Growing Kansas Leaders: 4-H Program Expansion Pilot
Request for Applications, 2014 – 2015
The Opportunity
The Kansas 4-H program is making a difference in the lives of young people all across Kansas. Increasingly, partnerships are needed to reach new audiences, engage more volunteers in 4-H and marshal the resources needed to significantly grow the 4-H program in Kansas. To recruit and retain more 4-H youth, the program must be of high quality, meet the needs of contemporary families and appeal to a new cadre of volunteers willing to share their time and interests but who may be unfamiliar with how to connect with 4-H.
The Kansas 4-H Foundation, the Department of 4-H Youth Development, KSRE are pleased to announce a Program Expansion grant for 2014 - 2015 that will partner with 5 local units (district or county) to develop and pilot a strategy that will recruit volunteers and increase 4-H membership over the next 3 years. The broad goals of the project include developing a “business plan” that will advance the goals of recruiting more volunteers and increase 4-H membership over the next 3 years, with a particular focus on reaching new and underserved audiences.
Pilot Sites, Year 2014 - 2015
Each participant in this 3-year pilot program must be able and willing to provide personnel and a commitment to expanding the 4-H program locally. The grant deliverables are found in Appendix 1. The pilot sites will work in collaboration with each other, the Department of 4-H Youth Development and the Kansas 4-H Foundation to reach the following project goals over the next 3 years:
· Increase the number of 4-H volunteers in participating local units by 20%
· Increase the number of 4-H clubs (community, project or SPIN clubs) by participating local units by 15%
· Increase the number of 4-H youth in participating local units (with a focus on 3rd graders) by 25%
· Increase retention of 4-H families in community or project clubs by 10%.
Pilot sites will receive $5,000 to help them accomplish their plans for program expansion, and supporting the volunteer screening process which includes a background check. There will also be funds available for professional development for Extension professionals leading the pilot, consulting and assistance, and program evaluation resources.
Program Requirements
To be part of a pilot site, your local unit must:
1. Assign a staff member from the local unit that can represent the pilot site, be accountable to project deliverables for the pilot site (See Appendix 1) and share lessons learned with the rest of Kansas 4-H and beyond.
2. Have the written support of the Extension Governing Board or Extension Board indicating their support for program expansion, their support for the Extension professional to have an Extension action plan related to the project and their willingness to be accountable for the deliverables. Note: the support letter must accompany the electronic application.
3. Participate as a cohort with other grantees including one face to face meeting, monthly conference calls and a leadership experience.
4. Comply with state policies Kansas 4-H policies regarding volunteer screening, professional background checks and orientation for adult professionals, leaders and volunteers.
The Department of 4-H Youth Development and Kansas 4-H Foundation will:
· Engage and communicate with KSRE and the Kansas 4-H Foundation to support the project as appropriate and needed; and
· Conduct an evaluation of the project and communicate results locally, statewide and beyond.
Diane Mack, 4-H Youth Development Specialist will serve as project coordinator, to offer training and logistical support to help the pilot sites be successful.
Application Dates and Timeline
October 1, 2014 Applications (see below) are due to the Diane Mack, project coordinator
October 14th & 15th: Review Committee Telephone Interviews with applicants. Purpose is to further assess readiness and interest and answer additional questions.
October 20, 2014 All applicants notified and 2014-2015 grantees announced.
December 2, 3 p.m. Rock Springs 4-H Center, Face to Face Launch Meeting for 2014-2015 Grantees
Application Requirements
Applications will be scored and pilot sites will be determined based on the following criteria:
· Demonstrated support from Extension governing board including a commitment to program expansion in their local unit and support for the Extension professional to conduct the work;
· Interest and capacity of Extension professionals (time, resources and abilities) to commit to the pilot and meet the deliverables of the project;
· Demonstrated willingness to try or offer innovative approaches to recruiting non-traditional volunteers and to creating a volunteer middle management system; and
· Demonstrated willingness to try or offer innovative approaches in reaching new and underserved youth and their families.
Growing Kansas Leaders: 4-H Program Expansion Pilot – 2014-2015
Application
Application Deadline: Submit completed applications electronically, (with the letter of support from the local Extension Board) no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2014 to Diane Mack, Youth Development Specialist, project coordinator,
Applicant Name:
Applicant Title:
Applicant’s Local Unit (County or District):
Address
City, State, Zip
Applicant’s email:
Applicant’s Telephone:
Narrative Questions: (use as much space as needed to respond to the questions.)
1. Statement of Interest: What issues or opportunities exist within your district or county with respect to volunteers in the 4-H program? What issues or opportunities exist with respect to reaching new and underserved audiences? How would participating in this pilot support your efforts?
2. This project needs pilot site participants that are ready to be innovative, and willing to consider a change in how we deliver the 4-H program in Kansas. Please share an example of a time when you (your program) tested or tried a new or different approach to recruiting volunteers? Or a time when you tried to reach youth and families that may not have been familiar with the 4-H program in your area?
3. Please list others that will be directly involved in the successful implementation of the project.
4. Name of your Local Units’ director/administrator:
Name of your Area Director:
Name of your Area Specialist, Youth Development:
Appendix 1: Growing Kansas Leaders: 4-H Program Expansion
Deliverables
Proposed Year 1 Deliverables:
· Identify a leadership team that includes a broad spectrum of community representatives to develop the 4-H Business plan.
· Pilot Sites develop a Growing Kansas Leaders 4-H Business Plan with support from local/area and state resource people
· Submit Business Plans Drafts 10 days following the business plan meeting and the final due 30 days from that meeting.
· Participate in a leadership experience led by Kansas Leadership Center to learn techniques to engage effectively in civic leadership. These skills will be used in encouraging the leadership team and new volunteers to care more, engage more and risk more on behalf of the youth in your community. Dates of the leadership training are Jan. 29 and March 3 & 4, 2015 at the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita.
Proposed Year 2 Deliverables:
· Pilot sites continue to make progress on the Growing Kansas Leaders 4-H Business plans
· Identify new family coordinator and new family mentors
· Promote “Life’s Little Questions” recruiting campaign and offer 3 events that are targeted -to reach 3rd graders
· Identify 3 – 5 community partners to aid in reaching new youth and families and volunteers
· Pilot SPIN (Special Interest) Club model to recruit new youth (2 clubs/pilot site). For a description of SPIN Clubs, see Appendix 2.
· Pilot site participants convene to assess progress, make midcourse corrections for Year 3 and discuss program sustainability
· Collect Year 1 impact data and communicate progress
Proposed Year 3 Deliverables:
· Pilot sites continue to make progress on the Grow 4-H Business plans
· Promote “Life’s Little Questions” recruiting campaign and offer 3 more events that are targeted to reach 3rd graders
· Pilot SPIN (Special Interest) Club model to recruit new youth (4 clubs/pilot site)
· Collaborate with community partners in reaching new youth and families of underrepresented audiences and identify volunteers
· Recruit youth and adult volunteers representing underrepresented audiences
· Pilot site participants convene to assess progress and discuss program sustainability
· Collect Year 1 – Year 2 impact data, and communicate progress
Appendix 2: Growing Kansas Leaders: 4-H Program Expansion
Description of 4-H SPIN Clubs
What Are Special Interest (SPIN) Clubs?
SPIN clubs allow youth ages 7 to 18 with common interests or hobbies to meet as a club and share their special interest. Whether their passion is photography, robotics, wood working, or just about any other topic, youthcan gain knowledge and enhance their skills through a positive group experience. A SPIN club can be started with two adult volunteer leaders and five young people with an interest in a particular topic. While adult leaders provide expertise and guidance, club members take an active role in planning and running their own activities.
Traditionally, 4-H programs in Kansas have been community-based. SPIN clubs reach out beyond local communities to bring kids and families with common interests together. They share many of the same characteristics that are valued in a community club, an opportunity to learn new skills, serve as a club officer, and participate in community service.
What Makes 4-H SPIN Clubs Appealing to New Youth and Volunteers?
The SPIN club recognizes that both youth and adults often have a limited amount of "free time" for outside interests. SPIN clubs have the ability to provide youth development through non-traditional time frames. This is also an excellent opportunity for adult volunteers, since volunteers can serve for a shorter period of time. For example, a computer club might meet once a week for six weeks, or twice a week for three weeks. This gives youth and leaders more flexibility.
SPIN Clubs are an innovative approach to introducing young people to 4-H, recruit more youth from towns and cities and attract volunteers unfamiliar with 4-H that have a specific hobby or interest who may never have considered being part of the 4-H program.