Become a 4-H Adult Volunteer

All 4-H adult volunteers must apply and be appointed annually.

Process to become a new 4-H Adult Volunteer

Find a Club

See our list of clubs to find one near you. Contact the club leader to learn more about volunteer opportunities available in the club. You can also contact Erin Paradis, 4-H Community Educator, at ecparidis@ucanr.edu or (530) 224-4900 for help.  

Training & Screening

All new 4-H 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. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe.

1. Complete the online 4-H Adult Volunteer Interest Survey

2. Create an adult volunteer profile on 4-HOnline

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

3. Take the online New Volunteer Course

All new 4-H volunteers are required to take the online New Volunteer Course in the UC Extension system before they can be approved as volunteers. The interactive training series introduces you to best practices in positive youth development that are used in 4-H. Trainings are available in English or Spanish.

After you complete and submit your 4-HOnline profile, you will receive an automated email with UC Extension log in instructions at your family email address.

4. Complete a California Department of Justice Live Scan background check

An important part of providing a safe environment is to conduct background checks on all our volunteers and staff. Everyone that will spend an extended time with our 4-H youth is screened.

If you need the required Live Scan Request form and instructions sent to you, email the UCCE Trinity County office at grhung@ucanr.edu

Approval

The County Director reviews and approves 4-H volunteer applications after all the steps have been completed:

• You have created a profile on 4-HOnline
• You have completed the New Volunteer Course
• You have passed the Live Scan background check

Fees

Enrollment fees for 2022-2023 are $72 per youth and $28 per adult. Fees are made payable to the Community Club. Once your Club Leader confirms payment, your enrollment will be confirmed.

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

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

All 4-H adult volunteers must be appointed annually. If you are a current 4-H adult volunteer, to continue in the next year you need to re-apply and be re-appointed by December 31st to continue with no breaks in service.

Process for re-applying to be a 4-H Adult Volunteer

1. Update your profile on 4-HOnline

Enroll for the new year and submit your profile application. Please make sure the family email address is correct and one you check regularly.

2. Take the online Returning Volunteer Course

All returning 4-H volunteers are required to take the online Returning Volunteer Course in the UC Extension system before they can be re-approved as volunteers. The course is available in English or Spanish.

After you update your 4-HOnline profile, you will receive an automated email with UC Extension log in instructions at your family email address.

Approval

The County Director reviews and approves 4-H volunteer applications after all the steps have been completed:

• You have updated your profile on 4-HOnline
• You have completed the Returning Volunteer Course

Fees

Enrollment fees for 2022-2023 are $72 per youth and $28 per adult. Fees are made payable to the Community Club. Once your Club Leader confirms payment, your enrollment will be confirmed.

NOTE - If you have a break in service:

You have a break in service if you are not currently enrolled as a 4-H volunteer when you apply for the new year. Please follow the process for new volunteers when applying.

Thank you for continuing to be part of the 4-H family!

4-HOnline Family Enrollment Guide for both New & Returning Volunteers provides step-by-step guidance on the online enrollment process

UC Extension Foundation online courses & articles

Adult Volunteer Resources from the State 4-H Office

Live Scan Locations list