ABSTRACT

Evaluation metrics that assess the impacts of Cooperative Extensionprogramming focus on quantifiable indicators that may overlookbroader community-level changes. This study addresses this by usingthe “spiraling up” theory of change and Ripple Effect Mapping to assesshow volunteers build Cooperative Extension’s communitydevelopment capacity. Focusing on Family and Consumer Scienceagents and volunteers in the North Carolina Extension Master FoodVolunteer program, analysis focused on whether volunteers increasedExtension’s bonding and bridging social capital to create a process ofexpanded community engagement. Findings indicate that volunteershelped Extension agents reach new areas, organizations, andpopulations, expanding impacts and increasing community access toresources, as suggested by the “spiraling up” theory of change. Thecommunity relationships fostered by volunteers are a key first step toincreasing Extension’s capacity to affect institutional and communitylevelchanges, which provides lessons for organizations that use healthand wellness programs to promote community development.

摘要

评估“合作社扩展”计划的影响的评估指标侧重于可忽略的更广泛的社区级变化的可量化指标。本研究通过使用“振奋”变化理论和涟漪效应图来评估志愿者如何建立合作社扩展的社区发展能力，从而解决了这一问题。针对北卡罗莱纳州推广硕士食品志愿者计划中的家庭和消费者科学代理人和志愿者，分析的重点是志愿者是否增加了Extension的联系并架起了社会资本，从而建立了扩大社区参与度的过程。研究结果表明，如“振奋人心”的变革理论所建议的那样，志愿者帮助推广人员到达了新的领域，组织和人群，扩大了影响并增加了社区对资源的获取。