The Cooperative Extension Service relies on volunteers to extend the reach of extension programs. A well maintained 4-H program should include volunteer training, recognition and motivation. For the past nine years, a team of agents, volunteers and specialists have created a premier conference titled “Kentucky Volunteer Forum” or KVF to address basic needs and beyond of volunteer development. This conference is held every two years with the intent of the conference is to provide workshops to increase skills and competency, recognize volunteers for program accomplishments, and provide networking opportunities. 

The 2018 Kentucky Volunteer Forum offered 148 workshops, organized in 19 tracks. (Horse, livestock, and crafting tracks were the best attended.)  1108 people from 110 counties were registered, making it the largest volunteer forum in Kentucky’s history, and the second largest 4-H volunteer forum held anywhere in the world during that year, to date.

Determining the factors that motivate volunteers to participate in the Forum is important in order to more effectively market and recruit for the event. 21.62% of respondents reported that they were motivated to attend the 2018 KVF by the workshop offering. Additionally, 16.84% attended because their 4-H agent encouraged them to do so. Additional factors included becoming motivated and re-energized (14.35%), they attended past forums (13.72%), and to network (13.51%).

When asked what components of the forum they most enjoyed, the two biggest responses included workshops (31.41%) and networking opportunities (20.14%).

When asked to identify what they had gained from attending the KVF, 22.93% of attendees reported “learning about new programs” while 19.21% were “motivated or inspired,” 18.18% gathered new information, 16.52% developed new skills, and 15.91% benefited from “networking.”

Conference attendees were asked to respond to six agree-disagree statements, that queried their aspirations following the forum. (Strongly Agree = 5, Strongly Disagree = 1). These included:

“I am more likely to continue volunteering”                        4.38

“I have increased my level of knowledge”                          4.33

“I am more likely to offer a new program”                           4.22

“I am more likely to increase involvement in my county”    4.13

“I am more energized and motivated”                                 4.13

“I have developed a new skill”                                             4.05

Using a post-pre-post scale, respondents were asked to rate their level of knowledge prior to and after attending the KVF. Using a 5 point scale, respondents assessed their knowledge level as a 3.87 prior to attending, and a 4.49 following the KVF.

The average age of forum attendees was 43.94 years of age, while both the median and mode ages were 45. 80.15% of forum attendees were female. 66.17% of forum attendees were 4-H alumni and had served as a 4-H volunteer an average of 7.56 years.

The Kentucky Volunteer Forum is Extension’s flagship event for adult and youth volunteers in the commonwealth. The forum benefit volunteers, Extension professionals, as well as the 4-H program at the county, district, and state levels. 

Programs and workshops offered at the KVF are continually updated, rules and policies are shared and explained, best practices are taught, and new teaching and learning techniques are introduced. The KVF seeks to: Introduce new programs, projects, events, activities, and rule or procedure changes, provide continuing education, provide networking opportunities for volunteers from different counties, share cutting-edge information and re-energize and inspire volunteers.

Four adult volunteers attended from Taylor County.  After attending the conference, the adult volunteers continue to improve their clubs at the county level and fulfilled their Livestock and Horse re-certification hours. One adult volunteer continues to serve on the State 4-H Volunteer Advisory Council. The 4-H Volunteer Forum is a critical component in preparing, energizing, and retaining the volunteers who are integral to the success of 4-H.