How Do I Become a 4-H Volunteer?
The following individuals must complete the 4-H Youth Development Volunteer Application process:
- those who have more than eight (8) hours of contact in a leadership or advisory role with 4-H members per year;
- all drivers and chaperones at 4-H events; and
- All members of the Maine 4-H Animal Science Committees.
A 4-H staff member will guide potential volunteers through the five-step process.
Five-Step 4-H Volunteer Application Process
- Step 1: 4-H Volunteer Application
- Step 2: 4-H Volunteer Orientation and Maine 4-H Volunteer Application Process ZSuite Clover Academy Modules
- Step 3: Background Check
- Step 4: Videos: Required Training for Extension Volunteers
- Step 5: Interview with a 4-H staff member
Adults will need to complete the following five-step process to become a 4-H volunteer:
Step 1: 4-H Volunteer Application
Fill out 4-H volunteer application on ZSuite.
Instructions on how to create an account and complete the application can be found by clicking here.
Completion of the application does not immediately enroll you as a 4-H volunteer. All steps in the screening process must be completed and approved by 4-H staff before you will be considered an official 4-H volunteer.
Step 2: 4-H Volunteer Orientation and Maine 4-H Volunteer Application Process Modules
4-H Volunteer Orientation
The 4-H Volunteer Orientation is made up of short modules that will provide you with foundational information about the 4-H program. This is found in the ZSuite Clover Academy.
For instructions on how to access the module, please visit this website.
Please notify your 4-H staff contact when you complete the 4-H Volunteer Orientation. Contact info may be found on the County Offices page.
Maine 4-H Volunteer Application Process
After completing the application and the 4-H Volunteer Orientation Course, should you decide you would like to continue the process to become an enrolled 4-H volunteer, return to the ZSuite Clover Academy and begin the Maine 4-H Volunteer Application Process module. This module brings the remaining steps below in one place to help you stay organized and complete the requirements.
Step 3: Background Check
For instructions on how to submit a background check, visit this Volunteer Background Check website. There is no cost to the volunteer applicant. Please remember to notify the 4-H staff when you’ve completed the background check so that it may be processed.
Step 4: Videos: Required Training for Extension Volunteers
- Sexual Discrimination Training for Cooperative Extension Volunteers
- Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect for University of Maine Volunteers
Step 5: Interview with a 4-H Staff Contact
Once our 4-H staff has reviewed your application, confirmed the background check and checked references, they will contact you to schedule an interview.
Once your 4-H contact has determined that you have successfully completed the steps above, they will approve your enrollment as a 4-H volunteer and discuss next steps in your volunteer journey.
Updated 07/22/2026