Types of 4-H Volunteer Opportunities
4-H Club Organizational Leader
An adult volunteer who works with a 4-H club assists the club's members in planning their annual club program, conducting club business and enrolling individually or as a group in one or more 4-H projects. Members of a club are often from a small geographic area and may share an interest in a particular topic, but there must be a minimum of five members, and two volunteer leaders. 4-H staff assist with the application and screening process, and provide orientaiton, on-going training and access to resources.
4-H Club Project Leader
4-H project leaders help the Organizaitonal Leader "teach" the educational component of the club program. They help organize and facilitate a series of project lessons, ususally 4 - 6 meetings. Project leaders help members complete project record books and prepare work for evaluation at the 4-H Youth Fair.
Short Term Volunteer (Activity or Event)
Lead an activity at Environmental Appreciation Day, judge an event at the 4-H Youth Fair, assist with the Lansing Fishing Derby or volunteer on our annual 4-H Rubber Duck Race and 5K run. Share a skill or interest you have with an existing club or after school program, or help out at an organized workshop. Or you may choose to be a chaperone, provide transportation or simply accompany a youth group to a special event or activity.
4-H Committee Member
Individuals may participate as members of standing (long-term) or special (temporary, ad hoc) committees. Committee members often have less direct involvement with youth and serve in more of an administrative role in the 4-H program. The 4-H Program Committee meets monthly with the 4-H Program Leader and provides overall direction and support for the entire 4-H program. Other committee opportunities include 4-H Consumer and Family Science, Livestock, Plant Science, and Public Presentations Program Development Committee ( PDC), 4-H Youth Fair Board, and local town youth commissions.
Youth Volunteer
This position is for teen 4-H members with an interest in leadership development within the 4-H program. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, mentoring younger 4-H members, serving on the 4-H committees, 4-H Youth Fair Board, Jr. Camp Counselors, and internships. Developing leadership and fostering responsibility are two fundamental components of this position.
