Help Wanted: Volunteers Needed
Blog by Judy Parsons
Volunteers are the heartbeat of any organization and the 4-H program is no different. The 4-H program aims to empower tomorrow’s leaders with leadership, citizenship, and life skills. We cannot achieve Positive Youth Development without our awesome group of volunteers who help keep our program alive.
Volunteers make a difference in the lives of 4-H youth. They serve as mentors, teachers, leaders, and friends. There is a volunteer role for anyone who wants to help 4-H youth THRIVE. Volunteer roles include club and project leaders, chaperones, project meeting helpers, club leader helpers, providing snacks, cooking food for program meals, helping at livestock shows, being a fair superintendent, judging for 4-H events, promoting 4-H events, helping youth with community service projects, being on a club parent committee, being a member of a County Program Development Committee, helping set up for shooting sports practices or matches, helping clean up after programs, and camp counselors just to name a few. Would you be able to help in any of these roles?
Many people know 4-H is a great youth program but don’t know how to volunteer. Any adult who is providing direct supervision to youth at a 4-H program, makes decisions on behalf of the 4-H program, and handles funds as part of 4-H must complete the volunteer screening process. Attached is the Adult Volunteer Application steps needed to apply as a 4-H Volunteer. https://www.kansas4-h.org/volunteers/volunteer-screening-resources/Adult%20Volunteer%20Applicant%20Steps.pdf.
When applying in 4-H Online, you can sign up as a General Volunteer which allows you to help in any area needed. You will also be covered under the 4-H insurance policy while helping with the program.
Kansas 4-H Volunteer Website links for information and a link to the 4-H Volunteer Impact Study. https://www.kansas4-h.org/volunteers/.
https://www.kansas4-h.org/resources/leader-resources/clubcorner/index.html.
Our goal with the 4-H program is Positive Youth Development. We want to encourage our youth the THRIVE and find their Spark. We can only do that with the help of many volunteers. Will you be willing to help our 4-H youth by signing up as a volunteer?
For more information, please contact Judy Parsons, 4-H Youth Development agent, at judy78@ksu.edu or Jade Greene, 4-H Youth Livestock agent, at jsgreene@ksu.edu. Our Wild West District Extension offices in Hugoton, Liberal and Sublette will also be able to help you.
