Georgia 4-H Volunteer Agreement

Georgia 4-H Volunteer Agreement

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This agreement must be printed and signed. The text below is for informational purposes only.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Volunteer Agreement

Thank you for agreeing to volunteer with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension program. In signing this agreement, you are confirming your acceptance for a volunteer role.

  1. I agree to serve as a volunteer with UGA under the primary direction of ___ Cooperative Extension. (fill in county or unit name) I understand that if my role involves supervising youth, I will be required to complete a UGA background check and that some duties may include additional training and orientation.
  2. I agree that my participation in the activities is not in exchange for any consideration (e.g., pay, benefits, the promise of future employment). I acknowledge that, in exchange for my service as a volunteer, I have neither been promised any consideration nor do I expect to receive any consideration. I understand that additional duties may be assigned or specific duties expanded.
  3. I agree that as a volunteer I am under the primary direction of the unit, county office or department but may be asked to participate in activities that include direction from others within Cooperative Extension and/or other departments in the University of Georgia.
  4. I agree that, if approved to serve as a volunteer, I will not be acting as a UGA employee or student. I understand and agree that UGA and I both have the right to decline or end my volunteer relationship with UGA at any time, for any reason, and without advance notice.
  5. I understand that UGA is self-insured through the Department of Administrative Services against state tort claims. This coverage is provided for volunteers in programs organized, controlled and directed by UGA for the purposes of carrying out the functions of UGA.I UNDERSTAND THAT COVERAGE DOES NOT APPLY WHEN I DEVIATE FROM THE COURSE OF MY VOLUNTEER DUTIES.
  6. I understand that, as a volunteer, I will not be entitled to any employee benefits. I understand that UGA may not provide me with any accident, medical, or workers’ compensation insurance, and therefore may not be responsible for any accident or medical expenses that I incur in the course of volunteering. If I am an employee of the UGA serving as a volunteer, I understand that I am not covered by workers’ compensation laws while acting as a volunteer outside of my normal employment.
  7. If I utilize my personal vehicle during the course of volunteering, I understand that UGA does not provide comprehensive or collision insurance for my personal vehicle.
  8. I understand that if my volunteer service involves youth work, I am required to abide by the UGA Cooperative Extension Behavior Guidelines for Adults working with Youth and may be discharged from my duties as a volunteer should I fail to follow these These guidelines are printed on the reverse of this page and are initialed by me.
  9. I understand that my participation as a volunteer may involve certain risks. In addition, I understand that I may be exposed to other risks which may not be foreseeable. I voluntarily accept these risks.
  10. I agree to abide by all applicable rules and regulations of UGA and any of the departments or units where I engage in volunteer activities. I also agree not to disclose any confidential information concerning youth program participants, research subjects, unpublished research data, and other confidential information of which I may learn in the course of my volunteer service. I acknowledge and agree that any intellectual property I may create in the course of my activities at UGA shall be the property of UGA.
  11. I understand that as a volunteer I must self-report any arrest, charge, or criminal conviction occurring after the date of my background check to my program/activity administrator prior to returning for service.
  12. I hereby grant permission for my images, likeness, and voice to be recorded in any media and to be used by the University of Georgia and Georgia 4-H on behalf of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in any publications, media or technology now known of or hereafter developed in the future for any lawful purpose whatsoever without further permission from me. I understand I will not be compensated further for use of these recordings.

Required Signatures and information

Volunteer’s Signature
Date
Volunteer’s Printed Name
Volunteer’s Phone #
Volunteer’s Address
Volunteer’s Email Address
Extension Faculty Printed Name
Primary Extension Office location
Extension Faculty Signature
Date

Adult Code of Conduct

The University of Georgia Extension establishes the following code of conduct for adults. These general behavioral expectations apply to any adult, including faculty, staff, and volunteers working or volunteering in a capacity that includes children under the age of eighteen and/or youth program participants.

Adults are expected to comply with the following:

• Work cooperatively with youth, families, University of Georgia faculty, staff, volunteers, community members and others in a courteous, respectful manner demonstrating behaviors appropriate for a positive role model.

• Represent the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Cooperative Extension programs with pride and dignity, behave appropriately, exhibit good sportsmanship, and demonstrate reasonable conflict management skills.

• Respect, adhere, and enforce the 4-H Code of Conduct as well as other rules, policies and guidelines established by UGA Extension and event coordinators including state laws and regulations.

• Respect the privacy of all individuals in situations such as toileting, showering and changing clothes. When it is necessary to supervise minors, at least two leaders should be present and only to the extent that the health and/or safety requires.

• Do not touch minors in a manner that a reasonable person could interpret as inappropriate. Always avoid touching areas that are normally covered by swimsuits. When hugging is appropriate, hug from the side over the shoulders, not from the front.

• Recognize that physical punishment is not an appropriate form of discipline and will not be allowed. Physical punishment includes physical actions that may not be expected of an individual during the program and are assigned to a young person as a consequence for misbehavior.

• Report any accident, injury, or illness of a youth immediately to the Program/Activity Administrator (i.e. County Extension Coordinator, Agent, Program Development Coordinator).

• Medication must only be administered to a youth in accordance with the parent/guardian’s written instructions.

• Recognize that verbal abuse, physical abuse, or committing criminal acts may be grounds for termination as an Extension volunteer. Abusive behavior towards youth or other adults, including failure to provide adequate health and safety measures, inadequate care or supervision, emotional mistreatment of members, or verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated.

• Under Georgia law, report any mistreatment of youth to the proper authorities. All staff are considered mandatory reporters for purposes of the Policy and must report incidents involving sexual or physical abuse or neglect of a minor immediately to the Program/Activity Administrator, the UGA Police Department, AND the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

• Comply with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws and policies. The University prohibits harassment of or discrimination and offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status, and is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

• Treat animals humanely and encourage youth and adults to provide appropriate and ethical care.

• Strive for a minimum of two adults at any activity involving youth. Adults, in most cases, should not be left alone with a single child unless the adult is the parent/guardian of that child.

• To be housed in overnight settings in separate sleeping areas from children when possible. When this is not possible, parent/guardians should be furnished with a letter explaining the situation and informing the parent/guardian that his/her child will be housed with an adult in the same room.

• Substance Use Prohibited – Do not use, possess or be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or any prescription medication that impairs your ability to perform your duties during the Program/Activity.

• Do not condone others’ use of alcohol or illegal drugs during the Program/Activity.

• Smoking and tobacco use is prohibited at all Extension 4-H events.

• Operate machinery, vehicles, and other equipment in a safe and responsible manner. Only transport youth with parent/guardian permission and avoid being alone with youth in a vehicle. All transportation should comply with university and program/activity transportation guidelines and policies.

• Accept responsibility to promote, conduct, and support 4-H in order to develop an effective local, county, district and state program.

• Recognize the following behaviors are inappropriate and will not be tolerated in the presence of youth during Extension youth activities or events:

– consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs, and controlled substances
– promotion of religious or political preferences
– theft, pilfering, or fraud
– use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes
– sexual advances or activities involving youth
– willful damaging of property
– permitting passengers to ride in motor vehicles without seatbelts
– permitting youth or adults to ride in the back of trucks
– behaviors that are illegal under law
– sharing sensitive, personal information with youth, including information about financial challenges, workplace challenges, promotion of particular
religious or political beliefs, and romantic relationships.
-giving gifts to youth, independent of items provided by the program/activity
– online communication, photography, and videography that is not consistent with the mission of the program/activity and the university.

Updated 8/1/2026

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