UGA Cooperative Extension

Spalding County Extension Office:
4-H Youth Development - Project S.A.F.E.
Volunteer Information

It is imperative that you, our volunteers, realize how valuable you are. Without you, we could not provide these opportunities for the youth of our community. Thank you for volunteering! You're greatly appreciated!

Parent participation is important to the success of this program. There isn't a set schedule or program that a parent is expected to adhere to but once you become involved in the program we believe you will see the difference we're making in the lives of our youth and community and desire to be a part of that.

We're always in need of volunteers to help at the range during practices and matches. There are so many positions, important positions, that need to be filled during those programs that you will find one that fits your time constraints and ability.

For more information on positions available, go to Range Positions and duties.

To ensure the safety of everyone at the range, volunteer leaders attend a training session to receive certification. This session is held at the Spalding County 4-H Office. For more information on policy guidelines for working with youth , visit the Georgia 4-H Web site.

Once the parents have signed up to volunteer, a training session will be scheduled for September. This training will consist of watching a video (approximately two hours in length), taking a test on material covered in video and a short meeting with Cherry Hovatter, Spalding County 4-H Youth Development Agent. You will also need to complete the following documentation:

• Completed application - you must include addresses for your three references
• Documentation of three references WITH addresses
• Motor Vehicle Record check
• Email from UGA accepting the volunteer (Agent will receive it)
• Signed Agreement form

Please see that all forms are returned to Spalding County 4-H Program, P.O. Box 277, Griffin, GA 30224.

In addition to the county training, there are also professional levels of training that are available to you. As this training is available locally you will be notified of this great opportunity. Here is some valuable information about the training you would receive if you attended the Coach Education Program.

You may ask "Why is it necessary for me to go through these training's when I'm just helping out because my child is participating in this program?" That's a great question! We know that every parent feels the same. It's important that we all understand that it isn't just "a program". This is a life changing, confidence building, leadership learning opportunity for our youth to help prepare them to be better people and future leaders in our community and our world. Does that mean it's not fun? Absolutely not! In addition to the life skills your child will learn they will also meet people from other cities and states and possibly even countries. They learn the meaning of being a team player and encouraging one another and have a great time while they're at it.

The safety of your child and everyone at the range is of the utmost importance. To ensure that level of safety consciousness we encourage our parent volunteers to experience these training's, just as we did, to help us focus on our duties at the practices and competitions.

We encourage and welcome you to join our "family".

Volunteer Appreciation

We appreciate our volunteers and routinely have "burger burns" (cookouts) at the range for and with you. This gives us, the volunteer leaders, time to relax and reflect on what's taking place in the program, how things have progressed and where we need to go from here. It's a good time of fellowship and fun. We look forward to seeing you there!

Contact

For more information about the Spalding County 4-H S.A.F.E. Project, contact Roy McClain, Volunteer Lead Coordinator or call (678) 772-8185, or contact Wade Hutcheson, Extension Agent, or call (770) 467-4225.