Journal of Agricultural Education 56 Volume 47, Number 2, 2006 FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP PROFICIENCY OF SOUTHERN REGION 4-H COUNTY FACULTY Nicole Stedman, Assistant Professor Texas A&M University Rick D. Rudd, Associate Professor University of Florida Abstract Volunteer administration leadership is an important component of any successful 4-H program. Proficiency in competencies associated with volunteer administration can prove to be one’s greatest asset in his/her ability to successfully develop the leadership of youth. With that, leadership style is also an important consideration because it provides a means for working with individuals and reaching programmatic goals. The purpose of this research was to determine factors which contribute to volunteer administration leadership proficiency of 4-H county faculty in the southern region. In order to do this, demographics and correlations among identified independent variables were analyzed. The primary intent was to develop a prediction equation for perceived proficiency in VAL competence. Although seven variables correlated with perceived proficiency in VAL competence, organizational culture (importance) and age were responsible for 43% of the variation in the model. These factors can guide efforts related to volunteer programming, including professional development opportunities for 4-H county faculty in the southern region. A focused curriculum addressing organizational culture and a mentoring program for faculty has the potential to increase VAL proficiency. Introduction In 2003, there were 7,090,920 youth enrolled in 4-H programs across the nation (National 4-H Headquarters, 2004). Yet, the NAE4-HA (2004) reported only 3,600 youth development professionals as members. Though this is not inclusive of all 4-H faculty, it provides a basis for comparison. This creates a county faculty to youth ratio of 1:1,970, an ineffective means for producing outcomes, like “care,” “guidance,” and “wisdom” (National 4-H Headquarters, 2001). However, the National 4-H Headquarters (2004) reported 449,966 volunteers last year, decreasing the adult:child ratio to 1:16, a ratio more appropriate for programmatic effectiveness. Today, the 4-H county faculty member wears a number of hats: educator, facilitator, leader, and volunteer administrator. Boyce (1971) addressed the concerns that 4-H county faculty alone would not be able to serve the growing number of youth in 4-H programs. It is essential for 4-H county faculty to understand volunteer administration leadership (VAL), when 450,000 adults contribute to 4-H programs across the nation. The most effective way to ensure the continued contributions of volunteers to the 4-H mission is by providing a quality volunteer experience. Boyce explored the notion of withholding information as power in his application of the ISOTURE model to 4-H adult volunteer leaders. He understood the value of volunteers to the organization and provided a framework for 4-H county faculty to adhere. Volunteer administration is only 20 years old, yet the contributions of extension personnel to the field are still prominent (Boyce, 1971; Culp, Deppe, Castillo & Wells, 1998; Kwarteng, Smith, & Miller, 1988; Penrod, 1991). Previous researchers examined extension faculty’s perceptions of volunteer administration models across the U.S. (Deppe & Culp, 2001; Culp &Stedman & Rudd Factors Contributing to Volunteer… Journal of Agricultural Education 57 Volume 47, Number 2, 2006 Kohlhagen, 2004; Hange, Seevers, & VanLeeuwen, 2002), including needs assessments, use of job descriptions, resource location and recruitment (Culp, 1996; Fritz, Barbuto, Marx, & Etling, 2000). Hange et al. (2002) showed differences between perception and importance in nine competency areas of volunteer administration existed, supporting King (1997). Cooperative Extension Service (CES) faculty, especially those having a high level of interaction with volunteers, like 4-H county faculty, can benefit from research initiatives; including pinpointing key characteristics of 4-H county faculty proficient in the discipline of VAL. While research in VAL has been focused on the importance of and proficiency in competencies, there has been a piece missing - the prediction of VAL proficiency. Theoretical Framework Volunteer Administration For 44 years The Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA) has been the professional organization supporting the needs of volunteer administrators. The AVA has continued to progress the field as a true profession and is recognized internationally for the wide array of services and resources it provides. This includes the establishment of professional competencies for volunteer administrators encouraging many professionals to seek new and challenging educational opportunities (Association for Volunteer Administration, 2001). In 2001, the AVA identified five core competencies of VAL which were (a) professional principles, (b) leadership, (c) management, (d) planning, and (e) human resource management. Competency-based criteria are an important in developing a profession and Boyd (2003) identified the competencies that professionals in VAL would need in the coming decade as: (a) organizational leadership, (b) systems leadership, (c) organizational culture, (d) personal skills, and (e) management skills. Stedman and Rudd (2004) developed the theoretical dimension of the discipline including seven key competencies. These competencies were the basis for the development of the Volunteer Administration Leadership Competency Instrument (VALCI) (Stedman, 2004). The seven competences integrated both the AVA (2001) and Boyd (2003) competencies. Stedman and Rudd (2004, p.10) identified the competencies as: (a) Organizational Leadership: leadership taking place in the context of the organization includes planning and operation at the program level, (b) Systems Leadership: leadership involving the expressed knowledge of one’s discipline, (c) Accountability: knowledge and practice of skills addressing the planning, operation, and evaluation of a volunteer program, (d) Management Skills: knowledge and skills addressing the day-to-day operations of a volunteer program, (e) Personal Skills: knowledge and skills addressing effective communication and relationship building in