State 4-H New Professionals' Orientation
Introduction and Overview
Up until at least 1989, new county agents from all program areas were required to attend a week-long holistic orientation to the NC CES organization, as well as the non-formal program development process (i.e., "Boonology" and the infamous "Adams County" scenario.) Additionally, 4-H agents were required to attend an additional three multi-day orientations that addressed: (1) volunteerism (3 days, 2 nights); (2) program management (2 days, one night); and (3) curricula and delivery modes (3 days, 2 nights.) With the budget crises of the past decade, and due to concerns that new agents were out of the county too much during their first year, these respective orientations devolved into a one-day orientation addressing benefits, etc. and a three-day, two-night orientation addressing the entire NC 4-H program. Additionally, until 2002, only 4-H agents were allowed to attend the 4-H orientation.
In 2002, a new State 4-H Professionals' Orientation model was implemented built upon the holistic 4-H PRKC model. Participants are introduced by State 4-H specialists and faculty to the six fundamental and critical aspects of being an effective and efficient county 4-H professional: (1) Youth Development, (2) Youth Program Development; (3) Organizational Systems; (4) Volunteerism; (5) Partnerships, and (6) Equity, Access and Opportunity. Since 2002, county 4-H agents, program assistants/associates and project managers have all been invited to participate since in many situations, non-agent professionals are managing large portions of externally funded county 4-H program initiatives. This more open approach has been received very well by all involved parties.
Based upon past Orientation participants' comments and three years of experience, state 4-H faculty and specialists have worked with the NC CES County OPerations Team (Cot) to approve expanding State 4-H New Professionals' Orientation from a single three-day meeting to three linked, three-day sessions conducted over an 12 month period. Each of the three respective sessions is conducted from Tuesday - Thursday of the second full weeks of the months of April, September, and December. On Tuesday of each session, all new hires since the immediate preceding session participate in a general orientation to NC 4-H at 10:00 a.m. Current session attendees who have attended any previous session(s) then join this group at 1:00 p.m. to begin the respective new orientation session, that adjourns at 3:00 p.m. on the respective Thursday.
All three sessions are required of all new 4-H agents hired since March 11, 2005; participation by program assistants/associates and project managers in any or all of the three sessions is at the discretion of the county 4-H agent and county Extension director based upon the individual's specific responsibilities in the county 4-H program.
- Following are aspects of the new, expanded Orientation model that remain consistent with the previous model: Orientation is open to all NC 4-H professionals (county or state agents, program assistants, program associates, project managers, Extension Assistants/Associates, Extension Specialists, etc.);
- The full Orientation program is mandatory for 4-H agents. Specific scheduling is based upon decisions by the new 4-H Agent, County Extension Director, and District Extension Director;
- Participants handle their own lodging and travel, and pay a minimal registration fee ($50); and
- Orientation sessions are held at an affordable area conference hotel.
The following summarize new or unique aspects of the expanded Orientation model:
- The current single Orientation session has been expanded to three separate yet linked Orientation sessions. Thus, a new 4-H professional would complete the entire new Orientation in 12 months (minimal) or at their own pace;
- Normally, a new 4-H professional would require 12 months to complete the entire Orientation;
- The new Orientation sessions parallel the three in-county meetings between a new agent and her/his District 4-H Liaison; and
- The State 4-H Specialist for continuing professional education (i.e., R. Dale Safrit) and his support staff coordinate all Orientation logistics (e.g., registration, logistics, etc.); Specific state 4-H specialists coordinate respective Orientation session content.
