Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are the HEART of the 4-H program. 4-H Youth Development volunteers and Cooperative Extension staff are partners, working with youth to create safe spaces and caring relationships. To ensure these positive environments and relationships, Arizona 4-H requires a fingerprint-based background check and a minimum level of training before certifying that volunteers are ready to work with youth from other families.
Individuals who wish to become certified AZ 4-H Volunteers must complete the following before beginning to work with 4-H youth members.
- Submit the Potential 4-H Volunteer Information Form to your local county 4-H extension office.
- Clear the Background Check. The background check standard for the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension is the Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Background check card (DPS card).
- Why we do this: The safety of 4-H youth is the primary concern as the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension assigns volunteers to the program. We require all 4-H regular volunteers to clear a finger-print based background check. By requiring this clearance, we know that our 4-H youth are safe. Parents and communities know that youth are safe in our program. Volunteers know that their colleagues are united with them in the effort to keep youth safe.
- Complete the University of Arizona registration process for new volunteers (NetID and Designated Campus Colleague (DCC's) registration).
- Why we do this: The Designated Campus Colleague (DCC) relationship is the legal agreement between the volunteer and the University of Arizona. UArizona provides guidelines and training. Volunteers set up growth opportunities for youth. 4-H youth are encouraged to learn about themselves and their community. These same youth do activities to develop the skills they need to create positive change in their lives and communities. The legal relationship says that volunteers will follow university guidelines, and that the university will back the volunteer's efforts with guidance and legal support. Additionally, active DCC status provides access to university resources such as email, Google apps, and Zoom.
- Register through ZSuite. Learn more about Zsuite by watching the video or visiting the help document center.
- Why we do this: ZSuites allows leaders to track their own records, track membership of the club, send emails to club members and the parents of club members, monitor project status, and view project books. Trainings for such things as equine helmet safety are available in ZSuites. County staff maintain records of volunteer credentials in this database. Youth can enter information and generate project books in this database.
- Participate in any New Leader Training required by The University of Arizona.
Club volunteers occupy many different leader roles, from Club Leader or Project Leader or Cloverbud Leader, etc. There is no limit to where/how you can volunteer!
As an applicant, you will receive a letter from the County Extension office notifying you of your acceptance, non-acceptance, or acceptance with conditions.