Overview
4-H volunteers plant seeds with the hope of seeing growth over time. Each year, 369,000 adult volunteers serve six million young people across the United States by toiling 1 to 5 hours per month cultivating relationships with youth. A recent study written by Steven Worker and colleagues wanted to see what growth these volunteer efforts were having. What they discovered was jaw-dropping. While prior research has documented how volunteerism benefits the growth of others in society, this study found that volunteers may actually be helping their own personal growth too!
The study explored two foundational questions: 1) What did 4-H volunteers feel was the most important contribution they made to 4-H programs? and 2) What did 4-H volunteers feel was the biggest difference 4-H had on their own personal growth? With data collected from 1,245 4-H volunteers, the research team found some very exciting findings.
Volunteers influence program and youth growth
First, volunteers reported making an impact to improve their 4-H program, such as creating new clubs. A 22-year-old female volunteer with one year of 4-H experience said their impact involved, “...starting a club from scratch with the highest percentage of participation in a county speaking event from the smallest club in our first year.” As we can see, this volunteer felt one of their most important contributions to 4-H was their ability to start a club and help it thrive during its first year.
Second, volunteers reported impacting the positive development of youth, such as cultivating a love of learning, empathy towards others, and confidence in their abilities. A 61-year-old female volunteer with 15 years of 4-H experience described their impact as, “...having the opportunity to work with a diverse group of youth and see them develop and change through the work.” This quote reveals that this volunteer believed their most important contribution to 4-H was their ability to help young people grow and develop over time.
Volunteers influence their own personal growth
This study also unearthed another exciting discovery. Volunteers reported an increase in their own personal growth as a result of having volunteered in their 4-H program. A 20-year-old male volunteer with two years of 4-H experience described their personal growth as, “meeting a variety of wonderful people that have taught me about myself and what I want to do with my life.” This statement suggests volunteering helps cultivate the volunteer's own self-awareness and expands their horizons.
Reflections
The results from this study shed insight for 4-H programs and volunteers to consider. First, the evidence from this study suggests volunteers personally benefit from their 4-H service. Second, volunteers may stick around longer when they feel they are expanding their 4-H program. Third, this personal growth through volunteerism continues onward while people age.
As more volunteers sign up this year, we pause and reflect upon the seeds that will be planted. One by one. A little water. A little sunlight. A little time. And with each gentle breeze, roots will form. Life will sprout. Both outside and within…
Reference
Worker, S. M., Espinoza, D. M., Kok, C. M., Go, C., & Miller, J. C. (2020). Volunteer Outcomes and Impact: The Contributions and Consequences of Volunteering in 4-H. Journal of Youth Development, 15(4), 6-31. https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2020.847