Washington State University
(WSU) Volunteer Development Action Team
A major endeavor identified in the Washington
State 4-H Strategic Plan was the formation
of the Volunteer Development Action Team
(VDAT). VDAT was charged with reviewing the
present WSU’s Extension volunteer training
and development programs and to determine
what action was needed to:
- provide materials suitable for all 4-H
delivery modes,
- streamline volunteer leader training
materials, and
- provide easy access in distributing
and updating basic information for volunteer
leader training.
The Washington 4-H Program has over 9,286
adult volunteers and 976 youth volunteers.
These volunteers were in critical need of
orientation and on-going skill building leadership
training. All adult 4-H volunteers need basic
knowledge and understanding of the 4-H youth
development program to serve as youth leaders.
A body of knowledge exists to support the
knowledge and teaching methods they need
regardless of the 4-H delivery mode in which
they participate. Core competencies exist
at the national level for 4-H professionals.
Limited travel budgets encourage considering
alternative distance delivery methods for
training 4-H professionals and volunteers.
Duplication of effort occurs because similar
4-H volunteer training is conducted in nearly
every county. Appropriate distance delivery
methods may reduce the duplication that now
occurs and allows county 4-H professionals
time to pursue other tasks.
Impact: Statewide training events were
conducted for professional faculty and staff
and a uniform training methodology was implemented
across Washington. To increase the effectiveness
of volunteer training, VDAT developed seven
training modules which are available
online. Over 2,627 adult volunteers and 630
youth volunteers participated in training
at the county/district/state levels and were
direct recipients of the VDAT work. Better-trained
volunteers are better prepared to meet the
needs of an increasingly diverse and challenged
youth population.
As part of the Land-Grant University System,
Washington State University receives Smith-Lever
formula grants from CSREES to establish
Cooperative Extension programs, such as the
one discussed here.
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