Leslie County Extension, like many extension programs in the state of Kentucky, rely on volunteers to aid in planning, implementing, and evaluating programs. This partnership with volunteers brings necessity of the Volunteer Administration Academy, or VAA, to improve the level of competence of the Extension professional in generating, educating, mobilizing, and sustaining volunteer programs, to expand volunteer involvement on the county level, and to reach underserved audiences through volunteer delivery methods. 

The University of Kentucky Volunteer Administration Academy is a 9 month program in which Extension Agents may enroll for either graduate or in-service credit.  The mission of the academy is to improve the level of competence of Extension professional in generating, educating, mobilizing and sustaining volunteer programs, to expand volunteer involvement on the county level, and reach unserved audiences through volunteer delivery methods and councils.

Six Extension professionals across the state representing 4-H and FCS started the program in September of 2016.The initial assignment was compilation of a county profile which describes the agent, county, staff, volunteers and much more to outline where we are and where we want to go.  Exploration of the studied and researched volunteer development management models was our next step in reaching our goal to expand our volunteer programs.  Development of a SWOT Profile (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) for counties would further our research showing much about our volunteer programs. The Academy also researched the philosophy and theories of Volunteerism models, developed values – vision – mission statements for volunteers, developed county action plans for their county, created  recruitment packets, developed  Extension Marketing Strategies, co-authoring and publishing two journal entries in (JOE) Journal of Extension and finished the class by attending The National Extension Conference for Volunteerism in Ashville, North Carolina.  Utilizing information back in their counties would help each to better their volunteer programs in many ways.

One example of strategies for strengthening our volunteer program that I have implemented, beginning Spring 2017 was compiling Volunteer Recruitment packets. I initially shared these with 13 teacher volunteers. This filled an essential element encouraging our teacher volunteers to become actively involved in educating our youth.  There are several teachers who have become very involved with many of our enrichment programs. For example, several of our teachers after we meet with their 4th grade classes use  our resources and materials to deliver SET and Art programming to their 5th- 8th graders. This extends our reach to educate more youth in these area.  Volunteers in many areas continue to increase and as more become involved it creates momentous excitement! This helps 4-H to have youth, parents and teachers who market our programs. This encourages a full circle effect creating more involvement and depth for all of our Youth Development Education Programs!  

Evaluation:

100% of the Academy achieved knowledge to use at their county by developing and administering the SWOT Profiles.

100% of the Academy plans to develop and or use their program council to a higher level than before.

100% of the Academy attended and are applying knowledge and experience from the National Extension Conference on Volunteerism in their county.

50% of the Academy are using this class for college credit for a future degree with the other 50% using it for professional development credit

4-H Youth Development Education in Leslie County continues to benefit from VAA in many ways. Primarily, the assignments and discussions I have mentioned above, are shaping the way I think about volunteerism.  Realization that we cannot stop after we generate, as it is only an initial step in the eighteen step process to being a successful volunteer administrator.  We must continue to explore volunteer opportunities at each step, using our instruction and inspirations from Volunteer Administration Academy along with opportunities that arise in our communities.  Believing the words of Dr. Ken Culp III, HELP = ASK can be the beginning of “growing” a volunteer!