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The Master Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteer Program provides core training that increases the capacity of Extension volunteers to help people make informed decisions, enhance their quality of living, and meet unique challenges affecting their families, farms, communities and the economy.

 

If you would like to achieve Master FCS Volunteer status:

  • First contact your county FCS Educator to make them aware of your intention. Check if you need the contact information for your county FCS Educator.
  • Complete the learning modules found on this page. The recommended method would be for you to review the slides with speaker notes for each module. Your county educator may also have access to narrated versions of the presentations.
  • After you have completed the modules (Welcome plus 12 lessons), complete the post-test. You may either take the online version of the test or print and mail a written copy of the test. Mail to Suzette Barta; 135 NRD; Oklahoma State University; Stillwater, OK; 74078. If you take the online version, please email to inform her that the quiz has been submitted. This will speed things up considerably.
  • If you score 80% or above on the post-test, your county FCS Educator will be informed of your Master FCS Volunteer status.
  • Your Educator will ask you to sign a Volunteer Agreement Form.

 

Welcome and Overview – estimated length 8 minutes

Objectives:

Describe the purpose, structure, and resources necessary to participate in the program
Gain knowledge to successfully engage in  the Master Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteer Program

M0 Welcome & Overview of Modules – with speaker notes

M0 Welcome & Overview of Modules - slides only

 

Module 1: Cooperative Extension

Lesson 1: Cooperative Extension History – estimated length 17 minutes
Objectives:

  • Identify the relationship between land-grant institutions and Cooperative Extension
  • Recognize the impact of the Morrill Acts and the land-grant institutions(s) in your state
  • Identify why the Cooperative Extension System was established
  • Learn how to connect to the eXtension website

M1L1-Cooperative Extension History – with speaker notes

M1L1-Cooperative Extension History - slides only

 

Lesson 2: Family & Consumer Sciences History – estimated length 15 minutes
Objectives:

  • Describe basic Family & Consumer Sciences history and how it fits into the land-grant mission
  • Identify the mission of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences

M1L2-Family & Consumer Sciences History – with speaker notes
M1L2-Family & Consumer Sciences History - slides only

 

Lesson 3: Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteers – estimated length 16 minutes
Objectives:

  • State the relationship between Cooperative Extension and Family & Consumer Sciences volunteers
  • Identify two roles of Family & Consumer Sciences volunteers in your state
  • Learn the history of the first Family & Consumer Sciences volunteer base
  • Explore various opportunities for engagement

M1L3-Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteers – with speaker notes
M1L3-Family & Consumer Sciences Volunteers - slides only

 

Lesson 4: Family & Consumer Sciences Core Programs – estimated length 21 minutes
Objectives:

  • Identify the core program areas of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences
  • Discuss the role and services of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences, and how they are relevant in today’s society
  • Identify how core program areas of Extension Family & Consumer Sciences are interrelated

M1L4-Family & Consumer Sciences Core Programs – with speaker notes

M1L4-Family & Consumer Sciences Core Programs - slides only

 

Module 2: Leadership & Public Policy

Lesson 1: Effective Communication – estimated length 32 minutes
Objectives:

  • Determine appropriate methods to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing
  • Identify strategies for effective verbal communication
  • Identify strategies for effective listening

M2L1-Effective Communication – with speaker notes

M2L1-Effective Communication - slides only

 

Lesson 2: Diverse Audiences – estimated length 21 minutes
Objectives:

  • Define the characteristics of a diverse audience
  • Identify a series of approaches entitled “All Reasonable Efforts”
  • Pinpoint strategies for making all learners feel welcome and encouraged to participate
  • Identify the demographics of your geographic area

M2L2-Diverse Audiences – with speaker notes

M2L2-Diverse Audiences - slides only

 

Lesson 3: Facilitation Skills – estimated length 20 minutes
Objectives:

  • Characterize differing roles of a facilitator
  • Identify skills for assisting groups to work together productively
  • Decipher techniques to deal with people in difficult and compromising situations and topics

M2L3-Facilitation Skills – with speaker notes
M2L3-Facilitation Skills - slides only

 

Lesson 4: Resource Development – estimated length 19 minutes
Objectives:

  • Discuss benefits of Family & Consumer Sciences
  • Identify types of resources
  • Decipher agencies/organizations to collaborate with to develop and expand programming and services
  • Develop ideas for finding resources

M2L4-Resource Development - with speaker notes
M2L4-Resource Development - slides only

 

Module 3: Marketing & Branding

Lesson 1: Branding Family & Consumer Sciences – estimated length 13 minutes

Objectives:

  • Identify the reason for branding
  • Recognize the Family & Consumer Sciences brand
  • Understand when and how to use branding
  • Comprehend how marketing and branding coincide

M3L1-Branding Family & Consumer Sciences – with speaker notes
M3L1-Branding Family & Consumer Sciences - slides only

 

Lesson 2: Value of Family & Consumer Sciences – estimated length 13 minutes
Objectives:

  • Describe at least three ways Family & Consumer Sciences benefits society
  • Identify at least two major national impacts of Family & Consumer Sciences programming

M3L2-Value of Family & Consumer Sciences – with speaker notes
M3L2-value of Family & Consumer Sciences - slides only

 

Lesson 3: Value of Volunteers – estimated length 15 minutes
Objectives:

Lesson 4: Telling Our Story – estimated length 23 minutes
Objectives:

Post-Test
To complete your certification please take either the online or written post-test, available at the links below.

Online Post-Test: Master FCS Volunteer Program Post-Test

Written Post test: Master FCS Volunteer Program Post-Test

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