Situation
statements are the justification for your program.
They should be concise and to the point, and no longer than ½ of a page.
Begin with local data to establish the need for the program, then back it
up with other Extension research data. End
by stating the preferred situation, which summarizes the outcome of the program.
Sample
Situation Statement for Organizational Strategies
Much
time, effort, and resources are devoted to recruiting, training, and managing
4-H members, events, and activities. Of the ________ youth living in __________
County 5-18 years old, an average of ________
or _______% have participated in the 4-H Program each year since 2005.
In an increasingly complex and competitive market for resources, it is
important that youth programs be organized for efficient and effective delivery
of the overall program. These
strategies include managing financial and human resources, utilizing appropriate
educational materials, creating opportunities for youth and volunteer
recognition, assuring access, equity, and affirmative action, and communicating
effectively with youth, volunteers, and stakeholders.
Strategies are the game plan management that an organization is using to
conduct its operations to achieve its objectives (Thompson
and Strickland, 2003).
______ County's diverse school-age
youth often do not have access to the educational opportunities 4-H offers.
Racial, ethnic, socio-economic, age, and ability barriers may contribute
to the lack of diversity among 4-H participants.
Public awareness and the image of 4-H has impacted the organization in
two ways: 1) Youth and their families are not aware of the wide range of quality
educational opportunities available through participation in the program.
2.) Community leaders, including school personnel, business and civic
leaders, and government officials are not aware of the important role they
fulfill in youth development, or how they might address current youth issues
through partnerships with 4-H. 4-H
has access to research based information that would benefit their goals for
youth enrichment, as well as complete the mission of the 4-H organization.
An organized, concentrated public awareness effort is necessary to
educate citizens about 4-H in order to expand and maintain the ______ County 4-H
program.
Volunteers
help leverage county resources by developing community partnerships and
collaborations. The ___________
County 4-H office currently supports ____ project clubs, ____ community clubs,
___ after school clubs, and one youth council.
In addition, the county 4-H office supports 4-H in the classroom, local
and regional fairs, competitive events, and camping programs.
In order to maintain these delivery modes, well trained volunteers and
financial resources are crucial to the marketing, sustainability and quality of
the 4-H program.
Components
of an effective volunteer management system include: identification, screening,
orientation, training, utilization, recognition, evaluation, and support. Patton
(1990) suggested that volunteers are vital to Extension programming and are key
components in accomplishing local, state, and national initiatives.
UF/IFAS research showed that volunteers accounted for more than 50% of
the life skills developed by youth (Fogarty
et al., 2008). Other research
has shown that “youth have the potential to succeed but we’ve found the
likelihood of success is greatest when youth regularly experience positive adult
interaction and mentorship and are involved in youth development programs (Learner,
2007).