Why Volunteer?
Volunteering for 4-H pays you back in more ways than you can imagine. Working with talented, inspiring youth provides you with an excellent outlook on your community. You will gain skills in the areas of organization, public speaking, and self-confidence to name a few. Your experience as a 4-H volunteer will provide an insight for future employers on your skills and abilities for various occupations. Not to mention the miles of many memories and new friendships you will gain as a result of working together for a common goal.
As a 4-H volunteer, you will become affiliated with our state’s land grant university, Washington State University. You instantly have the resources of WSU Extension at your fingertips. Additionally, you enjoy the benefit of WSU liability coverage and L & I coverage should you be injured while on the job.
Volunteer Education
Volunteers are provided a quality, comprehensive education program that helps you to work with and teach youth in many different interest-related areas, we call programs. Topics range from new club orientation to effective group leadership.
BECOME A LEADER OR VOLUNTEER
4-H programs reach out to kids and their families to build skills for life. Your time, knowledge, and heart for youth could make the difference in the quality of life in our community. Adult volunteers play an important role in the 4-H program. Volunteers coordinate local community clubs, and help to conduct local, regional, state and national 4-H events. Okanogan County Extension will provide you with the support and training you will need along the way.
Whatever you have to offer, we have a place for you. Our volunteer opportunities range from a one-time experience to an on-going relationship between you and 4-H. These opportunities are available at the club, county, or 4-H administrative level. We match your skill and preferred interests with our needs. For example, you may wish to help out in the 4-H office with clerical tasks and occasional bulk mailings. Some may lean towards participating at county events for one or more days throughout the year. There are also on-going opportunities to lead a group of young people in an interest area or in the club setting. Your skills and talents are very much needed to assist our young people as they grow and develop.
There are many ways to volunteer, just ask! Some ways to volunteer include becoming a 4-H Leader. You can serve as a leader by:
- General Club Leader: The main club leader and organizer who works with general club meetings.
- Project Leader: Works with members on their specific project work.
- Activity Leader: Responsible for one or more activities. Some examples are recreation, record keeping, public presentations or community service activities.
- Teen Leader: Works under the guidance of an adult. Helps with activities and events or helps members with their project work.
We are excited to get new volunteers, so please call the WSU Okanogan County Extension Office at (509) 422-7245 to discuss becoming a volunteer. The process to becoming a 4-H Volunteer includes:
- A Washington State 4-H enrollment form.
- A Volunteer Application which gives us permission to do a Washington State Patrol background check.
- A Volunteer Agreement form.
Leaders must also complete 4-H Leader Volunteer on-line training and in-person trainings. You will be instructed as to how to do these trainings after your application is complete.
