Kansas State University

Celebrate National Volunteer Week 2017

Submitted by Beth Hinshaw

Statistics from the Corporation for National and Community Service tell us that 31% of Kansas residents volunteer, ranking them 7th among the 50 states and Washington DC.

Last year nearly 11,000 volunteers worked with the Kansas 4-H Program. During National Volunteer Week, April 23-29 we want to honor the contribution that volunteers continue to make to Kansas 4-H. Volunteers in local 4-H programs spend countless hours organizing and conducting educational activities, serve as organizational and project leaders, council and committee members, camp counselors and fair superintendents. They lead community service projects and look for ways to meet the needs of our youth.

SERVICE UNITES is the theme for this special week organized each year by the Points of Light Foundation. We are thankful that volunteers across Kansas unite to build a better future for young people and their communities through the K-State Research and Extension 4-H Youth Development Program.

Additional volunteers work in many other areas of K-State Research and Extension through boards, master volunteer service, advisory groups, program development committees, assisting with research and more.

When volunteers feel appreciated, they are more likely to feel connected to the program and continue their involvement. National Volunteer Week is a wonderful opportunity to thank and acknowledge volunteers for their efforts.

IDEAS FOR NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

• Encourage your club members to recognize their organizational leaders, project leaders and other important 4-H volunteers during the week.
  
  
• Use your news column or write a special news release to recognize volunteers in your program.
  
  
• Prepare a series of Tweets or Facebook posts to recognize volunteers during the week.
  
  
• Highlight National Volunteer Week in your April 4-H Newsletter.
  
  
• Hand-write several notes of appreciation throughout the week to special volunteers in your program.
  
  
• Check-in with a new 4-H volunteer to see how things are going and offer help as needed.