Becoming a Jackson County 4-H Volunteer Is An Investment in
Your Future With an Immeasurable Return!
The Jackson County 4-H Program is always seeking new volunteers to help with county 4-H programs. Whether you have a couple hours, a month, or a couple hours a year to serve as a volunteer, Jackson County 4-H can find a place for you to serve.
4-H is a “learn-by doing” youth development program for children ages 5-18. 4-H provides young people with many different opportunities to develop life skills. Community clubs, day camps, residential camps, school enrichment programs, and competitive events are just some of the opportunities offered to local 4-H youth. Without volunteers these 4-H programs would not exist.
What do 4-H Volunteers do?
4-H Volunteers serve in a variety of capacities based on their interest, skills, and time constraints in support of 4-H members, other volunteers, and the 4-H program, in general. In Jackson County, 4-H volunteers help in many ways. Some serve as club leaders and co-leaders for our community 4-H clubs. Other volunteers help with competitive events such as the Panhandle Youth Expo and the 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Program. Because 4-H offers such a wide variety of events and activities, there is room for many different types of volunteers! Complete this volunteer interest survey and return it to the Jackson County 4-H Office along with your enrollment application. 4-H Volunteer Interest Survey
What Are the Benefits of Volunteering?
4-H Volunteers experience what it is like to help guide and mentor our country’s future citizens and leaders. Volunteers also develop new leadership skills, meet new friends, and have great adventures. Volunteers also pass on valuable life skills, such as those needed for beef, hog, goat and poultry production. Volunteers also offer youth opportunities for education and mastery of skills in the areas science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while providing youth a sense of belonging by providing a safe and caring environment that fosters relationships with other youth and a caring adult.
HOW DO I BECOME A 4-H VOLUNTEER
- 1. Decide that you want to help kids grow and explore their futures.
- 2. Check out some of the different volunteer experiences (volunteer roles) with Florida 4-H.
- 3. Contact your local County Extension Office to learn about 4-H in your county and discuss your possibilities with your 4-H Agent.
- 4. Choose a volunteer role and complete the Potential_Volunteer_Orientation_2014. You may enroll by completing a Volunteer Application through 4HOnline, or download the Volunteer_Application_2014 and participation-form_2014 forms here to bring into the 4-H Office. * (Background screenings and finger printing are a part of the Volunteer Application process.)
- 5. Background checks are required for all staff/faculty and volunteers (including student staff/volunteers) working in UF-affiliated youth activities. The appropriate level of Background Checks must be completed prior to beginning to work with minors.
- Current employees who have been screened must be rescreened every 5 years to remain in compliance with the law. However, following the screening, if they have a break in service of over 90 days, they would need to be screened and cleared again before beginning work.
- You may allow Jackson County 4-H to request your current background screening results from another agency. Use this form Request for Volunteer Screening Information from Another Agency
- An Affidavit of Good Moral Character Form must be completed by each program staff member/volunteer at the time of initial fingerprint screening and upon rescreening.
- Verification of Background Checks shall be kept on file for a minimum of five years.
- Allow 3 – 4 weeks to obtain screening results.
- Contact UF’s Office of Human Resource Services to schedule an appointment. Contact OYCS for information on screening staff outside of Gainesville.
Please complete the Background Screening Request Form for Youth Camps and Activities and contact the University of Florida’s Office of Human Resource Services to begin the Background Screening process.
- 6. After you receive your official appointment letter, attend a county orientation and training.
- 7. Prepare to share your skills, knowledge and talents while having Fun with kids!
If you would like to learn more about volunteering for the Jackson County 4-H Program, contact 4-H Agent, Angel Granger, at 850-482-9620 or amgranger@ufl.edu or Patti Peacock, 4-H Program Assistant at ppeacock@ufl.edu.