Created by the

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MCE Volunteer Policy
Part I - Overview

• Created by the
• 4-H Volunteer Curriculum Committee

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Introduction
Maryland Cooperative Extension Volunteer Policy

• Required of all MCE Volunteers
• Provides authorization enabling volunteers to
  perform services on behalf of MCE
• Provides liability protection
• Does not create an employer/employee relationship

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The MCE Volunteer Policy

• Volunteers
• Multiply efforts of educators staff
• Expand the organizations creativity
• Are screened, trained, appointed and
• authorized
• Have completed application agreement
• Serve for a specific time period
• Are covered by MD Tort Claims Act
• No employer-employee relationship

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Purpose of the policy

• Provides important safeguards for both volunteers
  and MCE/UMCP/UMES
• Clarifies roles and expectations of volunteers
  and MCE
• Provides a process to match volunteer skills with
  duties of the position
• Defines training opportunities, benefits and
  recognition

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Policy Components

• Position Description
• Application
• Screening
• Appointment
• Orientation and Training
• Support and Supervision
• Evaluation and Recognition

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Major Vol. Policy Tasks

• Creating the Position Description
• Matching volunteer skills with tasks
• Fitting all of the pieces together

Agreement
Job Description
Screening
Application
Re-New
Training
Support
Eval.
Recognition
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Documentation

• Position Description
• Application
• Screening
• Agreement
• Evaluation
• Re-Appointment

Quick and Easy!
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Position Description
The first and a most important step!

• Position Title
• Purpose of Position
• Major Duties
• Qualifications
• Location and Tenure
• Training
• Supervision

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Application

• Name, address, phone
• Title of position
• Volunteer and work experience
• Interests, hobbies and organizations
• References

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Screening

• Interview
• Three Non-Relative References
• Verifies Character and Skills
• Criminal Background Check If Required
• On-line Sexual Offenders Registry

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Acceptance after screening

• Applicant invited to complete agreement
• Applicant denied MCE Volunteer Status
• Applicant on short-term or probationary status

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AppointmentAgreement

• Similar to an employment contract
• Responsibilities accepted by volunteer
• Training and supervision provided by MCE
• Conflict of interest statement
• Confidentiality statement
• Agreement renewal/termination
• No employer/employee relationship

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Orientation and Training

• Welcome to MCE, UMCP UMES
• Policies and Procedures
• Maryland Tort Claims Act
• MCE History, Mission Structure
• Sexual Harassment
• Drug Alcohol Abuse
• Tobacco Smoking Policy
• Child Protection Abuse Reporting
• HIV/AIDS Universal Health Care Precautions
• Affirmative Action and ADA Policies
• Program Forms Risk Management

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Support and Supervision

• Support
• Training
• Resources
• Supervision
• Extension Educator/Staff
• Middle Management Volunteer

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Evaluation

• Continual Constructive Feedback
• Periodic meetings with team
• Conversations with recipients
• Activity/event evaluation
• Self Evaluation
• Performance Review
• Letter of Recognition for Renewal

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Conflict Resolution

• Addressed by volunteers supervising faculty
  member
• Mediation for all parties
• Second level State Volunteer Specialist and
  Regional Extension Director
• Other administrators as appropriate

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Termination

• Termination on contract date specified
• Contract for no longer than 3 years
• Extension faculty can terminate contract at any
  time
• MCE volunteer can terminate contract at any time

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Recognition

• Intrinsic
• Satisfaction of a job well done
• Pride in helping others
• Extrinsic
• Certificates
• Plaques
• Honors
• Recognition

Worlds Best Volunteer
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Agreement Renewal

• Mutually Beneficial Experience
• Review Update Position Description
• Renewal Agreement
• Specific Tasks
• Specific Time Period
• Additional Training

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Quick Review
This presentation covered

• Purpose of MCE Volunteer Policy
• Major Components
• Tasks and Steps Involved
• Application, Screening and Agreement
• Orientation, Training and Supervision
• Evaluation and Recognition
• Agreement Renewal/Termination

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Questions?
The only dumb question is the one you dont ask!

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Thanks!

• Thanks to the Maryland 4-H Volunteer Curriculum
  Committee for developing this presentation. Dr.
  Debbie Bowman, Karol Dyson and Aaron Gravelle
  contributed to this presentation.
• Dan Tabler was the principal author.