Helping Volunteers THRIVE! Professional Development Series Putting Volunteer Training Resources into Practice
Extension Education
T. Ashley Burns
State 4-H Leader
Clemson University
Clemson
Abstract
The Southern Region Volunteer Specialists developed and implemented a five-part virtual professional development series aimed at connecting the 4-H Thriving Model's developmental context with practical applications of the updated Volunteer Research Knowledge Competency (VRKC) taxonomy. This innovative program, conducted via Zoom from April to October 2023, featured facilitators from 11 states and attracted 366 live attendees across its five sessions. The series employed diverse educational methods to cater to various learning styles, including live virtual sessions, recorded content, and interactive resources. Participants received digital badges upon completion of each session's evaluation, with an additional badge awarded for completing all five sessions. This approach not only incentivized participation but also allowed for ongoing engagement and resource access. Post-session evaluations (n=116) revealed significant improvements in participants' awareness of Thrive and VRKC resources, as well as enhanced understanding of key concepts such as developmental context, youth-adult partnerships, diverse teaching strategies, and program quality evaluation. Notably, 95% of respondents reported increased ability to facilitate activities with volunteers, 94% could better contextualize content, 88% made connections between VRKC and the 4-H Thriving Model, and 87% felt equipped with necessary resources for volunteer development. This professional development series demonstrates a successful integration of theoretical frameworks with practical application in volunteer development. Its innovative approach to virtual professional development, coupled with measurable positive outcomes, presents a valuable model for future Extension programming. The series effectively addressed the need for comprehensive volunteer training, aligning with both the 4-H Thriving Model and VRKC taxonomy, thus contributing significantly to the field of positive youth development.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: T. Ashley Burns, Daniel Sarver, Meggan Franks
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Burns, T. State 4-H Leader, Clemson University, South Carolina, 29634
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Sarver, D. Extension Specialist III, University of Tennessee , Tennessee, 37996
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Franks, M. Assistant Professor - Extension, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Louisiana, 70820