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Become a Volunteer

You Are the Spark!


We are glad you are considering being a volunteer with 4-H!  The 4-H program reaches out to kids and their families to build skills for life. Check us out! 4-H has a hundred different hands-on projects to offer.

Your time, knowledge and heart for youth could make a big difference in the quality of life in your community. Washington State University Extension will  provide you the support and training you’ll need along the way. You will be a valued partner in helping grow kids.

Types of Volunteers

There are different Volunteer roles in Washington State 4-H:

Certified 4-H Volunteers have completed the WSU 4-H Youth Development
Program Volunteer screening process and are officially designated as
representatives and leaders of the 4-H program. They supervise and direct
county and club 4-H programs and projects. They work under the direction of
WSU Extension personnel to ensure that the objectives and standards of the
WSU 4-H Youth Development Program are met. The roles available to Certified
4-H Volunteers are:

  • General Club Leader: this individual is responsible for the overall
    management of each 4-H Club
  • Project Leader: This individual is responsible for leading the various projects within each 4-H Club.
  • Activity Leader: This individual is responsible for various activities including fundraising, record keeping, community service, etc. This can be done for a club or program. The individual will be working with youth in the completion of duties.
  • Resource Volunteer: This individual is responsible for assisting with various 4-H events and activities but has no direct supervision of, or unsupervised access to, 4-H youth.
  • Administrative Volunteer: This individual is responsible for the overall
    organization and leadership of general program areas, organization of county-wide events, etc.    4-H Wordle

Volunteer Application Process

 

All potential 4-H volunteers apply by completing the WSU 4-H Volunteer Application Forms. Member and Leader safety and acceptance is our top priority, so all applicants must also agree to participate in a reference and background check.

  1. Complete a New Volunteer Application PDF
    • Provide Three References (please provide email addresses where possible).
  2. Complete online training requirements.
  3. Complete a Background Check through Sterling Volunteers following an emailed invitation (this invitation is sent after 3 references have been received).
  4. Complete an interview with 4-H Staff
  5. Attend a New Volunteer Orientation (Virtual or In-person)
  6. Enroll in 4HOnline as an Adult Volunteer
  7. Receive a letter of approval from the 4-H Office
  8. Report your volunteer hours!

Online Volunteer Training

Online Volunteer Training – To Become an Activity Leader

 

Step 1: Navigate to https://campus.extension.org/course/index.php?categoryid=159

This will take you to a page that contains links to three volunteer classes:

  • WSU Put the Child First
  • Washington State 4-H Financial Management (only necessary to complete if you are a 4-H Club Leader, or serving as a 4-H Treasurer)
  • Washington 4-H Volunteer Orientation Modules
Step 2: Log in or create an account.

Click the “Logon” button at the top right portion of the page. If you already have a campus.eXtension.org account, you will be prompted to login. If not, the right-hand side of the page indicates how to establish an account. If you are creating an account, be sure to check your e-mail and confirm your account.

Afterwards, you should be taken back to the screen with all the extension classes listed.

Click on “4-H & Youth”

Select “Washington” off the list.

Step 3: Enter enrollment key.

To access each class, you will be asked for an enrollment key. Klickitat’s is as follows for each class:

WSU Put the Child First: KLICKITAT4H

Washington State 4-H Financial Management AND Washington 4-H Volunteer Orientation Modules: KLICKITAT

Face – to – Face New Volunteer Orientation

Every new Club or Project Leader is required to attend a New Volunteer Orientation.  These are held throughout the year and are open to other volunteers as well.  Other parts of the Volunteer Application Process must first be completed  to attend. This is usually the final step!  Search our Calendar of Events for the next upcoming Orientation.  

 

Ongoing Training

Every month at the Leader’s Council Meetings a half hour training is provided by Extension Staff from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm.  Requests for training topics are always welcome!

 

Reporting Volunteer Hours

This is a required part of being a WSU Volunteer. Your hours help us demonstrate the value and dedication of our 4-H Volunteers to our stakeholders.  Report time spent at, planning for, and driving to any 4-H event.

Report Volunteer Hours