Measuring the Net Benefits of Extension Volunteer Programs
Bryan D. Terry, M.S., Assistant Professor
Hager, Mark A., and Brudney, Jeffrey, L.. "Net Benefits: Weighing the Challenges and Benefits of Volunteers." The Journal of Volunteer Administration 23,1, (November, 2005), http://nccsdataweb.urban.org/kbfiles/553/Net%20Benefits%20JOVA.pdf (accessed March, 3, 2008).
Introduction
Volunteers are vital to extension programming and are key components in accomplishing local, state, and national initiatives (Patton, 1990). For example, in Florida 4-H alone nearly 10,000 volunteers are used annually to assist in youth development efforts. Managing and leading volunteers to help accomplish the goals and objectives of a local county extension office requires a systematic approach, financial resources, and a commitment of time and effort from Extension agents (Boyd, 2004; Ellis, 2003). Given the importance of volunteers to Extension and the need to expend financial and human resources to manage and lead volunteers, it is important to evaluate volunteer programs.
Methodology
Evaluation of volunteer programs has generally relied on either the dollar value that volunteers contribute to the county extension office or the assessment of client outcomes as a result of volunteers (Hager & Brudney, 2005). To better assess volunteer programs, it is necessary to include not only the benefits that volunteers provide, but also the challenges of managing and leading volunteers. As part of a national study of public charities, a sample of 2,993 was selected. Hager and Brudney (2004) developed a volunteer program net benefits assessment tool that measured not only the benefits accrued, but also the challenges associated with managing and leading volunteers.
Measured variables for the extent volunteers provide benefits to your organization included: (1) cost savings; (2) more detailed attention to the people you serve; (3) increased public support for your programs; (4) increased quality of services; (5) increased organizational capacity; and (6) access to specialized skills.
Measured variables for the extent that volunteer issues provide a challenge to your organization included: (1) recruiting sufficient volunteers; (2) recruiting volunteers with the right skills or expertise; (3) recruiting volunteers available during the workday; (4) resistance on the part of paid staff toward volunteers; (5) lack of paid staff time to properly train and manage volunteers; (6) lack of adequate financial resources to support volunteer involvement; (7) regulatory, legal, or liability constraints on volunteer involvement; and (8) volunteer absenteeism.
Total benefits were calculated by creating an index for each benefit provided by volunteers (2.66 for great extent provided by volunteers, 1.33 for moderate extent provided by volunteers and 0 for not provided by volunteers at all) and then adding each of the indexes for a sum total. Total challenges were calculated by creating an index for each challenge of involving volunteers (2.00 for big problem in our organization, 1.00 for small problem in our organization and 0 for not a problem in our organization) and then adding each of the indexes for a sum total. Net benefits were calculated by subtracting the total challenges from the total benefits. The range of net benefits could be from positive 16, indicating the organization is generating all benefits and no costs associated with volunteers, to negative 16, indicating the organization is generating all costs and no benefits from volunteer involvement.
Findings
Of the 2,993 organizations selected to participate, a 69% response rate was achieved. Participant organizations were asked to exclude the benefits of board members from the assessment. Results showed that 8% of the organizations indicated that volunteers were more of challenge rather than a benefit, 26% indicated that benefits from volunteer involvement was low, 42% of organizations received moderate net benefits, and 24% indicated a high level of benefit from volunteers.
Implications for Extension Programs
Financial and human resources are scarce in Extension and therefore need to be maximized. Volunteers can help leverage financial and human resources to deliver Extension information. Understanding the benefits and challenges of volunteers involved in our programs provides direction with respect to managing and leading volunteers. Having a single numeric score for assessing the net benefits of volunteers is easy to understand and communicate. The Net Benefits Assessment Tool provides this capability. It is easy to use and provides a mechanism to establish a baseline for volunteer program improvement. Using the results on an annual basis provides county faculty with the ability to monitor volunteer program results and where to focus their management and leadership efforts.
References
Boyd, B.L. (2004). Extension Agents as Administrators of Volunteers: Competencies Needed for the Future. Journal of Extension, 42(2).
Ellis, S. J. (2003). Getting to YES: Strategies for Volunteer Recruitment. Leader, Fall 2003.
Hager, M.A., & Brudney, J.L. (2004). Balancing Act: The Challenges and Benefits of Volunteers. Washington, DC: Urban Institute.
Hager, Mark A., and Brudney, Jeffrey, L.. "Net Benefits: Weighing the Challenges and Benefits of Volunteers." The Journal of Volunteer Administration, 23(1).
Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods, (2nd ed.) Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
