An institutional innovation process led by Extension created a statewide microfinance intermediary. The intermediary provides business technical assistance and microloans to entrepreneurs having difficulty securing conventional credit but having workable business plans. The process included (1) gathering indicators of a problem; (2) formation of a…

Volunteer recognition is an important component of Extension programs. Most land-grant universities have implemented a state volunteer recognition program. Extension professionals, however, are too overburdened with meetings, programs, and activities to effectively recognize volunteers locally. Utilizing a state model is an efficient means of…

The Kenosha County Youth in Governance program was created to build leadership skills and civic engagement opportunities for high school-aged students by placing two youth representatives on each of the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors standing committees. In reviewing data from 3 years of youth participants, the program was effective in…

Citizen participation in public policy making is a serious jeopardy because of the frustration cause by an enormous avalanche of information, by the impersonalization of our institutions, and by the technological revolution. A small social action committee dedicated to the collective interchange of ideas and information and working in an…

The paper suggests ways in which several key ideas from empirical research in the social sciences can be used to help member participation. "Participation" is defined, and a number of circumstances are identified when help to the committee may be beneficial. Finally, five approaches to facilitating member participation are described. (Author)

This author details the possible reasons people participate in groups and the importance that group cohesion has for active participation. He details methods for Extension professionals to use in helping a group achieve its goals. (Author/JC)

Delegation involves responsibility and authority for each staff member in the 4-H program. (ABM)