4H Livestock Project Task Force Coalition

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4-H Livestock Project Task Force / Coalition
http//texasvolunteer.tamu.edu
Special thanks to Mr. Joshua E. Vodehnal,
Galveston County Extension Agent (Agriculture and
Natural Resources) for allowing us to use his
model.
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Not Just Livestock!!!

• We are going to use livestock in this example,
  but do NOT limit it.
• Horticulture
• Natural Resources
• Shooting Sports
• Etc.

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Visual Schematic
Youth Board
Task Forces / Coalitions
Outcome Program Focused
Livestock Project Focused
Other Project Focused
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Why have this group?

• We (typically) have volunteer/parent support of
  our traditional projects in counties.
• These traditional projects take A LOT of our
  time.
• Currently, not strategic in our educational
  approach.
• Community buy-in builds the program.
• We have a comparative advantage here.

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Purpose of Group

• Define the role of the task force
• What support will the county office provide in
  support of the project ( i.e. educational
  sessions)
• Give guidance on what the group may want to do on
  a county-wide basis
• Generate ideas on what to do within a local
  project group.

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Points to Consider

• Assess the risk and need for the project area
• Building relationships with people
• Know the people in your communities and their
  interests.
• Place the right person in the right job.
• Have a broad diverse group (each club or precinct
  represented)

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Meeting Dynamics

• Use ice breakers/get acquainted activity at the
  first meeting
• Listen! All members have value in what they bring
  to the table
• Work to make the group a team.

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Other Resources

• texasvolunteer.tamu.edu contains resources such
  as
• Working with Groups,
• Strategic Planning
• Nominal Group Technique
• Focus questions
• How can the project experience be enhanced?
• What tools and resources are needed to enhance
  the project?
• How can the project be marketed to new youth and
  volunteer members?

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We can not forget about this audience!!!
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Example 1 - The Members

• The Galveston Example (6 people)
• Parents that were connected to the program (now
  have grandchildren in the program) 2 people
• Fair Board members 2 people
• Club leaders / club managers 2 people
• Other options
• Youth, Master Volunteer, current parents
• Volunteers who have an interest in the area

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What can this group do?

• Hosting Project Clinics
• Host Volunteer Trainings
• Project Visits
• Major / County Show Validation
• Quality Counts

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Hosting Project Clinics

• This group has been responsible for developing
  project trainings based on need.
• Their approach is
• Monthly specific training for a specie
• Each person provides leadership for development
  of clinic

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Project Visits

• Sometimes, new County Extension Agents have to
  build trust with families to be comfortable with
  project visits.
• One member of the group goes with the CEA.
• Family is comfortable with member and CEA and
  gets two opinions.

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Major / County Show
Validation

• Help CEA coordinate validation
• Each individual provides leadership to one specie.

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Quality Counts

• Help promote Quality Counts across the county
• Each member is a trained Quality Counts presenter
• Speak at club meetings about Quality Counts

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Other Possible Items

• Project training at club events
• Train youth to lead specie topics at Ag Awareness
  activities or other special interest projects.
• Build local Master Volunteer Program
• Spokesperson for these projects
• Recruit new members
• Others???

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Conclusions

• Be proactive with this audience (not reactive)
• Utilize the opinion leaders in these areas
• Proper utilization will save time and lower stress