AEE 4224 - Special Methods in Teaching Agricultural Education

Class 11: Public Relations/Utilizing Volunteers

Objectives

1. Identify five different ways to market the agriculture program.

2. Develop a public relations plan that includes National FFA Week.

3. Understand why people volunteer.

4. Explain the LOOP Model.

5. Understand how parents and other volunteers can be a part of the total school improvement process. •

Study Guide

Download this study guide and complete it as you go through this lesson.

Learning Activities

1. Marketing your program is a crucial part of any public relations program. View the PowerPoint presentation on marketing your program.

PowerPoint Notes in pdf format.

Task: Reflect on your past experiences in marketing your program. How could you improve.

2. An important part of any public relations program is National FFA Week. Read this brochure published by National FFA about FFA Week.

3. Most school programs have plenty of parents and other volunteers willing to help out. Agriculture programs are no different. Effectively utilizing these volunteers can make your job as the agriculture teacher much easier. View this PowerPoint presentation on utilizing volunteers.

PowerPoint Notes in pdf format.

Task: Reflect on your past experiences with volunteers. What worked well? What didn't?

4. Many agriculture programs make extensive use of volunteers. Read this article about using volunteers. 

5. The LOOP Model helps guide leading volunteers. Read this article published in the Journal of Extension.

6. The Florida Department of Education also has information of how to involve parents and other volunteers. Read this brochure on parental involvement. 

 

Assignments

1. Under the appropriate heading, send two of your best PR activities via email to the instructor.

2. Identifying important activities for parental volunteers will allow you and your program to receive the greatest benefits possible. Create a list of at least ten activities that you would use parental volunteers for. Send this list to the instructor.

3. Email the completed study guide to the instructor.