Volunteers are an essential component of 4-H programs and extend delivery methods to clientele who otherwise might not be served (Steele, 1994).   Volunteers have a wide range of responsibilities in 4-H and Extension programs.  They are vital to issues-based programming and are key components in accomplishing national initiatives for Cooperative Extension (Patton, 1990).  Extension agents involve volunteers by asking them to engage in a variety of roles and duties and to accept responsibilities (Wessel & Wessel, 1982).  Finding adults who are willing to engage in volunteer activities is becoming increasingly difficult for many Extension professionals (Rodriguez, Hirschl, Mead & Goggin, 2000). Kentucky 4-H identifies, innovates, creates, and administers opportunities in which volunteers can engage and assist agents in 4-H program delivery.

Extension agents serving in the role of volunteer administrators must become proficient in volunteer recruitment.  Recruitment is defined as the process of actively searching for volunteers who have previously been identified (Culp, Deppe, Castillo & Wells, 1998).  To successfully recruit 4-H volunteers, agents should focus on 4-H’s positive name recognition, the volunteer’s potential for personal interaction with 4-H members and volunteers and the opportunity to contribute to the community (Culp & Schwartz, 1999).

Independent Sector (2003) reported that 46% of women and 42% of men volunteered in 2001.   Furthermore, they found the number one reason given by non-volunteers for their lack of involvement was that they had never been asked to serve.  The problem facing Extension professionals, therefore, is how to recruit and engage community members as volunteers in their programs.  In a study of natural resource volunteers, Smith and Finley (2004) determined that 41% of 4-H parents, 4-H volunteers and natural resources professionals working remembered being directly asked for their assistance.   Smith and Finley called for the development of a simple tool to identify those most likely to achieve success as a 4-H volunteer.  

The past three years have been extremely difficult for Kentuckians, as we’ve navigated challenges posed by the global pandemic, including protecting the health of Kentuckians, dealing with two catastrophic natural disasters, being buffeted by social and racial unrest, all while continuing to provide essential services to our communities. These challenges have had a tremendous impact on Extension, CAFÉ, UK, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the communities we serve.

Volunteering is one of the best measures for the health of civil society, because it tells us how involved and how invested people are in their communities. When you volunteer, you’re not waiting for someone else to improve life in your community – you’re taking matters into your own hands. We see the promise of our country through the contributions of individuals coming together to solve problems, help others, and advance the common good.

By this measure, civil society isn’t faring so well. The percentage of people who volunteer is declining. According to the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute, the volunteer rate nationally has slipped from about 29% to about 25%. Based on an adult population of 252 million, that means more than 10 million Americans have stopped volunteering for one reason or another.

The national volunteer rate isn’t the only thing going down. The giving rate is dropping at the same time – down from 67% in 2000 to 56% in 2014. Total dollars are up, which is a good thing, but only because the most affluent Americans are giving more and not because more Americans are giving, and that’s not a good thing. Whether it’s giving or volunteering, you want to see everyone participating in civil society – you want to see everyone saying, “I have a stake in my community, and I’m committed to doing what I can to make this a better place.”

When increasingly the richest people are participating in that way, we have a less healthy civil society and a less healthy democracy.

As individuals, we can always reflect on these numbers and consider what each of us can do to give back more to our communities in different ways. 

4-H provides many opportunities for people to give and serve.  People are more likely to contribute their time, energy, and talents if they can do so in their own communities and can observe the results and impact.  4-H agents provide a tremendous service in their counties by connecting people with volunteer roles that are well-suited for their personal interests, talents, and skills.  As 4-H rebuilds from the COVID~19 pandemic, we will renew and expand our volunteer pool, emphasizing the ways that people can get involved in volunteer service, expanding the outreach of the 4-H program, and improving communities across the commonwealth.