4-H Volunteer Role Description
Position Tit
Barn Chair: Market Sheep
Description: A Barn Chair provides support, guidance, and direction to youth and 4-H leaders in the
assigned project area(s) in preparation for and during the San Joaquin Fair. A Barn Chair serves for
the purpose of improving the county wide 4-H program, not for the benefit of an individual club. This
leader is a communication link between San Joaquin Fair staff, 4-H leaders, youth members, and the
4-H YDP Staff in the exchange of ideas, needs, and coordination of the assigned barn and activities.
Qualifications: An individual serving as a Barn Chair must have:
• A willingness to become familiar with and work within the philosophy and guidelines of the
University of California 4-H Youth Development program as well as County policies.
• A sincere interest and dedication in working with 4-H members, Project Leaders, and families
using enthusiasm, patience and understanding.
• Experience and knowledge in working with market sheep in an auction/fair
environment.
• The ability to relate to and work with adults and youth from a wide range of socio-economic
and ethnic backgrounds.
• The ability to teach and motivate youth while nurturing positive self esteem, decision making,
responsibility, and leadership in the youth in a non-formal educational setting.
• The ability to work and communicate effectively in verbal and written forms.
• The ability to organize information and materials and delegate responsibly.
• The ability to handle potentially stressful situations and conflict with professionalism.
• The ability to work with minimal supervision from professional staff.
Responsibilities:
• Insure adequate supervision and conduct all activities in a safe and healthy environment.
• Participate in training and activities in compliance with 4-H State and County guidelines.
• Be available and present for the assigned duration of the barn/fair area with which they are a
chairperson.
• Maintain and enforce codes of conduct, policies, and guidelines as established by the CDFA
Division of Fairs and Expositions state rules.
• Recruit, guide, and counsel future Barn Chairs, 4-H Leaders and youth; establish and
maintain a healthy attitude toward competition.
• Attend 75% of fair, livestock, county and planning meetings which are applicable to project
area.
• Submit announcements, information, and articles to the TIPS newsletter a minimum of three
times per 4-H year; Read 4-H newsletters and literature from the County 4-H YDP and keep
members, parents, and/or volunteers informed.
• Develop and maintain working methods of consistent communication between 4-H members
and leaders, including but not limited to phone, email, and mailings/letters/newsletters.
• Maintain a current Leader status in good standing and conduct oneself in a responsible
manner and serve as a positive role model for youth. Focus on the practice of leadership skills
and civic responsibility.
Time Commitment: A typical schedule includes meetings with Key Leaders, Project Leaders, youth
members, and fair staff, attendance at committee meetings, leader training opportunities, recognition
and awards, events where Barn Chairs provide information on their projects or activities, plus various
other commitments as needed.
Target Dates:
Event:
Livestock Meetings
Fair Meetings
San Joaquin Fair
4-H County Council mtgs
Approx. Date:
Monthly
Monthly
June
Quarterly
Terms of Appointment:
• A Barn Chair will serve a one-year term that is renewable. A term will be from September
1st to July 1st annually.
• An application must be completed by an interested individual and submitted to the County
4-H Council Executive Committee by the declared deadline. Current Barn Chairs must
complete an application to be submitted at the end of the term if they choose to be
reappointed.
• The County 4-H Council Executive Committee will assist and advise on Barn Chair
selection, evaluation, and retention.
Resources and Support Available: In your role as a volunteer staff member, San Joaquin County
YDP agrees to provide training opportunities that will help volunteers meet the needs of the youth,
educational materials, appropriate curriculum, and individual support and guidance, as requested or
needed, to enable you to fulfill your volunteer role.
Report To:
•
•
4-H Standing Chair – Large Animal Science
San Joaquin County 4-H YDP Professional(s):
Niki Chiunti , 4-H YDP Representative nlchiunti@ucdavis.edu (209) 953-6106
San Joaquin County 4-H Youth Development Program
2101 East Earhart Avenue, Suite 200 Stockton, CA 95206
Fax: (209) 953-6128
http://cesanjoaquin.ucdavis.edu/
This volunteer role description is not intended to be all inclusive. Recommendations and revisions on content will be conducted on a regular basis. I
have read and understand the volunteer role description and will abide by the policies set forth by the San Joaquin County 4-H Council Executive
Committee. As a Standing Chair/Key Leader/Committee Chair/Barn Chair/Camp Director, if I meet the eligibility requirements and am appointed,
promise to do my best to provide information and instruction to those in need of my assistance. I understand the responsibilities and requirements, and
am willing to volunteer for the duration of the term if I am appointed. If I must resign my position prior to the end of the position’s term, I will do so in
writing with advance notice, and provide assistance so that a replacement volunteer may be found.
Signature __________________________________________________________
Date _________________________
Revised 11’06
San Joaquin County - 4-H Youth Development Program - Cooperative Extension
Applications due August 1st