Douglas County 4-H Volunteering
Nancy Noyes
4-H Youth Development Program Assistant
Volunteerism -noun- the use or involvement of volunteer labor, especially in community services. 
I realize the audience of this newsletter is already giving of their time and talents; however, I want to utilize this forum to expand our view of volunteers within the 4-H organization.
4-H is the largest youth development organization in the country- approximately six million strong! The Kansas 4-H Program supports over 70,000 members statewide with 6,500 volunteers assisting in the program.
Sarah Maas, director of the Kansas 4-H, cited a study reporting that volunteers donate an average of nine hours per month, or an estimated 695,736 hours annually to Kansas’ largest youth development program.
Also in 2022, Independent Sector – a coalition of nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs – released findings indicating that the value of one volunteer hour in the United States is $29.95. Doing the math, the annual contribution of volunteers to the Kansas 4-H program tops $20.8 million.
https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2023/04/4h-national-volunteer-week.html
Volunteers and parents are valuable partners in the 4-H program. Their contributions have a profound impact on the lives of young people long after they reach adulthood. One study found that youth who have relationships with three or more caring adults who are not their parents are more likely to develop into healthy, caring, and responsible adults themselves and have success in subsequent college and career.
This sounds wonderful, right? It is so important! but where can a caring adult plug into the 4-H program in Douglas County? There are many volunteer options!
Some questions to ask yourself as you begin to explore options: 
-What kind of time do I have to devote to the program? Monthly/Quarterly/Annually?
-What skills do I have to offer? In a specific project area? Organizational? Promotional?
-Do I want to work directly with youth? Or work on an adult committee or on a board?
-Would I like to work on a short-term intense task such as a county fair superintendent or a special interest 4–8-week program, or would I be more suited to long-term club or project leader?
Some non-negotiables as you begin the process:
-Our program relies on volunteers to meet our Positive Youth Development goals. A part of our commitment to these goals is the desire to provide a safe environment for learning. To help accomplish our goals, Kansas 4-H screens volunteers who work directly with youth.
-A National Criminal Background Check is required by K-State University and Extension.
-Completion of 4-H Online Orientation and then Approval by our office will have you done!
Some Overall Qualifications that make you an awesome volunteer:
-Being intentional about providing positive youth development and education.
-Keeping participants safe.
-Working cooperatively with Extension staff, youth, other volunteers, and families.
-Be willing to stay informed and model life-learning.
Please consider becoming a 4-H volunteer. Your skillset may be more impressive than you realize! I am going to close with a list of potential volunteer roles…but by no means exhaustive!
- Club leader
- Project leader
- Club day help
- coach for skillathons and judging
- 4-H fair superintendent
- Regional club day room monitor
- Recordbook judging
- Concession stand
- Fairboard
- Judge for county fair
- Judge for club day
- 4-H program committee
- Trip chaperone
- Short-term event
- Workshop volunteer
- Promotional events
