Volunteers are the heart of our program
Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you for interest in volunteering for the University of Wyoming Extension 4-H Youth Development Program. Your involvement and dedication ensure the mission of 4-H is happening here in Wyoming “4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults”. We have over 7,000 youth enrolled in the Wyoming 4-H program and our highest priority is creating a safe emotional and physical environment in which the members can learn and grow. That is accomplished through training designed especially for volunteer leaders as well as background checks of adults who have direct interaction with our 4-H members. Please see below the 5 types of volunteer opportunities and descriptions of what 4-H has to offer:
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4-H Club Leader:
4-H Cloverbud Leader:
4-H Chaperone:
4-H Project Leader:
4-H Episodic Volunteer:
Background Checks:
The Wyoming 4-H Program utilizes the same screening process that is used for all UW employees, students, and UW volunteers. There is no out of pocket cost for 4-H volunteer leaders to complete the screening process. Two types of background checks must be completed before an adult can be approved as 4-H volunteer leader:
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Criminal
Background Check:
Department of Human Resources
Motor Vehicle Background Check
Risk Management Team
Screening of criminal background checks will include convictions of child endangerment, crimes of a sexual nature, felony involving violence, and financial crimes. The motor vehicle record check will include moving violations and at fault accidents in the past 12 months and any major convictions in the past 36 months. Major convictions include drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident/hit and run, motor vehicle homicide, attempting to elude a police officer, or racing.
To protect your privacy and ensure confidentiality, both the criminal background check and the motor vehicle check will be completed on-line by yourself. Your personal information will not be kept in the county extension office or the state 4-H office. After you have completed the required training, you will receive an e-mail with specific instructions on how to access the links to complete the criminal background check as well as the motor vehicle check. The subject line will read: 4-H Volunteer Screening Instructions. If you do not have e-mail, please request a paper copy of the consent form to complete the background checks.
Steps to become a Volunteer:
If you have any questions at any point during the enrollment process, feel free to contact the Laramie County 4-H Office at 307-633-4383 — we’re happy to help!
STEP 1:
Complete the online enrollment process (you will be a pending leader until all processes are complete) This is detailed in the New 4-H Member Handbook
or
turn your completed 4-H Volunteer Leader Application/Enrollment form to the Laramie county 4-h office.
STEP 2:
Sign up for the required training–Face to Face Orientation. Contact the Laramie County extension Office at (307) 633-4383 for upcoming training dates.
STEPS 3 & 4:
Complete your screening & MVR check.
You’ll receive an email when you are approved. Once approved, then you may begin working directly with youth.
Requirements for Returning Volunteers:
- Annual enrollment through ZSuite is required every year to maintain leader status.
- Screening is updated every 5 years of consecutive leadership.
- Training is required every 5 years, although you can do more trainings at your own discretion. All of the modules in the E-learning Volunteer Training can be accessed through the training link below. Click on For Volunteers and the 4-H Volunteer e-Learning Course is under Training Opportunities. If you watch one of these trainings, please call the Extension office so we can update your profile.
- Motor Vehicle Records check should be updated in January every year
Helpful Links for Volunteers:
This is a link to the Child Abuse Brochure.
This is a link to the PDF version of the Training and Screening waiver. You will have to fill this document out.
This is a link to the PDF version of the Mandatory Reporter documentation. As a 4-H Volunteer you will serve as a Mandatory Reporter.
This is a link to the PDF version of the 4-H Code of Conduct. You will have to follow this as a registered volunteer.
This is a link to the PDF version of all 4-H policies. You will have to follow these as a registered volunteer.
This is a link to the Wyoming 4-H page, which will allow access to all the links a volunteer will need.
This is a link to the PDF version of the 4-H Recognition Model. This will be a helpful tool to assist you throughout your volunteer journey.
This is a link to the information about how you can reduce your taxes through being a 4-H volunteer.