Ohio 4-H Agents' Perceptions Of The Level Of Importance And Frequency Of Use Of The Eighteen Components Of The Gems Model Of Volunteer Administration

Abstract

Administrators of volunteer-driven programs and agencies need to consider the most appropriate ways to manage volunteer programs that maximize volunteer contributions and provide meaningful experiences for the volunteer. 4-H Youth Development agents continually utilize volunteers to drive and conduct programs and were, therefore, considered volunteer administrators for the purpose of this study. This survey research utilized mailed questionnaires to explore how 4-H Youth Development agents in Ohio perceived the level of importance and the frequency of use of each of the 18 phases and four categories of volunteer administration outlined by the GEMS Model of Volunteer Administration. The categories and phases of the GEMS Model include Generate (Needs Assessment, Position (Job) Description, Identify, Recruit, Screen, Select), Educate (Orient, Protect, Provide Resources, Teach), Mobilize (Engage, Motivate, Supervise) and Sustain (Evaluate, Recognize, Retain, Redirect, Disengage). The discrepancy, or difference, between the perceived level of importance and the frequency of use yielded the perceived need. Relationships between the characteristics of the population and perceived level of importance and frequency of use were explored. The greatest discrepancy (need) for 4-H Agents existed in the Sustain category followed by Mobilize, Generate and Educate. The relationship between characteristics of the population and perceptions held of the importance and frequency of use of the 18 phases and four categories were described as either negligible or low associations in all cases.