Master VolunteersMaster Volunteersofof

Fort Bend CountyFort Bend County

Vincent J. Mannino, County Extension Director

Value of VolunteersValue of Volunteers

• Old Chinese Proverb - “Behind every able Old Chinese Proverb - “Behind every able man there are always other able men”man there are always other able men”

• ““Workers breed vocations, whereas Workers breed vocations, whereas

Volunteers breed avocations”Volunteers breed avocations”

What is theWhat is theMaster Volunteer Program?Master Volunteer Program?

An An organizedorganized educational volunteer program - educational volunteer program -

• with with specific guidelinesspecific guidelines set by Texas A&M set by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension,AgriLife Extension,

• created to expand the capacity of AgriLife created to expand the capacity of AgriLife Extension to distribute educational Extension to distribute educational information to individuals and groups in the information to individuals and groups in the community.community.

Who are the Master Volunteers?Who are the Master Volunteers?

• Representatives of the Texas A&M Representatives of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ServiceAgriLife Extension Service

• Representatives of the Texas A&M Representatives of the Texas A&M University System,University System,

• Volunteer educators for the Fort Bend area,Volunteer educators for the Fort Bend area,

• Local folks that love sharing their vocation Local folks that love sharing their vocation or avocation with others.or avocation with others.

ConsiderationsConsiderations~ ~ Regarding Volunteers 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?

ConveyConvey to Volunteers:to Volunteers:

• #1 - #1 - PARTPART of The Texas A&M University of The Texas A&M University SystemSystem– Texas A & M University (+7), Prairie View, TarletonTexas A & M University (+7), Prairie View, Tarleton

– Texas AgriLife Extension ServiceTexas AgriLife Extension Service

– Texas AgriLife Research (Experiment Stations)Texas AgriLife Research (Experiment Stations)

– Texas Engineering Extension ServiceTexas Engineering Extension Service

– Texas Engineering Experiment StationTexas Engineering Experiment Station

– Texas Forest ServiceTexas Forest Service

– Texas Transportation InstituteTexas Transportation Institute

– Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostics LabTexas Veterinary Medical Diagnostics LabTexas A&M System

#2 - Part of U.S.D.A.’s Land/Sea Grant Univ. #2 - Part of U.S.D.A.’s Land/Sea Grant Univ. SystemSystem– (CREES) Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension (CREES) Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension

Service Service

– Research: Experiment Stations (Hatch Act – 1887)Research: Experiment Stations (Hatch Act – 1887)

– Education: Land Grant Universities Education: Land Grant Universities

(Morrill Act - 1862, 1890, 1994 Land-Grant Colleges)(Morrill Act - 1862, 1890, 1994 Land-Grant Colleges)

– OutreachOutreach: Cooperative Extension (Smith-Lever Act - 1914): Cooperative Extension (Smith-Lever Act - 1914)

• #3 -#3 - Cooperate Cooperate with Co. Commissioners’ Court with Co. Commissioners’ Court

ConveyConvey to Volunteers:to Volunteers:

AgriLife Extension’sAgriLife Extension’s

• Mission:Mission: Providing quality, relevant outreach Providing quality, relevant outreach and continuing educational programs and and continuing educational programs and services to the people of Texas.services to the people of Texas.

• Vision:Vision: To be the premier 21st Century outreach To be the premier 21st Century outreach and continuing education organization in Texas and continuing education organization in Texas responding to the needs of the people.responding to the needs of the people.

ConveyConvey to Volunteers:to Volunteers:

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’sTexas A&M AgriLife Extension’sFort Bend CountyFort Bend County

• OurOur Mission: To offer outreach education Mission: To offer outreach education to individuals, families and communities to to individuals, families and communities to help improve the quality of their lives and help improve the quality of their lives and to build a dynamic future for Texas.to build a dynamic future for Texas.

To Accomplish our Mission:To Accomplish our Mission:

• WE NEED WE NEED

VOLUNTEERS!VOLUNTEERS!

Master VolunteerMaster Volunteer vs. Volunteer vs. Volunteer

• The “Master Volunteer” title is used only by The “Master Volunteer” title is used only by individuals individuals trainedtrained in a specific Master Volunteer in a specific Master Volunteer programprogram

• Master Volunteers must receive a specified Master Volunteers must receive a specified number of hours of instruction number of hours of instruction

• Master Volunteers must volunteer a specified Master Volunteers must volunteer a specified number of predetermined hours that equal to or number of predetermined hours that equal to or above the number of hours of instructionabove the number of hours of instruction

• The “Master Volunteer” title is bestowed after The “Master Volunteer” title is bestowed after completion of volunteer servicecompletion of volunteer service

• Master Volunteers will undergo additional training Master Volunteers will undergo additional training per year to maintain the “Master Volunteer” title.per year to maintain the “Master Volunteer” title.

**

* PAC member, task force member, coalition member, etc.* PAC member, task force member, coalition member, etc.

Our ChargeOur Charge• ProvideProvide in-depth training, educational in-depth training, educational

opportunities and written materialopportunities and written material• UtilizeUtilize Master Volunteers to increase the Master Volunteers to increase the

availability of educational information and availability of educational information and extend projects throughout the communityextend projects throughout the community

• HelpHelp develop a Master Gardener, Master develop a Master Gardener, Master Naturalist, 4-H Master Volunteer, and Naturalist, 4-H Master Volunteer, and Master Wellness network that is supportive Master Wellness network that is supportive of the mission & vision of AgriLife of the mission & vision of AgriLife Extension.Extension.

Volunteer AssociationsVolunteer Associations

Do We Need Them?Do We Need Them?

Master Volunteer AssociationsMaster Volunteer Associations

MV Association must include:MV Association must include: • Certified volunteersCertified volunteers who serve as representatives of who serve as representatives of

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension ServiceTexas A&M AgriLife Extension Service• A A staff memberstaff member of the local county Extension office of the local county Extension office

that serves as an advisor to the association that serves as an advisor to the association • An An executive boardexecutive board made up of made up of LEADERSLEADERS of the of the

total Master Volunteer body (officers & at-large total Master Volunteer body (officers & at-large members)members)

Responsibilities of the AssociationResponsibilities of the AssociationAssist AgriLife Extension inAssist AgriLife Extension in::• Recruiting and selecting participants or internsRecruiting and selecting participants or interns• Coordinating, conducting and funding training for Master Coordinating, conducting and funding training for Master

Volunteers Volunteers • Certifying and recertifying Master Gardeners using State Certifying and recertifying Master Gardeners using State

Master Volunteer Guidelines Master Volunteer Guidelines • Identifying, developing and determining volunteer Identifying, developing and determining volunteer

activities and projects which support Extension's activities and projects which support Extension's educational mission educational mission

• Background checkedBackground checked• Support of partial cost recovery (PCR)Support of partial cost recovery (PCR)

Responsibilities of the AssociationResponsibilities of the Association

Assist AgriLife Extension inAssist AgriLife Extension in::• Recording and reporting volunteer service of the Recording and reporting volunteer service of the

Master Gardeners Master Gardeners • Recognizing Master Gardeners for volunteer service Recognizing Master Gardeners for volunteer service

and leadership and leadership • Facilitating communications between Extension Facilitating communications between Extension

personnel and Master Gardenerspersonnel and Master Gardeners• Support of Best Management PracticesSupport of Best Management Practices• Adhere to the guidance given by agent advisors Adhere to the guidance given by agent advisors

HOW?HOW?By Spelling Out!By Spelling Out!

The Job Descriptions

The Contract

The Requirements

Job DescriptionsJob Descriptions

• PurposePurpose:: To extend AgriLife Extension’s educational programs To extend AgriLife Extension’s educational programs in the area(s) of (in the area(s) of (name areasname areas))

• DutiesDuties:: Answers questions and inquiries by telephone, clinics, Answers questions and inquiries by telephone, clinics, demonstration, and other methods as neededdemonstration, and other methods as needed

• CooperatesCooperates with and assists AgriLife Extension in preparing and with and assists AgriLife Extension in preparing and producing of specific educational resources producing of specific educational resources

• Effectively communicateEffectively communicate with public by telephone, personal with public by telephone, personal contact and through written language. contact and through written language.

• Keeps appropriate recordsKeeps appropriate records – Hours of volunteer service performedHours of volunteer service performed– Number of contacts, and perhaps type of contactsNumber of contacts, and perhaps type of contacts– Nature of call, answers given and references madeNature of call, answers given and references made

• Responsible toResponsible to:: The Extension agent/advisor in charge, volunteer The Extension agent/advisor in charge, volunteer coordinator and others as requiredcoordinator and others as required

The Contract!The Contract!• Spell out the program – Spell out the program –

– What does it entailWhat does it entail– What is expectedWhat is expected

• Spell out the Spell out the requirementsrequirements – – – What will it takeWhat will it take– How much time will it takeHow much time will it take– Certification & recertification requirementsCertification & recertification requirements

• Spell out the consequences – Spell out the consequences – – What if I do wrong?What if I do wrong?

• Sign the contract (every 1 or 2 years)Sign the contract (every 1 or 2 years)

The RequirementsThe Requirements

RequirementsRequirements • For individuals with a willingness to learn For individuals with a willingness to learn

and a and a desiredesire to help others to help others• Completion of a minimum of (60*) hours of Completion of a minimum of (60*) hours of

instructioninstruction• Completion of (60*) hours of Completion of (60*) hours of approvedapproved

volunteer servicevolunteer service• And, THEN you are certified.And, THEN you are certified.

* to be determined* to be determined

Maintaining CertificationMaintaining 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,receive (12*) hours of recertification training,– donate (12*) hours of volunteer servicedonate (12*) hours of volunteer service

* to be determined* to be determined

Volunteer Volunteer OpportunitiesOpportunities

• AgricultureAgriculture

• Family & Consumer SciencesFamily & Consumer Sciences

• 4-H4-H

Relate to the following program areas:Relate to the following program areas:

Agriculture &Agriculture &Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

Ag Volunteer EventsAg 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 Preparedness Emergency Preparedness

Programs/Projects/ActivitiesPrograms/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• Newsletters Newsletters • Fruit & Vegetable, Citrus, Pecan ShowsFruit & Vegetable, Citrus, Pecan Shows• Emergency Preparedness Emergency Preparedness • Many more……..Many more……..

FCS Volunteer EventsFCS Volunteer Events

• Baby-Think-It-Over Baby-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 Preparedness Emergency Preparedness

4-H 4-H Master VolunteersMaster Volunteers

PROGRAMS AND EVENTSPROGRAMS 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

Items to Remember:Items to Remember:

• No one No one should display credentials or give should display credentials or give the appearance of being a Master Volunteer the appearance of being a Master Volunteer at a place of business unless that place is at a place of business unless that place is conducting an authorized Master Volunteer conducting an authorized Master Volunteer activity.activity.

• Master Volunteer programs are Master Volunteer programs are

NOT FOR FINANCIAL GAIN.NOT FOR FINANCIAL GAIN.

Items to Remember:Items to Remember:

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

Items to Remember:Items to Remember:

• Report to the AgentReport to the Agent

• Report to the AgentReport to the Agent

• Report to the AgentReport to the Agent

Welcome to our Welcome to our Master Volunteer Master Volunteer

Family!Family!

Vincent Mannino, Vincent Mannino,

County Extension Director -Fort Bend, County Extension Director -Fort Bend,

email – v-mannino@tamu.eduemail – v-mannino@tamu.edu