Until recently, being an interested, warm body was the main criteria for accepting an adult as a volunteer in Extension 4-H youth development programs. The university attorney general advised Extension administration to design screening procedures to lessen the risk of unwanted lawsuits. Some Extension volunteers and faculty felt measures to help ensure a safe environment for youth in Extension programs were needed. In September 1988, Extension administrators gave the charge of developing screening procedures for all Extension programs involving youth to the 4-H Volunteer Development Committee. All new organizational club leaders will be interviewed.
Reference checks are optional, but highly recommended.
County faculty developed management procedures that would work best for them, depending on the number of new volunteers and the number of county faculty and support staff. Many county faculty decided to interview all new volunteers and most decided to conduct reference checks. They were encouraged to develop a written policy of procedures, including who will have access to the confidential files, and keep records as long as the individuals are Extension volunteers. County faculty were given a chance to review the procedures and forms and offer suggestions. Ninety minutes of training were provided to each county Extension office over a satellite system.