Description

Volunteers are fundamental to many successful Extension programs, yet research indicates that nearly one third of volunteers quit because of poor management practices. The North Central Region 4-H volunteer specialists developed the online course, Achieving the Extension Mission through Volunteers, for the novice and experienced Extension professional working with volunteers to enhance and deliver Extension programs. This course is designed to highlight best practices while building staff and organizational capacity in volunteer development and management in all Extension program areas with a cohort of peers.

Audience

This course is offered nationally for Extension professionals from all program areas who would like to increase their knowledge and skills in volunteer development and management. It is recommended for staff with at least one year or more of experience.

Objectives

Participants will:

• Build staff and organizational capacity around volunteer development and management.
• Increase volunteer management competencies.
• Build knowledge and skills to identify, recruit, select, and support volunteers.
• Learn current volunteer trends and how they may impact programming.
• Understand the organization's philosophy related to volunteerism and develop their own philosophy.

Technical Requirements

For optimum participation, use:

• high speed internet connection to view pre-recorded presentations 
• a headset/earbuds for webinar and video conference calls

Registration and Payment

• Each registration must be completed separately. (That is, it is not possible to put multiple registrants' registrations into your "cart" and check them all out at once.)
• We recommend that participants register themselves, but it is possible for another staff member to register a participant. (That person will be creating an account for the participant and will need to share the password they create with the participant.)
• It is essential that if someone other than the participant is registering the participant, they enter the participant's email address (NOT their own) when they register the person. 
• Payment must be made at the time of registration. 
• Payment is accepted by credit card only. (No POs, invoices or payment by check.)

Cancellation policy

Registration will remain open until December 27, unless the course fills before that date. Cancellations prior to December 27 will be fully refunded; no refunds will be issued for later cancellations. If you have questions or need to cancel your registration, please email ext-reg@umn.edu.

Contacts

Course questions: Becky Harrington, willi107@umn.edu

Instructor: Tillie Good, tbgood@iastate.edu

Registration questions: ext-reg@umn.edu

If you experience difficulties logging in

Contact the University of Minnesota IT Help Line at 612-301-4357 or HELP@umn.edu. Please mention you are using a guest account to register for a non-credit online course.

Get help with online learning

https://extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events/get-help-online-learning