This information is targeted toward Extension Faculty only. The content here is for the development of faculty competencies related to volunteer management.
- New Agent Resources
- Overview of Volunteers
- Volunteer Management
- Evaluation of Volunteers
- Random/Episodic Volunteers
- Associations (including Master Volunteer Groups)
- 3 R’s of Volunteer Management
- Risk Management
- Online Training Oppportunities & Resources
New Agent Resources
Helping new agents understand their role as a volunteer administrator is a key component of the onboarding process for new hires. In this section you will find the general “game-plan” for the experiences and information you will be exposed to related to volunteer management during your first two years as a County Extension Agent. You will also find information from volunteerism presentations made at Extension Foundations and the Extension Program Excellence Academy.
Overview of Volunteers
Volunteers are one of Extension’s most valuable assets, helping reach more people and ensuring the relevancy of Extension programs. The following resources and related tools provide an overview of the volunteerism in Extension and help volunteer administrators understand the roles of volunteers.
| Roles Volunteers Play in Texas Extension (D-1451) | |
| Volunteer Administration Checklist | |
| Volunteer Interest Form | |
| Volunteer Trends and Impacts | Powerpoint |
Volunteer Management
All Extension employees are somehow connected to volunteers, serving as a volunteer administrator. The following resources are available to assist and support Extension employees in their volunteer administrator role.
Evaluation of Volunteers
Just as we evaluate programs offered in Extension, it is important to evaluate Extension volunteers, measuring the impact of their work.
| Measuring Behaviors in Volunteers (Example Questions) | |
| Measuring Knowledge Using Pretest/Post Test |
Associations (including Master Volunteer Groups)
This information is specific to Associations and Groups. Volunteer groups will learn to network as well as their role in Master Volunteer Programs.
| Volunteer Associations and Groups (D-1454) |
Random/Episodic Volunteers
Current trends indicate that the number of random/episodic volunteers are on the rise. Many people want to volunteer but with a more flexible schedule, not serving as a regular, ongoing volunteer throughout the year. Therefore, it’s important for volunteer administrators to understand how to manage this growing group of volunteers.
| Understanding and Managing Direct and Episodic Volunteers (D-1455) |
3 R’s of Volunteer Management
The three R’s of volunteer management are Recruitment, Recognition and Retention. Proper recruitment and recognition of volunteers can lead to increased retention, therefore maximizing the potential of one’s volunteer program.
| A Little Recognition Goes a Long Way: Strategies to Recognize Volunteers (E-416) | |
| Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Powerpoint | PowerPoint |
| 4-H Recruitment Tools | Website Resource |
Risk Management
There is risk in almost everything we do. Risk can be minimized, but never completely eliminated. Risk management involves planning ahead for problems that could arise and doing everything possible to prevent them.
| Managing the Risk Associated with Volunteer Service (D-1456) |
Online Training Opportunities/Resources
The following are additional online training opportunities available to Extension volunteer administrators.
- Texas Extension Online Courses
Four online courses on volunteerism are available for Extension volunteer administrators to complete. While they are tailored for new Extension employees, they may also prove to be helpful to the experienced volunteer administrator. - Everyone Ready
National 4-H Council/Cooperative Extension Service has enrolled in Everyone Ready, an online volunteer management training, developed to provide all Extension employees with cutting-edge, practical information you can access anytime from anywhere. Click here for instructions on how to access this great online, self-paced professional development opportunity. - Strengthening Extension Advisory Leaders
The Strengthening Extension Advisory Leaders (SEAL) conference provides Extension agents and volunteers across the Southern Region curriculum resources which provide a common theme throughout the region. It also provides best practices for building advisory leadership. Visiting the SEAL site can help volunteer administrators learn of the history of SEAL as well as access curricula developed over the years.
The following are website resources available for Volunteer Administrators
| Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration | http://www.cvacert.org |
| Energize! By Susan J. Ellis | http://www.energizeinc.org |
| e-Volunteerism, Electronic Journal of the Volunteer Community | http://www.evolunteerism.com |
| Hands on Network | http://www.handsonnetwork.org |
| Help Org – Want to Volunteer? Want Volunteers? | www.helping.org |
| Independent Sector | http://www.independentsector.org |
| Nonprofit Risk Management Center | http://nonprofitrisk.org |
| One Star Foundation | http://www.onestarfoundation.org |
| Points of Light Foundation | http://www.pointsoflight.org |
| Texas Department of Public Safety – Crime Records Service | https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/ |
| Virtual Volunteering | http://www.serviceleader.org/vv/ |
| Volunteer Match | http://www.volunteermatch.org |
| Volunteer Today | http://www.volunteertoday.com |
| Volunteering in America | http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov |