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Volunteers

Definition of Volunteers: Any adult or youth approved by Extension as giving service to the 4-H program without salary or wages from Extension and qualify under the CES Youth Protection Policy.

Categories of Volunteers:

Direct Volunteer: Unpaid support for the 4-H program through face to face contact with youth, by a youth or adult. e.g.: community or project club leader, teen leader, camp counselor, teacher.

Indirect Volunteer: Unpaid support for the 4-H program by a youth or adult which does not include face-to-face contact with youth. e.g.: foundation boards, advisory committees, or ad hoc committees.

Middle Manager: Unpaid service to or leadership of other volunteers by a youth or adult. e.g.: master volunteers or key leaders.

Volunteers must have a current 4-H Volunteer Application Form, FY4-H-643 on file in the county Extension office. An application must be submitted annually to reinstate as a 4-H volunteer. Adults making application for the first time must also complete and submit with their application form Authorization for Release of Confidential Information, EHIRE-164. After the screening process is completed, the volunteer will be notified by the county Extension office if they are accepted as a 4-H volunteer leader.

Individuals who become ineligible for youth participation in 4-H may become a volunteer after December 31 the year they turn 19. However, they must qualify under the CES Youth Protection Policy.

Adult volunteers must be age 21 before chaperoning a district or state 4-H activity. They must be age 25 before chaperoning an out-of-state 4-H trip.

Volunteer Liability Immunity -- Volunteers are covered under the Arkansas Volunteer Immunity Act of 1987. Volunteers are not to be held civilly liable for their acts or omissions in carrying out their responsibilities as volunteers if such acts or omissions were performed in good faith and did not constitute gross negligence. There is an exception. When the volunteer is covered by a separate and/or personal policy of insurance, the liability is limited to the amount of the coverage provided.