Volunteer Resources

The Volunteer Resources page is designed to give 4-H volunteers one convenient place to find the information, tools, and materials they need to be successful in their roles. Here you’ll find training resources, required forms, program guidance, helpful links, and other materials to support you throughout the 4-H year.

New & Prospecitve Volunteers

Interested in becoming a Certified 4-H Volunteer? Learn more about volunteering and how to get started.

What is a 4-H Volunteer?

4-H volunteers are caring adults who give their time, skills, and experience to support the WSU 4-H Youth Development Program. Volunteers serve as positive role models and mentors, helping create safe, welcoming, and meaningful learning experiences for youth. Volunteer opportunities include a variety of leadership and support roles, allowing individuals to contribute to 4-H in ways that match their interests, skills, and availability.

What is a Certified 4-H Volunteer?

Certified 4-H Volunteers are adults who have successfully completed the WSU 4-H volunteer screening and certification process and are officially approved to serve in leadership roles within the 4-H program. They may lead clubs and projects, supervise youth activities, teach skills, mentor members, and support county and club programming. Certified Volunteers work in partnership with WSU Extension staff to provide safe, positive, and high-quality experiences that support the goals and standards of the WSU 4-H Youth Development Program.

Age Requirements for 4-H Volunteers

4-H volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Individuals who enroll as Certified 4-H Volunteers cannot also be enrolled as 4-H Youth Members and may not switch back to youth membership after choosing to enroll as a Certified Volunteer. Youth members who are interested in developing their leadership skills can still take on meaningful responsibilities through the 4-H Leadership Project or by serving as a Youth Officer under the guidance of a Certified 4-H Volunteer.

Types of 4-H Volunteers

Certified 4-H Volunteers can serve in a variety of roles depending on their interests, experience, and how they would like to support the program.

General Club Leader: Provides overall leadership and management for a 4-H club, helping guide club operations, activities, and members throughout the program year.

Project Leader: Leads youth in one or more 4-H project areas, helping members build knowledge and skills through hands-on learning experiences.

Resource Volunteer: Supports 4-H events, activities, and programs that may not be connected to a specific club or project area.

Volunteer Applicant: An individual who is currently completing the volunteer screening and certification process and has not yet been approved as a Certified 4-H Volunteer.

Why become a Certified Volunteer?

Certified 4-H Volunteers are essential to making 4-H experiences possible. By becoming certified, you can take an active role in leading clubs and projects, teaching skills, mentoring youth, and supporting activities and events. 4-H club activities require at least two Certified 4-H Volunteers to be present, so having trained and committed volunteers helps clubs provide safe, positive, and meaningful opportunities for youth throughout the year.

How do I become a Certified Volunteer?

Becoming a Certified 4-H Volunteer involves completing several steps designed to prepare you for your role and help ensure a safe, positive environment for 4-H youth. The certification process includes a volunteer application, reference checks, an interview with 4-H staff, required volunteer trainings, 4-H Online enrollment, and a background screening. All required steps listed below must be successfully completed before an applicant can be approved as a Certified 4-H Volunteer. Skagit County 4-H staff will help guide you through the process and answer questions along the way. Completion of the required steps does not guarantee approval, and the 4-H Coordinator may discontinue the volunteer screening process at any point.

Skagit 4-H Volunteer Application

The 4-H Volunteer Application is the first step toward becoming a Certified 4-H Volunteer. The application provides Skagit County 4-H with information about your interests, experience, skills, and the ways you would like to support youth through the 4-H program. It also helps 4-H staff get to know you, understand what volunteer roles may be a good fit, and begin the volunteer screening and certification process.

The 4-H Volunteer Interview is an opportunity to meet with Skagit County 4-H staff, learn more about the volunteer role and expectations, and discuss your interests, experience, and how you would like to contribute to the 4-H program. It is also a great opportunity to ask questions and learn what to expect throughout the certification process.

To schedule your volunteer interview, please contact Ashley Saenz, Skagit County 4-H Program Coordinator, at ashley.saenz@wsu.edu.

Volunteer Reference Check Form

As part of the volunteer screening process, prospective 4-H volunteers are asked to provide three references who can speak to their character, dependability, judgment, and ability to work positively and safely with youth and adults. At least two completed reference checks are required to continue through the certification process.

References may not be close family members or individuals living in the same household as the applicant. At least two references must be adults age 18 or older; one reference may be a youth under age 18 who can speak to their experience with the applicant.

References will receive a link to the online
Volunteer Reference Check Form and should complete the form based on their personal knowledge and experience with the applicant.

All prospective Certified 4-H Volunteers must complete required training to help prepare them to provide safe, positive, and effective experiences for 4-H youth. Required trainings include EP14, WSU Put the Child First, and the Washington 4-H Volunteer Orientation Modules. Washington State 4-H Financial Management training is also required for Club Leaders and Club Treasurers.

Trainings are completed online through Extension Foundation Campus using the links and enrollment codes provided below. Please complete all trainings required for your volunteer role as part of the certification process.

After completing your required trainings, use the Volunteer Training Certificate Submission Form below to upload a Certificate of Completion for each required training. If you are unsure which trainings are required for your volunteer role or need assistance accessing a training, please contact the Skagit County 4-H Program Coordinator.

4-H Volunteer Training Completion Submission

As part of the volunteer screening process, all prospective Certified 4-H Volunteers are required to complete a background check. After completing your volunteer interview, you will receive an email invitation from Sterling with instructions for completing the background screening online.

Please watch for the Sterling email and follow the instructions provided to complete this step of the certification process.

Certified 4-H Volunteers must enroll and be approved annually through 4-H Online to maintain active volunteer status and continue serving in their volunteer role. As part of annual enrollment, volunteers are required to review, sign, and follow the Adult Valuable Partnership Agreement.

Volunteer enrollments must be submitted by 9:59 PM on July 31.

An applicant is not considered a Certified 4-H Volunteer until all required application, screening, and certification steps have been completed and their 4-H Online enrollment has been approved by local WSU Extension staff.

Certified 4-H Volunteers use GivePulse to track and report the time they contribute to Skagit County 4-H. Recording volunteer hours helps demonstrate the incredible impact volunteers have on the 4-H program and provides important information for program reporting and evaluation.

Once you have completed the certification process and are approved as a Certified 4-H Volunteer, you will receive an email invitation to claim your Skagit County 4-H GivePulse account. After activating your account, you can use GivePulse to record your volunteer service hours throughout the 4-H year.

Current Volunteers

How to Report Your Volunteer Hours

Keeping track of volunteer hours helps Skagit County 4-H document the incredible time and service our volunteers contribute to the program. This short video walks you through the process of reporting your volunteer hours, including how to access the reporting form, enter your volunteer activities and hours, and submit your information. You can report multiple volunteer activities at one time, making it easy to keep your hours up to date throughout the 4-H year.

Report Your Volunteer Hours

Use this form to submit your Skagit County 4-H volunteer hours. You can report multiple volunteer activities at one time by adding each date or activity separately. I recommend submitting your volunteer hours at least once a month to help keep your records accurate and up to date.

Before submitting, please save your completed file using the following naming format: FirstName LastName-Month-Volunteer Hours (example: Ashley Saenz-October-Volunteer Hours).

Fair Resources

The WSU 4-H Fair Resources page provides information and tools to help members, families, and volunteers prepare for county, regional, and Washington State 4-H fairs. It includes resources for FairEntry registration, State Fair participation, animal entry information, exhibitor requirements, and other fair-related resources.

Extension Publications

The WSU Extension Publications page is a library of research-based resources, guides, and educational materials created by WSU experts. Club leaders and volunteers can use it to find reliable information and curriculum to support 4-H projects, activities, and learning.

4-H Club Annual Financial Report Process

Financial audits of all Washington 4-H Clubs and affiliated groups (i.e. leader’s councils, horse councils, etc.) are required on a yearly basis. Any funds that are raised in the name of the 4-H clover must be used for 4-H education purposes only. Skagit County 4-H Club Financial Binders are due at the Extension Office by September 15th each year.

Setting up a new EIN for a 4-H Club

This resource is intended for new 4-H clubs that need to establish an Employer Identification Number (EIN) in order to manage club or project funds. Club leaders and volunteers can use this page when setting up a new financial account or establishing the financial structure for a new club or project, with guidance specific to completing the EIN process correctly for 4-H.

 

Forms