The amount of time county staff must commit to the program varies with organizational style, willingness to develop volunteer management systems, and personal interests. Initial development of the program may require 40 to 80 hours minimum over the course of the year, including attendance at a workshop. Some agents have spent only 15 to 20 hours getting the program started effectively. Maintenance time also varies. It could require just 8 to 12 hours per year giving advice and consent to a volunteer committee and handling normal communications with leaders, committees, state staff, and young people.
Some agents choose to maintain a higher profile and a deeper involvement.
Often it may be best to limit involvement to the amount of time needed for visibility, program understanding, and personal satisfaction, but it is very important for agents to maintain that visibility and program understanding. The time commitment for volunteers varies dramatically. Burnout can result in a high turnover rate among volunteers. A comprehensive, basic program can easily involve 50 to 80 hours annually of direct youth contact in instruction alone. Involvement with practice sessions, matches, fund-raising, and planning activities can multiply that time commitment.