Become a 4-H Adult Volunteer!
As a volunteer, you will play an important role in the development of young people, helping them to identify their spark and develop the skills and positive outcomes that lead to thriving. Below are the steps to becoming a volunteer. We look forward to working with you as a valuable asset to the 4-H Youth Development Program.
Process to become a new 4-H Adult Volunteer
First, find a club.
See our list of clubs to find one near you. You can also contact Jill Simmons (jcsimmons@ucdavis.edu or 530-273-4563) in the Nevada County Extension office (open Tuesdays and Thursdays) for help in 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 the club.
Steps to become a 4-H Adult Volunteer
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.
Step 1: Complete Interest Survey
Each new adult volunteer applicant must complete an initial Interest Survey. Tell us how you would like to participate in the 4-H program as a volunteer.
COMPLETE VOLUNTEER INTEREST SURVEY
Step 2: Enroll in ZSuite
Submit 4-H adult volunteer application in ZSuite. Create a family profile or add to your existing one, add a new adult enrollment, enter all required information, and submit. ZSuite adult status will show as pending until all steps are completed.
Required forms linked from ZSuite are NOT accessible on Safari on iPhones or Macbooks.
Step 3: Department of Justice and FBI Clearance
Complete live-scan clearance with the State Department of Justice/FBI. Forms are available in the 4-H office.
Step 4: Complete New Volunteer courses in eXtension
Create an account in campus.extension.org. Create an account and then enroll in the California New Adult Volunteer Course.
Complete 2026-2027 California 4-H New Adult Volunteer Course
Enrollment key: Nevada: Enter the enrollment key, then click enroll me.
Step 5: Pay 4-H Program fee
The enrollment fee for Adult Volunteers for 2026-2027 is $28.
SUBMIT ENROLLMENT FEE ONLINE
Step 6: Attend a Virtual New Adult Volunteer Orientation (NAVO)
Every new 4-H Adult Volunteer must attend a virtual New Adult Volunteer Orientation (NAVO). The orientation is presented by county and state 4-H staff and takes a deeper dive into the foundations of 4-H and how you will be supported as a volunteer with the University of California.
Step 7: Submit a Project Plan (Project Leaders Only)
If you are a 4-H Project Leader, your last step is to submit a project plan for each project that you will be leading. Once your project plan has been received, your project will be added to ZSuite for members to join.
DOWNLOAD PROJECT PLAN TEMPLATE and email completed plan to jcsimmons@ucdavis.edu. See Sample Annual Project Plan.
Enrollment Completion
After the county 4-H office reviews the enrollment, you will receive an email sent to your Family email account to confirm your enrollment status as Active. Once your enrollment is active, you may begin 4-H activities! You may access your 4-H profile at any time of the year to change what projects you are involved in, update your health information, etc. Note: The project leader and second adult for the project must complete enrollment before their project will be made available to members.