The utilization of volunteers who serve on various committees and task forces is an excellent strategy to implement in both formal and informal interpretation efforts. The involvement of volunteers in the interpretation process is ingrained in many counties' interpretation culture. In counties where volunteers are utilized in interpretation agents have spent quality time arming committee and task force members with the type of information needed for them to effectively interpret Extension educational programs. However, there are many counties across the state where volunteers could be more effectively utilized in formal or informal interpretation efforts.
Elected officials place tremendous creditability on information related to Extension educational programs when it is provided by constituents . However, volunteers don't provide interpretation by chance-- it happens as a result of planning, training, and design.
The following is some suggestions related to working with County Extension Agents this fall in program planning activities to ensure that every county has a strategy to involve volunteers in the interpretation of Extension programs. In order for volunteers to be effective in interpreting programs they must...
- Be an individual that opinion is valued and respected by elected officials.
- Be a participant in an effective county program that results in measurable outcomes.
- Have an understanding of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service as an organization.
- Be armed with appropriate data related to Texas AgriLife Extension's roles in providing educational programming efforts at the county level.
- Embraces the philosophy that an investment in Texas AgriLife Extension Service programs is an investment that provides a return to the county in terms of economic, environmental and/or social outcomes.
- Be equipped with information related to specific program(s) outcomes.
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