General Information
Includes information such as your name, address, driver's license number, social security number, phone number, and previous 4-H or youth group involvement.

Volunteer Interest
Includes information such as why you want to be a volunteer, time commitment desired, type of volunteer position desired, and previous work and volunteer experience.

Personal References
Includes personal references and possibly a criminal record check.

Volunteer Interest Checklist
The Ohio 4-H Volunteer Interest Checklist provides an Extension Agent with a snapshot of some of a volunteer's personal interests.  With 20 activities and programs listed, a volunteer simply checks if they have a lot of interest, a little interest, or no interest in a particular subject.  This list proves helpful to an Extension Agent as they try to match up a volunteer with proper opportunities for the individual.  This form also allows an agent to see where a volunteer may need additional help and support, so that volunteer development opportunities can be designed with those items in mind.

Ohio State University Youth Protection Policy
Ohio State University Extension worked closely with the Ohio Department of Human Service-Child Care Division to develop the Ohio State University Youth Protection Policy.  The policy outlines expected professional guidelines and volunteer standards of behavior related to working directly with youth, identifies resources for recognizing incidences of child abuse, and includes recommended organizational procedures for reporting suspected incidences of child abuse.  The policy also outlines responsibilities and roles of Extension professionals and volunteers in providing the safest possible environment for youth involved in Extension programs.

Ohio 4-H Volunteer Standards of Behavior
The Ohio 4-H volunteer Standards of Behavior is a contractual agreement accepted by volunteers and Extension Agents who work with 4-H youth.  The standards are a guide for behavior during volunteers' involvement in Ohio 4-H.  Just as it is a privilege for Ohio State University Extension to work with individuals who volunteer their time, talents, and energies to 4-H, a volunteer's involvement in Ohio 4-H is a privilege and a responsibility, not a right.  By adhering to the standards, a volunteer will set a good example for 4-H members, other volunteers, and the community.  All potential 4-H volunteers will receive a copy of the standards to read and sign stating they understand the responsibility they are accepting.  Volunteers will also receive a copy to keep for their records.

Volunteer Position Descriptions
A volunteer position description helps a potential 4-H volunteer to clearly understand roles they are assuming in the organization.  A position description informs a volunteer of what will be expected of them and what types of support they can expect from their extension agent.  Major parts of a position description include job title, time required, location, general purpose, specific responsibilities, qualifications, support to be provided, and the name of the volunteer's mentor or supervising professional

Carroll County Requirements
An individual county 4-H Youth Development program may require additional pieces of information.  Requirements in Carroll County Include:

• Complete a 4-H Volunteer Application form by Jan. 1.
• All references on the application are checked before a volunteer is given advisor status.
• Participate in a Volunteer Interview with the Extension Agent.
• Attend one 4-H volunteer training per year to maintain advisor status.

Types of 4-H Volunteers

Who Is a 4-H Volunteer?
Ohio State University Extension defines a 4-H volunteer as: "Anyone who contributes time, energies, or talents to the Ohio 4-H Youth Development Program and is not paid by Ohio State University Extension funds."

In What Ways May a 4-H Volunteer Be Involved?
There are many ways in which individuals may volunteer for 4-H.  While many 4-H volunteer roles involve working with youth, others do not.  In Ohio, there are six specific types of 4-H volunteers.  These include:

• A youth volunteer is an older 4-H member with the ability to function in any 4-H volunteer role.  Examples include mentoring younger 4-H members, serving on Junior Fair Board, Fashion Board, a 4-H Committee, Camp Counselor, 4-H Carteens, 4-H Ambassador, etc.
• A 4-H Committee member is an individual who contributes time, energy, resources, or talent to any 4-H sponsored committee.  Committees may be standing (ongoing) or ad hoc (appointed for a specific purpose, which, when accomplished, usually terminates the member's appointment to the committee and disbands the group.)
• A special emphasis volunteer is an individual who works with a 4-H group which offers a series of activities designed to meet the needs and interests of youth within a community.  The most flexible of 4-H groups, special emphasis programs may be offered to any number of young people in a variety of settings or locations.  Special emphasis groups may focus on any of a number of topics; most of which should be based upon addressing specific needs of youth in that community.  Special emphasis groups focus on one or more topics through after-school programs, juvenile diversion programs, sports clinics, etc.  These groups may also be organized by individual volunteers as small, informal gatherings which meet in homes or local meeting places.  Special emphasis groups attract youth from the surrounding community by focusing on a particular area of speciality, such as rocketry, computers, woodworking, cultural arts, foods, clowning, photography, etc.  Special emphasis groups may also focus on a specific delivery method, such as a day camp.
• A school enrichment volunteer is any individual, often a classroom teacher, who works with a 4-H program in a formal classroom setting.  This program may either be short-term or ongoing throughout the entire school year.  School enrichment programs are offered during school hours to enrich the formal classroom curriculum.  A school enrichment program focuses on hands-on experiences, and provides real life application of knowledge gained, increasing the understanding of difficult concepts, and encourages the development of students as young adults.
• A club advisor is an individual who works with a 4-H community or project club.  The club advisor's function is to assist the club's members as they plan the club's program, conduct club business, and enroll individually or as a group in one or more 4-H projects.  Specifically, there are three types of 4-H club advisors.  An organizational advisor serves as the primary liaison between the county 4-H professional and the club's membership, parents, and other advisors in that club. A project advisor assists 4-H members with project experience in a given subject matter area.  An activity advisor works with members in planning and conducting club activities. Examples of these activities include fund-raising, tours, community service, etc.  All of these advisors work together as a team in supporting the 4-H club, its membership, and the members' families.  In some clubs, one person may assume all three of these responsibilities.
•  A middle manager is any individual who serves in a coordination role between Extension staff and other volunteers, parents, or 4-H members.  There are three types of 4-H middle managers.  Key leaders serve as experts in a particular subject matter area, or with specific activities and events.  Master volunteers teach subject matter to other volunteers, parents, or older youth volunteers.  Committee members assist professional Extension staff in planning, implementing, and evaluating the 4-H programs in a county.