To earn and maintain certification in the Master Volunteer in Clothing Construction Program,  Master Clothing Volunteers (MCVs) should accrue a minimum of 60 Volunteer Commitment Hours* EVERY YEAR. The one-year period resets every twelve months and ensures that our MCVs continue to lead, share new skills, and contribute to our quality programming.  

* “Emeritus” MCVs have no minimum Hours requirement, however a Volunteer Hours REPORT should be turned into the County in order to be eligible to attend the annual MCV Training.

The yearly 60 Volunteer Commitment Hours are divided into three categories: 

• 30 Teaching Hours (includes preparation time) 
• 20 Continuing Education Hours 
• 10 Leadership & Service Hours 

Volunteer Commitment Hours are logged by the MCV on the Volunteer Hours REPORT form. 
MCVs submit their Report to their COUNTY and the COUNTY submits the hours online. 
An online link for Counties to report MCV Hours is on the MCV Agents Teams page. 

Each ONE-YEAR Period: JULY 1 – JUNE 30 

MCV submits Hours Report to COUNTY Agent: by JULY 1 

COUNTY enters Hours online: by JULY 10 Volunteer 

Hours are credited on a one-for-one ratio. Time spent preparing, teaching, participating, and learning should be rounded up to the nearest quarter hour and logged in quarter-hour increments on the Volunteer Hours REPORT form. See this form for details.  A running total of Volunteer Commitment Hours is maintained by the MCVP State Coordinator. 

Once a year, work with your County or Area Agent to complete a Volunteer Plan Worksheet listing your anticipated involvement. If you volunteer your time for hours beyond what is required for your Master Clothing Volunteer Certification, please communicate with your Agent to make sure your efforts are properly reported.   

What activities count towards Volunteer Commitment Hours? 

The majority of reported volunteer hours should directly benefit our Cooperative Extension Programming. If unsure if an activity would count towards your Hours, or if assistance is needed accruing hours, please contact your County Agent or your Area Contact Agent.  Details of acceptable activities for Volunteer Commitment Hours are below.  

Travel Time:

To more accurately report time engaged with clientele, we do not include travel time or mileage. However, MCVs may note this for their own purposes (see REPORT form details). 

MCV Commitment Hours Explanation 

TEACHING Hours  (minimum 30 hours every year, includes preparation time) 

Time spent to prepare for and teach sewing-related classes or workshops on behalf of Cooperative Extension may count as TEACHING Hours. Teaching should support knowledge and skills related to sewing and/or clothing construction techniques. MCVs should coordinate with COUNTY AGENT to determine which clothing and/or non-clothing lessons would be beneficial for the community (complete a Volunteer Plan Worksheet). New MCVs: check with your AREA Contact Agent to determine eligibility for earning Teaching Hours.  

Suggested TEACHING activities are: 

• Sewing-related lessons  (hand and/or machine) 
• Clothing construction lessons 
• Fitting and alteration lessons 
• Non-clothing (sewing) lessons 
• Sewing equipment-related lessons 
• Home décor sewing lessons 
• Quilt construction lessons 
• Other sewing-related lessons approved  by your County or Area Agent 

CONTINUING EDUCATION Hours  (minimum 20 hours every year) 

Any class you take or activity you participate in that increases your sewing-related knowledge and enriches your ability to teach sewing may count as CONTINUING EDUCATION Hours. These may be Extension sponsored or outside of Extension.  

Suggested CONTINUING EDUCATION activities are: 

• Annual MCV Training (= 25 Hours) 
• Sewing / Quilting / Needlework classes, workshops & seminars  
• Viewing fashion shows and exhibits related to clothing trends or sewing history 
• Workshops to enrich teaching skills 
• Other sewing or clothing related educational opportunities approved  by your County or Area Agent 

Continuing Education Hours should be reported as the number of hours spent learning. For example, participation in a sewing-related workshop from 1pm to 4pm equals three (3) hours of Continuing Education. (Exception: the annual MCV Training counts as “25 hours.”)  Time spent viewing sewing videos / programs, or reading sewing-related articles / books may be summarized on the Volunteer Hours Report. 

LEADERSHIP & SERVICE Hours  (minimum 10 hours every year) 

MCVs are encouraged to share their knowledge and skills through leadership and service projects. When you volunteer your time promoting / performing / supporting sewing-and/or-needlework-related projects you may count that time as LEADERSHIP & SERVICE Hours.  

Suggested LEADERSHIP & SERVICE activities are: 

• MCV Committees and MCV planning 
• Teaching any kind of needlework 
• Sewing / Quilt / Needlework service projects 
• Clothing construction or alterations done as a  volunteer service (provided to non-family members) 
• Leadership role in a Sewing / Quilt / Needlework Guild 
• Coordinating sewing/clothing-related events 
• Serving as a sewing/textile judge 
• Entering your sewn item to be judged (= 1 Hour) 
• Involvement in the 4-H Fashion Review 
• Other leadership and service activities approved by your County or Area Agent