Master Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteer Program

The Master Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteer Program provides core training that increases the capacity of Extension volunteers to help people make informed decisions, enhance their quality of living, and meet unique challenges affecting their families, farms, communities and the economy

Welcome and Overview – estimated length 8 minutes

Objectives:

Describe the purpose, structure, and resources necessary to participate in the program
Gain knowledge to successfully engage in the Master Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteer Program

M0 Welcome & Overview of Modules – with speaker notes
M0 Welcome & Overview of Modules - slides only

Module 1: Cooperative Extension

Lesson 1: Cooperative Extension History – estimated length 17 minutes

Objectives:

Identify the relationship between land-grant institutions and Cooperative Extension
Recognize the impact of the Morrill Acts and the land-grant institutions(s) in your state
Identify why the Cooperative Extension System was established
Learn how to connect to the eXtension website

M1L1-Cooperative Extension History – with speaker notes
M1L1-Cooperative Extension History - slides only

Lesson 2: Family & Consumer Sciences History – estimated length 15 minutes

Objectives:

Describe basic Family & Consumer Sciences history and how it fits into the land-grant mission
Identify the mission of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

M1L2-Family & Consumer Sciences History – with speaker notes
M1L2-Family & Consumer Sciences History - slides only

Lesson 3: Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteers – estimated length 16 minutes

Objectives:

State the relationship between Cooperative Extension and Family & Consumer Sciences volunteers
Identify two roles of Family & Consumer Sciences volunteers in your state
Learn the history of the first Family & Consumer Sciences volunteer base
Explore various opportunities for engagement

M1L3-Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteers – with speaker notes
M1L3-Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteers - slides only

Lesson 4: Family & Consumer Sciences Core Programs – estimated length 21 minutes

Objectives:

Identify the core program areas of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences
Discuss the role and services of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences, and how they are relevant in today’s society
Identify how core program areas of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences are interrelated

M1L4-Family & Consumer Sciences Core Programs – with speaker notes
M1L4-Family & Consumer Sciences Core Programs - slides only

Module 2: Leadership & Public Policy

Lesson 1: Effective Communication – estimated length 32 minutes

Objectives:

Determine appropriate methods to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
Identify strategies for effective verbal communication
Identify strategies for effective listening

M2L1-Effective Communication – with speaker notes
M2L1-Effective Communication - slides only

Lesson 2: Diverse Audiences – estimated length 21 minutes

Objectives:

Define the characteristics of a diverse audience
Identify a series of approaches entitled “All Reasonable Efforts”
Pinpoint strategies for making all learners feel welcome and encouraged to participate
Identify the demographics of your geographic area

M2L2-Diverse Audiences – with speaker notes
M2L2-Diverse Audiences - slides only

Lesson 3: Facilitation Skills – estimated length 20 minutes

Objectives:

Characterize differing roles of a facilitator
Identify skills for assisting groups to work together productively
Decipher techniques to deal with people in difficult and compromising situations and topics

M2L3-Facilitation Skills – with speaker notes
M2L3-Facilitation Skills - slides only

Lesson 4: Resource Development – estimated length 19 minutes

Objectives:

Discuss benefits of Family & Consumer Sciences
Identify types of resources
Decipher agencies/organizations to collaborate with to develop and expand programming and services
Develop ideas for finding resources

M2L4-Resource Development with speaker notes
M2L4-Resource Development - slides only

Module 3: Marketing & Branding

Lesson 1: Branding Family & Consumer Sciences – estimated length 13 minutes

Objectives:

Identify the reason for branding
Recognize the Family & Consumer Sciences brand
Understand when and how to use branding
Comprehend how marketing and branding coincide

M3L1-Branding Family & Consumer Sciences – with speaker notes
M3L1-Branding Family & Consumer Sciences - slides only

Lesson 2: Value of Family & Consumer Sciences – estimated length 13 minutes

Objectives:

Describe at least three ways Family & Consumer Sciences benefits society
Identify at least two major national impacts of Family & Consumer Sciences programming

M3L2-Value of Family & Consumer Sciences – with speaker notes
M3L2-value of Family & Consumer Sciences - slides only

Lesson 3: Value of Volunteers – estimated length 15 minutes

Objectives:

Understand how volunteers fit into the Cooperative Extension System and the value of volunteers
Learn how to use the Volunteer Management Database

M3L3-Value of Volunteers – with speaker notes
M3L3-Value of Volunteers - slides only

Lesson 4: Telling Our Story – estimated length 23 minutes

Objectives:

Utilize storytelling to raise awareness of the value of Family & Consumer Sciences
Identify government representatives
Recognize appropriate ways to communicate with government officials and stakeholders
Determine methods to market Family & Consumer Sciences educational programming and resources

M3L4-Telling Our Story – with speaker notes
M3L4-Telling Our Story - slides only

Post-Test

To complete your certification please take either the online or written post-test, available at the links below.

Online Post-Test: Master FCS Volunteer Program Post-Test
Written Post test