Volunteer Leaders Volunteer Leaders Working with Judging Working with Judging TeamsTeams

4-H In-service, April 24 -26, 20074-H In-service, April 24 -26, 2007 Carmen G. BurgosCarmen G. Burgos

Extension Specialist, Volunteer DevelopmentExtension Specialist, Volunteer Development

Why have a judging team Why have a judging team program?program?

Judging: Is a valuable teaching techniqueJudging: Is a valuable teaching technique is a way to present project informationis a way to present project information can stimulate interest in project workcan stimulate interest in project work can motivate youth to do better workcan motivate youth to do better work can be an incentive for youth to expand can be an incentive for youth to expand

involvement in 4-Hinvolvement in 4-H

Value to 4-H membersValue to 4-H members

Judging teaches youth to:Judging teaches youth to: recognizerecognize best characteristics or quality; to appreciate best characteristics or quality; to appreciate

high standardshigh standards expandexpand their skills of observation their skills of observation developdevelop reasoning ability reasoning ability (critically thinking)(critically thinking)

makemake sound and systematic sound and systematic decisionsdecisions improveimprove their own work their own work developdevelop ability to concisely express thoughts ability to concisely express thoughts thinkthink “on your feet” “on your feet” developdevelop self-confidence self-confidence bebe a team member a team member (responsibility and accountability )(responsibility and accountability )

Why Involve Volunteer Why Involve Volunteer

Leaders? Leaders? You can reach a larger number of youth, You can reach a larger number of youth,

expanding the county 4-H program.expanding the county 4-H program. Increase the quality of the 4-H Increase the quality of the 4-H

experience for members.experience for members. Volunteers bring a unique set of Volunteers bring a unique set of

experiences, knowledge and skills.experiences, knowledge and skills.

cont. Why?.....cont. Why?.....

Youth need validation from nurturing Youth need validation from nurturing adults outside of the immediate family adults outside of the immediate family circle… increases resiliency.circle… increases resiliency.

Volunteers model contributing to the Volunteers model contributing to the wellbeing of community… strengthening wellbeing of community… strengthening community ties.community ties.

Provides an opportunity to create Provides an opportunity to create ownership in programming efforts… ownership in programming efforts… increasing commitment and resources.increasing commitment and resources.

How Do I Involve How Do I Involve Volunteers Volunteers Leaders?Leaders?

Consider ….Consider ….

Judging Team Judging Team opportunities opportunities Consumer Decision MakingConsumer Decision Making

DairyDairy Dairy ProductsDairy Products ForestryForestry HorseHorse LandLand Life SmartsLife Smarts LivestockLivestock Meat ScienceMeat Science Plant and Seed IdentificationPlant and Seed Identification PoultryPoultry WildlifeWildlife

Your goals and interestYour goals and interest Different ways of Different ways of

involving volunteers in involving volunteers in judging activities.judging activities.

Select a starting point Select a starting point your knowledge/interestyour knowledge/interest potential volunteer potential volunteer

coaches you already coaches you already know aboutknow about

decide which judging decide which judging team(s) you want to start team(s) you want to start withwith

Prepare …Prepare … before you recruit! before you recruit!

What do I need before I What do I need before I recruit volunteers to coach recruit volunteers to coach a judging team?a judging team?

Establish procedure for enrolling volunteers.Establish procedure for enrolling volunteers. Collect teaching materials and resources Collect teaching materials and resources

volunteers & youth will need related to judging volunteers & youth will need related to judging and subject matter.and subject matter.

Talk to other agents that have been successful Talk to other agents that have been successful in coaching and in utilizing volunteer judging in coaching and in utilizing volunteer judging coaches.coaches.

Establish a time-line and study planEstablish a time-line and study plan Develop marketing plan.Develop marketing plan.

Cont. What do I need?...Cont. What do I need?...

Prepare short “Orientation” for potential Prepare short “Orientation” for potential coaches and volunteers coaches and volunteers (use as recruiting tool)(use as recruiting tool)

Prepare a core training for coachesPrepare a core training for coaches ExpectationsExpectations Youth development informationYouth development information Event requirements Event requirements Teaching youth: methods Teaching youth: methods Judging and subject matter materials & resourcesJudging and subject matter materials & resources Fund developmentFund development Organizing a 4-H judging eventOrganizing a 4-H judging event

Draft a county recognition plan for Draft a county recognition plan for volunteers and youth volunteers and youth (coaches could have input)(coaches could have input)

ToolsTools

Volunteer position descriptionVolunteer position description Marketing/recruiting informationMarketing/recruiting information Time-lineTime-line Study schedule Study schedule (tentative)(tentative)

Communication planCommunication plan

Where and how canWhere and how can I find volunteers ? I find volunteers ?

Sources:Sources: Local businessesLocal businesses Professionals in the Professionals in the

industriesindustries 4-H alumni4-H alumni Collegiate 4-H orCollegiate 4-H or

college studentcollege student Teen leadersTeen leaders School teachersSchool teachers Retired professionalRetired professional

Methods:Methods: Handouts at club Handouts at club

meetingsmeetings Flyers at eventsFlyers at events Personal visitsPersonal visits Attend or contact Attend or contact

association/chapter association/chapter meetingmeeting

NewsletterNewsletter

Training…Training…

Familiarize them with the opportunitiesFamiliarize them with the opportunities The benefits of judgingThe benefits of judging Who is eligibleWho is eligible Recognition program (county, regional, stateRecognition program (county, regional, state

Expectations (position description)Expectations (position description) Working with youth Working with youth Time-line and study planTime-line and study plan

First meetingFirst meeting

Good beginnings are important and will Good beginnings are important and will pay off with high interest by the boys and pay off with high interest by the boys and girls.girls. Welcome – Ice breakersWelcome – Ice breakers Preview – experiences, trips, friendsPreview – experiences, trips, friends ScheduleSchedule Positive learning environmentPositive learning environment

Evaluate individual progressEvaluate individual progress

What does it take to have What does it take to have a successful experience?a successful experience?

TrainedTrained volunteers volunteers Study resources and Study resources and

materialsmaterials Plan or study schedulePlan or study schedule Coordinate paperwork Coordinate paperwork

requirements properlyrequirements properly Good communicationGood communication Clear expectationsClear expectations Interest in helping each Interest in helping each

child reach their child reach their potentialpotential

Commitment: (youth, Commitment: (youth, parents, and coaches)parents, and coaches)

Youth interested in Youth interested in subject matter and subject matter and involved in the “doing” involved in the “doing” aspect of learningaspect of learning

Judging situation at Judging situation at every practiceevery practice

Positive learning Positive learning environmentenvironment

Fun!Fun!

Recruit, Hire, Train…Recruit, Hire, Train…

And And ManageManage!!

Thank Thank You!You!