How to Volunteer

Adult volunteers are essential to the 4-H program. Volunteers put 4-H’s researched-based, learn-by-doing model in action. They help youth learn and practice skills such as problem solving, decision making, and communicating – skills crucial for their success in school, careers, and communities. There are over 250 adult volunteers that have fun while making a positive impact on the youth in Ozaukee County. Would you like to join them?

Volunteers contribute their time in a variety of ways- sharing a specific skill as a project leader (like for woodworking or cake decorating), providing support to youth camp counselors at camp, and much more. Review the wide variety of project areas Ozaukee County 4-H offers to see if there is a skill set you have that you’d like to teach to youth. Contact the Extension Ozaukee County office at 262-284-8288 to inquire about the many opportunities available.

Steps to Become an Adult Volunteer

4-H is proud of being a proactive, youth-serving organization with an excellent reputation for providing a healthy and safe environment for its members. The volunteer orientation process assures the quality of the program. To become a 4-H Adult Volunteer Leader, we need you to complete the following steps:

  1. Enroll in Ozaukee County 4-H Youth Development through 4HOnline
    • Follow these instructions
    • As part of your online enrollment, you will be asked to agree to the UW-Madison Division of Extension Volunteer Behavior Expectation form and an Assumption of Risk Document. These must be completed by all adults who wish to volunteer with Extension Ozaukee County.
  2. Complete the online mandated reporter training through 4HOnline      
    • Takes about 30-45 minutes
    • It provides valuable information about how to recognize signs of child abuse and will provide the basis for some conversation at the in-person VIP training
    • The training can be accessed through 4HOnline.
  3. Complete the Title IX Reporting Training through the website: https://youthtraining.compliance.wisc.edu/
  4. Register for and attend an Extension Volunteers in Preparation (VIP) Training
    • This face-to-face training is required once for all beginning volunteers. After that, you can participate in ongoing virtual and in-person trainings based on your volunteer role and interests.
    • Virtual Volunteer in Preparation (VIP) Training for adult volunteers: Please register for our upcoming Volunteers In Preparation (VIP) Training being offered to 4-H adult volunteers. A minimum of five participants will be required for the training to be held. Please register at least three days prior to the training date. Staff will follow up with participants if a session needs to be cancelled due to low enrollment.
    • WHERE: Virtually via Zoom. Registration requested a minimum of three days prior to the date of the session.
  • WHEN: Upcoming VIP trainings scheduled below:
    • Wednesday, March 8, 6:30-8:30 pm (Ozaukee hosted virtual session)
    • Statewide Virtual Options Available too!
    • Minimum of 5 participants required to hold these virtual trainings.

5. Pass a national criminal background check

  • In accordance with UW Regent and UW-Madison Division of Extension policy, we are required to conduct a national criminal background check for employees and volunteers holding a “position of trust with access to vulnerable populations” upon initial enrollment and every four years.
  • You will receive an email from GIS (General Information Services, Inc.) to request information from you to conduct a background check.
    • GIS is the vendor chosen to do the criminal background checks for UW-Extension employees and volunteers.
    • The background checks are done on a national and state level.
  • The subject line of the email should read “Action needed in connection with your current volunteer status with University of Wisconsin-Extension.”
  • Please check your junk email folder periodically.
  • Please be assured the GIS website is a secure, encrypted site.
  • Please respond within 5 days to the request from GIS.
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