Last year, nearly 14,000 adult volunteers contributed more than 1.3 million hours of service (a value of $22 million!) to support the positive development of Minnesota's youth. Minnesota 4-H could not operate without their participation. Volunteers say they benefit from staying involved, too. There are many ways to volunteer, including short-term volunteering such as judging at the Minnesota State Fair or a county fair, or longer-term involvement such as leading a club. Learn more about volunteering by contacting your local Extension office.

Hear from a 4-H volunteer

"Everybody's welcome"
Tara Wiley, Urban 4-H Youth Development volunteer

 

Application process

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Minnesota 4-H Youth Development Program. We are pleased that you are considering to join more than 14,000 talented 4-H volunteers from across the state who are helping youth reach their full potential through their involvement in 4-H. Please review the instructional letter (87 KB PDF) for details on the three steps to becoming a Minnesota 4-H volunteer:

• Complete and submit the 4-H volunteer application form (use print or interactive option)
  • Print document, (51KB PDF) (print, hand write information, sign, and mail)
  • Interactive document (223 KB PDF) (enter information electronically, print, sign, and mail)
• Complete the 4-H volunteer background check (use online or print option)
  • Available online at the McDowell Agency, Inc. website (instructions for online entry) (730 KB PDF)
  • Complete the hard copy release of information form (67 KB PDF) and submit to McDowell Agency, Inc.
• Complete the 30-minute 4-H volunteer orientation

Once you have completed the three steps of the screening process (they can be done in any order) you will be notified by the regional Extension office of your volunteer status.

 

4-H Volunteer Code of Conduct

When serving as a University of Minnesota Extension volunteer, I promise to:

• Accept my responsibility to represent my county and University of Minnesota Extension programs with dignity and pride by being a positive role model for youth
• Conduct myself in a courteous, respectful manner and exhibit good sportsmanship
• Adhere to and enforce the rules, policies and guidelines established by the county and Extension youth programs
• Refrain from the use of physical or verbal abuse
• Refrain from inappropriate or unwanted touching of youth or adults
• Refrain from destructive, offensive or sexually inappropriate behavior
• Refrain from the possession or use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs
• Avoid smoking and use of tobacco products at 4-H events when youth are present
• Respect the property of others, including clothing, personal items, equipment and facilities
• Operate machinery, vehicles and other equipment in a responsible manner
• Accept the responsibility to promote and support the University of Minnesota Extension to develop an effective club, county, state and national program.

 

4-H offers a number of training opportunities throughout the year where volunteers learn about leading clubs, projects and more.

 

Volunteer orientation

Orientation is part of the volunteer screening process and an excellent introduction to 4-H for new and prospective volunteers. You will learn how volunteers fit into the larger picture of 4-H and the University of Minnesota and review our philosophy, policies and procedures. More info.

 

Volunteer training

Fall volunteer training

Each fall, statewide volunteer training is offered at locations across the state. These trainings provide relevant and current training to all interested club volunteers.

The fall 2011 training was "We are connected: Youth engagement through service learning". As options for service learning, the following two annual national events provide the opportunity for clubs to join in with other organizations across the country and world to serve. The referenced web sites provide access to a variety of resources, downloads and many project ideas.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is January 16, 2012
• Global Youth Service Day is April 20-22, 2012

 

Youth Work Matters: Promoting youth development

Learn more about youth development at your own pace online. Start the online course

 

Youth Work Institute classes

The Youth Work Institute provides you with the latest research on youth development and practical ways to apply it to your daily work. We have a class for you!

 

 

Volunteer events

Minnesota 4-H Adult Volunteer Association Forum

The annual forum is a great place to meet other volunteers from around the state, develop new ideas, learn leadership fundamentals, learn about club development and participate in hands-on activities.

• February 17-19, 2012 - Holiday Inn, Willmar
  For more information visit M4-HAVA

 

North Central Regional Volunteer Forum

Every two years, the forum hosts a training and development conference designed for all 4-H volunteers. Participants learn ways to strengthen adult-youth collaboration, explore partnership opportunities between 4-H and other youth programs, obtain new and innovative ideas, and network with volunteers from across the 12-state North Central Region, including three Canadian provinces. In off years, volunteers may participate in an online learning experience. Learn more.

 

4-H events

• To view county or local club events, visit the county web site.
• To view statewide events, view all 4-H events
  

Resources for leading your club

Thank you in joining us in the important work of leading your club! There are several valuable resources available to you!

• Leading a club web page - includes the following:
  • Club Management Guide
  • Club Management Toolkit
  • Club officer books
  • Program planning tools
  • 4-H volunteer position descriptions
• 4HOnline - online enrollment data access for club leaders

 

Resources for volunteering in a project area

Our curriculum committees have chosen the best resources from Minnesota, other states, and national 4-H curricula. These are all available on the project-specific pages, and can be accessed from our Project Selection Guide.

 

Service learning opportunities

These annual national events provide the opportunity for clubs to join in with other organizations across the country and world to serve. These web sites provide access to a variety of resources, downloads and many project ideas.

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is January 16, 2012
• Global Youth Service Day is April 20-22, 2012

 

Other resources

• National 4-H Mall
• Scholarships, grants and awards