Do you enjoy working with youth and teens to make a positive difference in their lives and our community? Were you ever a member of 4-H? Even if you were not, you could still become a 4-H volunteer. Do you have specialized skills or are you just a well-rounded caring and fun-loving adult? Regardless of who you are, if you like working with kids and want to make a difference, there are many exciting roles you can choose from as a 4-H volunteer.
Here are just a few of the key volunteer roles and duties you could choose from:
· Club Leader – work with and mentor youth to select a project or multiple projects from our 4-H Family Guide that lists out more than 200 different unique projects kids can complete and exhibit at the county or state fair.
· Committee member – 4-H is run by committees of volunteers focused on specific project areas and other key needs. Project committees include Beef, Dairy, Dog, Horse, Goat, Poultry/Rabbit, Sheep, Swine, and Still Projects. These committees meet throughout the year to plan educational clinics, activities, and project judging events for the youth to learn more about the projects they’ve chosen, and to show them off to a judge when the project is completed. Other important committees include CARTEENS, fundraising and the 4-H advisory committee.
· Organizational Advisor – these talented individuals put their organizational skills to work to coach club officers in how to lead the club meetings, ensure communication flows to all members, and that club finances are wisely managed. They also make sure important deadlines for 4-H enrollment and fair entry are met.
If any of these roles sound interesting to you – now is the time to begin the process of becoming a new 4-H volunteer. In fact, New Volunteer Application Packets are available for download from our website at wayne.osu.edu or can be picked up in person at the Extension Office beginning today November 1st. Individuals applying to become a 4-H volunteer must complete an application, provide the names and contact information of three references, submit to a fingerprint criminal background check, (funds are available to reimburse for background checks), complete a new volunteer interview / orientation session, and be approved by the County 4-H Extension Educator. If you are interested in possibly becoming a 4-H volunteer and/or would like more information – please contact me at the Extension Office.