Adult Volunteer Enrollment
Being a Volunteer
Our volunteers are a key part of the 4-H Youth Development Program. By volunteering, you are helping to grow the skills of 4-H youth to be our future leaders.
Ways you can volunteer
- Volunteering in 4-H is flexible and rewarding. Share your expertise and experience with the youth and other volunteers to make things happen.
- Provide administrative support for a 4-H Club.
- Share your expertise with 4-H youth.
- Help shape 4-H in California.
- Spend a day or a few hours evaluating 4-H presentations and competitions.
- Support 4-H youth as they plan and execute activities and events.
- Serve as a chaperone.
All new 4-H volunteers must go through a screening process. Our number one priority in 4-H is the safety of our young people. We do all we can to protect young people and keep them safe while they are in our care. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe. All 4-H volunteers must apply and be appointed annually.
Process for a New Adult Volunteer
Step 1. Find a club
Explore the list of clubs. Contact the club leader to learn more about the volunteer opportunities available in the club you are interested in.
Step 2. Complete the 4-H Volunteer Interest Survey
Step 3. Create an adult volunteer profile on ZSuite
Please make sure the Family email address you enter into the system is correct and one you check regularly. The email will be used for most communications and to confirm your volunteer application.
Step 4.Complete a California Department of Justice Live Scan background check.
A current Live Scan form will be provided by the 4-H Office after the interest survey has been completed.
An important part of providing a safe environment is to conduct background checks on our volunteers and staff. Everyone that will be spending an extended amount of time with our 4-H youth is screened.
Step 5. Take the New Volunteer online course.
All new 4-H volunteers are required to take the New Volunteer Training online course in the Extension Foundation Campus system before they become approved as volunteers. The course can be accessed through the 4-H Learning Center. Make sure you select the CA New Volunteer training for the current program year. This interactive training series introduces you to the best practices in positive youth development that are used in 4-H. The trainings are available in English and Spanish. All new volunteers in San Joaquin county are also required to attend an orientation at the County 4-H Office. You may complete this step any time before June 30 of the current program year; this is the only step that does not need to be completed before you can work with 4-H youth.
Step 6. Pay the $30 enrollment fee.
- Pay by card on our online payment survey or
- Pay at the 4-H Office by check or money order made out to UC Regents.
Step 6. Approval
The County Office reviews and approves 4-H volunteer appointments after all the requirements are met.
Process for a Returning Adult Volunteer
All 4-H volunteers must be appointed annually. Adult volunteers that were approved in the previous program year must re-apply and be re-appointed before the first project meeting to continue in the current program year. If you were not approved in the previous program year follow the process for new volunteers when applying.
Re-application process
1. Update your ZSuite profile.
Log in to ZSuite to update your profile and enroll for the new year. Use the same email and password you used before. The system will let you know if you need to update it. Do not create a duplicate or new account. Please make sure the email address in the system is correct and one you check regularly. Update it after logging in if necessary.
2. Take the Returning Volunteer Training
You can access the course in the Extension Foundation Campus system by going to the 4-H Learning Center. Make sure you select the Returning Volunteer Course for the current program year.
3. Pay the $30 enrollment fee.
Payment Methods:
- Pay by card on our online payment survey.
- Pay at the 4-H Office by check or money order made out to UC Regents.
4. Get approved as a 4-H Volunteer.
After all the application requirements and mandatory trainings are completed, the 4-H Office reviews and approves the volunteer appointments.