BROOKINGS, S.D. - The 2015 4-H Volunteer Work Agreement has been updated.
All new 4-H volunteers need to fill out the form and turn it in at their local SDSU Extension county office. The updated form is available either at the county office or online at igrow.org/4h/ .
"These forms are important because background checks must be completed on all volunteers," explained Audrey Rider, SDSU Extension 4-H Volunteer Field Specialist.
Rider further explained that SDSU Extension's 4-H Youth Development program has adopted high standards for screening and selection of staff and volunteers that will have ongoing contact with 4-H youth. "The process is designed to reassure 4-H parents because it protects their children and maintains standards of excellence for 4-H staff and volunteers," she said.
The 4-H Volunteer Work Agreement form and cost recovery fee ($10 annual minimum) need to be submitted to the local SDSU Extension county office. The form only needs to be filled out the first initial year of volunteering, but the $10 is an annual fee paid each year to keep your records and volunteer status updated.
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To get more information on this topic, please contact your local SDSU Extension county office.
South Dakota 4-H is a federally regulated program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Because 4-H is provided by the nation's land grant university system, South Dakota 4-H Youth Development follows South Dakota State University - South Dakota's Land Grant -policies and procedures for approving staff and volunteers.
Background checks are performed in compliance with South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) Policy4:47. University policies and procedures are designed to promote a safe and secure environment for faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and visitors and to lessen unnecessary risk to all involved.
SDBOR Policy 4:47 supports the verification of credentials, criminal history and other information related to decisions of employment and volunteer selection.
