Volunteer Information
Volunteer: a non-paid representative of the extension unit for which the individual provides services.
Kansas 4-H Volunteers are adults providing supervision to youth at a 4-H program; make decisions on behalf of the 4-H program; have access to private data of 4-H members or volunteers; and/or handle funds as part of 4-H. These individuals must complete the volunteer screening process, be accepted, and enrolled as a Kansas 4-H volunteer. The Initial process includes; 4HOnline enrollment application, Criminal History, Interview, Orientation, and Approval.
These positions include, though may not be limited to:
- Organized Club Leaders
- Project Leaders
- Chaperone for overnight events
- Camp volunteers
- Volunteers who have access to funds raised on behalf of 4-H
- Volunteers who have access to confidential records or information
Adult Helpers give their time and/or expertise to 4-H education programs of activities and who will either not be in direct contact with children or youth or who will only be in situations directly supervised by paid and/or screened, experienced volunteer/staff. Adult Helpers are not required to participate in the volunteer screening process.
These positions include, though may not be limited to:
- Guest speaker/presenter
- Concession stand worker for single events
- Presentation Judges
Who Must Complete the 4-H Volunteer Screening Process?
4-H volunteer screening must be completed by:
- any individual who works in close, ongoing interaction with youth
- any adult with authority to independently plan and conduct 4-H educational experiences for youth with other adults present or in a public setting
Volunteers who do not fit into one of the above criteria would be considered adult helpers and do not need to complete the screening.
Become a New 4-H Volunteer
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The volunteer applicant must enroll in the Kansas 4HOnline Enrollment System. If your family uses the Kansas 4HOnline system, you already have a family account. Login to your family and add yourself as a new family member if you don’t have an adult profile. If your family has never used 4HOnline, you will need to create a new family account before creating an adult profile for yourself.
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Volunteer interview with Extension staff.
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Complete Background Checks:
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Complete national criminal background check (CBC): https://www.validityscreen.com/apps/id/257/376/0/1). Filled out and submitted online.
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Complete the required 4-H Volunteer Orientation.
- Local extension office will compile information and submit applicant’s packet for approval.
Returning 4-H Volunteer
The State 4-H Youth Development office has also incorporated continuing education opportunities via Volunteer Trainings . A person can completed a training any time throughout the year. The trainings can be done in lieu of Orientation Training for re-screenings only. First-time volunteers must complete the Orientation Training the first time. But can choose to complete as many Volunteer Trainings as they’d like going forward.
Renewals
Each time you update your profile, you will automatically be renewed. This happens for three years in between re-screenings.
Re-Screenings
For re-screenings, you will update your profile like usual, but you will also have to complete the Orientation segment. The Kansas 4-H Volunteer Orientation Training is handled the same way as it has in the past. Once you’re logged in to your profile, click on the 'Training' tab toward the top of the page. Go through the videos and quizzes in order. You will have 9 modules to complete. (Hint: Once you've completed a video, you have to close the page and go back to the 'Training' tab to select the quiz. Continue the same way at the end of each module.)
We will submit the National Criminal Background Check (CBC) for you, as long as you have completed it in the past and already have an account setup. Your information is all kept confidential. We submit your name to the State office and they will have it run through Validity again. When they receive the results, they will post them in your 4-H Online account.