1. VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT IN EXTENSION
Necessary Evil or Blessing in Disguise?
Marina D’Abreau
University of Florida IFAS
January 2009

2. Volunteer Programs – Pros & Cons
Delivery of services at reduced/no cost
Access to additional expertise
Better contact/visibility with the community

3. Volunteer Programs – Pros & Cons
Lack of control and reliability of volunteers
Time demands for volunteer supervision
Potential negative impact on paid jobs
Difficulties in recruiting/retaining qualified volunteers

4. Supervision & Evaluation Orientation & Training
Volunteer Programs
Planning
Recruitment
Recognition
MANAGEMENT CYCLE
Supervision & Evaluation
Orientation & Training

5. Volunteer Programs – Recruitment
Marketing/Promotion
Applications
Profiles
Interviews

6. Volunteerisms – The Right Skills
Past experiences
Career history
Special interests

7. Volunteer Programs – Training
Orientation about the organization
Policies and procedures
Assume they know nothing
Clarify expectations

8. Volunteerisms – Clear Expectations

9. Volunteerisms – Provide Direction
Program goals
Organizational mission
Job descriptions

10. Volunteer Programs – Evaluation
Performance at assigned tasks
Recognize training needs
Identify gaps in program

11. Volunteer Programs – Recognition
Acknowledgement of services
Formal and informal
Constant and consistent
Meaningful and motivational

12. Volunteerisms – Don’t Play Favorites

13. Volunteer Programs – Attrition
Poor expectations
Never feel like part of the organization
Poor communication with staff/volunteers
Don’t have enough to do
Don’t feel like they’re making a difference
Never find their niche

14. Volunteer Programs – Mentoring
Address barriers
Peer networking
Similar interests
Smoother transition

15. Volunteer Programs – Mentoring
27% average attrition – all FL counties
7% attrition with mentoring program

16. Master Gardener Program - Florida
425,445 hours in 2007
$7.9 million in services to citizens
~150 FTEs

17. Master Gardener Program - Southeast
>1.7 million hours in 2007
>$31.2 million in services
~600 FTEs

18. TIPS FOR WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS
Respect their schedules
Treat them as colleagues
Develop opportunities that really matter
Remember that volunteering is optional
Be organized and professional
Train with relevance
Target generational groups with peers

19. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH NEEDS
Management structure of adult volunteer programs
Training that addresses organizational and volunteer needs
Role expectations and volunteer turnover
Leadership development among volunteers
Generational volunteers

20. I THINK I’D RATHER MANAGE THE BAILOUT PLAN…

21. University of Florida IFAS
QUESTIONS?
Marina D’Abreau
University of Florida IFAS
January 2009