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 Volunteer Development:

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 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). 

Volunteer development and retention will increase as adults understand and support the importance of volunteerism to help groom young people into respectable, productive citizens in the community.  As a result of an increase in volunteer numbers and collaborations, there will be an increase in number and quality of 4-H educational programs and the expansion of the 4-H program and reaching a diverse audience.

Sample Situation that Combines Organizational Strategies with Volunteer Devleopment:

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). 

Volunteer development and retention will increase as adults understand and support the importance of volunteerism to help groom young people into respectable, productive citizens in the community.  As a result of an increase in volunteer numbers and collaborations, there will be an increase in number and quality of 4-H educational programs and the expansion of the 4-H program and reaching a diverse audience.

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