All adults working with youth as 4-H volunteers for more than 8 hours/year are required to be certified by the Extension office.  Volunteers become certified through the following three-step process:

Three-step Volunteer Certification Process 

1. Volunteer Application Process

• Submit a “Volunteer Application” form (to the appropriate county extension office)

• Two references checks
• Supplemental Volunteer Application Form* (Please use the following account number 5400983-60000-x-12-x-5600000 in the top right corner of the form where it asks for the “accounting ID”. If you need a printed copy of this form, please contact your local county office)
• Interview with 4-H staff member

2. Volunteer Training (VOLT)
   After the County Extension office has processed your volunteer application, the Extension office will schedule you to participate in a volunteer training (VOLT) program through the County Extension office.
    

3. Volunteer Enrollment
   Once you have completed the application and training process, you will be asked to submit a 4-H Volunteer Enrollment form.

*Note:  All forms are submitted to the County Extension office with the exception of the Supplemental Volunteer Application Form. Please send that form directly to Orono at the following address:

Staffing and Temporary Services
University of Maine
5717 Corbett Hall, Room 234
Orono, ME 04469-5717

For prospective 4-H volunteers who work in Maine school systems, you are required by the Maine Department of Education to have a background check.  In lieu of a background check through the University of Maine’s Office of Human Resources, potential volunteers can provide a copy of the certificate validating a background check has been performed in the last five years.  Please provide this certificate to your local county extension office when you turn in your volunteer application.

Upon successful completion of these three steps the volunteer is certified by the County Extension office.  In subsequent years, the certified volunteer needs only submit a 4-H Volunteer re-enrollment form annually.  Some periodic additional training may be required of all volunteers.  Advisors to Independent 4-H members are also required to be certified as 4-H Leaders, unless they are the parent/guardian of the 4-H youth and then the 4-H volunteer certification is optional, but encouraged. 

Revised 01/28/09

For more information on educational programs in your area, contact your county Extension office.