Santa Barbara County 4-H Volunteer Management Organization
The Santa Barbara County 4-H Volunteer Management Organization (VMO) is an organized group of dedicated committees created to assist the Santa Barbara County 4-H Program in planning, promoting, and carrying out 4-H Youth Development programming.
Our Volunteer Management Organization is chartered by the CA 4-H Office and operates in compliance with UC ANR policies and the 4-H Mission and Vision of the 4-H YDP.
Policy interpretations are made by 4-H YDP staff, the Area Director, and the State 4-H Office, which are authorized under federal and state statutes to organize and administer the 4-H YDP in the State of California.
Our Committees:
Administrative Oversight Committee (AOC)
Financial Advisor: Dereka Anderson, Knight's 4-H
4-H Staff: Ella Mitchell, Community Education Specialist
Youth Chair: Position Open! Please reach out if you are interested.
This committee handles the financial management of our county funds. If a committee, club, or volunteer needs to request funds, they should prepare their request before the next AOC meeting.
Meetings:
September 16th, 2026 at 3:00 PM via Zoom
December 15th or 16th at 3:00 PM via Zoom TENTATIVE
March 16th or 17th at 3:00 PM via Zoom TENTATIVE
June 15th or 16th at 3:00 PM via Zoom TENTATIVE
4-H Grows Committee, in development
4-H Staff: Melissa Guillen, 4-H College and Career Readiness Advisor
The 4-H Grows Committee functions to help expand 4-H YDP opportunities for all youth in the county, that includes attention to race/ethnicity, age, gender, locale (rural or urban), disability, parity within community populations, and varied needs and interests to strengthen approaches to 4-H YDP delivery that reaches all youth.
The 4-H Grows Committee has the authority and responsibility to develop and implement action plans to ensure 4-H YDP growth through actions, decisions, and norms emphasizing growing a connected community tailored to the needs, cultures, and interests of youth. The output of this work, at a minimum, is to achieve parity through a variety of program opportunities.
The group's composition should reflect the diversity of gender, ethnicity, and ability/disability within the county and represent various geographic areas with individuals who know those communities well. Approximately one-third of the members should be intermediate or senior 4-H members (4-H ages 11-18 years). Membership should include community partners, non-4-H affiliates, and others who can lend expertise to community organizing efforts.
Meetings: The individuals charged with growth and outreach efforts must meet as frequently as needed to develop and implement an action plan with achievable goals.
County Ambassadors
Ambassador Coach: Siena Lyn Rasmussen
Application Information:
Meetings:
Youth Leadership Committee
Adult Chair: Siena Lyn Rasmussen
Meetings:
Fundraising Committee
Adult Chair: Mary Thieleke Jackson has been involved in the Santa Barbara 4-H program, first as a youth member and, over the past two decades, as a 4-H volunteer. She has been involved with the 4-H Foundation as a board member and also serves on the 4-H Clover Foundation.
Adult Chair: Position Open
Youth Chair: Position Open
Youth Chair: Position Open
Meetings:
Camp Wahoo Committee
Adult Chair: Siena Lyn Rasmussen, Santa Ynez 4-H
4-H Camp Staff: In recruitment
Meetings:
Fall for 4-H Committee
This committee is organized to plan and host our new Fall for 4-H event on October 11th.
Committee Members
Brittany Ruiz, Bonita 4-H
Christina Devey, Vineyard 4-H
Cheryl Pritchard, Cinco Campanas 4-H
Trudy Shank, Cinco Campanas 4-H
Kim Eichert, New Cuyama Valley 4-H
Meetings: This committee meets starting in August. Please contact a committee chair or 4-H staff person if you are interested in attending a meeting. All meeting dates should be displayed on our Google Calendar.
Exhibit Day Committee
Exhibit Day Committee Chair - Trudy Shank, Cinco Campanas 4-H
4-H Staff Member- Ella Mitchell
Large Animal Chair- is responsible for organizing large-animal events and securing judges. This Chair may delegate or divide responsibilities by species. Position Open, 2027
Teen Large Animal Chair- must be 15 years of age or older, have held two or more officer positions, and complete the Teen Chair application. Must have required large animal knowledge. The Teen Chair must attend monthly meetings leading up to the event and be present at Exhibit Day. Position Open, 2027
Small Animal Chair- Cheryl Pritchard, Cinco Campanas 4-H
Teen Small Animal Chair- must be 15 years of age or older, have held two or more officer positions, and complete the Teen Chair application. Must have required small-animal knowledge. The Teen Chair must attend monthly meetings leading up to the event and be present at Exhibit Day. Position Open, 2027
Still Exhibit Chair- Marcela Medina, Cuyama Valley 4-H
Awards Chair- is responsible for ordering awards for Exhibit Day and maintaining an accurate inventory. Must communicate with Large Animal, Small Animal, and Still Exhibit Chairs regularly. Position Open, 2027
Registration Chair- is responsible for processing registration before and on the day of the event. Position Open 2026
Set Up and Clean Up Chair is responsible for setting up the event the day before and breaking it down. Contact Trudy Shank if you are interested in assisting with this.
Jr Ring Stewards- must be age 12-14 and have completed the Jr. Ring Steward application. These youth will assist on Exhibit Day by running designated events. These youth may attend Exhibit Day planning meetings to prepare to apply for a Teen Chair position and learn more about event planning. Positions Open, 2027
Meetings: The Exhibit Day Committee meets monthly via Zoom (dates are shared on the public Google Calendar). Please contact the committee chair or 4-H staff person if you would like to attend a meeting.