In an effort to serve additional youth through its flagship 4-H program, MSU Extension recently launched a statewide volunteer recruitment campaign. Utilizing multiple platforms, the campaign hopes to reach thousands of caring adult volunteers who will give their time to the state’s youth through Michigan 4-H.
A signature MSU Extension program, Michigan 4-H Youth Development provides 200,000 young people with fun and exciting learning opportunities that help them develop the critical life skills they need to contribute to their communities as children and adults. With a goal of expanding its reach to 20 percent of the state’s youth population by the year 2020, Michigan 4-H must also increase the number of adult volunteers who serve these youth members, thus the launch of the statewide volunteer recruitment campaign.
“We hope the campaign will help adults see all the ways they can volunteer with 4-H,” said Julie Chapin, director of MSU Extension children and youth programs, including 4-H. “Not only are volunteers necessary to engage more youth, but they are a positive example for the kids around them. When they see us actively engaging in our communities, they will understand why it is so important for them to do the same as adults.”
Supported by a grant from the Michigan Community Service Commission, the 4-H volunteer recruitment campaign will include multiple television commercials airing on stations across the state. Another key channel of the campaign will be social media sites, where targeted Facebook and Twitter advertisements will reach audiences throughout Michigan. In addition, both state and county 4-H social media pages will reflect the campaign as 4-H offices across Michigan get involved.
The campaign will continue throughout 2014 with a target goal of recruiting 8,000 new volunteers by the end of the year. For more information about becoming a volunteer or about Michigan 4-H in general, visit http://4h.msue.msu.edu.