Ways to Volunteer
Club Leader & Assistant Club Leader
Help organize and support a community 4-H club throughout the year. Club leaders help create a welcoming club environment, support youth leadership, communicate with families, and coordinate the overall club experience.
Best fit for: Someone who enjoys bringing people together and helping a group thrive.
View Club Leader Position Description
Project Leader & Assistant Project Leader
Share your knowledge or learn alongside youth in a specific project area such as livestock, gardening, photography, cooking, sewing, woodworking, STEM, or another interest.
Best fit for: Someone who has a skill, hobby, profession, or interest they would enjoy sharing with young people.
View Project Leader Position Description
Resource Volunteer
A certified volunteer who is responsible for assisting with various 4-H events and activities that are not specifically tied to one club or project area.
Best fit for: Someone who wants to support 4-H but may not be ready for an ongoing club role.
Guest Instructor or Community Resource
Have a specialized skill you’d like to share? Work with 4-H staff and certified volunteers to provide a workshop, demonstration, or educational experience.
Best fit for: Community members who want to share their expertise without necessarily taking on an ongoing leadership role.
Volunteer Commitments Vary by Role
Some volunteers support 4-H throughout the year, while others help with a specific project, workshop, or event. We’ll work with you to identify an opportunity that fits your interests and availability.
Not Sure You’re “4-H Volunteer Material”?
You Do Not Need…
- Prior 4-H experience
- Teaching experience
- Livestock or agriculture experience
- To know everything about your project
- To lead a club by yourself
What We Are Looking For…
- An interest in helping young people learn
- Dependability and good communication
- A willingness to learn alongside youth
- A desire to share your time, talents, or interests
- A willingness to complete required screening and training
We provide training, resources, and ongoing support to help our volunteers succeed.
Ready to Explore Volunteering? Let’s Talk!
Before completing an application, start by contacting the San Juan County 4-H Office. We’ll talk about your interests, answer your questions, discuss current opportunities, and help determine what volunteer role might be the best fit.
Program Contact
Clinton Gauthier, 4-H Program CoordinatorPhone NumberCall or Text: (360) 350-2209 Email Address • sanjuan.4-h@wsu.edu
Not sure whether you’re ready to become a certified volunteer?
That’s okay. Contact us anyway. We’re happy to talk through the possibilities with you.
Becoming a Certified 4-H Volunteer
Once you and 4-H staff determine that becoming a certified volunteer is the right path, we’ll guide you through the approval process.
Let’s Talk → Apply → Interview & References → Background Screening → Training → Enroll & Get Started
Becoming a certified 4-H volunteer does involve several steps because volunteers are entrusted with creating safe, positive experiences for young people. Don’t let the list overwhelm you. We’ll help guide you through the process.
Complete the San Juan County 4-H Volunteer Application and provide at least two references who can speak to your ability to work effectively with youth.
Your provided references can complete the Volunteer Reference Form online.
Prefer a paper application? Contact the 4-H Office and we’ll be happy to help.
We’ll schedule a conversation with you by phone, Zoom, or in person.
This is an opportunity for us to learn more about you and your interests, and for you to ask questions about 4-H, volunteer expectations, and the role you’re considering.
4-H staff will also contact the references listed on your application. References may respond using our online reference form or speak directly with staff.
Certified 4-H volunteers must complete a background screening.
After your interview and reference process, 4-H staff will provide information about how to complete this requirement.
A background screening through another organization does not replace the screening required for your 4-H volunteer role.
New volunteers complete required training designed to prepare them to work safely and effectively with young people.
Required training currently includes:
Put the Child First
Child protection training for individuals working with youth and vulnerable adults.
4-H Volunteer Orientation
Self-paced modules introducing volunteers to 4-H, positive youth development, getting started in 4-H, and leadership and teaching.
WSU EP 14 Protection and Safety of Minors Training
Required Washington State University training related to protecting minors.
Additional Role-Specific Training: WA 4-H Financial Management
This tutorial provides instruction on the policies and procedures for management of 4-H funds in Washington State. Required for club leaders and treasurers.
Most training can be completed online at your own pace. After completing your training, send your completion certificates to the 4-H Office.
Enrollment Keys You’ll Need
Put the Child First
SANJUAN4H
4-H Volunteer Orientation
SANJUAN
WSU Safety of Minors
EP14SJ4H
Financial Management
SANJUAN
Once the application, screening, and training requirements are complete, you’ll enroll as a volunteer through 4-H Online.
4-H Online is the enrollment system used by Washington State 4-H for members and certified volunteers.
Need help with enrollment? Contact the San Juan County 4-H Office and we’ll walk you through it.
After completing the onboarding process, 4-H staff will send you information about claiming your GivePulse account.
GivePulse is used to record volunteer service hours. Reporting volunteer hours is a required part of serving as a certified 4-H volunteer.
You’re Ready!
Once your volunteer certification is approved, it’s time to put your interests and talents to work supporting San Juan County youth.
Welcome to San Juan County 4-H!
Already a Certified 4-H Volunteer?
Returning volunteers must re-enroll annually in 4-H Online, log volunteer hours via GivePulse and maintain required screening and training requirements.
San Juan County 4-H Leaders Council
The San Juan County 4-H Leaders Council provides an opportunity for volunteers, families, and youth to participate in county-level conversations and support the 4-H program.
Certified volunteers are encouraged to learn more about Leaders Council and opportunities to participate.
Partner with 4-H
Not every partnership with 4-H requires becoming a traditional club or project leader.
Schools, libraries, nonprofits, farms, businesses, agencies, and other community organizations can partner with San Juan County 4-H to create educational opportunities for young people.
Partnerships might include:
- School enrichment programs
- Workshops or special events
- Sharing facilities or educational resources
- Youth leadership experiences
- Special-interest programs
- Community-based learning opportunities
4-H Collaborators work or volunteer with another organization and partner with the WSU 4-H Youth Development Program to use 4-H programs or curriculum. Collaborators are different from Certified 4-H Volunteers and do not enroll through 4-H Online.
Interested in partnering with us?
Email: sanjuan.4-h@wsu.edu
Phone: (360) 350-2209
Have an Idea? Let’s Talk.
You don’t need to know exactly where you fit before contacting us.
- Maybe you want to teach woodworking.
- Maybe you’d like to help with an event once a year.
- Maybe you have an idea for a project we’ve never offered before.
- Maybe you simply want to support young people in your community.
Let’s start with a conversation.