Steps to Becoming a Volunteer
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.
Step 3:
Complete your screening & MVR check.
You’ll receive an email when you are approved. Once approved, then you may begin working directly with youth.
Resources
Wyoming 4-H Resources
View the Wyoming 4-H page for more information for new volunteers and access to resources.
4-H Recognition Model
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.
4-H Policies
View a PDF that provides information on the 4-H mission, vision, and values, along with details about youth members, volunteer participation, and general 4-H programming.
Code of Conduct
During the 4-H enrollment process, volunteers are required to electronically sign numerous documents. Below
is a paper copy of the information you agree to when enrolling as a volunteer in the Wyoming 4-H program.
Training and Screening Waiver
This link provides access to the PDF version of the Training and Screening Waiver, which must be completed by volunteers.
Mandatory Reporter Document
As a 4-H volunteer, you are a mandatory reporter for any suspected child abuse, elder abuser, and/or abuser of individuals with disabilities. View more information about report and where to report by clicking the button below.
Child Abuse Brochure
This brochure is designed to provide important information on reporting abuse and neglect in Wyoming.
Volunteer Tax Benefits
Record-keeping is one of the life skills we emphasize in the Wyoming 4-H program. As a 4-H volunteer, you can practice what you teach by keeping records of your contributions to the 4-H program. These records can help reduce your income tax bill and possibly save you money.
Club Leaders
National 4-H Curriculum focuses on 4-H’s three primary mission mandates: science, healthy living, and citizenship. Youth activity guides are filled with engaging experiences that cultivate the skills that youth need for everyday living as they gain knowledge about subjects that interest them. Find more curricula on Shop4-H.org.
State 4-H programs within the Cooperative Extension System, 4-H National Headquarters at USDA, and National 4-H Council provide leadership for the development of the National 4-H Curriculum. This partnership provides the knowledge, resources, and management necessary to develop and market quality youth curriculum.
Fundraising Request Form
Please remember that if you are doing a Club fundraiser, a Fundraising Request Form must be filled out before the fundraiser.
After the fundraiser is complete, please e-mail the amount of money raised to Rebecca Austin (raustin5@uwyo.edu) at the Extension office.
Volunteer Opportunities
Your involvement and dedication ensure the mission of 4-H is happening here in Wyoming. 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.
4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults
4-H Club Leader
Club leaders will work in partnership with youth ages 8-19 to develop citizenship, leadership, and life skills. Whether you want to oversee a general club or focus on a specific topic, you’ll help young people learn the importance of record keeping, public speaking, and service learning, while learning new skills and having fun.
4-H Cloverbud Leader
Cloverbud leaders will work with young children ages 5-7 to introduce them to a wide variety of hands-on activities that will help them develop social skills, begin to learn about the world of 4-H, and have fun.
4-H Project Leader
4-H Project Leaders will share their skills, talents or special interests such as photography, horses, dogs, rabbits, sewing, computers or woodworking. In this role, you may be called upon to offer a number of sessions at an after-school program, or assist a club leader by sharing your expertise and working with their club members.
4-H Chaperone
4-H Chaperones provide transportation or simply go with a youth group to a special event or activity. This could be for local, state or even national 4-H events.
4-H Episodic Volunteer
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities that don’t require a long-term commitment, and that is our Episodic Volunteer’s. Judging at the fair, helping with a specific fundraiser, assisting with a garden project, scoring 4-H record books, or organizing an annual county event to name a few.
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:
Criminal Background Check
Through the University of Wyoming Department of Human Resources
Motor Vehicle Background Check
Through University of Wyoming 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.
Volunteer Committee Opportunities
Laramie County 4-H has volunteer committees that are instrumental in supporting our 4-H program. These committees function to support various project areas and facilitate educational and competitive opportunities for youth. These committees are looking for new parents to volunteer to help out in these areas. Below are some activities that each committee participates in. If you are interested please contact the Extension Office for more information or feel free to attend a meeting.
Horse Committee
The horse committee will plan educational activities for horse members, solicit donations and purchase awards for horse show, help facilitate horse show, complete horse safety testing for all horse members. Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at the LCCC Pathfinder Building, Room 419 at 5:30 p.m. *or as announced.
Beef Committee
The Beef Committee stands as the Laramie County 4-H Beef Superintendent(s). They will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 5pm in LCCC Pathfinder Building, Room 415. Please contact UW Extension Office, at (307) 633-4383 for more information.
Shooting Sports Committee
The Shooting Sports Committee holds practices for all shooting disciplines, plans fundraisers to support the committee and those project areas, plans and facilitates County Shoot. They meet as announced at the LCCC Pathfinder Building, Room 419 at 6:30 p.m.
Benefit Bash Committee
The Benefit Bash Committee plans and facilitates the annual 4-H Benefit Bash, by working together to find advertising methods, food choices, volunteers, and entertainment. They meet once a month at the LCCC Pathfinder Building, room 419 (location may vary) at 6:00 p.m. from October to April. Please call Laramie County 4-H Extension at (307) 633-4383 for meeting dates.
Committee Resources
Laramie County 4-H has created resources to help support each of the committees (as seen above) in supporting our youth. Below you will find links to each of these helpful resources: