Ways You Can Volunteer
If you're thinking of becoming an adult volunteer with 4-H, here are some resources to help you see what all could be involved.
Keep in mind, there are as many ways to be a volunteer as there are projects.
4-H has grown in California because of the dedication of our volunteers. Some of our volunteers have supported 4-H for 10, 20 and 30 years or more!
All 4-H adult volunteers must be approved in writing by the 4-H Office before working with members.
Project Leader Resources on the State website
How to become a New Volunteer
Step 1. See our list of clubs to find one near you. You can also contact Erin Paradis in the Shasta County 4-H office for help finding clubs near you to start you on the process of becoming a volunteer. Contact the Club Leader to learn more about the volunteer opportunities available in a specific club.
Step 2. Complete the Screening Process
All new 4-H volunteers must go through a screening process. Our #1 priority in 4-H is the safety of 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.
A. Complete the 4-H Volunteer Interest Survey online in English or Spanish.
B. Create an adult volunteer profile in the online registration program.
C. Complete a California Department of Justice Live Scan background check. using this Live Scan Form 2025
Shasta 4-H Live Scan Instructions
Live Scan Locations in Shasta County
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 time with our 4-H youth is screened.
D. Complete New Volunteer Training
Step 3. Approval Process
Once the training & registration are complete, and the background check results come back positive, the 4-H Office will let you & your Club leader know in writing, and you can then begin working with member.
Step 4. Enrollment Fee
Your club will collect your annual program fee(s). ~ 2025-2026 Program Fee, Adult Volunteer: $48 ~
The adult volunteer enrollment fee includes both accident insurance coverage at any 4-H meeting or event and liability insurance.
You must receive written approval from the County office BEFORE working with 4-H youth
Returning Volunteer Enrollment
Re-apply annually by November 30
All 4-H volunteers must be appointed annually. If you are a current 4-H Adult Volunteer and would like to continue volunteering in the new program year, it will be necessary to re-register & complete the Returning Volunteer Training by November 30. 2025, to continue with no breaks in service.
Step 1. Update your Registration
Log in to ZSuite to update your profile and enroll for the new program year. Please make sure the Family email address in the system is correct and is one you check regularly.
Step 2. Complete the Returning Volunteer Training
Step 3. Approval Process
After the application and training requirements have been completed, the County Director will review and approve returning volunteer appointments.
NOTE: If you have a break in service You have a break in service if you were enrolled as a 4-H volunteer in 2023-24 when you apply for the new program year. When this happens, you must follow the process for New Volunteers.
F Y I
There is a 5 month overlap from your registration & insurance coverage for the Previous program year. This allows you to work with 4-H members who are finishing up a project from the previous year (2024-25).
You have until November 30 to complete the Adult Returning Volunteer training.
If you do not complete the training for the New program year by that deadline, you are not be authorized to work with 4-H members after November 30. 2025. Once the registration & training are complete, the 4-H office will notify you when you have been approved to once again work with members.
If training & registration are NOT completed prior to June 30 of the program year (June 30, 2026), and you want to again be a 4-H volunteer, the state office requires that you join as a New Volunteer and go through that multi-step process.