Achieving the Extension Mission Through Volunteers

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.  (Registration will open in Fall 2024)

Final day to register:  Friday, December 27

Important Course Dates/Schedule Information

January 27 – February 2:  Week 1 Introduction, Video Conf Call #1 w/ Cohort

February 3 – 9 :  Week 2 – Module 1 & 2, Webinar #1

February 10 – 16:  Week 3 – Module 3

February 17 – 23:  Week 4 – Work Week, Video Conf Call #2 w/ Cohort

February 24 – March 2:  Week 5 – Module 4

March 3 – 9:  Week 6 – Module 5, Webinar #2

March 10 – 14:  Week 7 – Module 6, Webinar #3,  Video Conf Call #3 w/ Cohort

Course Resources:

2024 Course Handbook 

2024 Course Flyer (National)

 

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)