Applying to be a 4-H volunteer
All 4-H adult volunteers must apply and be appointed annually. Please follow the steps below to apply to be a 4-H new adult volunteer.
Volunteering cannot begin until AFTER the Approval Process.
Process
All new 4-H volunteers must go through a screening process. Our #1 priority in 4-H is the safety of young people. We do all we can to protect young people and keep them safe while they are in our care. An important part of providing a safe environment is to conduct background checks on our volunteers and staff. Everyone that will be spending an extended time with our 4-H youth is screened. When you become a 4-H volunteer, you are part of the plan to keep our young people safe.
STEP 1:
New 4-H Volunteer Interest Survey
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Complete the online New Volunteer Interest Survey in English or Spanish
STEP 2:
Z-Suites Enrollment
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Create an Adult Volunteer profile on our enrollment
* Please make sure the email address in the system is correct and one you check regularly. This is how you will receive communications.
*For Spanish: The Z-Suite system is only in English. Please fill in the paper enrollment packet in Spanish and turn it in to your club leader or county staff for them to enter it. Please keep a copy of the paper forms for your records.
STEP 3:
New Volunteer Training
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All new 4-H volunteers are required to take the New Volunteer Training online courses in the Extension Foundation system before they become approved as volunteers. This interactive training series introduces you to the best practices in positive youth development that are used in 4-H. The trainings are available in English. Spanish training is now available.
PASSCODE for Course: SantaBarbara
After you complete and submit your Z Suites profile, check the Household email you used in Z Suite for eXtension login instructions. If you used a paper enrollment form, you will have to check with your county 4-H Representative for the instructions. https://campus.extension.org/
STEP 4:
Click Hyper-linked Button Above
Complete a Live-scan with the California Department of Justice. (Please take the live-scan service form to your live-scan appt.)
Resources
Locations for Live Scan Fingerprinting
CA 4-H Resource Center Enrollment
STEP 5: Get Approved
Get approved as a 4-H Volunteer. The 4-H Office reviews and approves 4-H volunteer appointments after all the application requirements and mandatory trainings are completed. Approval is not done automatically, and it requires staff to manually review and confirm each enrollment. If you want to fast track your approval reach out to the local Santa Barbara 4-H Staff.
Approval
The 4-H Office reviews and approves 4-H volunteer appointments after....
- Filled out the New Volunteer Interest Survey.
- You are signed up in Z Suite
- You complete all of the New Volunteer Training required in your county.
You have passed the Live-Scan screening process.
Once you are approved, the fun begins!
- Start connecting with 4-H families about your new role.
- Take advantage of 4-H resources:
- Skills development workshops
- Approved curriculum to plan your projects
- Volunteer leadership conferences
Page Last Updated: April 2025