Step 5: Volunteering for Responsibilities
After the club program is approved, it is time to begin recruiting volunteers to give leadership to specific activities and/or serve on club committees. Clarifying what needs to be done and letting everyone choose the area he/she wants to work in will encourage volunteering.
Giving people the opportunity to accept specific responsibilities at the beginning of the year insures that tasks will be shared and that no one will be left out. By making a commitment early in the year, people can plan ahead.
There are several ways to get volunteers:
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Ask for volunteers during the presentation of the proposed program. You may want to use the 4-H Club Responsibilities sheet.
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Ask all the parents to attend the first meeting, or have a separate gathering just for parents. In either case, have parents introduce themselves and describe their hobbies and the things they enjoy doing and would be willing to share.
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Send the 4-H Club Responsibilities sheet home to be returned at the next meeting after the family has made choices.
These options will help you learn what special interests people have. Be positive in your approach to recruiting help and tell people exactly what will be expected. If enough people don't volunteer, you may have to ask people to assume certain responsibilities. They may be happy to do so, if asked. It is important to match the right person with the right job.
You will need to see that after people volunteer to be responsible for a special activity their name is added to the program calendar so everyone knows who to contact for assistance and who they call if they would like to help the person in charge.
Try to have the majority of your volunteers in place before the new 4-H year begins on September 1. You may want to leave some slots open to get new 4-H families involved that may enroll after September 1. Finally, make sure there is a person responsible for each task.
Provide those who sign up for specific 4-H responsibilities the Activity Worksheet so that they have a general guide to follow as they assume leadership for assisting members and parents with their event/activity. On the Activity Worksheet, fill in the proposed activity and the goal that it meets. Also list any materials needed.
