4-H Volunteer Opportunities

Process to become a new 4-H Adult Volunteer

1. Find a club

See our list of clubs to find one near you. You can also contact Kaylin Nylander, knylander@ucanr.edu (707) 445-7351 in the Humboldt-Del Norte Extension office for help in finding clubs near you to start you on the process of becoming a volunteer. Contact the club leader to learn more about the volunteer opportunities available in the club.
Del Norte County 4-H Clubs and Groups
Humboldt County 4-H Clubs and Groups

2. Screening Process

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 Volunteer Interest Survey for your county.
   Del Norte County Volunteer Interest Survey
   Humboldt County Volunteer Interest Survey
2. Create an adult volunteer profile on Z Suite
   
   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.
   
   *Paper Enrollment Forms are available upon request
   
   
3. Complete a California Department of Justice Live Scan Background Check. 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. Live Scan forms will be shared after the volunteer interest survey is completed.

3. New Volunteer Training

All new 4-H volunteers are required to attend an in-person orientation held at the County 4-H Office. New 4-H Volunteers are also 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. 

If you used a paper enrollment form, you will have to check with your county 4-H Representative for the login instructions.

 4. Approval

The County Office reviews and approves 4-H volunteer appointments after

• You are signed up in Z Suite 
• You have passed the screening process
• You complete all of the New Volunteer Training required in your county

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 4-H for 10, 20 and 30 years or more!

Re-apply annually by December 31

All 4-H 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 break in service.

Re-application process

1. Update your Z Suite profile

Log in to Z Suite to update your profile to enroll for the new year. Please make sure the email address in the system is correct and one you check regularly.

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

You will receive the login information sent to your Family email after you update and submit your profile application for the new year. If you used a paper enrollment form, you will have to check with you county 4-H Representative for the instructions.

3. Get approved as a 4-H Volunteer

After all the application requirements and mandatory trainings are completed, the County Office reviews and approves the volunteer appointments.

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.