saturday of the forum.   Tracks were taught by extension specialists and agents from the University of Kentucky on different topics ranging from plant care, to mushrooms, to composting, to Master Gardener volunteer opportunities.  Of the 1229 individuals that attended the Kentucky Volunteer Forum, the horticulture track reached over 250 of them. 

Final registration counts included the following:

1. 1229 people registered from 120 Kentucky counties and 13 states
2. 223 workshops were offered in 23 content tracks
3. 10 seminars on wheels
4. 9 Master Accreditation Content Areas; 63 volunteers completed accreditation requirements.
5. 70 volunteers were recognized in 13 recognition categories
6. 150 youth were recognized for completing 10 years of 4-H membership.

Respondents ranged in age from 13 to 85 with an average of 48.03, 73.01% female, 62.30% were former 4-H members, 58% are current volunteers serving an average of 10.75 years, 84% adults.

The Forum evaluation instrument asked respondents to indicate the factors that motivated them to attend.  The top four responses included workshops (17.8%), previous attendance (17.12%) networking opportunities (11.96%) and becoming motivated (11.01%).

Respondents indicated that they most enjoyed workshops (30.43%), networking opportunities (18.86%), and visiting the trade show (11.89%).

39.46% of respondents indicated that they usually attended workshops in one track.  Those attending a track completed a post-pre-post self-assessment to determine knowledge gained.  Using a Likert-type scale, (1 = Excellent and 5 = Terrible), respondents indicated that their knowledge level in the track pre-Forum was 2.28, as compared with 1.65 post-Forum, an increase of 0.63

As a result of attending the Forum, 89.47% of respondents indicated that they were more likely to volunteer; 85.71% are likely to offer a new program, project, or activity; 86.59% are likely to increase their county volunteer involvement; 82.12% are likely to feel motivated to volunteer; 85.64% increased their level of knowledge; 81.56% developed a new skill.

The Kentucky Volunteer Forum is designed to satisfy three programming goals: delivering cutting edge educational opportunities in a variety of formats, providing networking opportunities to facilitate information exchange, and recognizing volunteers making the greatest impact on 4-H members and programs.