Volunteers | Clark

Learn how you can give your time, talents and skills to Making the Best Better as a 4-H Volunteer.

New 4-H Volunteer Requirements

Adults who would like to become volunteers with the Clark County 4-H program must complete a five step process. These steps do not need to be done in sequence, but must all be completed before an adult begins working with youth in the Clark County 4-H Program. If you are interested in becoming a 4-H Volunteer, please contact the 4-H Extension Educators to schedule an interview appointment. Patty House, 937-398-7599, house.18@osu.edu or Jeremy Elleman, 937-398-7606, elleman.30@osu.edu

4-H Volunteer Opportunities

Review these volunteer position descriptions to learn about opportunities to start a 4-H club, teach a project, lead an activity, or serve on a committee.

Organizational Club Volunteer	Project or Activity Volunteer
Cloverbud Volunteer	Committee Volunteer
Financial Volunteer

New 4-H Volunteer Applicant Letter to Learn About Process To Becoming A 4-H Volunteer

Click here for the 2026 New 4-H Volunteer Packet. (New 4-H Volunteer Applicant Letter, 4-H Volunteer Application, 4-H Volunteer Standards of Behavior, Fingerprint Return Card, and 4-H Volunteer Opportunities)

Complete and sign 4-H Volunteer Application (you will need to provide 3 non-family references on your application)
Read, Agreed to, Sign and Submit 4-H Volunteer Standards of Behavior
Obtain an Ohio BCI Background Check Visit one of the Clark County locations to have a web check done. You must use reason code 2151.86 for obtaining a fingerprint background check. Please print and take the Clark County Background Check Information with you, it has all the information needed so that your information is delivered correctly. Special Note: If you have had your fingerprints taken within the past 12 months for working with children, working with the elderly, or certain types of licensing please fill out the Request For Copy of Ohio Background Check.

Complete and interview with Patty House, 4-H Educator, call 937-398-7599 or Jeremy Elleman, call 937-398-7606 to schedule an appointment.
Participate in New 4-H Volunteer Orientation on one of the following dates:
Feb. 18, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM, Ext. Office

March 12, 6:30 PM-8:30 PM, Ext. Office

Requirements for Returning 4-H Volunteers

We have a tremendous core of 4-H volunteers working with the Clark County 4-H Program. 4-H volunteers who have given one or more years of service to the Clark County 4-H Program need to complete the following requirements:

Complete the your Re-Enrollment for Volunteers online at http://oh.4honline.com (Instruction were included in your club's Running Start folder. Re-enrollment must be completed by April 15.
All Ohio State University volunteers including OSU Extension's 4-H Volunteers will be required to complete a web-based background check every 4 years. More details regarding this process will be sent directly to volunteers explaining this process further. If you have question, please don’t hesitate to contact the 4-H Extension Educators, Patty House, house.18@osu.edu, 937-398-7599 or Jeremy Elleman, elleman.30@osu.edu, 937-398-7606.

Take advantage of 4-H volunteer trainings and opportunities at the county and state level. 2 hours of training is required annually for 4-H volunteers to continue service as a 4-H volunteer. This training combines volunteer core competencies, youth protection policies and county/state updates to help you to continue to Make the Best Better!

To meet this requirement in 2026, please plan on registering and attending one of the following training dates:

Jan. 21, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Extension Office

Jan. 22, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Extension Office

Jan. 23, 1 PM to 3 PM, Extension Office

Jan. 24, 10 AM to Noon, Extension Office

Jan. 25, 2 PM to 4 PM, Extension Office - Canceled

Jan. 26, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Extension Office - Canceled

Jan. 27, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Extension Office - Canceled

Jan. 31, Noon to 2 PM, Annex, Fairgrounds

Feb. 2, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Extension Office

Feb. 8, 2 PM to 4 PM, Extension Office

Feb. 17, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Extension Office

Click here to register for a training

Resources for 4-H Volunteers

Clark County 4-H Volunteer Handbook

Use to answer your questions about club management, risk management, working with parents, managing finances, providing meaningful learning experiences, connecting to all the Clark County 4-H opportunities and much more.

Ohio 4-H Volunteer Handbook

Ohio 4-H Club Leaders

Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Leaders

Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Connections Blog

Making the Best 4-H Clubs Better Lessons for Your 4-H Club