4-H volunteers impact North Dakota
During National Volunteer Week, April 17-23, 2022, NDSU Extension is sharing results of a study that documents the impact of 4-H volunteers.
The North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Impact Study, conducted across a 12-state region, aimed to understand and document the specific value and impact 4-H volunteers have on the 4-H youth development program and in communities.
“We have always known the value of 4-H volunteers, but through this study we learned their impact goes beyond the scope of the program and leads to changes in North Dakota communities,” said Rachelle Vettern, NDSU Extension professor, and leadership and 4-H volunteer development specialist. “Entire communities are stronger because of the work of 4-H volunteers. That’s public value, not just personal learning.”
Tina Bryn, a Barnes County 4-H volunteer, said, “Volunteering for 4-H has allowed me to not only help children grow in their leadership skills and service of others, but to watch them grow, develop and become mature adults and successful citizens in our community. This truly is the most rewarding aspect of volunteering with 4-H.”
The survey research resulted in three key findings.
4-H Volunteers Gain Personal Skills
Volunteers come into the 4-H program hoping to support youth and make a difference, but they also gain skills in teaching, leadership and communication. These skills transfer to other environments in which volunteers work and live.
Survey responses indicated:
* 95% built new relationships with youth
* 87% gained skills that were useful in other settings
* 82% increased their confidence as a leader
NDSU Extension Benefits Significantly from 4-H Volunteers
Volunteers give their time, talents and energy to the 4-H youth development program. On average, North Dakota’s 4-H volunteers give seven hours per month to the 4-H program in their communities. Annually, that time is worth $2,268 per volunteer. Survey responses reported:
* 89% made connections in the community on behalf of 4-H
* 85% spoke about the value of the 4-H program
* 83% recruited new youth to 4-H *70% recruited and helped train new 4-H volunteers
Communities Are Stronger Because of 4-H Volunteers
Volunteers provide value to the public by impacting the communities where they live and work. 4-H volunteers network with other volunteers, helping communities and organizations stay better connected. Volunteers donate their time and service to community gardens, food banks, clean-up projects, fairs and other civic
engagement endeavors.
* 93% said volunteering with 4-H makes communities stronger
* 91% said volunteering with 4-H contributes to better connected communities
* 87% said volunteering with 4-H improves the health of communities
* 87% said volunteering with 4-H increases civic engagement
To learn more about the survey results, see
https://sites.google.com/ndsu.edu/4hresources/home/volunteer-impact-study
Vettern said, “Especially during National Volunteer Week, NDSU Extension thanks all our 4-H youth and adult volunteers for their many contributions to the 4-H program and to their communities.”
*Direct value of volunteer contributions based on the Independent Sector
hourly rate of $27 in 2020 for ND.