Summary of 2011 Ncrve-F Survey Responses

1 Summary of 2011 NCRVe-F Survey Responses

1. Check the session(s) for which you are completing this survey

Answer Response %

Positive Youth Development (11/7) - The 109 66% Teen Brain, Quality Matters 4-H Program Management (11/17) - Keeping Your 39 24% Cool, Reducing Risks New & Emerging Curriculum (11/22) - Get Connected, 4-H Science, 26 16% Community Service Learning Total Responses 164

2. The information presented in this session will help me fulfill my role in the 4-H Program.

Response Frequency Percentage Strongly Agree 79 46.7% Agree 89 52.7% Disagree 1 .6% Strongly Agree or Agree 168 99.4% Total Responses 169

3. One way that I will use what I learned in this session is...

Given that 66% of the respondents completed the Qualtrics survey in reference to their experience with the November 7th e-Forum, it was not surprising to find that a majority of the comments in this section related to Teen Brain Development and Youth Program Quality.

Regardless of the e-Forum they were referencing, respondents shared a number of thoughts/ideas about how they planned to either incorporate what they’d learned into their own practice with young people and/or share it with other volunteers.

The session on teen brain development received the most responses to question three, with many commenting on how applicable the content of this session was to them in their personal, professional, and volunteer roles. Said one respondent: “I think I may have more patience dealing with my own teens, knowing that there is a developmental issue going on.” Another said: “I’ve already used it in helping my staff think about why teens are doing what they are. It does not mean we don’t push them to think through decisions and actions, but we understand why it may be difficult for them.” 2 In reference to how they planned to use what they’d learned, many said they would be more patient and understanding when working with teens in the future. The word “patient”, or a word or phrase of similar meaning, emerged seven (7) times. Listening to teens and encouraging their input in planning and decision making was another theme that emerged. Said one respondent: “I will continue to promote their input and implementation of their activities, acknowledging to myself that even though I cannot control the input as much, and I might have to change my expectations of the outcomes, the processes are where the learning takes place-in all their successes and not so successful ventures!”

In response to how they will use what they learned in the Quality Matters session, participants referenced several of the ideas shared as important measurements of quality programs as things they planned to implement in their own clubs/groups. One respondent said: “I will greet all participants within 15 minutes of arrival. I really like this idea.” Another, when referencing what he/she had learned about safe environments said: “I am going to have a meeting room orientation for parents and members at our next meeting to make sure everyone knows safety procedures, etc.”

Responses relating to how participants will change the way they interact with youth to ensure program quality, referenced changing the tone of their comments to be less evaluative; “I will be more mindful when handing out praise and not just say good job…but be sure to include specific areas for improvement along with praise for a job well done and for doing their best.” Other comments were more general in nature but yet clearly revealing an understanding of the importance of actively engaging young people in leadership and decision making roles to achieve program quality.

Many respondents talked about plans to share what they had learned with other volunteers in their club, county and beyond. Several shared plans for delivering presentations, and/or sharing handouts via at county-wide meetings, trainings, or newsletter articles. 4. The most important lesson I learned from this session was...

General Count  Teen Brain 24  Teen Brain and positive youth development 13  Teen Brain and Risk 1  Quality Programming 26  Quality Programs/Positive Youth Development 4  Positive Youth Development 5  Keeping Your Cool 6  Reducing Risk 9  Keeping Your Cool/Reducing Risk 2  General 9

Highlights: Quality Matters 3 1. It was shocking to hear that research has found a poor program doesn’t have a neutral effect but actually has a negative effect. (6 similar comments) 2. Quality programs have several layers. You must address all of them to have a good program to keep participants coming back. There’s a lot more to quality programs than good facilities and good planning. We want people to see the 4-H logo and think Quality. 3. Youth and adult partnerships work well and the youth really come alive when it is done well. Strive to obtain opportunities for more, better youth engagement. We fool ourselves into thinking we are more effective in involving youth in decision making, mentoring, and interaction.

Teen Brains 1. The teenage brain does not fully develop until they are in their late 20’s. Their brains are a work in progress. Remember to be patient. 2. Adults need to find a balance between encouraging the best from teens and having realistic expectations. Not to always praise as that is evaluation of the child. 3. Teens sometimes see anger in facial expressions that aren’t meant as anger.

Keeping Your Cool 1. Guidelines are a positive thing and it gives youth ownership. 2. Have fun activities well planned out so that there isn’t much down time for kids to get board and get in trouble. 3. Involve youth in planning

Risk Management 1. Look around for things that can go wrong DON’T assume anything is safe. 2. Plan ahead

General comments of note: 1. We are not reaching the majority of our adult volunteers with this essential information and need to find how to do that more effectively! 2. We are doing a very good job, but we do have room for improvement. These e-forums are great!!!! 3. I control too much of the meeting instead of my teen leaders. 4. Engaging youth in quality, positive 4-H experiences is more about the process than measuring input-to-output productivity. Reflection is a very useful and important aspect of process- oriented quality programs.

5. A 4-H-related topic that I would like to learn more about in the future is...

Positive Youth Development  Building inclusive environments o Welcoming environments  Conflict resolution  Models of quality programs  Time management for youth  Working with teens o Involving youth o Retaining older youth - ++++ 4 o Community projects for teens o Recognition and rewards for older youth - ++ o How to talk to teens  Working with all learning styles- +++  Youth/Adult Partnerships o Letting go and letting youth make decisions

4-H Program Management  Club programming for 8-18 year olds o Working with different age groups -++ o Working with special needs – ADHD and Bipolar o Working with large clubs o Working with boys o Working with younger members - ++  Charter and Audit Process  Committees  Grant writing and funding for projects o Fund raiser ideas  History of 4-H – what does it look like today o National 4-H - what’s it all about o National 4-H Directory  Officer Training Ideas o How to run a quality meeting o Team building and leadership building  Parental Involvement - +++ o How to engage new members and parents without overwhelming them o Deal with unhappy parents - ++

Curriculum  Community Service Ideas - ++ o Service learning  Competition and Judging  County, state, and national activities for youth - ++  Hands on learning using non-evaluative language o Hands on activities for club meetings - ++ o Club speaker ideas o Recreation ideas  How to prepare quality workshops  Life Skills through projects  Specific Project Area Ideas - ++

o Project leaders – quality o GPS/GIS matters o Rabbits o In-depth curriculum ideas o Robotics - ++ o Clothing o Science curriculums o Computer o Shooting sports project o Equine o Youth Leadership Technology  How to set up a club web site or other social media sites for the club 5  Integrating technology and teaching  Social media as a marketing tool o Recruiting new members - ++ o Interaction of members through technology o Use of electronic media in 4-H

Volunteers  Recruiting new volunteers  Volunteer motivation

6. The use of an Adobe Connect Webinar was an effective delivery method for the e-Forum. Response Frequency Percentage Strongly Agree 75 51.4% Agree 65 44.5% Disagree 6 4.1% Strongly Agree or Agree 140 95.9% Total Responses 146

7. I have participated in distance education programs previously. Answer Response %

Yes 89 61%

No 58 39%

Total 147 100%

8. I had technical difficulties during the program. Answer Response %

Yes 28 19%

No 117 81%

Total 145 100%

9. Please describe the technical difficulties you experienced.

Twenty-eight (28) survey responses, 19%, reported experiencing some form of technical difficulty while participating in the e-Forum. 6

Twenty-seven (27) described the technical difficulties they experienced:  eight (8) reported audio difficulties  five (5) reported computer difficulties  four (4) reported lost connection  two (2) reported not having a chat box available  two (2) reported difficulty with buffering (possibly connection speed)  two (2) reported difficulty with projector and audio (sounded like operator error or unfamiliar with system)  one (1) reported projector connection difficulty  one (1) reported difficulty using unfamiliar computer  one (1) reported variation in presenters’ volume and microphone  one (1) reported computer kept asking for administrative password (possibly did not run connection test prior to event)

There appear to be some technical difficulties we have no control over; i.e., computer/projector connections, local connection speed, unfamiliar with equipment on the receiving end.

Recommendation:  Work with Adobe Connect staff (or whatever platform is being used) to develop a FAQ link to address issues like no visible chat box, difficulties with audio connection, other technical related questions.  Presenters purchase good quality combined headsets and microphones to minimize audio difficulties from origination sites.

10. One way that I would improve the delivery of the North Central Region Volunteer e-Forum is...

Overall, the comments were very good. Many stated, “the e-Forum was great” and “don’t change a thing.” Most people who commented were very appreciative.

Of the 114 responses, 29 were very positive to make no changes.

Many like the topics and felt the e-Forum was worthwhile.

The improvements participants stated most frequently were that the chat boxes were not big enough to read in a large room. One person commented to make the text bigger on slides.

May participants would have liked more time for discussion.

Some participants stated it would have been better to access from home.

A few respondents said they did not like the fact it sounded like presenters were reading scripts. It was also stated they would like to see us on web cam. One person loved Steve’s presentation!

Some participants felt 2 hours was too long.

A couple of people commented on the introduction from Doug would have been better if the sound matched the video better. 7 More video feed was mentioned a couple of times. 11. I have attended face-to-face North Central Region Volunteer Forums in previous years.

Answer Response %

Yes 46 32%

No 100 68%

Total 146 100%

12. I am a 4-H Volunteer.

Answer Response %

Yes 116 79%

No 31 21%

Total 147 100%

13. I have been a 4-H Volunteer for ___ years.

Answer Response %

less than 1 year 9 8%

1-5 years 26 23%

6-10 years 30 26%

11-15 years 13 11%

16-20 years 11 10%

21-25 years 9 8%

more than 25 16 14% years Total 114 100% 8 Tenure as 4-H Volunteer Value 10 years or less 57% 11-20 years 21% Over 20 years 22%

14. I am a 4-H Staff Member.

Answer Response %

Yes 47 32%

No 99 68%

Total 146 100%

15. I have been a 4-H Staff Member for ___ years.

Answer Response %

less than 1 year 7 15%

1-5 years 13 28%

6-10 years 5 11%

11-15 years 6 13%

16-20 years 7 15%

21-25 years 3 7%

more than 25 5 11% years Total 46 100% Tenure as 4-H Staff Member Value 10 years or less 54% 11-20 years 28% Over 20 years 18%

16. I work with the 4-H Youth Development program in...

Answer Response % 9

Illinois 39 27%

Indiana 25 17%

Iowa 6 4%

Kansas 0 0%

Michigan 3 2%

Minnesota 10 7%

Missouri 7 5%

Nebraska 2 1%

North Dakota 0 0%

Ohio 16 11%

South Dakota 7 5%

Wisconsin 30 21%

Total 145 100%