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It’s your turn! Become a 4-H SPIN Club volunteer

ID

4H-677NP

Authors as Published

Jeremy Johnson, Associate Specialist for Volunteer Development for Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech

A 4-H SPIN Club is a special interest club where five or more young people learn about a topic of interest. Topics vary and include interests such as nature, heritage arts, science, photogra- phy, gardening, shooting sports, and more. SPIN clubs are led by volunteers who have a pas- sion and want to share their knowledge with young people.

 

BE THE SPARK THAT INSPIRES THE NEXT GENERATION

4-H IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU

We are looking for adults that have a talent or interest that they are willing to teach to young people in local communities. We are planning now for SPIN clubs that will meet in the next three to six months.

WHY SHOULD YOU BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

Have a positive impact on the next generation of young people in your community by sharing your experience and knowledge in a subject area you’re passionate about. Help fuel the extraordinary efforts of our youth by joining us as a 4-H SPIN club volunteer.

WHEN AND WHERE WILL THE CLUB MEET?

SPIN clubs are planned around the volunteer’s availability. Each club meets six or more times for at least one hour per session. Meeting dates are set by the volunteer, based on the availability of potential participants. The meeting location is selected for the type of activity and number of participants.

We’d like to discuss opportunities foryou to become a 4-H SPIN Club volunteer in your community. If you’re interested, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.

SPIN CLUB VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTION
YOU ARE NEEDED! Share your experience and knowledge with young people to help youth gain skills through a 4-H special interest (SPIN) club
YOU CAN HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE
  • Teach young people valuable life skills
  • Provide hands-on learning to members of a 4-H SPIN club
  • Share your expertise with members and mentor them through their learning experiences
  • Create a place where each young person feels valued and accepted
  • Help youth demonstrate their understanding of the topic
  • Support members as they give back to the community
YOUR TIME COMMITMENT
  • Participate in volunteer orientation and training
  • Coordinate a minimum of six meetings based on your availability
  • Plan learning activities and identify needed supplies
  • Discuss your SPIN club experience with 4-H staff
  • Devote 15 to 20 hours total
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A 4-H VOLUNTEER
  • Decide what skills the club members should learn
  • Identify safety issues and make plans to keep members safe
  • Provide leadership/decision-making opportunities within the club
  • Guide members as they learn new knowledge and skills
  • Be a role model by accepting and valuing all members
  • Work with the members to plan an event so they can show others what they have learned
  • Help youth identify ways to give back to their community
HOW TO GET STARTED
  • Complete the volunteer application forms, which includes permission for background checks and contact information for references
  • Schedule an orientation with Extension Staff
WE WILL HELP YOU HELP YOUTH
  • Extension staff will provide:
    • Face-to-face and online training to prepare you for your volunteer experience
    • Assistance planning learning activities
    • Insurance to cover liability and accidents
    • Assistance in providing materials, supplies, or equipment

If you have any questions, contact:


Adapted with permission from University of Illinois Cooperative Extension
*18 U.S.C. 707

Produced by Communications and Marketing, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech, 2016


Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Publication Date

September 1, 2022