Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks and possessing varied and rich knowledge, skills, and backgrounds (Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). The success of Extension programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher, & Klingborg, 2005). Although highly valued, volunteer involvement does not guarantee achieving Extension's goals and fulfilling learners' needs (Bolton, 1992).

Education is critical in preparing volunteers for their role 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 can 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. Multiple volunteer administration models provide a framework for strong, effective volunteer programs (Boyce, 1971; Brudney, 1990; Campbell & Ellis, 1995; Culp, Deppe, Castillo, & Wells, 1998; Naylor, 1973; Penrod, 1991; Scheier, 1985; Smith & Bigler, 1985; Vineyard, 1981; Wilson, 1976). Although education is a critical component of every volunteer administration model (Fox et al., 2009), Deppe and Culp (2001) found that 4-H programs often lack a structured volunteer development program. When offered, volunteer training is usually formal and focuses on skill development for current or newly accepted roles (Serafino, 2001). However, most volunteers receive little formal training, participating instead in on-the-job experiences and informal mentoring from other volunteers (Fletcher, 1987).

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). When surveying current and former 4-H volunteers in Indiana, Culp (1995) found that both groups identified “additional training) as the single most important way to make their role as a 4-H volunteer leader more positive.   Moreover, 40.63% of former volunteers indicated that a lack of training was the single biggest factor influencing their decision to leave the role as a 4-H volunteer leader. 

Extension professionals are well positioned to assess volunteer needs and provide educational and developmental opportunities that serve both volunteer and program needs (Boyd, 2004; Dillivan, 2013). When planning development opportunities, Extension professionals should consider volunteers' training preferences. Fox et al., (2009) identified volunteers' preferred delivery modes as group meetings and electronic communication. Additionally, Fox et al. (2009) determined that 4-H volunteers were most interested in learning about 4-H opportunities and leadership development.

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 4-H program relies heavily on adult volunteers. Extension agents devote considerable effort and expense to coordinating county recognition activities (Culp & Schwartz, 1998). At the Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum, volunteers are recognized in 13 different award categories. These include Certified Livestock Volunteers, Certified Horse Volunteers, Certified Shooting Sports Volunteers, Community Service – Adults, Community Service – Teens, Conrad Feltner – Adults, Conrad Feltner – Teens, I.C.E. (Innovative, Creative, Enthusiastic), T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More), Leadership Development, Partners in Progress, Lifetime Achievement, and Friends of Kentucky 4-H (Culp & Brown, 2011).

Agents have too many demands on their time to create a new volunteer recognition program for use at the county level. Many states have implemented a system of state-level awards and recognition for 4-H volunteers. However, many Extension agents find themselves too busy to nominate volunteers in multiple award categories, nor do they have the infrastructure necessary for volunteers to nominate their peers. The issue, therefore, is how to utilize a state level volunteer recognition program at the county level. In other words, how can Extension professionals think globally and act locally, regarding volunteer recognition?

Kwarteng, Smith, and Miller (1988) defined recognition as "formal or informal attention given to the volunteer to provide a sense of appreciation, security, and belonging." The specific types of recognition that volunteers find most meaningful, however, is an ongoing debate. Some researchers recommend extrinsic recognition (Murk & Stephan, 1990; Steele, 1994; Zeutshel & Hansel, 1989). Conversely, Kwarteng, Smith, and Miller (1988) believe that informal verbal recognition, praise, and encouragement by other involved in the program are the most important developmental factors. Informal methods of recognizing volunteers and their contributions are frequently overlooked in place of more formal methods, yet are often more effective (Holtham, 1989; Vineyard, 1984).

Although the debate regarding whether formal or informal recognition is most effective is ongoing, the most effective form of recognition is that which fulfills the volunteers' motivation to serve. Recognition programs designed to fulfill the volunteer's motivation to continue serving will therefore be the most effective.

Finally, Culp, Edwards & Jordan (2015) found that “networking” was identified as the second greatest benefit (behind “education / knowledge ‘learning”) as the greatest benefit realized by attending a 4-H volunteer conference.  Therefore, when planning the 2024 Kentucky Volunteer Forum, providing networking opportunities was identified as one of the three primary goals for the conference, along with providing meaningful opportunities volunteer education and recognition. 

The Kentucky Volunteer Forum has been held during the even-numbered years since 2000.   Prior to 2000, a volunteer forum had never been consistently scheduled.  The term “volunteer” was unfamiliar in Extension; the term “leader” was consistently used, and that term was a misnomer.  “4-H Leaders” were not empowered to lead their own clubs; agents and program assistants fulfilled those leadership roles.  4-H Leaders were “helpers” that assisted agents.  The need to create a professional development opportunity for 4-H volunteers was desperately needed.  Originally a professional development conference targeting 4-H volunteers in the commonwealth, the Kentucky Volunteer Forum (KVF) has been expanded to include all Extension program areas and opened its doors to 4-H volunteers and staff nation-wide.  

The 2024 Kentucky Volunteer Forum was 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 adult and teen volunteers making the greatest impact on 4-H members and programs.  

Satisfying the educational goal were 223 educational workshops, divided into 23 content tracks.  Master Volunteer Accreditation offered specialized training in 9 core content areas; Seminars on Wheels provided volunteers with non-formal learning opportunities.  The Idea Share Fair included Service Projects; Educational, Commercial, & Entrepreneur exhibits, and 4-H members giving championship demonstrations.  

The title sponsor for 2024 KVF education was the R.C. Durr Foundation.  Through the generosity of the Durr Foundation, all aspects of volunteer education were funded.  This included meeting rooms rental, in meeting room audio visual equipment, tech support, and wifi.  The College of Agriculture, Food & Environment sponsored everything related to the “UK Knowledge College” (i.e.  Trade Show), which included exhibit hall rental, booths for commercial, educational, and entrepreneur exhibits, carpeting, and the PA system.

Twenty-three networking events enabled volunteers to visit with conference attendees and exchange information.  Separate awards were presented to adults and teens at two recognition events, based upon their contribution to and impact on the 4-H program.  150-10 year 4-H members were recognized.  KVF is the centerpiece of KY’s 4-H volunteer program; 1236 people attended from all 120 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, 17 states, and the District of Columbia.

The Opening Networking Event for Funding was sponsored by Dr. George A. and the late Ruth H. Duncan.  Sponsorship for volunteer recognition at KVF was provided by UK CES, who funded the entire audio visual system in the grand ballroom, Dr. George A. and the late Ruth H. Duncan, who funded two Hall of Fame Awards as well as all 10-year member awards, Kentucky 4-H Foundation, 4-H Camp, Taylor Auction, UK CAFÉ Alumni, Livestock Volunteer Certification, Horse Volunteer Certification, Shooting Sports Volunteer Certification, State Teen Council, Joyce Clifford, Anna B. Lucas & Dr. Wendy J. Stivers, and the UK CAFÉ Office of Diversity, all of whom sponsored one or more Hall of Fame Awards.

Final registration counts for the 2024 KVF included the following:

1. 1236 people registered from 120 Kentucky counties and 13 states
2. 225 workshops were offered in 25 content tracks
3. 6 seminars on wheels
4. 9 Master Accreditation Content Areas; 73 volunteers completed accreditation requirements.
5. 75 volunteers were recognized in 13 recognition categories
6. 140 youth were recognized for completing 10 years of 4-H membership.
7. 12 current or former National 4-H Hall of Fame laureates were recognized.

Respondents ranged in age from 15 to 74 with an average of 48.16, 89.23% female, 42.19% were former 4-H members, 72.01% are current volunteers serving an average of 10.07 years, 84% were adults.

The Forum evaluation instrument asked respondents to indicate the factors that motivated them to attend.  The top four responses included workshops (20.94%), previous attendance (14.15%) networking opportunities (12.22%) and becoming motivated (11.25%).

Respondents indicated that they most enjoyed workshops (38.71%), networking opportunities (20.28%), and visiting the trade show (11.52%).

32.63% 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, (5 = Excellent and 1 = Terrible), respondents indicated that their knowledge level in the track pre-Forum was 3.87, as compared with 4.375 post-Forum, an increase of 0.505

Of the 73 people who received volunteer accreditation, they were motivated by the following factors: learn about the subject (28.17%), lead my club (19.72%), become an expert (18.31%), assist the agent (15.49%), receive a certificate / status (11.27%).

Respondents indicated that they gained many things from their KVF experience.   These included programming ideas (24.64%), becoming motivated and inspired (18.96%), and developing skills (18.48%), gathering new information (15.94%), and networking (14.69%).

Respondents indicated that they would use the information, tools, knowledge, and skills gathered at the Forum in the following ways: sharing with other volunteers (37.41%), teaching at a club meeting (33.81%), introducing a new project (22.30%).

As a result of attending the Forum, 75.76% of respondents indicated that they were more likely to continue volunteering; 87.61% are likely to offer a new program, project, or activity; 84.85% are likely to increase their county volunteer involvement; 77.23% are likely to feel motivated to volunteer; 89.29% increased their level of knowledge; 90.91% developed a new skill.

Created 24 years ago, the Kentucky Volunteer Forum has accomplished its initial goal of providing a vast array of professional development opportunities for 4-H volunteers and has expanded that goal to include educational opportunities for all Extension volunteers, including Master Gardeners, Extension Homemakers, and ANR volunteers.  The Kentucky Volunteer Forum has become recognized as THE volunteer development opportunity nationwide as people from 17 states and the District of Columbia registered and attended.  Notably, Oklahoma Extension sent a multi-disciplinary delegation of 20 staff and volunteers to experience KVF 2024, with the intention of replicating the event in the Sooner State.