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UGA Extension Volunteer Service Guide
UGA Extension Volunteer Service Guide
Download PDF for PrintThe University of Georgia requires volunteers, including Master Gardener Extension Volunteers (MGEV) and Georgia 4-H Volunteers working with youth, to perform voluntary service at least once every 120 days to maintain active (screened) status. This service can be achieved in several ways, in-person and virtually.
This list is not meant to be comprehensive but serves as a guide of appropriate activities and examples. Interactions can be via in-person, telephone call, video conference, two-way email discussion, etc.
| Volunteer Service Examples | 4-H Volunteer Examples | MGEV Examples |
| Planning or debriefing meeting between staff and volunteer with two-way exchanges |
• 4-H project club charter planning meeting • 4-H event planning meeting with faculty/staff • 4-H quarterly office update |
• Project leader meeting with a coordinator • Youth horticulture team meeting to plan next year’s JMG schedule • Plant sale planning meeting |
| Program or project activity participation | • 4-H club meeting (virtual or face-to-face) • 4-H event • 4-H contest judging • Media projects, such as news articles, website/blog posts, or social media posts for the public |
• Diagnostic services (virtual or inperson) • Speaker’s Bureau presentation, such as an online lunch-n-learn or event at a demonstration garden • Media projects, such as news articles, website/blog posts, or social media posts for the public |
| Training participation with a two-way exchange for the purpose of service (i.e., in-person with interactive activities or virtual with a quiz or practice activities) |
• Risk Management Training (RMT) and/or Project Achievement judges’ training • Getting Started Orientation • Coaches’ certifications or refreshers • Camp orientation |
• Risk Management Training (RMT) • Advanced Training, offered via distance or in-person • Thoughtful Thursday webinars • Continuing education sessions |
Note: Simple receipt of email (such as an email list-serv/verification system) is not considered voluntary service, lacks two-way exchanges, and is not enough for compliance.
These service engagements should be documented in an online volunteer system, such as MGLOG or 4-H Enrollment, for future reference and for minor’s protection records, if applicable. Sources for documentation might include:
• Obtaining name and contact information on a sign-in sheet at the office.
• Recording attendance at programs, project activities, or continuing education sessions.
• Asking volunteers to complete a quiz after participating in a training and keep quiz results (paper or online results are sufficient).
• Referencing participation notes of planning/debriefing meetings with date, time, attendance, and method of meeting (i.e. phone, video-conferencing, in-person, etc.).
• Verifying training attendance by asking participants in a video conference to add their name to the chatbox and save the chat transcript.
6/2020, updated 12/19/2023, kgh, sd
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action organization.
