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Volunteer Engagement
Volunteer engagement enhances Extension’s capacity to meet community needs, expand services, and achieve its mission. Volunteers provide valuable resources, skills, and perspectives, increasing efficiency and sustainability. Engaged volunteers boost morale, strengthen relationships, and support brand identity which in turn fosters a stronger, more resilient community.
Learning and Networking Help Volunteers, Staff Grow at Illinois Extension’s Master Gardener 2024 Conference
"On Sept. 12 and 13, hundreds of volunteers and statewide Extension Master Gardener staff gathered in Champaign County for two days of professional development, networking, and shared knowledge. The conference featured tours of diverse regional gardens; breakout sessions on critical gardening issues like soil lead, tree diversity, climate change, and invasive species; a keynote address from Horticulture Educator Ryan Pankau, who spoke about native plants, pollinators, and some of Extension’s resources around sustaining and creating pollinator habitats; and a special time for awards and volunteer recognition." - Excerpt from a press release by Bridget Lee-Calfas, director of marketing and communications, Illinois Extension. Read More
Master Naturalists' Impact
As stewards of the environment, Master Naturalists share their time and talents in communities across Illinois to invest in the future of our natural world. Explore their impact in the Master Naturalist Impact Report.
College of ACES Annual Report
Extension's impact through volunteers is broad and substantial. Volunteers empower lifelong learners in 4-H, support implementation of crucial financial skills in Money Mentors, increase conservation and sustainability in communities through Master Gardeners and Master Naturalist, and so much more. Read more about Extension impact and volunteer contributions on pages 18 and 19 of the Annual Report.
Share your volunteer impact stories using the link below!
Extension Volunteer Impact, Recognition, & Information Exchange
Volunteer Engagement Resources
Sterling Volunteers Volunteer Recognition eTool Kit
Tools and resources to help you create and foster a culture of volunteer appreciation and recognition.
Volunteer Recognition Ideas
Recognition is more than plaques and awards. Check out this list to find simple ways to recognize volunteer contributions and efforts in your programs.
Recognition Types
Volunteer recognition can take many forms from philanthropic recognition to community awareness. How we recognize volunteers has as much to do with our programs and mission as it does our volunteers' personalities. Use this guide to help you make valuable and meaningful recognition choices for your volunteers.
Volunteer Communications
Volunteers are critical to the success of Illinois Extension. The landscape of volunteering is changing, and many volunteers do not have as much time to give as in the past. It is important to create a volunteer engagement culture for recruiting and retaining the best volunteers possible. These quick tips can assist successful volunteer strategies across Illinois Extension.
Volunteer Evaluations
Evaluating your volunteer program is important in determining success. It takes some time and effort to gather the data, but the results are well worth it.
Volunteer Recruitment
As competition for volunteers' time increases, organizations must focus on meeting volunteer needs to stay competitive. Effective recruitment will emphasize volunteer benefits, target specific groups (e.g., retirees, youth), and use personal outreach. Volunteer recruitment must be planned, not casual, to engage underrepresented populations and boost involvement.
