Volunteer participation
Volunteer participation requirements
Who can volunteer?
Adults who will be one of two required adults providing supervision to youth at a 4-H program; make financial and/or program decisions on behalf of the 4-H program; have access may spend unsupervised time with 4-H members or handle funds as part of Minnesota 4-H must be accepted as a “Minnesota 4-H volunteer.”
An application, background check, and orientation must be completed. Read all about screening on the Become a 4-H volunteer page.
The orientation includes a Safety of Minors section with information about reporting child abuse and neglect and strategies to reduce the potential for child abuse in programs for minors. Refer to the Become a 4-H volunteer page for information about orientation.
Minnesota 4-H volunteers are required to promptly report observed or suspected abuse or neglect of any minor. Volunteers review the Safety of Minors policy every three years as part of volunteer renewal. See the Renew page for more details.
Transportation & overnight requirements
Adults who transport 4-H members on behalf of Minnesota 4-H or provide overnight supervision to 4-H members must be “Minnesota 4-H volunteers” and 21 years of age or older.
Adults in private homes where 4-H members are involved in overnight stays must be “Minnesota 4-H volunteers,” 21 years of age or older who have successfully completed a home visit arranged by the Local Extension Educator.
In private home situations that involve overnight stays individuals that are 18 or older and not enrolled in 4-H must be screened.
Supervision of volunteers
Adults who are not accepted as Minnesota 4-H volunteers may only work with 4-H members when under the direct supervision of two or more Minnesota 4-H volunteers or Extension employees.
Minnesota 4-H volunteers must not ask or allow parents, guardians, and community volunteers who have not gone through the required application, background screening, and orientation to serve in a role where they will have unsupervised contact with minors other than their own child or that otherwise requires status as a Minnesota 4-H volunteer.
Contact
Pat Morreim, program manager, morre002@umn.edu, 763-427-5428