4H Projects: Task Force Coalitions

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4-H Projects Task Force / Coalitions
http//texasvolunteer.tamu.edu
A model for Family Consumer Sciences developed
by Susan Ballabina, RPD East Region, Susie
Breitling, Dallam CEA-FCS, Susie Spurlock,
Sherman CEA-FCS
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Texas 4-H FCS Projects

• CEAs may be responsible for all or some of these
  FCS projects
• Food and Nutrition
• Consumer Education
• Health
• Housing and Home Environment
• Clothing and Textiles
• Family Life Education

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Visual Schematic
Youth Board
FCS Project Task Force
FCS Project Leaders
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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.
• 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 ?s
• 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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Example 1 Membership(General FCS Committee)

• Ideas for membership
• Six members may work well
• Senior 4-H members
• FCCLA members
• FCS Project Leaders
• Professionals with a career in an FCS area For
  Example
• Chef
• Local bank representative
• Interior designer
• Entrepreneur

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Example 2 Membership(Project Specific
Committee)

• Have club managers submit one project leader per
  club and one teen/junior leader (they can be
  parent/child) OR
• Identify volunteers through their project
  preference on the application form, and
• Open call in newspaper or 4-H newsletter (do not
  rely solely on this method)

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What can your FCS Task Force do?

• Plan/Host Project Leader Training
• Plan/Sponsor county-wide educational workshops
• Assist in implementation of county contests
  associated with the projects
• Assist with District 4-H FCS educational events
  and contests
• Secure curriculum and educational resources in
  the project area

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Project Leader Training

• The task force should be responsible for
  developing project leader trainings based on
  need.
• Members of the task force should take leadership
  in one of the FCS project areas that interests
  them and serve as the county coordinator for that
  particular project

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County-Wide Workshops

• Let your task force serve as the planning group
  for any of your county-wide project workshops
• Always strive to involve teen and junior leaders
• Workshops can be a series or a one day event
• Always utilize local resource people

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County Contests

• Help CEA coordinate contest
• Take leadership role at the contest
• Ensure contest integrity
• Reinforce the contest as a recognition event for
  contestants and volunteers

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District Contests

• We always need judges, timekeepers, runners, etc.
  at our district FCS contests
• Serve on district planning committee

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Other Possible Items

• Assist in promoting FCS curriculum enrichment
  opportunities within the schools
• Build local FCS Master Volunteer Program
• Spokesperson for FCS projects
• Coordinate FCS community service projects
• 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