Orienting Extension Volunteers

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Orienting Extension Volunteers
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Importance of Extension Volunteers

• Organizing and Mobilizing a strong volunteer base
  is essential to Extensions mission.

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Three Types/Phases of Orientation

• Social Orientation
• Position Orientation
• System Orientation

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Social Orientation

• Goal help new volunteers find a social comfort
  zone within new environment
• Can include items such as introductions,
  explanation of policies and helpful tips
• The simplest type of orientation, and takes the
  least time and preparation.

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Position Orientation

• Goal for volunteers to understand their specific
  roles and responsibilities.
• Agent should provide a volunteer position
  description, outlining specific details and
  expectations of their job

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Position Orientation

• A volunteer position description should include
• Title
• Advisor
• Purpose of the position
• Benefits to the volunteer
• Responsibilities
• Qualifications and special skills
• Time commitment
• Resources and support available

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System Orientation

• Goal to give information to new volunteers about
  the organization they are serving and their part
  in it.
• Volunteers do not need to know all the facts and
  people, they need a big picture view of
  Extensions history, mission and structure.

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System Orientation

• Volunteer System Orientation may include such
  items as
• Extensions Mission
• Definition of Cooperative Extension
• Legislation that created and defined Extension
• Program areas supported by Extension
• Other Extension volunteering opportunities
• Extension policies and proceedures

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Result of Quality Orientation

• Volunteers with needed competencies
• Volunteers that understand their role and
  performance expectations within Extension
• Volunteers that are more confident and motivated
  to fulfill their job responsibilities
• Volunteers that will represent Extension well and
  serve as advocates for Extension