scholarly journals “The Right Tools at the Right Time”: Improving Volunteer Education and Support

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 110-144
Author(s):  
Alison J. White ◽  
Rebecca Sero ◽  
Lauren Hrncirik Scanga ◽  
Melissa M. Cummins ◽  
Joy R. Lile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Experiential Education ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Youth Development Programs ◽  
Facilitation Skills ◽  
Effective Program ◽  
The Right ◽  
Adult Volunteers

Success of the 4-H Youth Development (4-H) program relies heavily on the recruitment and retention of volunteers who implement 4-H programs. 4-H volunteers—in turn—rely on program professionals to continually improve the education and support systems they need to succeed. In this study, the researchers used a mixed-methods survey based on the 4-H Volunteer Research and Knowledge Competency (VRKC) taxonomy across the Washington State 4-H program to uncover (a) what education volunteers want for themselves and their county program, (b) what challenges they face in their role, and (c) what they need to succeed. The results of this study indicate that program professionals may improve volunteer education and support systems by focusing on 4 essential volunteer needs: (a) supportive teams, (b) engaged youth and families, (c) facilitation skills in experiential education and positive youth development, and (d) effective program administration, communication, and information systems. While this study focuses on 4-H, the results and implications may be relevant to other youth development programs that are charged with educating and supporting adult volunteers. 

scholarly journals Identification of Priority Skill Areas for Volunteer Professional Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 51-67
Author(s):  
Car Mun Kok ◽  
Dorina M. Espinoza ◽  
Steven M. Worker ◽  
Charles Go ◽  
JoLynn C. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
University Of California ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Youth Development Programs ◽  
Organizational Skills ◽  
Coding Scheme ◽  
Qualitative Responses ◽  
Adult Volunteers ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis

Youth development programs often rely on volunteers to deliver programming to young people. Our study explored the skills and competencies volunteers self-identified as important for their roles. We analyzed qualitative responses to 2 open-ended questions asking University of California 4-H volunteers to identify priority skills to aid in their volunteer development. Using inductive thematic analysis, we developed a coding scheme to analyze 1,144 responses. Participants reported the need for professional development in content-specific areas, program management basics, and child development. Volunteers also reported desiring training in educational practices, organizational skills, specific volunteer roles, and communication skills. The modalities through which volunteers were willing to develop these skills were peer-to-peer learning; online, in-person, classes and conferences; and continuous education. Given the importance of adult volunteers to youth development programs, it is essential that volunteers’ professional and skill development be supported by both effective and preferred approaches.

A Review of Positive Youth Development Programs That Promote Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. S75-S91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loretta E. Gavin ◽  
Richard F. Catalano ◽  
Corinne David-Ferdon ◽  
Kari M. Gloppen ◽  
Christine M. Markham
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Youth Development Programs

scholarly journals Process Management in Football Youth Development Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Serdar Samur
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Development Program ◽  
High Standard ◽  
Organizational Structures ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
Youth Development Programs ◽  
Sports Clubs ◽  
Customer Expectations ◽  
Living Organisms

In our age, businesses are accepted as living organisms. Businesses that are aware of this change have begun to transition from a result-oriented work system to process management, closely following customer expectations in order to exist in the future as well. The largest expense that sports clubs incur involves transfer spending, because the most talented footballer, who would influence team success, is recruited from outside the club. Today, many sports clubs are incorporated and need to create their own economic resources that would not only ensure their survival but also their success and continuity. This resource can be achieved by means of the footballers who participate in the youth development programs conducted by the club’ football academy. The standards of football are on the rise, and so are the expectations of all those involved, with qualified footballers demanding astronomical wages. Sport clubs need to increase their profits by using the resources that are being developed in their respective football academies. If a given footballer attains a high standard by performing well during training and making it to the first string team, the club has to save on the transfer budget. The aim of this study is to determine how club football schools and academies manage in accordance with process management within the system approach. This study incorporated the qualitative research method and case study technique. Data was collected with the help of the interview technique and examined using content analysis. In this research, it was found that youth development programs should be managed by employing three main processes: covering education in sports schools, practicing with competitor teams, and transitioning to professionalism. If these processes are applied across football academies, it would lead to the emergence of economically qualified footballers. Youth Development Programs, as a part of the system of process management within the framework of organizational structures of sports clubs, will prove to be an ideal form of structuring.

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