Volunteer Today
Who can volunteer?
Any adult with an interest in young people is welcome to volunteer. You do not need to be an "expert." Parents, professionals, homemakers, teachers, youth leaders, and other caring adults serve as 4-H volunteers. Adult volunteers “Learn by Doing” along with the 4-H members they work with. The only requirements to volunteer for 4-H are enthusiasm and a desire to work with young people.
4-H volunteers also serve on Advisory and Program Councils, teach workshops, raise funds, recruit new members or volunteers, judge at fairs and contests, or work with an Educator as a middle manager organizing and implementing events. Volunteers also serve on camp and fair boards. 4-H is flexible and volunteer work can be suited to a variety of lifestyles!
Why Volunteer?
People volunteer with 4-H for many reasons. One obvious benefit is to help guide and mentor our country’s future citizens and leaders. Volunteers also develop new leadership skills, meet new friends, and have great adventures.
Adult volunteers play an important role in 4-H youth education programs. They coordinate local community clubs and help to plan and conduct local, regional, state, and national 4-H events.
4-H volunteers help 4-Hers to:
- Learn by doing
- Develop leadership and life skills
- Make new friends
- Give back to the community
- Build connections with others
- Prepare, do, and share.
What does a club leader do?
- Works with the members to plan club activities and events.
- Chaperones youth activities and field trips.
- Facilitates education through “hands-on” learning experiences.
- Supports and creates local community service opportunities.
- Serves as a role model and mentor for youth.
- Teaches youth important life and work skills.
- Shares his or her special knowledge and interests with young people.
Ready to get started? Contact the Plymouth County Extension office today to learn about becoming a 4-H volunteer. 774-404-7020
Clubs Community Outreach Event Request
All 4-H Clubs are required to fill out the form below no later than 24 hours before an event. If an insurance certificate is needed, we need 2 weeks notice.
Taking 4-H animals to public events and exhibits – not 4-H fairs:
When 4-H members plan to bring animals to places such as Tractor Supply, Farmers' Markets, or town events, the following
procedures must be followed:
1. Club leaders need to notify their educator with the location, date and time of the event and provide a list of all
the animals and the youth who will attend.
2. All animals need to have their up-to-date health paperwork. This paperwork must be brought with them to the
event. This requirement is no different than animals being exhibited at fairs and shows. Rabies certificate and
health certificates on livestock issued for the current year, including a Coggins certificate for horses.
Current Volunteer Information
All 4-H clubs must meet 4-H club guidelines and must be led by screened volunteers. Once a club has fulfilled all requirements it is chartered by UMass Extension 4-H. The club charter stays with the club for the life of this club and should be passed to the new 4-H leader if club leadership changes. Every club must file an Annual 4-H Club Report with their local 4-H Educator. This annual report covers the time period of July 1 - June 30 and is due on August 31st of each year. Clubs that do not report annually will have their charters revoked and will cease to operate as 4-H clubs. The 4-H club will not be active in 4honline until the report is filed and accepted.
Responsibilities for Paying Taxes on Raffle Proceeds
Raffles are a game of chance managed through the Massachusetts Lottery Commission. Further information and regulations, as required by the Office of the Attorney General, can be located at: www.masslottery.com or at www.mass.gov; go to Attorney General.
940 CMR 12.00 Regulations Governing Raffles
State law requires that charitable organizations follow these guidelines in order to hold a raffle for fundraising purposes. If the raffle prize exceeds $10,000 or a single ticket price exceeds $10, see item number 4 in this document.
A charitable gaming permit must be received from the town clerk's office in the town where the winning number is going to be drawn. Each town charges a fee in a general range of $10-$50 for the permit.
Tickets can still be sold in any town. The permit is good for one year and for an unlimited number of raffles.
For more detailed requirements visit the Massachusetts 4-H site.
Financial Management, Insurance and Report Forms
Annually in August club leaders are required to file with the County 4-H an annual 4-H report. This year your 4-H office will file your 990N form. For more detailed information visit the Massachusetts 4-H web page.
Field trip form must be filled out each time club goes on field-trip.
Massachusetts 4-H Foundations Grants
4-H Publicity Incentive Program
4-H Clubs can receive $50 for each published, unique newspaper article that mentions their club name. There is a limit of three awards per club each year.
Clubs may also receive a publicity award for special publicized events, including Visual Presentation day, National Youth Science Day, and the Big E. Grants for publication of these events will not count towards a club's the three articles per year maximum. Click on the button below to apply
4-H Club Grants
The Massachusetts 4-H Foundation is pleased to be able to provide direct support to enrolled 4-H clubs and Program Councils in Massachusetts in the form of club/council grants. These grants are available for special projects or needs that the group has which support the educational program and 4-H priorities. Grants are not meant to be used for member awards, travel expenses, tee shirts, etc.
These grants will be awarded quarterly. Applications will be reviewed on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. Click below to access the MA 4-H Foundation website
4-H Club Matching Grant Program
The Massachusetts 4-H Foundation offers a matching grant program to 4-H Clubs that organize a fundraising activity or event to raise money for their club or community. We will match the amount of money a club raises corresponding to the number of club members. To qualify, a club must apply for the grant at least three weeks prior to the event and submit a request for funds within three weeks following the event. Each club is guaranteed only two matching grants for qualifying fundraisers. In the event of remaining funds at the end of the year, additional approved applications will be considered in the order of which they were received.
Click button below to access the MA 4-H Foundation website