Return to the Basics: 4H 101

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Return to the Basics 4-H 101

• Starting and Maintaining
• 4-H Clubs
• CES Staff Development Series
• Tuesday, November 15, 2005,
• 930-1130 a.m.
• IP Video Presentation
• by Steve McKinley
• mckinles_at_purdue.edu 765-494-8435

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4-H 101 Series

• Effectively Utilizing Volunteers (10/4)
• Starting and Maintaining 4-H Clubs (11/15)
• Expanding 4-H Opportunities (12/13)
• Characteristics of Positive Youth
  Development Life Skill Development (1/10)
• 4-H Purpose, History, and Structure (2/14)
• Conflict Management Techniques (3/14)

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Program information

• Disconnected? Contact the AgIT Help Desk at
  765-494-8333
• Provide feedback to Steve at 765-494-8435, or
  mckinles_at_purdue.edu

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Starting and Maintaining 4-H Clubs
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Objectives Starting and Maintaining 4-H Clubs

• Define characteristics of a 4-H Club.
• Identify benefits of 4-H Club participation.
• Explain steps to take when starting a 4-H Club.
• Describe methods to select 4-H Club Officers and
  the roles of each office.
• Discuss the basic components of a 4-H Club
  Meeting.

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Objectives Starting and Maintaining 4-H Clubs

• Name 9 steps involved with planning a 4-H Club
  Year.
• Describe roles and responsibilities of
  participants in 4-H Clubs.
• Create a marketing plan for a 4-H Club.
• Recognize viable options for 4-H Club programs,
  community service, and fund raising activities.

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Objective 1

• Define characteristics of a 4-H Club.

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Characteristics of a 4-H Club

• A primary means of delivering 4-H programming
• Organized group of youth
• Planned program of activities
• Advised by adults
• Led by youth officers
• Provides opportunities to learn skills
• Participates in service projects
• Allows youth to gain public speaking skills

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Criteria for 4-H Youth Development Programming

• USDA/CSREES policies state that 4-H Programming
  (including 4-H Clubs) should
• Be research-based
• Be developmentally-appropriate
• Be based on needs of youth and parents
• Provide access to Land Grant University resources
  
• Offer membership to all youth

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Criteria for 4-H Youth Development Programming

• USDA/CSREES policies state that 4-H Programming
  (including 4-H Clubs) should
• Use experiential learning strategies
• Encourage active participation
• Rely heavily on adult volunteers
• Provide training for adult volunteers
• Comply with federal 4-H Name and Emblem policies
  and policies of State 4-H organization

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4-H Club Basics

• 4-H Motto To Make the Best Better
• 4-H Symbol four-leaf clover with an H in each
  leaflet
• 4-H Colors green (natures most common color
  growth) and white (purity and bright ideals)

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4-H Club Basics contd.

• 4-H Pledge
• I pledge
• My HEAD to clearer thinking,
• My HEART to greater loyalty,
• My HANDS to larger service, and
• My HEALTH to better living for my club, my
  community, my country, and my world.

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Objective 2

• Identify benefits of 4-H Club participation.

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What are the benefits of 4-H Club participation?

• Long-term involvement in a stable setting
• Interaction with caring adults
• Provides in-depth experiences
• Chance to meet life-long friends
• Opportunities to develop and practice leadership
  skills

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What are the benefits of 4-H Club participation?

• Gain self confidence
• Learn by doing
• Give back to the community
• Build positive connections with others

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Objective 3

• Explain steps to take when starting a 4-H Club.

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Why Start a New 4-H Club?

• Members, Parents, Volunteers, and Educators
  should work together to conduct a needs
  assessment that will determine if there is a need
  for a new 4-H Club.
• Consider
• Are existing clubs getting too large?
• Do additional members need leadership
  opportunities?
• Are there subject areas of interest to a group of
  members that need to be taught in more detail?
• Is there a group of members who are unable to
  attend meetings of a current club due to
  scheduling conflicts?

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Why Start a New 4-H Club?

• Consider
• Will members be expected to attend meetings of
  this new club in addition to other club meetings?
• Could the needs identified be effectively handled
  through a series of workshops?
• Is there sufficient volunteer and parental
  interest to support a new club?
• Is the interest in a new club due to
  members/parents/volunteers who are dissatisfied
  with a current club?

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Enrolling as an Official 4-H Club

• At least 5 youth (in grades K-12) wish to join
  the club (from 2 or more families)
• At least one adult is screened and trained as an
  official 4-H Volunteer
• A meeting place is secured
• An official club name is chosen
• The purpose and type of the 4-H Club is defined

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Enrolling as an Official 4-H Club

• Club rules are established (may be in the form of
  by-laws)
• Youth officers are selected to organize the
  clubs activities with the advice of the Adult
  Volunteer
• A program of activities is set and communicated
  with the local CES Office
• A 4-H Charter is obtained from the State 4-H
  Office

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USDA 4-H Charter

• Authorizes use of the official 4-H Name and
  Emblem.
• Includes the unit under the federal Tax-Exemption
  Group Ruling for 4-H.
• Charters should be obtained for each 4-H unit
  club, committee, etc. submit list of units to
  State 4-H Office.
• For more information on charters, visit
  http//www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/4h_
  polregs.htm

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4-H Charter
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Enrolling 4-H Members

• 4-H members enroll in 4-H Clubs annually
• Counties have enrollment policies that govern
  their local program, determined by the local 4-H
  governing board with advice from the 4-H Youth
  Extension Educator
• Enrollment policies should be inclusive to all
  who are interested in joining
• Typically, a member will complete a 4-H
  Membership Card provided by the County CES
  Office, turn it in to the 4-H Club Adult
  Volunteer Leader, who will submit it to the
  County CES Office

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Enrolling 4-H Members

• Enrollment forms may include the following
• General demographic information
• Options of projects/activities for members to
  select
• Parent/legal guardian behavioral statement (see
  p. 4, General Terms Conditions, Indiana 4-H
  Youth Program Policies Procedures)
• Member behavioral statement
• Photo policy statement
• Activities release form - required for Horse
  Pony, Shooting Sports, and ATV (see p. 2, Risk
  Management, and p. 2, Risk Management Forms -
  Policies Procedures)

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Enrolling Volunteers

• All adults who wish to volunteer with the 4-H
  Program must complete the 4-H Adult Volunteer
  Application and Screening process (discussed in
  previous 4-H 101 program)
• See Volunteer Management and Volunteer Management
  Forms sections in Indiana 4-H Youth Program
  Policies and Procedures notebook for additional
  information.

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Securing a Meeting Place

• Select location that is easily accessible, safe,
  and that provides a good learning environment
  (space, A/V needs, lighting, etc.)
• Consider requirements associated with the
  Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Convenient for parents and members
• Should not be in a private home
• Common options include community buildings,
  schools, churches, libraries, fairgrounds, etc.

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Choosing a 4-H Club Name

• Allow 4-H Club members to choose the name of
  their 4-H Club with the advice of the Adult
  Volunteer.
• Be creative
• Hold contest among members
• Be representative
• What is the 4-H Clubs major activities?
• Be inclusive
• Avoid references to gender, race, and religion

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Selecting a Type of 4-H Club

• Allow members and parents to help select the type
  and structure of the new 4-H Club.
• How can this club meet the needs of those who
  will be participating?
• How can this club fill a gap in the services
  currently offered by other 4-H Clubs in the
  County? Try to avoid unnecessary duplication.
  How will this club be unique?
• Most important consideration choose the type of
  club that will best contribute to the positive
  development of the youth who will be involved.

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Selecting a Type of 4-H Club

• Options include
• Neighborhood formed by youth and families
  within the same neighborhood
• Community/Township youth/families who live in a
  community or township
• Project/Activity include youth interested in
  learning about the same educational project or
  participating in the same activities
• Mini/Exploring youth in grades K-2 who are
  interested in learning about and participating in
  various non-competitive activities
• After School youth who attend club meetings at
  the end of the school day, typically at their
  school

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Establishing 4-H Club Rules

• 4-H Club rules help define the expectations and
  responsibilities of all who are participating
• Rules create structure and framework for the
  operation of the club
• Provide members with the opportunities to set and
  approve rules.
• Can be done with an initial brainstorming
  session. Ask the members
• What rules do you think we should have in this
  club?
• What do you expect of the other members in this
  club?
• What do you expect of the leaders in this club?

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Establishing 4-H Club Rules

• Adult Volunteers can offer advice and suggestions
  during this process to keep the focus on positive
  youth development and to ensure that county,
  state, and federal 4-H policies are maintained.
• Keep these notes in mind
• Rules should not be exclusive or overly
  restrictive.
• Rules should not limit positive youth
  development.
• Avoid attendance/participation requirements
  related to completion and/or exhibition of 4-H
  projects.

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4-H Club By-Laws

• Not a requirement for 4-H Clubs, but may be
  helpful in certain situations
• A formal written agreement of the 4-H Clubs
  rules and guidelines
• Approved by all of the clubs members
• Can lessen the chances that conflicts will arise
  and will assist in handling disagreements that
  occur during the year
• Kept on file in the local CES office
• Are reviewed and approved by the 4-H Youth
  Educator to ensure that guidelines included are
  reasonable and inclusive (especially with regards
  to membership and attendance requirements)

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By-Laws Components

• Name of 4-H Club
• Purpose of 4-H Club
• Policies regarding number of meetings held and
  process to make decisions
• Membership
• Officers, Elections, and Duties
• Committees
• Club Reports and Forms
• Procedure to make amendments in by-laws

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Objective 4

• Describe methods to select 4-H Club Officers and
  the roles of each office.

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Selecting 4-H Club Officers

• Officers are the members responsible for the
  operation of the 4-H Club.
• Officers should be given the freedom and
  responsibility by their Adult Advisors to develop
  their leadership skills and to learn from their
  mistakes.
• Typically officers are selected by their peers.
• Officers may be selected at the beginning or end
  of a 4-H year.

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Selecting 4-H Club Officers

• Methods to identify officer candidates include
• Member applications those interested in an
  office complete an application detailing their
  interest and qualifications
• Open nominations during the election meeting,
  members may nominate themselves or their peers to
  serve as an officer
• Slate of officers typically prepared by the
  current officer group or nominating committee,
  the slate includes one nominee for each office.
  Nominees should be contacted in advance of the
  presentation of the slate.

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Selecting 4-H Club Officers

• Officers are typically selected by a vote of
  their peers.
• Officer candidates may be given the opportunity
  to present their qualifications in front of the
  club (good for developing public speaking
  skills).
• Club members may vote on paper ballot (more
  secretive) or by show of hands (possibly with
  eyes covered).

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4-H Club Officer Duties

• 4-H Club Officers may include
• President presides over business portion of
  meeting
• Vice-President presides in absence of
  President chairs all committees
• Secretary records all club business maintains
  membership records
• Treasurer keeps all financial records
• Historian keeps records of club activities
  photographs activities compiles scrapbook

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4-H Club Officer Duties

• Health Safety Reporter presents information
  to club related to their health and safety
• Publicity/News Reporter writes articles related
  to club activities for the local print and/or
  broadcast media
• Recreation Leader plans and leads recreation
  activities for each meeting
• Song Leader plans and leads songs for each
  meeting

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Training 4-H Club Officers

• Many 4-H members will have little or no
  experience as a 4-H Club Officer. Thus, it is
  important to offer resources to train the members
  in their officer duties.
• Options include
• County 4-H Club Officer Training Workshop
• Led by Jr. Leaders, Adult Leaders, Collegiate 4-H
  Club members, etc.
• 4-H Club Officer Guides web-based resources
  available for each office (4-H 448-455)
• Ideally the training will be conducted early in
  the club year so that the officers will have the
  knowledge they need to be effective in their roles

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Objective 5

• Discuss the basic components of a 4-H Club
  Meeting.

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Planning the 4-H Club Meeting

• Typical Club Meeting Formula
• Business 15-20 minutes
• Education Program 30-45 minutes
• Recreation 15-30 minutes
• Total Meeting time 60-90 minutes
• Suggestion plan a pre-meeting activity to give
  something for the early-arrivers to do before the
  meeting officially starts.

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Business Portion of Meeting

• Time to discuss future plans, receive updates on
  activities, discuss financial situation
• Should not become overriding focus of meeting
• Allow members to learn to practice democracy and
  to speak in front of a group
• Follow basic parliamentary procedure to reach
  decisions

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Sample Business Meeting Agenda

• Call to Order
• Pledges American and 4-H
• Roll Call (answer in a way decided by the group
  or Secretary)
• Introduction of guests
• Minutes of previous meeting
• Treasurers Report
• Committee Reports
• Leaders Report
• Old Business (agenda items discussed at previous
  meetings)
• New Business
• Adjournment

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Educational Portion of Meeting

• Can include a variety of activities to help
  members learn
• Options
• Community service
• Field trips or tours
• Career exploration
• 4-H Project Work
• Demonstrations
• Guest Speakers
• Other

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Recreation Portion of Meeting

• Recreation adds enthusiasm and enjoyment to the
  meetings.
• Member-led activities are best. Recreation
  officers can be selected, or different members
  can volunteer to lead activities at meetings
  throughout the year.
• Include a variety of activities over the course
  of the year so that everyone will have something
  that interests them.

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Recreation Portion of Meeting

• Options
• Opening meeting activity (ice-breaker, mixer)
• Games
• Charades
• Relays/Sports
• Group activities
• Puzzle Challenges
• Picnics
• Hikes
• Songs/Music
• Refreshments

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Conducting the 4-H Club Meeting

• 4-H Club Officers and members should be given the
  responsibility of conducting the 4-H Club Meeting
• Adult Volunteers should serve only in an advisory
  role
• Parents should help the 4-H members prepare for
  their part of the meeting prior to the meeting

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Evaluating the 4-H Club Meeting

• Following the 4-H Club meeting, the officers and
  Adult Club Leader can meet to review the meeting.
• Allow the members to discuss what went well and
  what could be improved for future meetings.
• A checklist of meeting components can assist with
  this review. It may be used periodically to help
  track the progress of the meetings.

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Using Parliamentary Procedure

• Parliamentary Procedure provides
• Orderly way to conduct a meeting
• Fair way to make group decisions
• Method that respects everyone
• Means for everyone to have a chance to speak
• Way to learn common method to conduct business
• Decide early on how formal the 4-H Club wants to
  follow parliamentary procedures this may depend
  upon the age and experiences of the club members

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Using Parliamentary Procedure

• Basics of Parliamentary Procedure
• Conducted by presiding officer.
• Members are recognized by this officer before
  speaking.
• One person speaks at a time.
• Discussion stays focused on one topic.
• Decisions are made through motions which require
  a second.
• Discussion is held until all have had a chance to
  speak.
• Decisions are made by voting on the motion.

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10-Minute Break
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Objective 6

• Name 9 steps involved with planning a 4-H Club
  Year.

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Planning the 4-H Club Year

• Involve club members in preparing a yearly club
  plan
• The annual plan will
• State goals the club wishes to accomplish
• Identify expectations of club members
• Outline member responsibilities
• Provide each member with specific tasks during
  the year
• Give each person time to prepare for meetings and
  events
• Promote a balanced experience with a variety of
  activities
• Help the group measure how successful they were
  in reaching their goals
• Allow families to participate in a positive way
  in 4-H events.

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Step 1 Determine needs interests

• Each member has his or her own ideas about what
  they would like their 4-H Club to do.
• Parents also would like input
• Needs and interests can be obtained by
• Survey box at one of the early meetings, put a
  decorated container in the meeting room with
  blank pieces of paper and pencils nearby. Invite
  all who attend to write down ideas that they have
  4-H Club program ideas and put them in the box to
  be reviewed by the club officers.

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Step 1 Determine needs interests

• Sticky board ask members to write at least one
  thing they would like to do, learn, or make in
  the club this year
• Technology ask teens to develop a web-based
  survey for members to respond to with their
  interests
• Collages as a meeting activity, have members
  create collages to suggest programs and activities

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Step 1 Determine needs interests

• Roll Call as each persons name is called, ask
  them to respond with a suggested program activity
  (be sure to have someone recording all of the
  ideas)
• Brainstorming divide the club into small group
  and make suggestions within the categories of
• Head what do you want to learn?
• Heart what do you want to do for others?
• Hands how do you want to learn?
• Health what do you want to do to promote a
  healthy lifestyle for yourself and others?

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Step 2 Put Suggestions into a Plan

• Include youth when developing the plan remember
  it is their club!
• Key be as inclusive as possible to prepare plans
  of interest to the entire club.
• In small clubs, form a planning committee to
  develop the clubs plan.
• In larger clubs, form several committees each
  charged with planning a specific part of the club
  (meetings, service projects, recreation, etc.)
• Present the plan to the entire membership for
  approval.

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Step 3 Select a Planning Committee

• Represent all interests
• Involve older and younger members
• Include all demographic categories
• Involve parents, adult volunteers, and interested
  community members
• Vice-President may chair the meeting, with help
  from the club leader

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Step 4 Organize the Club Planning Meeting

• Provide a hands-on learning activity in group
  decision-making
• Ensure everyone has a voice and actively
  participates
• Plan the meeting at a time and location that is
  most convenient for all.
• Gather information from the methods used to
  collect ideas from club members
• Consider county and/or state 4-H program areas of
  emphasis for the current year

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Step 5 Set Goals

• Identify the clubs goals what the members hope
  to accomplish as a result of their participation.
• Goals should
• Be developed from members interests
• Be stated clearly
• Be realistic, achievable, and measurable
• Meet developmental needs
• Promote cooperation and learning
• Provide individual and group achievement
  incentives
• Provide opportunities for community service,
  leadership, and communication

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Step 5 Set Goals

• Sample goals
• Promote 4-H and recruit 10 new members and 2
  volunteers
• Participate in 5 different project educational
  programs
• Train officers to conduct business meetings
• Participate in county and state-sponsored
  conferences and workshops
• Provide all 4-H families with a 4-H Club calendar
  of events

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Step 6 Create Action Plans

• Decide what experiences to provide so that the
  club goals can be achieved.
• Include workshops, speakers, field trips,
  recreation, business meetings, recognition
  events, fund raisers, etc.
• Outline how each of these actions will be carried
  out.
• Assign specific persons to complete the
  responsibilities identified.

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Step 6 Create Action Plans

• A typical annual 4-H program plan includes
• Monthly meetings
• Educational field trips or presentations
• Recreational activities
• Special activities (e.g., picnics, parties)
• Community service projects
• Opportunities for each member to make a
  presentation to the club
• Club recognition activity
• Club marketing/recruitment activity for the 4-H
  Club
• Meeting to plan the next year

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Step 7 Write the Yearly Club Plan

• Keep the plan simple, yet complete
• Include dates, times, and places for each event
• When evaluating the plan, members should be able
  to answer yes to each of these questions
• Does the plan include experiences for all
  members?
• Are activities appropriate for all ages?
• Can we realistically accomplish all weve
  planned?
• Will we have fun while learning?
• Have we considered how activities outside of 4-H
  will affect members ability to participate in
  our activities?
• Does the plan provide opportunities for each
  member to experience leadership, public speaking,
  and service to the community?

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Step 8 Approve the Yearly Plan

• Present the plan in simple language to the
  membership, their parents, and other volunteers.
• Provide an opportunity for each person to review
  the plan ahead of the meeting where it will be
  discussed.
• Provide time for discussion of the plan during
  the meeting.
• Make revisions as necessary.
• Approve the plan following basic parliamentary
  procedures.
• Provide a copy of the yearly plan to the County
  Extension Office to be kept on file as a part of
  the clubs reporting requirements.

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Step 9 Measure Club Success

• Review the plan throughout the year to be sure
  the activities reflect what was approved.
• Ask for feedback from members, parents, and
  volunteers periodically throughout the year on
  the progress realized.
• Encourage the planning committee to review their
  progress and make necessary adjustments.
• Assess the environment of the club on a regular
  basis is it conducive to positive youth
  development?
• Complete a Successful Club indicator checklist.

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Objective 7

• Describe roles and responsibilities of
  participants in 4-H Clubs.

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Roles and Responsibilities

• The 4-H Club has many individuals who must work
  together to ensure that the club experience is a
  successful one.
• These individuals include
• Youth
• 4-H Club Volunteers
• Club Officers
• Parents
• Community members
• Extension Staff

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Youth

• Participate in meetings and activities
• Provide input for 4-H Club and project offerings
• Carry out responsibilities as needed by the group
• Interact with other members of the group
• Gain competence in life skills
• Promote 4-H to other youth

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4-H Club Volunteers

• Serve as a point of contact for the club
• Inform Extension Office of club plans
• Ensure 4-H members are recognized
• Assist with the planning and implementation of
  club activities
• Discuss agenda prior to the meeting with the club
  officers
• Make arrangements for the meeting
• Ensure supplies are available
• Assist youth in developing life and project skills

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4-H Club Volunteers

• Adults may assume several different roles as
  volunteers
• Organizational/Club Leader
• Key point of contact with CES Office
• Coordinates club activities
• Project/Activity Leader
• Assumes responsibilities for a particular project
  (e.g., Electric, Livestock) or of a specific
  activity (e.g., Share the Fun, Club Tour)
• Committee Member
• Assists with the various 4-H Club committees
• May serve in an advisory capacity for the 4-H Club

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4-H Club Officers

• Promote 4-H to other youth
• Mentor younger members
• Conduct business meeting
• Provide leadership for 4-H Club
• Work with adult volunteer to plan meetings and
  program
• Serve as positive role models for their peers

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Parents

• Volunteer to assist with 4-H projects and
  activities
• Provide transportation for members to 4-H
  activities
• Attend club meetings and activities
• Encourage participation in 4-H program
• Provide resources to help members complete
  projects

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Community Members

• Assist with the planning of special events for
  4-H Clubs
• Serve as resource persons
• Contribute funds and other resources needed for
  club activities
• Provide opportunities for 4-H clubs to serve
  their community
• May serve on an advisory board for 4-H Club
  programming

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Extension Staff

• Located on county, area, district, state, and
  federal levels
• Provide information and resources to volunteers
  and members
• Advise 4-H Clubs on procedures and guidelines to
  follow
• Assist with the recognition of members and
  volunteers
• Recruit member and volunteer participation
• Coordinate 4-H enrollment procedures

77
Objective 8

• Create a marketing plan for a 4-H Club.

78
Marketing 4-H Clubs

• Once a club is established, promotion and
  recruitment becomes essential.
• Members want to share their excitement with
  others - they need an avenue to do so.
• Youth gain valuable skills in communication as
  they develop strategies to market their 4-H Club.
• Marketing strategies need to appeal to the needs
  and interests of youth creativity is the key!
• Remember, however, that youth join 4-H because
  the meetings are interesting and enjoyable not
  because of a flashy marketing campaign. Be sure
  that the product you are marketing is worthwhile
  prior to marketing it.

79
Marketing 4-H Clubs

• Ideas for marketing
• Form a publicity committee
• Hold a special, high profile event (e.g., 4-H
  Project Open House)
• Use technology create a web site highlighting
  4-H Club activities
• Invite local media to cover a special activity of
  your 4-H Club
• Check with the Extension Office to obtain any
  marketing materials they may have available.

80
Marketing 4-H Clubs

• Write press releases of club events
• Promote National and Indiana 4-H Weeks Place a
  bulletin board in the school, library, or local
  mall
• Set up 4-H information booths in school
  cafeterias
• Arrange time to visit elementary school
  classrooms to promote 4-H
• Have members and volunteers speak at local
  service organization and PTA/PTO meetings

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Marketing 4-H Clubs

• Complete a community service project
• Make 4-H Club meeting announcements a part of the
  daily school announcements
• Arrange for the public address announcer at
  school sporting events to read a public service
  announcement about 4-H
• Wear 4-H-related clothing
• Make personal invitations

82
Use of the 4-H Name and Emblem

• During marketing and promotion of 4-H, be certain
  to use the 4-H Name and Emblem in compliance with
  federal guidelines.
• Obtain appropriate approval for use of 4-H Name
  and Emblem.
• Review guidelines established by National 4-H
  Headquarters http//www.national4-hheadquarters.g
  ov/library/4h_polregs.htm

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Objective 9

• Recognize viable options for 4-H Club programs,
  community service, and fund raising activities.

84
Suggestions for 4-H Club Programs

• As a part of the educational mission of 4-H,
  programs can be held during the 4-H Club year.
• A number of special guests or field trips can be
  arranged to provide unique opportunities for 4-H
  members to grow and develop interests.
• Consider some of the following ideas during the
  program planning process.

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Suggestions for 4-H Club Programs

• Local business tours
• Mock trial
• Police dogs
• Self defense
• Karate/Tae Kwon Do
• Lock-in
• 4-H promotion
• Present Mini 4-H program
• Multi-county programs
• Recycling
• Tour county jail
• Picnic

• Holiday parties
• Dance
• Holiday caroling
• Retreat
• Ice cream social
• Videos
• Guest speakers
• Community leaders
• Teachers
• Businessmen
• Service professionals
• 4-H alumni

86
Suggestions for 4-H Club Community Service
Projects

• 4-H members learn valuable life skills by
  participating in projects that give back to their
  communities.
• They learn to identify local needs, make contacts
  with community leaders, experience the steps
  required to organize an event, and realize the
  satisfaction that comes from helping others.
• A wide range of options is available for 4-H
  Clubs to consider as shown in the following
  slide.

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Suggestions for 4-H Club Community Service
Projects

• Park beautification
• Roadside clean-up
• Landscaping
• Flagpole at fairgrounds
• Food drives
• Clothing drives
• Fund drives for medical research
• Nursing home visits
• Party for underprivileged children

• Adopt a grandparent
• Childcare assistance
• Shopping service for seniors
• Bicycle safety inspection
• Tutor
• Special Olympics
• Voting polls
• Salvation Army
• Community egg hunt
• Recycling
• Angel Tree

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Financial Considerations for 4-H Clubs

• In order to complete all of the activities
  determined in the program planning process, the
  4-H Club will need funds.
• 4-H Club members will have many good ideas on how
  to raise money. Encourage them to be creative
  and realistic.
• Establishing a budget and financial goals will
  help members to keep on track and enthused about
  their fund raising projects.
• Youth learn important life skills as they manage
  a clubs financial resources with the guidance of
  a knowledgeable adult.

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Financial Considerations for 4-H Clubs

• Funds raised by a 4-H Club are intended for the
  benefit of all members. No single member,
  volunteer, or committee owns these funds.
• Fund raising using the 4-H Name and Emblem must
  be conducted in compliance with USDA guidelines.
• Fund raising in a single county that uses the 4-H
  Name and Emblem may be approved by the County
  Extension Educator.
• The 4-H Youth Extension Educator is responsible
  for reviewing each 4-H Clubs financial
  activities to determine that they are in
  compliance with these guidelines.

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Financial Considerations for 4-H Clubs

• 4-H Club funds should be maintained in a local
  financial institution. Checking accounts should
  have two signatures required for each check.
• Bank accounts should include the 4-H Clubs
  Employer Identification Number (EIN). No
  personal Social Security Numbers should be
  included on a bank account. Procedures to obtain
  an EIN are included in the Policies and
  Procedures Handbook.
• Receipts should be kept for all financial
  transactions.
• Treasurers reports should be prepared monthly.

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Financial Considerations for 4-H Clubs

• Every 4-H unit shall maintain a record of its
  financial activities, including the contributions
  and funds it receives. An annual report shall be
  submitted by each unit to the CES Office.
• Financial Reviews/ Audits are conducted on 1/5 of
  the countys 4-H Units annually by a
  locally-designated committee.
• Financial Review/Audit should also be completed
  when the units leadership changes hands.

92
Financial Considerations for 4-H Clubs

• Clubs may collect dues from 4-H Club members.
  However, the inability to pay dues should not
  prevent the member from participating.
• Insurance coverage for 4-H Club members is highly
  recommended. The 1/year plan offered by
  American Income Life Insurance Company is an
  inexpensive method to help support 4-H families
  in the event of a 4-H-related accident.
• No games of chance may be used as a method to
  raise funds for a 4-H unit. This includes bingo
  and raffles.

93
Financial Considerations for 4-H Clubs

• A 4-H Charter signed by State Extension Officials
  serves as proof that the 4-H Unit is authorized
  to use the 4-H Name and Emblem, and thus has
  federal tax-exempt status (not exempt from paying
  state sales tax).
• Units should not share state tax exempt numbers.
• NOTE the Financial Management and Financial
  Management Forms sections of Indiana 4-H Youth
  Program Policies and Procedures Handbook contain
  further guidelines and information.

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Suggestions for 4-H Club Fund Raising Activities

• Bake Sales
• Walk-a-thon
• Dinners
• Refreshments
• Window washing
• Variety shows
• Crafts
• Rummage sales
• Lawn mowing
• Skating parties

• Work auctions
• Product sales
• Plays
• Special events
• Sponsorship
• Car wash
• Ice cream socials
• Snow shoveling
• Boarding pets
• Recycling

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Summary

• 4-H Clubs provide positive youth development
  opportunities and develop numerous life skills in
  youth.
• The ideal 4-H Club is youth-led with adults
  serving in an advisory capacity.
• A number of individuals play significant roles in
  the successful operation of a 4-H Club.

96
Summary

• Careful program planning is essential to a
  successful 4-H Club year.
• Marketing 4-H is important and provides further
  educational opportunities to members.
• Numerous options are available for 4-H Club
  programs, community service projects, and fund
  raising.
• 4-H Clubs must carefully follow USDA guidelines
  when using the 4-H Name and Emblem.

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Resources

• Starting a New 4-H Club, A Leaders Guide for
  Getting Through the First Year, University of
  Minnesota Extension Service
• 4-H Club Meeting Outline, p. 14
• 4-H Club Calendar, p. 15-16
• Parliamentary Procedure, p. 17
• Whos on the Program?, p. 19-20
• Indiana 4-H Youth Program Policies and
  Procedures, Purdue University, revised 10/2005
• Guidelines and policies regarding membership,
  finances, volunteer screening, etc.
• 4-H 101 Handbook, USDA/CSREES, 99-EYAR-1-0747
• Example of By-Laws, p. 62-65
• 4-H Club meeting Agenda Worksheet, p. 73
• Presidents Guide to Conducting Business
  Meetings, p. 79
• How to Design Your Own Clover, p. 89

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Resources

• 4-H Junior Leader Advisor Resource Guide, 4-H
  916, Purdue University
• Ideas for program, community service, fund
  raising
• Parliamentary Procedure
• Officer Guides
• 4-H Resource Electronic Database (FRED), Purdue
  University
• Database including programming ideas from Purdue
  CES staff
• Web address http//www2.agriculture.purdue.edu/4
  h/login.asp?target.
• 4-H Club Programming, University of Florida
  Extension
• Program planning tips, guidelines, templates

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Questions, Comments, Feedback???
100
Next 4-H 101 Program

• Expanding 4-H Opportunities
• Tuesday, December 13, 2005,
• 930-1130 a.m.

101
for your participation!!!