Volunteer

Volunteers help make 4-H possible.

To volunteer, you don’t need to have previous experience working with youth. The most important qualifications are:

  • a desire to work with young people to help them learn new things and gain life skills; and
  • wanting to provide youth with positive experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.

Extension volunteers work with staff to deliver educational programs using University and other high-quality educational resources. Anyone who is at least 18 years old by September 1 can apply to become a Wisconsin 4-H volunteer as long as they are not enrolled as a high school student. To find out more about volunteering, contact Tracy Keifenheim at 920-906-4625.

Ways to Volunteer

In 4-H there are many ways to volunteer. All volunteers work with youth and adult volunteers in offering a positive youth development experience for young people. Check out specific volunteer opportunities below.

Activity/Event Volunteer
Provide leadership/organization for an activity or event and/or participate as a committee member

Club Enrollment Coordinator
Provide leadership for members and adult volunteers who are enrolling in the club or group organization

Club Leader
Provide leadership to the club or group organization

Committee Volunteer
Provide leadership for a committee and/or participate as a member of a committee, creating educational experiences for all youth engaged in the program

Project Leader
Provide leadership and organization to the project group who is learning about a specific topic.

Adult Advisor/Chaperone
Work with a team of adult advisors and PYD staff to ensure youth have a safe and positive educational experience.

Adults interested in state level chaperone and coordination responsibilities must complete an Adult Advisor Application. State level experiences may include: Citizenship Washington FocusSpace CampNational 4-H Congress.

Chaperones – for 4-H youth development experiences must have completed the Youth Protection Process; be enrolled 4-H volunteer leaders and be over 21 years of age (for some experiences adults must be over 25).

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering with 4-H has benefits for the volunteers, the youth they work with, and the organization they support. According to over 2900 volunteers who participated in the North Central Volunteer Impact Study:

Volunteers gain skills. 4-H volunteers gain skills in teaching, leading effective meetings and developing communication skills.  Youth benefit because volunteers help youth:

  • Prepare for future careers
  • Improve their decision-making skills
  • Serve their communities
  • Gain leadership skills

The organization benefits:

  • 4-H volunteers on average donate 9 hours per month
  • Donate money and supplies
  • Serve as ambassadors of 4-H in recruiting youth, volunteers and connecting with community partners

Volunteers impact communities where they volunteer by:

  • Making communities stronger
  • Connecting communities
  • Improving the health of communities
  • Increasing civic involvement

NC Volunteer Impact Study
North Central Volunteer Impact Study – WI Data

Enroll as a Volunteer

All new and re-enrolling 4-H volunteers need to complete enrollment online.

New Volunteers:

  1. Create a volunteer profile in 4-H Online. Download the Enrollment Guide
  2. Complete required training through 4-H Online (approximately 40 minutes to complete). If you would prefer a paper version, please contact the Extension office at 920-906-4623.
    • Grow Green is additional training available for volunteers to learn more about Wisconsin 4-H, roles & responsibilities, best practices, and how to create positive and safe learning environments for youth (30-45 mins to complete)
  3. Complete a background check
    • Once your online profile is completed, you will receive an automatic email from a company called HireRight to complete the background check. The link does expire, so you will need to complete it within 2 weeks of receiving.
    • If you would prefer to fill out a paper background check, please contact the Extension office at 920-906-4623. Processing time takes 2-3 business days.

Returning Volunteers:

  1. Re-enroll in 4-H Online annually.
  2. Complete required training annually through 4-H Online.
  3. Complete a background check (if needed) – must be completed every two years. You will receive an automatic email from a company called HireRight to complete the background check. The link does expire, so you will need to complete it within 2 weeks of receiving.

Deadlines

  • November 1 – Returning Wisconsin 4-H volunteers are required to re-enroll online annually
  • December 1 – Required training and background check (if applicable) must be completed
  • December 15 – All eligible returning 4-H volunteers will be approved by this date
  • Returning volunteers who do not meet the deadlines listed above must enroll as a NEW volunteer and complete all applicable new volunteer trainings
  • **IMPORTANT: A submitted application/enrollment form does not mean that an individual is an approved volunteer.  Adults who are not approved 4-H volunteers cannot be in custodial care of youth.**
  • New volunteers may enroll at any time during the program year.

Background Check & Training Requirements

  • Complete Criminal Background Check (information will be sent via email from HireRight to all new potential volunteers once a person has enrolled). A background records check for arrest and conviction records will be completed every two (2) years for continuing 4-H volunteer leaders.
  • Every year, volunteers are required to complete volunteer training when enrolling through 4H Online.* The training will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.
    • Grow Green Training is additional training available for volunteers to learn more about Wisconsin 4-H, roles & responsibilities, best practices, and how to create positive and safe learning environments for youth.
    • Volunteers serving as an overnight chaperone will also need to complete the Supporting Youth Mental Health Training

*Volunteers are considered Mandated Reporters in Governor’s Executive Order 54, and training content is included in the annual training.

4-H Adult Leaders Association

All registered 4-H volunteers belong to the 4-H Leaders Association.  Discover how this group of adult leaders is making a difference in the lives of youth!

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