Power of Volunteers
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. Every day, we benefit from the contributions and commitments of our 4-H volunteers. Do you know of a 4-H Volunteer that is deserving on recognition? Give them a shoutout on social media (#NationalVolunteerWeek) and consider nominating them for the Glen Krohn Volunteerism Award (nominations due Friday, May 6, 2022).
According to the 4-H Volunteer Impact Study by the University of Minnesota (2019), volunteering with 4-H not only helps the youth, but provides many benefits to the volunteer, community, and organization including:
- Build relationships with youth
- Gained skills useful in other settings
- Increased confidence as a leader
- Grow personal and professional networks
- Expand capacity of 4-H
- Strengthen communities - Specifically, communities are stronger from increased civic involvement, better connection, and improved health.
Are you interested in volunteering with 4-H, but don't know where to start? If so, visit with your local 4-H agent to see what volunteer opportunities may best fit your interests and skills. There are almost infinite opportunities to engage with 4-H - Here are 10 Ways to Volunteer with 4-H. Once you have identified a role, there are a few simple steps:
- Apply to be a 4-H Volunteer through 4HOnline
- Your 4-H agent will initiate local screenings and trainings with you and enroll you in our Clemson Youth Safety Portal.
- Follow the email prompts to complete the online child abuse training, background check, and sign the standards of behavior.
- HAVE FUN with 4-H!!!
One way we calculate the value of volunteers is using the Independent Sector wage replacement rate. In 2019, the 3,000+ volunteers in South Carolina 4-H were estimated to contribute more than $4 million dollars in giving their time! However, this economic indicator is really a drop in the bucket compared with the true impact that caring adults have on youth. How do you measure the value of a youth that is thriving - one that is full of happiness and hope for a bright future - a child that succeeds academically and vocationally - someone who has long-term economic stability and career success?! Those are just a few of the outcomes we see as a result of the investment by our 4-H volunteers. Thank you, volunteers, for changing our world one life at a time!
A full list of upcoming statewide opportunities are available online: https://www.clemson.edu/extension/4h/events/index.html To find out what is happening in your local community, reach out to your local 4-H agent.
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