Master FCS Volunteer Proposal

<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: <br/>In many land-grant systems, shrinking funds have led to a reduction in family and consumer sciences faculty delivering programs, leaving a gap in service delivery in pillar program areas such as food, nutrition and health; food safety and food preservation; family financial management and family and human development. Many FCS Agent educators serve multiple counties and there are vacancies leaving areas underserved while demands for services continue to increase. This project will maximize program delivery and create new opportunities to leverage existing volunteers and recruit new volunteers. To strengthen FCS support, existing and new master volunteers need to receive core training. The core training will include information on the organization's mission, vision, structure, history and policies. Communication, conducting presentations, working
with diverse audiences, facilitation skills, leadership skills and public policy will be major components or modules in this training. Examples of core components are available through the national Extension network and may be utilized in developing this training. A faculty level persion will be hired to develop and coordinate the core curriculum, marketing, and evaluation tools. An existing volunteer management system will be reviewed to determine how it can be adapted and enhanced for the Master FCS volunteer program. The Master Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Volunteer Program in Virginia will serve as a model that can be replicated in other states or regions throughout the land-grant system.
<p>APPROACH: <br/>Tasks: Employ a faculty level person to develop the core curriculum and evaluation tools. Evaluation materials will include a pre and post test competency/knowledge base assessment. Review existing volunteer management system; make recommendations for how it could be adapted or enhanced for the Master FCS Volunteer program. Include background information on Virginia's current volunteer structure, name of volunteer programs and a brief description, number of volunteers in programs and current tracking system. Make recommendation on how the volunteer management program can be utilized for training, tracking and management of volunteers. Work with CALS Information Technology (IT) to effectively incorporate technology into each of the three (two hours each) on-line curriculum modules. Curriculum modules will be available in two formats: on-line modules and
portable document format (PDF) with speakers notes. Modules will include information on leadership and public policy, effective communication, working with diverse audiences, facilitation skills, resource development, the history of Cooperative Extension and FCS, the historic involvement of Family and Community Educators and Extension Homemakers, the core areas and curriculums of FCS (including food, nutrition, health, food safety, food preservation, financial management, housing, human development, and aging), marketing, and branding. Report progress to NIFA midway through the project and receive feedback.
<p>PROGRESS: 2011/08 TO 2012/02 <p>OUTPUTS: <br/>Objectives: 1. Developed 12 on-line self contained Family and Consumer Science (FCS)curriculum modules (6 hours total) that include knowledge based learning objectives and pre/post evaluation. The learning modules were developed for Cooperative Extension Master FCS Volunteers nationwide. Module titles/lessons include: Module 1 Cooperative Extension Organization (Cooperative Extension History, FCS History, Extension FCS volunteers, Core Areas of FCS) Module 2 Leadership/ Public Policy (Effective Communication, Working With Diverse Audiences, Facilitation Skills, Resource Development) Module 3 Marketing/Branding (Branding Mateirals Available, Value of FCS, Value of Volunteers, Telling Our Story) 2. Reviewed volunteer management system and made recommendations for how it could be adapted or enhanced for the Master FCS Volunteer
program. 3. Hired Education Program Associate to develop curriculum modules, conduct focus groups and review volunteer management system. 4.Conducted four focus groups in Virginia with Extension Agents to review modules and make recommendations. 5.Delivered modules to federal grant funder (USDA)for review and comment. 6. Utilized Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist expertise in developing learning objectives, evaluation, instructional technology and volunteer management. <p>PARTICIPANTS: <br/>1.Patsy Pelland, Extension Research Associate, conducted focus groups, developed learing modules and worked with specialists. 2.Mike Lambur, Extension Specialist, assisted in developing learning objectives and evaluation modules 3.Carl Estes, Computer Technology Associate, assisted with Information Technology to develop modules 4.Christine Kastan, Extension Agent, conducted focus groups, developed
learing modules and worked with specialists. 5.Kim Elkins, Extension agent, conducted focus groups, developed learing modules and worked with specialists. 6. Melissa Chase, Extension specialist, provided input on modules. 7. Karen Gehrt, Extension specialist, submitted grant. 8. Katie Pelland, student, transcribed audio portion of learing modules. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target Audiences: 1. Family and Consumer Science Extension Agents in Virginia. 2. Family and Consumer Science volunteers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Received one year no cost time extension.