Volunteer

Our Volunteers are a key part of the 4-H Youth Development Program.

By volunteering you are helping to grow the skills of 4-H youth to be our future leaders.

Ways you can volunteer

Volunteering in 4-H is flexible and rewarding. Share your expertise and experience with the youth and other volunteers to make things happen!

Provide adminstrative support for a 4-H club.

Share your expertise with 4-H youth.

Help shape 4-H in California!

Spend a day or a few hours evaluating 4-H presentations and competions.

Support 4-H'ers as they plan and execute activities & events.

All 4-H adult volunteers must enroll and complete ongoing training annually. 

Process to become a new 4-H Adult Volunteer

1.  Find a club

Please contact 4-H Community Education Specialist Crystal Cortez, email crdcortez@ucanr.edu or by calling the 4-H Office (209) 385-7418. Once you have found a club that you are interested in to start the process of becoming a volunteer please Contact that clubs leader to lean more about the volunteer opportunities and projects that the club offers. 

2.  Screening Process

All new volunteers must go through a screening process.  Our #1 priority in 4-H is the safety of young people.  We do all we can to protect young people and keep them safe while they are in our care. The following steps are REQUIRED to be an approved 4-H Volunteer.

1.  Complete the  4-H Volunteer Interest Survey  in English or Spanish. (click link to fill out) 

2.  Create an adult profile on ZSuite Enrollment Site

Please make sure the Family email address in the system is correct and one you check regularly.  This email will be used for most communications and to confirm your volunteer application.

*For Spanish: You can fill in the paper enrollment packet in Spanish and turn it in to your club leader or county staff for them to enter. You will need to request a paper enrollment packet from the 4-H Office. Please keep a copy of the paper forms for your records.

3.  Complete a California Department of Justice Background Screening

An important part of providing a safe environment is to conduct background checks on our volunteers and staff.  Everyone that will be spending an extended time with our 4-H youth is screened. Please contact the local 4-H office for the live scan form.

3.  New Volunteer Training

All new 4-H volunteers are required to take the New Volunteer Training online courses in the eXtension system before they become approved as volunteers. This interactive training series introduces you to the best practices in positive youth development that are used in 4-H. The trainings are available in English and Spanish.

Click here: eXtension Training Link to complete the New Volunteer Training. Contact the local office if you need additional support.

4.Pay Enrollment Fee

1. Pay enrollment fee of $30.00 either to the Club, 4-H Office or pay online at the link provided. 

4-H Enrollment Online Payment Link

There is a $2.50 additional charge to pay online. 

5.  Approval

The Community Education Specialist reviews and approves   4-H volunteers after ALL of the following have been completed

• You have submitted the 4-H Volunteer Interest Survey
• You are signed up in 4H ZSuite
• You have passed the Live Scan screening process
• You complete all of the New Volunteer Training required in your county.
• You have paid your enrollment fee 

Once you are approved, the fun begins! Thank you for joining our 4-H family!

4-H has grown in California because of the dedication of our volunteers. Some of our volunteers have supported the 4-H program for 10, 20 and 30 years or more!

Re-enroll annually by December 31.

All 4-H volunteers must be enrolled annually. If you are a current 4-H Adult Volunteer, to continue in the next 4-H program year you will need to re-enroll and complete the returning volunteer training and pay the yearly enrollment fee. 

Re-application process

1.  Submit enrollment on ZSuite

Log in to your ZSuite Enrollment to update your profile and submit a new enrollment for the new year. Do not create a new profile. Email addresses are case sensitive. If you are having trouble logging in please contact Brandy at the 4-H office 209-385-7418 or bmgonzales@ucanr.edu

2.  Take the Returning Volunteers Training on the online eXtension system.

Click Returning Volunteer Training to complete your training. Please call office for enrollment key 209-385-7418

3. Pay enrollment fee $30.00 to Club Leaders, 4-H Office or Online using the link below

Enrollment Fee Online Payment Link

There is an additional $2.50 charge for online payments

4.  Get approved as a 4-H Volunteer.

After all the requirements and mandatory trainings are completed, the Community Education Specialist will review and approve volunteers.

Volunteers if you have a break in service

If you are a volunteer that has had a break in service through a program year, you will need to enroll as a NEW VOLUNTEER and complete all the NEW VOLUNTEER requirements.