Volunteer roles and policy

Volunteers are central to the successful delivery of extension programs and to our communication with stakeholders. Described below are critical roles that volunteers can take to help improve stakeholder relations, as well as helpful information and policy to guide volunteer conduct.

Volunteer roles

County extension councils and other volunteer groups:

  • Inventory and assess current relationships with stakeholders.
  • With the county program director, determine stakeholders not being reached and how to reach them. Develop annual plan for communication through personal visits, phone calls, email, invitations to participate in programs, recognition events and other means.
  • Share communication plans with regional director.

State and regional extension councils:

  • Brainstorm opportunities for stakeholder communication across regional lines.
  • Develop events, tours and other means to involve stakeholders in learning or recognition events.

Volunteer policy

All extension volunteers must read and agree to the policy for MU Extension Volunteer Code of Conduct, available as an Online Volunteer Code of Conduct. Steps for policy implementation will be determined by each extension program director, continuing education director or vice provost as needed, within each respective program or area.

Volunteer code of conduct policy

Engaging volunteers to play pivotal roles that guide and deliver extension programs is central to the success of MU Extension. Volunteers often teach with or on behalf of extension employees. Volunteers will often guide and help deliver programs at the local, regional and state level. It is important, therefore, that we consistently understand the role of volunteers that are so essential to the work of extension. At the same time, we must be clear with our volunteers regarding the context of their role within MU Extension, and within the University of Missouri as a whole.

For the most part, these policies and expectations have existed for several years. It is important — in fairness to our volunteers as valued partners — to be clear about these university, state and federal laws. Because we value our volunteers as fundamentally important to effective extension programs, we owe it to them to communicate clearly as we acknowledge their fundamental contributions.

Code of Conduct talking points

Communicating the importance and the necessity of requiring volunteers to sign the Code of Conduct can be challenging. Certain clauses in the Code of Conduct may cause apprehension within our volunteer groups. The Extension Volunteer Code of Conduct Talking Points guide (PDF) is intended to equip faculty and staff with talking points to ease any reservations our volunteers may have about signing the form.

Risk management of volunteer-led programs

The Risk Management of Volunteer-Led Programs manual (included in Appendix A of the Missouri 4-H Policies and Procedures manual) provides a consistent framework and direction for MU Extension employees who work with volunteers within MU Extension programs. Hosted on Canvas in a searchable format, you will be able to find policies and procedures to help manage and reduce the risk associated with volunteer-led programs. To access the online manual, you will "enroll" as if it were a Canvas course. Please select one of the following:

Volunteer constructive coaching guide

Volunteers are an essential part of the MU Extension mission. They help extension faculty bring high-quality programming to Missourians. Occasionally, volunteer behavior may not align to the MU Extension Volunteer Code of Conduct. In these instances, the local MU Extension professional responsible for the program should initiate constructive coaching to help bring the volunteer back into compliance with MU Extension policy, if possible. The Volunteer Constructive Coaching Guide for MU Professionals (PDF) provides a consistent framework and details the constructive coaching process for the MU Extension professional who needs to redirect volunteers back into compliance. If your region would like a training in utilizing the guide, contact Eric Jackson, Director of MU Extension Risk and Volunteer Management.