Anywhere a 4‑H logo appears, you can be sure there is a volunteer close by. It takes an army of club leaders, judges, trip chaperones, camp leaders, committee members, and so many more to support Indiana 4‑H.
Perhaps no one understands this impact more than Jamie Morris, Purdue Extension 4‑H Youth Development Specialist.
“My role at the state 4‑H office is focused on volunteer development and support,” Jamie said. “I serve our educators by helping them with all of their volunteer management needs because they are truly the ones that recruit and utilize the volunteers in the 4‑H program.”
Indiana is fortunate to have at least one educator in every county. Buoyed by the efforts of nearly 10,000 officially trained volunteers, it’s easy to see why Indiana 4‑H is able to provide such a breadth of programs and experiences to youth members.
“Quite simply, the program couldn’t function without our volunteers,” shared Jamie. “Many of them participated in the program themselves and have volunteered for decades. They bring incredible skills and a wealth of history and knowledge to their roles.”
Jamie came to Indiana 4‑H in October 2023 from the Maryland 4‑H program where she served for seven years as a Volunteer Specialist and four years as a County Educator. An Iowa native, the Indiana position not only brought her closer to home, it also provided an appealing challenge.
“The Indiana program is much bigger than Maryland’s, and I was excited to be a part of it,” Jamie said. “I’m passionate about fostering youth and adult partnerships, creating a culture of appreciation, and supporting 4‑H volunteers, families and professionals. This role was the perfect next step for me.”
One of Jamie’s responsibilities is supporting volunteer development opportunities including the required annual volunteer training for all Indiana 4‑H volunteers.
“This training is necessary to ensure both the safety of our youth and to create a consistent experience for participants across the state. I’m working very hard to make it as engaging as possible and I always look for new and unique learning opportunities,” shared Jamie.
As she travels the state to meet with volunteers and educators, Jamie sees volunteers putting this training into action. “It’s incredible to see how excited they are to give their time and talent and just be a caring adult for the youth they serve. They’re incredible role models and they inspire members to serve as volunteers later in life.”
In addition to giving their time, many current and former volunteers are also generous donors to the Indiana 4‑H Foundation. Jamie sees the impact of this as well.
“By providing everything from materials to scholarships, their donations support the greatest needs of programs around the state,” Jamie said. “These gifts further enhance the opportunities volunteers can provide, and I’m incredibly grateful.”