Volunteers are fundamental to many successful Extension programs. Research indicates that nearly one third of volunteers will choose not to continue volunteering based on poor management practices. Achieving the Extension Mission Through Volunteers is an online cohort course for the novice Extension professional working with volunteers to enhance and deliver Extension programs.
Achieving the Extension Mission through Volunteers is designed to for Extension colleagues in all program areas to:
- Build staff and organizational capacity around volunteer management and development
- Increase volunteer management competencies
- Build knowledge and skills to identify, recruit, select, and support volunteers
- Learn current volunteer trends and how they may impact programming
- Understand the organization’s philosophy related to volunteerism and develop your own philosophy
Offered annually: January 27 – March 14, 2025
Cost: $250 (North Central Region colleagues – IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI – have reduced registration fee of $100 – contact your state Volunteer Specialist for the registration code.)
Learn more and hear what past participants and facilitators have to say about the course (5 minute YouTube video).
Registration is now open: register here
Final day to register: Friday, December 27
Important Course Dates/Schedule Information
January 27 – February 2: Week 1 Introduction, Cohort Connection Zoom #1 w/ Cohort
February 3 – 9 : Week 2 – Module 1 & 2, Course Zoom Presentation #1
February 10 – 16: Week 3 – Module 3
February 17 – 23: Week 4 – Work Week, Cohort Connection Zoom #2 w/ Cohort
February 24 – March 2: Week 5 – Module 4
March 3 – 9: Week 6 – Module 5, Course Zoom Presentation #2
March 10 – 14: Week 7 – Module 6, Course Zoom Presentation #3, Cohort Connection Zoom #3 w/ Cohort
Course Resources:
Research and Reports on Course Impact:
Equipping Extension Professionals to Lead Volunteer Systems: An Evaluation of an Online Course
Achieving the Extension Mission Through Volunteers Impact Study Summary Report 2021
Presentations about the Course:
NAE4-HYDP – AEMTV High-Level Results Presentation October 2020 Final Power Point Slides
Achieving the Extension Mission Presentation – Asheville, North Carolina- April 2017 (PPT 0.97 MB)
Resources for Developing and Learning Online:
Business Plan for Online Learning (PDF 2 pages)
Worksheet for Implementing an Online Learning Experience (Word Document 4 pages)
