2023-2024 4-H Adult Volunteer Initial Appointment Process

Who should follow this process: California Adult Volunteers who are starting their first year of service or are returning after a break of a year or more.

All 4-H adult volunteers must apply and be appointed annually. Please follow the process below to apply to be a 4-H adult volunteer.

1. Complete the 4-H Adult Volunteer Interest Survey.

• 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. 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. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe.

• One-on-one interview may be required based on Interest Survey responses (will be notified by county-based staff or club volunteer).

2. Create a profile and submit 4-H adult volunteer application in ZSuite.

   • Please note that the email address you enter in the family email is the primary way you will receive communications from 4-H. After creating your profile, please check your family email for information on next steps to becoming an approved volunteer. If you do not receive an email, please verify that the email entered in the enrollment system is correct and notify your County 4-H Representative.

3. Complete required New Volunteer courses in eXtension.

   • All new 4-H volunteers are required to take the New Volunteer Training online courses in the eXtension system before they become approved as volunteers. This interactive training series introduces you to the best practices in positive youth development that are used in 4-H.

   • Once logged in to course, use enrollment key provided from enrollment email to access the courses.

   • If above link does not take you directly to the returning volunteer course: Once logged in, click on 4-H & Youth, then 4-H: California, scroll down and click on “2023-2024 California New Volunteer Course-English” and use enrollment key provided in email from enrollment system to access the courses.  The courses take approximately 2.5 hours and do not need to be completed in one sitting.  They will pick up where you left off when you return.

     • 4-H Orientation (40 minutes)

     • Foundations of Positive Youth Development (20 minutes)

     • Abuse Risk Management for Volunteers (15 minutes)

     • Level 1 Reporting Child & Abuse Neglect for UC Volunteers (45 minutes)

     • 2 Deep Policy Short (5 minutes)
4. Complete Live Scan clearance. Request form from County 4-H Representative.
5. Submit your program fees. Program fees must be paid online using a credit card. 

   Contra Costa County 4-H 2023-2024 Adult Volunteer Enrollment Fees are $30. 

6. Once all the above has been completed, the application is reviewed by the county director

• If approved, notification of your 4-H adult volunteer appointment will be sent from the enrollment system. If no email address is available a letter will be sent by mail from the county director.

• If there are any limitations on the appointment, a subsequent letter will be sent from the county director.

• If not approved, a letter will be sent to the applicant from the county director.

Once you are approved, the fun begins!  Thank you for joining our 4-H family!