​4,832 Volunteers Donate $4.5M Worth of Time

DURHAM, NH — In 2016, Cooperative Extension’s 4,832 volunteers gave 190,852 hours of their time to New Hampshire. Their work added breadth and depth to Cooperative Extension’s programming and supported important strategic goals by providing education that is both responsive and accessible, bringing people together, and creating an engaged and active culture of volunteerism in New Hampshire, according to a press statement.

Many volunteers were directly engaged in Cooperative Extension’s work, including outreach, education, research and natural resources stewardship, which helps increase their awareness of local issues and their motivation to find solutions. Eighty-six percent of Cooperative Extension volunteers give their time because they want to contribute to their communities.

“UNH Cooperative Extension has a long history of volunteer programs, and we’re still growing,” said Malin Clyde, Extension Specialist in Community Volunteer Development. “Our STEM Docent Program is new this year, where we’re working with volunteers to teach hands-on science to youth in Manchester.”

Research conducted by Cooperative Extension’s Volunteer Management Team has shown that the volunteer programs also provide significant benefits to the volunteers themselves, including producing stronger social networks, healthier lifestyles and improved interpersonal relationships, self-esteem and leadership skills.

“Sharing my exciting volunteer experiences as a Coastal Research Volunteer and NH Coverts volunteer within my [company’s] internal social media community inspired my co-workers to want to get involved in local citizen science and conservation projects,” said Jace Porter from Hillsborough County. “The engagement of my coworkers and interest in my activities gave me the leverage I needed to devise the Volunteer Paid Time Off program where employees receive an extra 24 hours of paid time off to volunteer during normal working hours. With 190 employees, that translates to an annual potential of 4,560 hours, or six months, of volunteer time.”

Cooperative Extension will continue to prioritize and promote strong volunteer programs because of their important impact on the state’s citizens, communities and natural resources. An infographic with more information about volunteer impacts in the state is available on Cooperative Extension’s website.

Submitted by UNH Cooperative Extension.