Volunteer   Information for Volunteers   Volunteer Development and Awards

Volunteer!

Adult, teen and college student volunteers play a very key role in 4-H Youth Development and are as diverse as the population of the state. As a volunteer you can serve on program committee, provide leadership to 4-H Clubs or guidance on program direction for 4-H in New York State.  Volunteers are valued and recognized by staff and administration.

FAQs:

When my child joins 4-H, do I have to become a leader? Parents don't have to become 4-H leaders when their child joins 4-H, but most leaders appreciate the assistance of a parent or other adults. This help can range from being a project leader, to driving members to activities, to supplying refreshments for a meeting.

How do I become a volunteer? To learn more about 4-H volunteer opportunities and to obtain a volunteer application form talk to the 4-H staff at your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office.

  

For Club Volunteers:

NYS 4-H Club Leader and 4-H Cloverbud Handbooks.  These handbooks include statewide policies and procedures. Note that counties may have more specific policies.  Contact your local office for more details.

National 4-H has resources for 4-H volunteers including ideas for optimizing your next club meeting. 

 

Project resources. Subject matter skills taught in projects are the foundation for the youth development that occurs in 4-H. Learning to prepare meals, give a presentation, repair machinery, ride a horse, and care for others are just a few of the skills taught in 4-H that can be of economic, social, and/or personal value to youth in their future.

Materials for project work come from Cornell and other land grant universities. Need a resource?  Visit the on-line 4-H Resource Directory.

 

Save the Date! 4-H Volunteer Forum to be held November 7-8, 2008. Building on last year's success with 91 adult and teen volunteers and staff, we plan to revisit the 4-H Choose Health and add a Sci/Tech spin with a Choose Health Teen Ambassador option. Monsanto will be contributing funds again to keep costs down. See the Choose Health blog for 2007 Volunteer Forum information and resources.

National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Awards. Congratulations to Ray Vail, 60 plus year volunteer from CCE of Dutchess County for being selected as New York's 2008 Salute to Excellence Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award. Runner up was Anna May Allenbrant with 38 years as 4-H volunteer with Livingston County.

Kudos to Michelle Martin, CCE of Rensselaer County volunteer, for being selected as New York State's 2008 Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year (serving under 10 years) and one of 8 Regional winners in the State. Michelle's application will go on to the national selection next and the 4-H program of her choice gets $200!

 

Did you know...Over 22,000 youth are served by the dynamic partnership of volunteers working with staff and administration.