4-H Volunteers

Volunteer Training

Volunteer training is essential so that volunteers not only understand the expectations of their role but have the skills, competencies, and information necessary to be successful.

4-H offers a variety of training opportunities at the county, multi-county, state, and regional levels. In addition, the 12 North Central states take turns hosting the North Central Region Volunteer Forum each year in the fall.

VALUED Volunteer Training Series

Valued Volunteers Logo

A new advanced training series is now available statewide for more experienced 4-H volunteers to experience. The series includes the topics of

If you are interested in participating in the VALUED Volunteer Training Series contact your local Extension office or Sheri Seibold at sseibold@illinois.edu in early fall. More experienced or tenured volunteers are encouraged to participate in this series.

Other Training Categories

A variety of training topics are available through the local Extension office. Some of these include:

  • Goal Centered Learning
  • I Move…Making Meetings Fun and Effective
  • Working with Youth Leaders

Training Packets

4-H Community Service

This website will assist 4-H volunteers in planning, implementing, and evaluating community service projects for their 4-H Clubs. This can be found at urbanext.illinois.edu/commservice/

4-H Program Planning

This on-line resource provides the 4-H program planning tools for 4-H clubs to develop their own yearly 4-H program plan. This can be found at urbanext.illinios.edu/4hplanning/

North Central Region Volunteer Forum

A multi-day event hosted in rotation by the 12 North Central States. It is an educational in-service opportunity for 4-H leaders and volunteers. It is held on an every other year basis with a face-to-face meeting scheduled in even years and a technology-based event in odd years.

More information >>

4-H Leadership Development Inventories

4-H Leadership Development Inventories are available for volunteers to assess their own training needs. These should be shared with Extension staff to help determine training needs in your local area.