2010 IOWA STATE FAIR
State 4-H Council
Descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities
The following are descriptions of volunteer opportunities. Please take time to review and decide
what would most interest you. Please note the duties involved with each position. Complete all
forms by June 23, 2010 and return to: SF State Council, c/o Kourtney Determan, Extension
4-H Youth Building, Ames IA, 50011.
PRE-FAIR AND/OR CHECK IN/OUT DAYS
Purpose: Prior to the actual fair, help is needed cleaning the 4-H Exhibits Building and setting things up.
Check-in is the time when counties bring in their exhibits to be judged and displayed, while Check-out is
simply when they come pick exhibits up and take them home.
Duties:
• Cleaning: sweeping, mopping, cleaning mirrors
• Help move exhibits from entry tables.
• Watch at south door for people needing help to move large/heavy items.
• Setting-up department displays
• Place and arrange judged exhibits
Skills: Flexibility and initiative! This is a job where we need people who can be flexible with various tasks and
take initiative: seeing things that need to be done and doing them. Pre-fair and check-in can be a hectic and
busy atmosphere, while at other times slow. A good attitude and cooperation are crucial to this position.
INFORMATION STATION AND 4-H RECRUITMENT
Purpose: The information booth serves as a source of information for the general public and provides 4-H
the opportunity to reach new audiences, and share what the program has to offer. Here, answers to questions
about exhibits in the 4-H Building along with those about how to join 4-H may be answered. In addition, a
computerized database is available at this location to quickly connect you with ribbon results for all the
exhibits in the 4-H Building.
Duties:
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Answer questions about activities and exhibits, as well as the 4-H program
Direct visitors to exhibits and activities
Distribute daily programs
Maintain the information booth area
Share personal 4-H stories
Assist children with activities provided
Distribute promotional materials
Skills: Looking for people with a good attitude who will remain helpful at all times, and display enthusiasm
for the 4-H program. Prefer individuals who enjoy working with the public, and understand the programs
represented by displays. Volunteers must be willing to seek answers to questions they do not know to better
inform fair visitors. Individuals in this position will be working with both adults and children. A friendly first
impression is very important!
LIVESTOCK SHOWS
Purpose: The state fair livestock shows serve as a means for 4-Hers to exhibit livestock in a variety of species
and classes. As a State 4-H Council member, assisting with a livestock show provides help needed for data
entry and directing exhibitors.
Show Duties
• Assist with check-in
• Record weights and show results
• Assist in distributing T-shirts and
exhibitor numbers
• Assist in livestock offices as needed
• Direct people to the correct show
• Run errands as needed
Skills: Familiarity with a specific livestock species is recommended. Computer skills are helpful. A positive
attitude and friendly smile are always welcome. Ability to work flexible hours is a must. Some shows begin
early or end late.
IOWA 4-H FOUNDATION
Purpose: The Iowa 4-H Foundation provides more than $750,000 annually to support 4-H youth programs
across the state. Funding comes from the financial contributions of generous donors. Many of these donors
are former 4-H members who benefited from their experience and want to give something back to the
program. The Foundation provides displays and activities at the State Fair where people can learn about the
Foundation’s work and how to support 4-H financially. You will have the opportunity to work with the
Foundation trustees, some of which represent businesses and corporations throughout the state.
Duties:
• Greet visitors
• Inform people about the latest Foundation activities
• Youth volunteers will work with the Foundation’s adult board members and staff
 Assist 4-H alumni with online registration
 Sell raffle tickets
Skills: Volunteers are friendly and neat in appearance. They are willing to meet new people, share their 4-H
experience, and promote the benefits of the 4-H youth program. No prior experience necessary. The
Foundation staff provides on-the-job training.
DEPARTMENT EXHIBIT ASSISTANT
Purpose: Many of the visitors to the 4-H Building are looking for a specific exhibit that they want to see on
display. It can be very hard to find one exhibit out of the many. Department Assistants are able to help them
find out the placing on their exhibit and locate the exhibit with ease. You will also be responsible for
maintaining the projects in that department.
Duties:
 Greet visitors
 Assist visitors in finding projects/placings
 Dust the displays
 Water any plants
 Answer questions about the department
Skills: Volunteers are friendly and neat in appearance. They are willing to interact with visitors. Cleanliness is
a must!
HANDS-ON-ACTIVITIES
Purpose: There are many families who come into the 4-H Building. Many of the children look forward to
having something to do or make. The Hands-on-Activities station is a place where children can be creative,
learn something, and get excited about joining 4-H.
Duties:
 Greet families
 Assist children in the task
 Tell them about the 4-H program
Skills: Volunteers are friendly and neat in appearance. They are willing to interact with children. Must have a
positive attitude.
COMMUNICATION PROGRAM ASSISTANTS
Purpose: The Communication Program includes Education Presentations, Working Exhibits, Share-the-Fun,
and Extemporaneous Speaking. Volunteers in this area help to make each day’s Communication Program a
positive experience for the participating 4-Hers and their families. In addition, volunteers assist judges and
paid youth staff with introductions, room set up, etc.
Duties: Educational Presentations/Extemporaneous Speaking Contest
• Open each day’s presentation session by introducing yourself and the judge
• Help presenters prepare for their presentations and put on microphones
• Help presenter clear supplies from the stage at the end of the presentation
• Make sure stage is clean and ready for next presenter
• Certificate preparation and delivery to judge and assist judge as needed
Working Exhibits
• Attend each day’s orientation for the Communication Program
• Show the presenters the preparation rooms
• Help with check in
• Assist 4-Hers in setting up and taking down materials
• Monitor time
• Assist with preparation and presentation of certificates and assist the judge as needed
• Change the county sign for each presentation and introduce presenters
Share-the-Fun
• Check-in individuals and groups
• Prepare the stage for each entry
• Emcee the event or run the sound system
• Assist with the distribution of participation ribbons
Skills: Individuals who work with Educational Presentations, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Share-the-Fun
should be comfortable speaking in front of an audience. Enthusiasm is important! Emcee’s for Share-the-Fun
should be energetic and be able to keep the audience involved. Willingness to improvise is a plus. It is helpful
to be comfortable with technical equipment such as sound systems. The Working Exhibit positions include
more “behind the scenes” jobs. Individuals who have good organization skills and are highly efficient are a
bonus for this position. Attention to detail for items such as the sound system and schedule is a must.
4-H TV Crew
Purpose: Catch the excitement of 4-H first hand! Experience film-making and digital media production while
promoting 4-H by showcasing the activities and exhibits at the Iowa State Fair. Share the excitement of 4H’ers participating in communications, livestock, clothing, foods, science and hands on fun!
Duties:
 Interview exhibitors
 Record special events
 Edit 4-H TV video spots
 Upload videos to web
Skills: Individuals need to interact with 4-H exhibitors in the 4-H Exhibits Building and livestock shows. The
willingness to learn about video production practices is a benefit. Volunteers also need to be flexible to
attend several different events throughout the day.