1. Master Volunteers of Fort Bend County Vincent J. Mannino, County Extension Director

2. Value of Volunteers Old Chinese Proverb - “Behind every able man there are always other able men”Old Chinese Proverb - “Behind every able man there are always other able men” “Workers breed vocations, whereas“Workers breed vocations, whereas Volunteers breed avocations”

3. What is the Master Volunteer Program? An organized educational volunteer program - with specific guidelines set by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension,with specific guidelines set by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, created to expand the capacity of AgriLife Extension to distribute educational information to individuals and groups in the community.created to expand the capacity of AgriLife Extension to distribute educational information to individuals and groups in the community.

4. Who are the Master Volunteers? Representatives of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ServiceRepresentatives of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Representatives of the Texas A&M University System,Representatives of the Texas A&M University System, Volunteer educators for the Fort Bend area,Volunteer educators for the Fort Bend area, Local folks that love sharing their vocation or avocation with others.Local folks that love sharing their vocation or avocation with others.

5. Considerations ~ Regarding Volunteers ~ Does this person have a history of volunteerism?Does this person have a history of volunteerism? Is this person mature enough to teach?Is this person mature enough to teach? Will personality problems interfere?Will personality problems interfere? Will this person be judgmental of others?Will this person be judgmental of others? Is there a willingness to learn & to be supervised?Is there a willingness to learn & to be supervised? Will this person cooperate with others?Will this person cooperate with others? Is this person committed and dependable?Is this person committed and dependable? Does this person have a criminal record?Does this person have a criminal record?

6. Convey to Volunteers: #1 - PART of The Texas A&M University System#1 - PART of The Texas A&M University System –Texas A & M University (+7), Prairie View, Tarleton –Texas AgriLife Extension Service –Texas AgriLife Research (Experiment Stations) –Texas Engineering Extension Service –Texas Engineering Experiment Station –Texas Forest Service –Texas Transportation Institute –Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Lab Texas A&M System

7. #2 - Part of U.S.D.A.’s Land/Sea Grant Univ. System –(CREES) Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service –Research: Experiment Stations (Hatch Act – 1887) –Education: Land Grant Universities (Morrill Act - 1862, 1890, 1994 Land-Grant Colleges) (Morrill Act - 1862, 1890, 1994 Land-Grant Colleges) –Outreach: Cooperative Extension (Smith-Lever Act - 1914) #3 - Cooperate with Co. Commissioners’ Court#3 - Cooperate with Co. Commissioners’ Court Convey to Volunteers:

8. AgriLife Extension’s Mission: Providing quality, relevant outreach and continuing educational programs and services to the people of Texas.Mission: Providing quality, relevant outreach and continuing educational programs and services to the people of Texas. Vision: To be the premier 21st Century outreach and continuing education organization in Texas responding to the needs of the people.Vision: To be the premier 21st Century outreach and continuing education organization in Texas responding to the needs of the people. Convey to Volunteers:

9. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Fort Bend County Our Mission: To offer outreach education to individuals, families and communities to help improve the quality of their lives and to build a dynamic future for Texas.Our Mission: To offer outreach education to individuals, families and communities to help improve the quality of their lives and to build a dynamic future for Texas.

10. To Accomplish our Mission: WE NEEDWE NEEDVOLUNTEERS!

11. Master Volunteer vs. Volunteer The “Master Volunteer” title is used only by individuals trained in a specific Master Volunteer programThe “Master Volunteer” title is used only by individuals trained in a specific Master Volunteer program Master Volunteers must receive a specified number of hours of instructionMaster Volunteers must receive a specified number of hours of instruction Master Volunteers must volunteer a specified number of predetermined hours that equal to or above the number of hours of instructionMaster Volunteers must volunteer a specified number of predetermined hours that equal to or above the number of hours of instruction The “Master Volunteer” title is bestowed after completion of volunteer serviceThe “Master Volunteer” title is bestowed after completion of volunteer service Master Volunteers will undergo additional training per year to maintain the “Master Volunteer” title.Master Volunteers will undergo additional training per year to maintain the “Master Volunteer” title. * * PAC member, task force member, coalition member, etc.

12. Our Charge Provide in-depth training, educational opportunities and written materialProvide in-depth training, educational opportunities and written material Utilize Master Volunteers to increase the availability of educational information and extend projects throughout the communityUtilize Master Volunteers to increase the availability of educational information and extend projects throughout the community Help develop a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, 4-H Master Volunteer, and Master Wellness network that is supportive of the mission & vision of AgriLife Extension.Help develop a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, 4-H Master Volunteer, and Master Wellness network that is supportive of the mission & vision of AgriLife Extension.

13. Volunteer Associations Do We Need Them?

14. Master Volunteer Associations MV Association must include: Certified volunteers who serve as representatives of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ServiceCertified volunteers who serve as representatives of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service A staff member of the local county Extension office that serves as an advisor to the associationA staff member of the local county Extension office that serves as an advisor to the association An executive board made up of LEADERS of the total Master Volunteer body (officers & at-large members)An executive board made up of LEADERS of the total Master Volunteer body (officers & at-large members)

15. Responsibilities of the Association Assist AgriLife Extension in: Recruiting and selecting participants or internsRecruiting and selecting participants or interns Coordinating, conducting and funding training for Master VolunteersCoordinating, conducting and funding training for Master Volunteers Certifying and recertifying Master Gardeners using State Master Volunteer GuidelinesCertifying and recertifying Master Gardeners using State Master Volunteer Guidelines Identifying, developing and determining volunteer activities and projects which support Extension's educational missionIdentifying, developing and determining volunteer activities and projects which support Extension's educational mission Background checkedBackground checked Support of partial cost recovery (PCR)Support of partial cost recovery (PCR)

16. Responsibilities of the Association Assist AgriLife Extension in: Recording and reporting volunteer service of the Master GardenersRecording and reporting volunteer service of the Master Gardeners Recognizing Master Gardeners for volunteer service and leadershipRecognizing Master Gardeners for volunteer service and leadership Facilitating communications between Extension personnel and Master GardenersFacilitating communications between Extension personnel and Master Gardeners Support of Best Management PracticesSupport of Best Management Practices Adhere to the guidance given by agent advisorsAdhere to the guidance given by agent advisors

17. HOW? By Spelling Out! The Job Descriptions The Contract The Requirements

18. Job Descriptions Purpose: To extend AgriLife Extension’s educational programs in the area(s) of (name areas)Purpose: To extend AgriLife Extension’s educational programs in the area(s) of (name areas) Duties: Answers questions and inquiries by telephone, clinics, demonstration, and other methods as neededDuties: Answers questions and inquiries by telephone, clinics, demonstration, and other methods as needed Cooperates with and assists AgriLife Extension in preparing and producing of specific educational resourcesCooperates with and assists AgriLife Extension in preparing and producing of specific educational resources Effectively communicate with public by telephone, personal contact and through written language.Effectively communicate with public by telephone, personal contact and through written language. Keeps appropriate recordsKeeps appropriate records –Hours of volunteer service performed –Number of contacts, and perhaps type of contacts –Nature of call, answers given and references made Responsible to: The Extension agent/advisor in charge, volunteer coordinator and others as requiredResponsible to: The Extension agent/advisor in charge, volunteer coordinator and others as required

19. The Contract! Spell out the program –Spell out the program – –What does it entail –What is expected Spell out the requirements –Spell out the requirements – –What will it take –How much time will it take –Certification & recertification requirements Spell out the consequences –Spell out the consequences – –What if I do wrong? Sign the contract (every 1 or 2 years)Sign the contract (every 1 or 2 years)

20. The Requirements Requirements For individuals with a willingness to learn and a desire to help othersFor individuals with a willingness to learn and a desire to help others Completion of a minimum of (60*) hours of instructionCompletion of a minimum of (60*) hours of instruction Completion of (60*) hours of approved volunteer serviceCompletion of (60*) hours of approved volunteer service And, THEN you are certified.And, THEN you are certified. * to be determined

21. Maintaining Certification Certifications last 2 years - That’s all folks!Certifications last 2 years - That’s all folks! Every year you must:Every year you must: – receive (12*) hours of recertification training, – donate (12*) hours of volunteer service * to be determined

22. Volunteer Opportunities AgricultureAgriculture Family & Consumer SciencesFamily & Consumer Sciences 4-H4-H Relate to the following program areas:

23. Agriculture & Natural Resources

24. Agriculture Program Area Committees/Task Forces AgricultureAgriculture –Row Crops (14) –Rice (5) –Beef Cattle & Forage (9) –Horse (14) Agriculture & Natural ResourcesAgriculture & Natural Resources –Ag’Tivity (35) –Master Naturalist (6*) HorticultureHorticulture –Master Gardeners (6 *) –Bee Keepers (4) –Pecan T.F. (4) –Citrus Comm. (5) * Board members

25. Ag Volunteer Events Field DaysField Days Horse Clinics (roping, jumping, SHOT)Horse Clinics (roping, jumping, SHOT) Beef Cattle/Forage WorkshopsBeef Cattle/Forage Workshops Ag’Tivity Barn & Fair FunctionsAg’Tivity Barn & Fair Functions Short CoursesShort Courses Cattle Shows,Cattle Shows, Result Demonstrations & Applied ResearchResult Demonstrations & Applied Research Regular Meeting & Educational ProgramsRegular Meeting & Educational Programs Emergency PreparednessEmergency Preparedness

26. Programs/Projects/Activities Demonstration Garden CommitteesDemonstration Garden Committees Master Volunteer HotlinesMaster Volunteer Hotlines Speaker’s BureauSpeaker’s Bureau Special Educational EventsSpecial Educational Events Monthly Educational ProgramMonthly Educational Program NewslettersNewsletters Fruit & Vegetable, Citrus, Pecan ShowsFruit & Vegetable, Citrus, Pecan Shows Emergency PreparednessEmergency Preparedness Many more……..Many more……..

27. Family and Consumer Sciences Family and Consumer SciencesFamily and Consumer Sciences –Master Clothing Volunteer (proposed) –Texas Extension Ed. Assoc. (7*) –Partners for Parenting (9) –CEP (10) –FF News (10) Better Living for TexansBetter Living for Texans

28. FCS Volunteer Events Baby-Think-It-OverBaby-Think-It-Over FRED (Fathers Reading Every Day)FRED (Fathers Reading Every Day) Do-Well-Be-WellDo-Well-Be-Well TEEA Classes/Dist. & State MeetingTEEA Classes/Dist. & State Meeting Food and Activities for Senior CitizensFood and Activities for Senior Citizens Fund Raisers for 4-H ScholarshipFund Raisers for 4-H Scholarship 4-H Food and Fashion Shows4-H Food and Fashion Shows Ag’Tivity and Fair FunctionsAg’Tivity and Fair Functions Emergency PreparednessEmergency Preparedness

29. 4-H 4-H Development Committee (11)4-H Development Committee (11) 4-H Youth Council (30)4-H Youth Council (30) 4-H Adult Leaders (25)4-H Adult Leaders (25)

30. 4-H Master Volunteers PROGRAMS AND EVENTS Consumer Decision MakingConsumer Decision Making ClothingClothing Animal Project AreasAnimal Project Areas Foods and NutritionFoods and Nutrition Vet ScienceVet Science RoboticsRobotics Shooting SportsShooting Sports Outdoor ClubsOutdoor Clubs Companion PetsCompanion Pets

31. Items to Remember: No one should display credentials or give the appearance of being a Master Volunteer at a place of business unless that place is conducting an authorized Master Volunteer activity.No one should display credentials or give the appearance of being a Master Volunteer at a place of business unless that place is conducting an authorized Master Volunteer activity. Master Volunteer programs areMaster Volunteer programs are NOT FOR FINANCIAL GAIN.

32. Items to Remember: It is improper to imply that the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service endorses any product or place of business.It is improper to imply that the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service endorses any product or place of business.

33. Items to Remember: Report to the AgentReport to the Agent

34. Welcome to our Master Volunteer Family! Vincent Mannino, County Extension Director -Fort Bend, email – v-mannino@tamu.edu