Leading Extension Volunteers

Leading Extension Volunteers takes a deeper dive into specific concepts related to effectively working with volunteers in any Extension program. Leading Extension Volunteers course content varies each year based on the needs of Extension professionals. 

2027 Course offerings include: 

Working with Volunteer Boards

Offered in: 2025, 2027

  • 2027 Course Dates: February 24-March 12
  • Cost: $75
  • Registration here
  • Registration Closes: February 1, 2026
  • Course flyer

This short three-week professional development opportunity is designed to equip Extension professionals with tools to: create volunteer boards orientation plan, identify ways to recruit new board members and sustain board efforts, identify ways to diversify board composition and representation, and identify methods to evaluate board performance and function.

Recruitment & Retention of Volunteers

Offered in: 2025, 2027

  • 2027 Course Dates: February 24-March 12
  • Cost: $75
  • Registration here
  • Registration Closes: February 1, 2026
  • Course flyer

This short three-week professional development opportunity is designed to equip Extension professionals with tools to: create volunteer boards orientation plan, identify ways to recruit new board members and sustain board efforts, identify ways to diversify board composition and representation, and identify methods to evaluate board performance and function.

Previously Offered Topics:

Creating Connections Leading to Volunteer Retention

Offered in: 2026

  • 2026 Course Dates: February 24-March 12
  • Cost: $75
  • Registration here
  • Registration Closes: February 1, 2026
  • Course flyer

Description: This three-week professional development opportunity builds upon the ISOTURE model presented during the Achieving the Extension Mission through Volunteers Course. This training is intended to help professionals to understand how communication and connection leads to greater volunteer retention.  Take a deep dive into volunteer systems health and application of ISOTURE process. Reflect on current practice and application with your local system and strengthen your system through intentional planning. 

Identifying When and How to Have Challenging Conversations with Volunteers

Offered in: 2023, 2025, 2026

Description: This short, one-week professional development opportunity builds upon the concepts and resources presented during Module 5:Coaching of the original Achieving the Extension Mission course. This training is intended to equip staff to identify when and to have challenging conversations with volunteers. 

  • 2026 Course Dates: April 7th – 16th
  • Cost: $75
  • Registration here
  • Registration Closes March 20, 2026
  • Course flyer

Data Driven Volunteer Identification

Offered in: 2024

Description: This short, two week professional development opportunity builds upon the concepts and resources presented during the original Achieving the Extension Mission Course. This training is intended to equip staff to use high quality data to achieve outreach and volunteer retention goals.