The purpose of this study was to assess the management of volunteers through
self-perceptions of Texas 4-H volunteers. This research was an on-line questionnaire
designed to assess volunteers’ attitudes toward recruitment, orientation, training,
resources, utilization, motivations for continuation of service, and recognition.
The population was volunteers enrolled in the Texas 4-H Program during the
2007-2008 program year. The census included 711 Texas 4-H volunteer respondents.
This study used a questionnaire designed by the researcher and a team of faculty and
staff at a major land grant university and a demographics questionnaire. SPSS® 16.0 for
Windows® was used to analyze the data.
The study revealed that most Texas 4-H volunteers are oriented and trained in
their roles and responsibilities as a volunteer, have additional opportunities for training
in their role as club managers or project leaders, have the resources necessary to fulfill
their role, and are recognized for their contributions to the Texas 4-H Program.
However, as with any program, there is room for improvement. Respondents indicated a need for curriculum development in volunteer and club
management. Additionally, 83% of volunteers began volunteering because they had
children or family enrolled in the 4-H program; however, volunteers are motivated to
continue to serve as volunteers because they want to help youth and support youth
development, the 4-H program, agriculture, and family and community development.
Respondents indicated they chose to discontinue serving as a 4-H volunteer due to lack
of county Extension staff support, lack of time, children aging out of the program, and
burnout.
The following recommendations for action were based on the findings and
conclusions of this study. Volunteer orientation and training programs should become an
integral part of all county 4-H volunteer management programs. Curriculum should be
developed in the areas of volunteer and club management. In addition, all volunteers
should be recognized for their contributions to the program. Orientation, training, and
recognition of 4-H volunteers will provide opportunities for volunteers to build an
affiliation for the Texas 4-H program, and in turn, motivate volunteers to continue to
serve the 4-H youth development program.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2315 |
| Date | 15 May 2009 |
| Creators | Torock, Jodi Lynn |
| Contributors | Cummings, Scott R. |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Thesis, text |
| Format | electronic, application/pdf, born digital |
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