Sometimes we talk about managing volunteers, while other times we focus on leadership when it comes to working with volunteers. Leadership and management are both concerned with providing direction for an organization. So, is there a difference between leading and managing volunteers? Yes! Let's take a look.
Management focuses on plans, schedules, tasks, policies and procedures. Managers make sure everyone is doing their job. In Extension, we use the volunteer management model, ISOTURE as a guide. And, being concerned with the daily tasks of recruiting, screening and recognizing volunteers as well as planning, implementing and evaluating programs is critical to the success of our volunteer program.
Leadership focuses on the long-term future by providing a vision for the organization and moving it forward. Leaders focus on motivating and inspiring people so that the vision and goals of the organization can be achieved. Leaders create excitement and inspire enthusiasm among followers (in this case, volunteers). It takes time and relationship building to get this done. As a leader, it's also important that we recruit volunteers that will share the vision of the organization with us, striving to achieve Extension's mission of "improving lives, improving Texas."
Management and leadership are essential in any organization, including when we are working with volunteers. One cannot replace the other. Instead, one should be in addition to the other. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in all of the management tasks and forget to lead and vision for the future. In Extension, we use the words interchangeably; however, the important point to remember is that we must take time to manage and lead our volunteers. They should both be integrated effectively to lead to success with our volunteer programs.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
First-ever Statewide 4-H Volunteer Conference
Have you heard? The Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program is hosting the first-ever statewide 4-H Volunteer Conference! The conference is scheduled for July 29-31 in San Antonio. Any 4-H volunteer is invited to join us for a high-energy, dynamic and engaging conference that will address the emerging issues of youth development and the Texas 4-H Program. The two and one-half day conference will be filled with quality educational workshops and general sessions.
The conference will kick off with an evening of dinner, meet and greet, State of the 4-H Program Address from Dr. Chris Boleman, and a keynote address from engaging communicator and a leading teen expert, Grant Baldwin.
Saturday and Sunday will be filled with a variety of educational workshops certain to entice and meet the needs of any adult involved in the Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program. Workshops are structured in varying lengths - from weekend tracks, all day workshops, half-day workshops and 1-2 hour workshops - allowing volunteers to focus on one topic or several areas of interest.
As we continue to rely more and more on our volunteers to meet the needs of our clientele and achieve our goals, it's important that we are providing them with professional development opportunities. Consider sending a volunteer to the conference as a "thank you" for all they've done for your county program. For more information, visit the conference website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/volunteers/conference/volunteer_conference.php
The conference will kick off with an evening of dinner, meet and greet, State of the 4-H Program Address from Dr. Chris Boleman, and a keynote address from engaging communicator and a leading teen expert, Grant Baldwin.
Saturday and Sunday will be filled with a variety of educational workshops certain to entice and meet the needs of any adult involved in the Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program. Workshops are structured in varying lengths - from weekend tracks, all day workshops, half-day workshops and 1-2 hour workshops - allowing volunteers to focus on one topic or several areas of interest.
As we continue to rely more and more on our volunteers to meet the needs of our clientele and achieve our goals, it's important that we are providing them with professional development opportunities. Consider sending a volunteer to the conference as a "thank you" for all they've done for your county program. For more information, visit the conference website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/volunteers/conference/volunteer_conference.php
Levels of Leadership
Recently, I participated in the Chick-fil-A LEADERCAST conference. If you've never heard of it or been able to attend, I highly recommend it! While the conference takes place in Atlanta, GA, there are numerous other locations that simulcast the conference. So, you are sure to find a location close to you! You can find out more at: www.chick-fil-aleadercast.com.
The highlight of the conference was obviously the speakers - John Maxwell, Seth Godin, Mack Brown, Alison Levine, and Dave Ramsey. Everything they said about leadership definitely applies to how we lead volunteers that support Extension programs. So, I wanted to be sure and share some of it with you. John Maxwell, leadership expert, spoke about five levels of leadership. In my own words, from my notes, here they are:
Level 1: Position Level - This is where we all start. When you are at this level, people follow you because they have to, most likely because of your title. To me, this is similar to starting out as a county Extension agent or moving to a new position. However, this position does not make you a good leader. This is a time where you can shape and define who you are as a leader!
Level 2: Permission Level - In this stage, people follow you because they want to. Since level one, you have begun connecting with people, and these relationships are the foundation of leadership. As you get to know your volunteers, it's important to build relationships with them. Take time to get to know them. Listen and observe.
Level 3: Production Level - At this level of leadership, you are "producing by example." In other words, you are modeling what others want to see - a positive attitude, ethical behavior, respect, etc. In doing so, you will attract others, momentum builds and volunteers will step up to help out. Remember, a positive attitude is contagious!
Level 4: People-Development Level - This level focuses on exactly what it's named - developing people! The success of our volunteer programs starts the minute a volunteer walks in for the very first time. It's all about who we recruit in to the program to serve as a volunteer, positioning them to serve in an area that interests them, and then equipping them with the proper training and resources.
Level 5: Pinnacle Level - This is the highest point of your leadership abilities. You've done it all and you've done it well. And, people (your volunteers) follow you because of what you've done and who you are. So, all of your hard work has paid off. However, the work is not done. Why? Because leadership is always ongoing. We are constantly learning and growing. And, we are at a different level of leadership with each of our volunteers. By knowing what level you are on with each person you lead, then you'll know, more specifically, how to lead them!
The highlight of the conference was obviously the speakers - John Maxwell, Seth Godin, Mack Brown, Alison Levine, and Dave Ramsey. Everything they said about leadership definitely applies to how we lead volunteers that support Extension programs. So, I wanted to be sure and share some of it with you. John Maxwell, leadership expert, spoke about five levels of leadership. In my own words, from my notes, here they are:
Level 1: Position Level - This is where we all start. When you are at this level, people follow you because they have to, most likely because of your title. To me, this is similar to starting out as a county Extension agent or moving to a new position. However, this position does not make you a good leader. This is a time where you can shape and define who you are as a leader!
Level 2: Permission Level - In this stage, people follow you because they want to. Since level one, you have begun connecting with people, and these relationships are the foundation of leadership. As you get to know your volunteers, it's important to build relationships with them. Take time to get to know them. Listen and observe.
Level 3: Production Level - At this level of leadership, you are "producing by example." In other words, you are modeling what others want to see - a positive attitude, ethical behavior, respect, etc. In doing so, you will attract others, momentum builds and volunteers will step up to help out. Remember, a positive attitude is contagious!
Level 4: People-Development Level - This level focuses on exactly what it's named - developing people! The success of our volunteer programs starts the minute a volunteer walks in for the very first time. It's all about who we recruit in to the program to serve as a volunteer, positioning them to serve in an area that interests them, and then equipping them with the proper training and resources.
Level 5: Pinnacle Level - This is the highest point of your leadership abilities. You've done it all and you've done it well. And, people (your volunteers) follow you because of what you've done and who you are. So, all of your hard work has paid off. However, the work is not done. Why? Because leadership is always ongoing. We are constantly learning and growing. And, we are at a different level of leadership with each of our volunteers. By knowing what level you are on with each person you lead, then you'll know, more specifically, how to lead them!
Welcome to the Extension Volunteer Administrators' Blog
Welcome! This blog is being created for all volunteer administrators within the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. The goal of this blog is to bring relevant and timely information and resources to Extension's volunteer administrators which can be applied when leading and managing volunteers. Each week, there should be a new post to the blog that will address hot topics, share new resources and/or answer common questions.
Gone are the days of coming together for multiple trainings. Instead, it's up to each of us to seek out the professional development we need to successfully fulfill the duties of our job. Learning about leading volunteers is not something that should be focused upon one time a year at a meeting. Instead, it's important that we continue to develop our skills of leading volunteers because it's something we do every day!
There are many blogs out there, and we realize this may add another one to your list. At the same time, we hope you will find it's a quick and easy way to be informed about the latest and greatest in volunteer administration! Enjoy!
Gone are the days of coming together for multiple trainings. Instead, it's up to each of us to seek out the professional development we need to successfully fulfill the duties of our job. Learning about leading volunteers is not something that should be focused upon one time a year at a meeting. Instead, it's important that we continue to develop our skills of leading volunteers because it's something we do every day!
There are many blogs out there, and we realize this may add another one to your list. At the same time, we hope you will find it's a quick and easy way to be informed about the latest and greatest in volunteer administration! Enjoy!
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