Section 9: 4-H Volunteer

9.2.1 Minimum Age Requirements to volunteer as a 4-H Club Leader

Any adult who is of the age of majority in Nebraska (age 19) and who has been successfully screened can enroll as a leader of a 4-H club. Youth volunteers may help as teen club leaders or co-leaders under the direction of an adult volunteer.

9.3.1 Annual Volunteer and Staff Requirements

All 4-H Activity Workers who work directly with youth are screened for behavior that Nebraska Extension determines in its sole discretion, may present a risk to its participants.

1. Department of Health and Human Services Screening
   The confidential Youth Protection Volunteer Screening Process completed by all 4-H Activity Workers who work directly with youth is processed by Health and Human Services and approved by officials at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. UNL reserves the right to limit or reject an individual’s participation in the 4-H program. Social Security Numbers are required for volunteer screening. This information is only sent to Health and Human Services for screening purposes. No record of social security numbers is kept by 4-H.
   Misrepresentation or omission of facts requested on this form is cause for denial as a 4-H volunteer or appropriate discipline of staff. Failure to cooperate in such screening will disqualify any Activity Worker from service. All Volunteer Profiles within each county will be updated and re-approved on a four-year basis, using a rotation schedule (See Section 9.3.3, Volunteer On-going Screening Process.) It is the responsibility of the local Extension office to keep volunteer profiles up-to-date.
2. Youth Protection Policy for Activity Workers
3. Nebraska State Patrol, Sex Offender Registry, sor.nebraska.gov
4. Volunteer Code of Conduct

9.3.2 Required Volunteer and Staff Screening

Initial screening of volunteers will occur when they sign up to volunteer. Re-screening will then be done every five years as designated below regardless of when the original screening was completed. See Volunteer Re-Screening Schedule.

9.3.3 Required Volunteer Training

Overnight Chaperone Training

Staff, adult and teen volunteers who are chaperoning 4-H members during 4-H overnight educational events and activities are required to complete the Risk Management course, “We Protect Staff, Volunteers, and Youth” and receive certification prior to chaperoning an event. It is recommended that all volunteers, whether chaperoning an overnight event or not, participate in this course to be familiar with Risk Management issues and procedures.

The course is found at 4h.unl.edu/volunteer. Contact the state 4-H office for access information. The course certification is valid for three years from the date of certification. Persons without access to the internet may contact the local Extension office to receive course materials or access to the website.

Special Certifications and Training

Volunteers for select roles or positions (i.e., Shooting Sports leaders, Level III and IV Horse Examiners, ATV leaders, YQCA Instructors) will be required to attend certification training. All 4-H volunteers and/or leaders are highly encouraged to attend programs and/ or receive additional training that will help them become a successful volunteer. Additional required training may arise as new programs and situations dictate.

9.3.4 Volunteer Orientation and Training

On-going Volunteer Training: All volunteers are expected to participate in training as available. Volunteers are encouraged to attend training to stay current in subject matter information and industry standards. Volunteers can keep current on information related to youth development issues, teaching techniques, 4-H policy, programs and regulations and subject matter updates through a variety of ways such as web-based training, workshops, 4-H conferences, research-based curriculum, etc.