Types of 4-H Volunteer Opportunities

4-H Club Organizational Leader

The Organizational Leader, typically referred to as The 4-H Club Leader, is the primary organizer of the club. A 4-H Club must always be staffed by (2) approved adult volunteers. The Club Leader schedules the meetings and, along with the Project Leader or Club Assistants, and with guidance from members and parents, decides what types of projects & activities the club will focus on.In addition, the 4-H Club Leader is the primary liaison between the club and 4-H Staff at the Cornell Cooperative Extension office.4-H Clubs leaders are responsible for making sure that the participants of their club are current members (in good standing) of Putnam 4-H.Members of a club are often from a small geographic area and may share an interest in a particular topic, but there must be a minimum of five members, and two volunteer leaders. 4-H Clubs meet regularly throughout the year.4-H staff assist with the application and screening process, and provide orientation, on-going training and access to resources.The 4-H Club Leader must submit a Volunteer Application, along with other required paperwork, go through a formal screening process and complete NYS Sexual Harassment Training to become an approved CCE Volunteer.

4-H Club Project Leader
4-H Project Leaders assist the Organizational Leader by teaching the educational components of the club program. They help organize and facilitate a series of project lessons throughout the year, based on the interest of the members. Project leaders help members complete project record books and prepare work for awards and the fair. 4-H staff assist with the application and screening process, and provide orientation, on-going training and access to resources.The 4-H Project Leader must submit a Volunteer Application, along with other required paperwork, go through a formal screening process and complete NYS Sexual Harassment Training to become an approved CCE Volunteer.

4-H STEP (Short-Term Exploratory Project) Club Leader or Facilitator:

The 4-H STEP Club Leader may be an approved 4-H Volunteer, a community professional and/or CCE 4-H staff. A 4-H STEP Club must always be staffed by (2) approved adults. 4-H STEP Clubs generally meet once a week for 3-8 weeks and are designed to provide a way for youth to experience a 4-H and learn about a particular project area in a shorter period of time, while learning about the larger 4-H program. The 4-H STEP Club Leaders must submit a Volunteer Application, along with other required paperwork, go through a formal screening process and complete NYS Sexual Harassment Training to become an approved CCE Volunteer.

Short Term Volunteer (Activity or Event)
Putnam 4-H depends on parent and/or casual volunteers to assist with a variety of programs & events that take place throughout the year.

Types of Short-Term Volunteers Opportunities:

• Assist 4-H Club Leaders with club organizational tasks (such as attendance, correspondence, etc)
• Chaperone 4-H events & programs
• Lead a one-time or multi-session guided learning activity
• Evaluate youth presentations at 4-H Public Presentations
• Evaluate projects at the Fair and/or other 4-H special events
• Assist with set-up / clean-up and/or staff a table or booth at county-wide CCE 4-H events
• Read to children during 4-H Ag Literacy Week
• Lead a workshop at the Putnam County Youth Forum
• Assist in the CCE 4-H office with a variety of office related tasks
• Grant-Writing / Research
• Graphic Design / Web-Design
• Photography & Video Production
• Writing (newsletter articles, press releases, etc)
• Art & Crafts (face painting, drawing, painting, etc)
• STEM (any STEM skills you can share)
• Other skills (let us know!)

The 4-H Advisory Committee meets quarterly throughout the year with the 4-H Program Director and helps to provides overall direction and support for the entire 4-H program.

4-H Youth Leaders & Youth Ambassadors:
Any current 4-H Member, ages 11+, can serve as a 4-H Youth Leader throughout the year to assist with special events & projects, develop leadership and interpersonal skills and get community service credit. Opportunities include, but are not limited to, mentoring younger 4-H members, serving on the 4-H committees, running booths and activities during special events, internships and more. Developing leadership and fostering responsibility are two fundamental components of this position.

Last updated September 15, 2021