Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship are the six core ethical values which the CHARACTER COUNTS! program calls the “Six Pillars of Character.” These values reflect those of the Virginia 4-H program and each 4-H member, volunteer, and staff member should strive to practice these values. The following standards for 4-H volunteers identify how these values will be reflected in volunteer performance. These standards help to ensure the safety and well-being of all 4-H participants and the integrity of the 4-H program.

La confiabilidad, el respeto, la responsabilidad, la equidad, la solidaridad y el civismo son los seis valores éticos fundamentales a los que el programa ¡EL CARÁCTER CUENTA! llama los “Seis Pilares del Carácter”. Estos valores reflejan los valores del programa 4-H de Virginia, y cada miembro, voluntario y miembro del personal de 4-H debe esforzarse en practicarlos. Las siguientes normas para los voluntarios de 4-H identifican cómo estos valores se reflejarán en el desempeño voluntario. Estas normas son útiles para garantizar la seguridad y el bienestar de todos los participantes de 4-H y la integridad del programa 4-H.

Civil Rights Compliance of VCE Volunteer Organizations and Clubs form.

Everything that Virginia Extension Master Gadeners do involves some sort of risk. It could be risk to their own health and safety, risk to the health and safety of participants in the programs they lead, risk to property (like those new pollinator plants they are planting), risk to natural resources, or risk to the reputation of the volunteers, chapters, program, Virginia Tech, Commonwealth of Virginia, and local partners with whom they are volunteering. “Risk management” is the sum of all the strategies we use to try to reduce the likelihood that an action we take will cause harm. Risk management is the responsibility of every Virginia Extension Master Gardener (EMG). In this publication, we describe the common categories of risk EMG volunteers may encounter as part of their learning and service in the program. We give examples of specific risks in each category, and we describe recommended strategies for EMG volunteers to follow.

Very often, EMG projects and activities “spontaneously generate,” whether from a community request or from a volunteer who has an idea that meets a local need. Because the projects may or may not integrate with the planned educational programming to be implemented by EMGs, the opportunities that arise should be evaluated to see if they are appropriate Extension activities, whether they are feasible, and if there is sufficient commitment to ensure completion. New projects should be evaluated to determine how they fit into Extension program areas, such as sustainable landscape management, the unit’s Situation Analysis and the agent’s plan of work. If EMG projects and activities are planned outside of the educational program plan designed with local VCE agents and staff, then a Project Proposal and Authorization Form should be completed.

Volunteer screening supports the process of educating volunteer applicants about Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and creates the opportunity to allow faculty and staff to learn more about the interests of the volunteer applicant. The screening process also helps to protect the fidelity of Virginia Cooperative Extension programs, its participants, and volunteers.

Extension volunteers educate and engage the public; develop community through social connections; serve as knowledgeable and credible resources; advocate for Virginia Cooperative Extension; and are prepared leaders.