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 22 – March 12, 2024
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: Thursday, December 28
Important Course Dates/Schedule Information
January 22 – 28: Week 1 Introduction, Video Conf Call #1 w/ Cohort
January 29 – February 4: Week 2 – Module 1 & 2, Webinar #1
February 5 – 11: Week 3 – Module 3
February 12 – 18: Week 4 – Work Week, Video Conf Call #2 w/ Cohort
February 19 – 25: Week 5 – Module 4
February 26 – March 3: Week 6 – Module 5, Webinar #2
March 4 – 12: Week 7 – Module 6, Webinar #3, Video Conf Call #3 w/ Cohort
Course Resources:
2024 Course Flyer (National)
Research and Reports on Course Impact:
Achieving the Extension Mission Through Volunteers Impact Study Summary Report 2021
Report to North Central 4-H Program Directors (PDF 1 page)
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)