Why Volunteer with 4‑H?
4‑H thrives because of the dedication of volunteers who generously give their time and talents to help young people learn, grow, and thrive. By volunteering with 4‑H, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the next generation of leaders while enriching your own life.
As a 4‑H volunteer, you will:
- Mentor the next generation of leaders – Help young people develop confidence, resilience, leadership, and responsibility through hands-on learning and positive guidance.
- Share your skills and passions – Whether your expertise is in agriculture, science, arts, crafts, leadership, or something else, your knowledge can inspire youth and spark their curiosity.
- Support positive youth development – 4‑H is rooted in research-backed approaches that promote healthy, engaged, and successful young people. Your involvement helps create these opportunities.
- Be part of your community – Volunteering connects you to other caring adults and strengthens the fabric of our local communities, bringing people together around shared values and goals.
- Learn and grow yourself – Many volunteers find that giving back to 4‑H helps them develop new skills, friendships, and perspectives.
Importantly, 4‑H is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all youth. Volunteers receive training and support to ensure that every 4‑H activity is conducted with the highest standards for youth safety and well-being.
Whether you can give a little time or a lot, there’s a place for you in 4‑H. By volunteering, you help “make the best better” and ensure that youth in our community have the opportunities they need to succeed.
Volunteer Roles
There are many meaningful ways for adults to get involved in 4‑H, whether you have a little time to give or want to take on a leadership role. Volunteering with 4‑H means helping young people discover their interests, develop their talents, and grow into capable, confident leaders.
Here are some of the roles where volunteers make a difference:
- Club Leaders
Adult Club Leaders provide overall leadership and guidance for a 4‑H club—whether an existing club or by starting a new club in your own community! They help ensure club meetings are productive, inclusive, and fun. Club Leaders complete a background check, receive training, and go through an approval process to ensure a safe and positive experience for youth. Here is a typical Job Description of a Club Leader. - Project Leaders
Project Leaders work with youth in a specific project area, sharing their special knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm. We don’t just raise animals—4‑H projects can include crafts, STEM, coding, drama, arts, and much more! Like Club Leaders, Project Leaders complete background checks and training to ensure a safe environment for youth. Here is a Job Description. We have a number of resources available for project leaders online. - Parent Helpers
Parent Helpers are family members of current 4‑H members who assist with activities, bring snacks, help manage events, or lend a hand during project work. This is a great way to be part of your child’s 4‑H experience without a formal leadership role. - Guest Speakers
Guest Speakers visit club meetings to share their expertise on topics that spark youth curiosity and learning—from careers to hobbies to special skills. No formal volunteer screening is required for occasional guest speakers. - Other Ways to Help
There are many other ways to support 4‑H! Volunteers can help Club Leaders organize community service projects, serve as judges at competitive events, or provide financial or material donations to support our local program.
Every volunteer role plays an important part in helping young people learn, grow, and thrive. Whatever your interests or availability, there’s a place for you in 4‑H!
How to Become a Club or Project Leader
We welcome adults who are ready to step forward as leaders in 4‑H. Because youth safety is our top priority, becoming a 4‑H Club or Project Leader involves a few important steps to ensure that volunteers are prepared and that we provide a safe, positive environment for all youth.
Here’s how to get started:
- Step 1: Express Your Interest
Complete the online Volunteer Interest Form and get in touch with our local 4‑H Program Representative, Amy Phillips. She will guide you through the next steps. - Step 2: Complete Required Training
All Club and Project Leaders participate in orientation and training designed to familiarize you with 4‑H’s mission and policies, including essential information about youth development and child protection. - Step 3: Background Check
For the safety of our youth, we require all volunteers in leadership roles to complete a background check before being appointed. Our office will provide the necessary forms and instructions. - Step 4: Appointment and Support
Once you complete training and the background check, you can be officially appointed as a 4‑H Volunteer Leader. There is a small fee to help cover insurance and administrative costs; however, waivers are available.
The 4‑H office has a variety of project resources you can use to help develop your project or your club’s annual plan—and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Not sure you want to take the lead? That’s OK too! We always need assistant leaders, and having at least two appointed leaders at any 4‑H meeting is essential for safety and program quality.
Parent helpers and guest speakers do not need to complete this formal process but should contact the 4‑H office or a local Club Leader to learn how they can get involved.
For details, resources, and support materials for volunteers, visit our Volunteer Hub:
https://sites.google.com/ucdavis.edu/ca4h-resourcecenter/volunteer-hub
Want to help but don’t know where to start?
4‑H offers a wide variety of programs, opportunities, and ways to get involved—which means there’s a lot to take in at first. If you’re interested in volunteering but aren’t quite sure where to begin, that’s perfectly fine. Whether you have a specific skill you’d like to share or just want to learn more about how you can help, we’re here to guide you through every step.
Simply give us a call at (760) 873‑7855 or email our local program representative, Amy Phillips, at amyphillips@ucanr.edu. We’re happy to answer your questions, explain the volunteer roles, and help you find a way to get started that works for you.
Your time, energy, and enthusiasm can make a real difference—and we’re excited to welcome you to the 4‑H community!