Volunteer Resources
Being a Volunteer
Our volunteers are a key part of the 4-H Youth Development Program.
By Volunteering, you are helping to grow the skills of 4-H youth to be our future leaders.
Ways you can Volunteer
Volunteering in 4-H is flexible and rewarding. Share your expertise and experience with the youth and other volunteers to make things happen!
New Volunteers
All 4-H adult volunteers must apply and be appointed annually.
Process to become a new 4-H Adult Volunteer
1. Find a Club
See our list of clubs to find one near you. You can also contact Darcy Hanson at dhhanson@ucanr.edu or call (530)251-3093 at the Lassen County Extension office 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.
2. Screening Process
All new 4-H volunteers must go through a screening process. Our number one 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. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe.
1. Complete the online 4-H volunteer interest survey in English or Spanish
2. Create an adult volunteer profile in 4-H ZSuite
Please make sure the Family email address in the system is correct and one you check regularly. This email will be used for most communications and to confirm your volunteer application.
*For Spanish: The 4-H ZSuite system is only in English. You can fill in the paper enrollment packet in Spanish and turn it in to your county office for them to enter it into 4-H ZSuite for you. Please keep a copy of the paper forms for your record.
3. Complete a California Department of Justice Live-Scan background check.
Contact the Lassen County Extension office to have a live-scan form forwarded to you. 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.
3. New Volunteer Course
All new 4-H volunteers are required to take the new volunteer online courses before they become approved as volunteers. The interactive training series introduces you to the best practice in positive youth development that are used in 4-H. The trainings are available in English. Spanish training is coming soon!
After you complete and submit your 4-H ZSuite profile you will receive an automated message with the login instructions. The email will go to the Family email account you entered in 4-H ZSuite. Please complete your Required California New Volunteer Course by clicking this link California New or Returning Volunteer Course
4. Approval of Leaders
The County Director reviews and approves 4-H volunteer appointments after
- You are signed up in 4-H ZSuite.
- You have passed the screening process.
- You completed the New Volunteer Course and any additional trainings required in your county.
Once you are approved the fun begins! Thank you for joining our 4-H family!
Returning Volunteers
4-H has grown in California because of the dedication of our volunteers. Some of our volunteers have supported 4-H for 10, 20 and 30 years or more!
Re-Apply annually by December 31
All 4-H volunteers must be appointed annually. If you are a current 4-H Adult Volunteer, to continue in the next year you need to re-apply and be re-appointed by December 31st to continue with no breaks in service.
Re-application process
1. Update your 4-H ZSuite profile.
Log in to 4-H ZSuite to update your profile to enroll for the new year. Please make sure the email address in the system is correct and one you check regularly.
2. Take the Returning Volunteers Training in the online system.
You will receive the login information sent to your Family email after you update and submit your 4-H ZSuite profile application for the new year. If you used a paper enrollment form, you will receive login information from the county 4-H office.
3. Get approved as a 4-H Volunteer.
After all the application requirements and mandatory trainings are completed, the County Director reviews and approves the volunteer appointments.
Note: If you have a break in service
You have a break in service if you are not currently enrolled as a 4-H volunteer when you apply for the new year. Please follow the process for New Volunteers when applying. California New or Returning Volunteer Course
Resources for Volunteers
Livescan Fingerprinting locations and information can be requested from the Lassen County Extension Office. Please contact the office before making an appointment.
