Volunteer Opportunities
Being a 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.
New Volunteers
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 Jacki Bennett, jacbennett@ucar.edu (707) 464-4711 in the Del Norte County 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.
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 Volunteer Interest Survey
2. Create an adult volunteer profile on https://4h.zsuite.org/
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.
3. Complete a California Department of Justice Live Scan
* This form will be shared with you after Step #1 is completed
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.
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. Spanish training is coming soon!
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!
Returning Volunteers
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
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.
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.