Wyoming 4-H Offers Online Training and Networking Opportunities for Volunteers

The University of Wyoming Extension has organized a series of interactive online trainings for new and returning 4-H volunteers.

Woman teaches young girl how to hold knitting needles, guiding her hands as the yarn unwinds from a ball on the table in front of them — A 4-H volunteer teaches knitting at a 4-H creative arts event in Cheyenne in 2024.

The training series, which kicked off in December, provides continuing education opportunities and allows volunteers across the state to connect with their peers.

“These Zoom trainings can help [volunteers] get more up-to-date, research-based information and ideas as well as connect with other volunteers,” says Tiera Bevilacqua, UW Extension’s volunteer development specialist and organizer of the new trainings. “We’re all spread out, so it’s an opportunity to chat with each other.”

For current volunteers, participation in the upcoming sessions can be used to fulfill five-year training requirements.

Each session is scheduled for an hour and a half and focuses on a specific volunteer-related topic, with time for discussion in small groups.

So far, topics have included research-based approaches to navigating challenging conversations with parents and setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely) goals.

Future topics include strategies for leading successful meetings and facilitation of meaningful community service opportunities.

Upcoming trainings are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, March 31, at 6 p.m. via Zoom. To sign up, contact Bevilacqua at tarndorf@uwyo.edu or (307) 367-4380.

“This is a fun part of the job—connecting with the volunteers, especially ones who I might not usually get to connect with,” Bevilacqua comments. “We always are looking for more volunteers. If you don’t know where to get started, I would encourage reaching out to your county educator to see what areas they are looking for help in.”

New volunteers must enroll online and start the required onboarding process before attending a training. To get started, visit https://bit.ly/wy-4h-new-volunteer or contact a local UW Extension office.

Recordings of the monthly trainings are publicly accessible at https://bit.ly/wy-4-h-training. Contact Bevilacqua at tarndorf@uwyo.edu or (307) 367-4380 with questions about future training opportunities.