Welcome To 4H An Introduction To The N.C. 4H Program

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Welcome To 4-HAn Introduction To The N.C. 4-H
Program

• By
• Neil Callahan
• 4-H Extension Agent

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Purpose of the Training

• To introduce adults to the 4-H Program and what
  it has to offer.
• To train adults how to become 4-H Club Leaders
  and provide leadership to 4-H Club members.

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What is 4-H?

• 4-H is a program for boys and girls ages 5-19
  years old that promotes learning by doing.
• 4-H is America's largest out-of-school
  educational program for young people.
• 4-H is good for kids, parents, and adults.

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What is 4-H?

• Kids gain opportunities to make new friends,
  learn new things, and visit new places.
• Parents gain opportunities to grow with
  theirchildren by being active in their 4-H
  career and build a family team.
• Adults gain the opportunity to help mold the
  future leaders of tomorrow and share their
  talents and skills.
• As you can see, there is a lot to offer in 4-H.

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4-H is

• 4-H is a program of interesting projects and
  group activities that give young people a chance
  to Learn by Doing.
• The letters stand for
• Head
• Heart
• Hands
• Health.

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• HEAD stands for all the things you can learn from
  4-H. We have projects on such different subjects
  as Career Development, Forestry, Adventure in
  Clothing, and Dog Care.
• HEART refers to your relationship to your family,
  community, and nation. Some projects in this
  area include My Heritage, My Community,
  Leadership, and Personal Development.

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• HANDS help you to get involved in "real world"
  opportunities. We have projects on Photography,
  Public Speaking, Bicycle Safety, and Plant and
  Soil Science.
• HEALTH is the most important thing you have, and
  4-H can help you stay healthy and enjoy it. We
  have projects on Fire Safety, Food and Nutrition,
  Microwave Cookery, and Equipment Care and Safety.

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4-H Motto

• The 4-H motto, "To Make the Best Better," should
  be the aim of every 4-H member and club leader.

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4-H Pledge

• The 4-H pledge is used in every meeting. This is
  the pledge
• and what you do when you say the pledge
• I pledge my head to clearer thinking, (raise your
  right hand to the side of your head)
• My heart to greater loyalty,(put your right hand
  over the left side of your chest)
• My hands to larger service,(stretch out your
  hands, palms upward)
• And my health to better living, for my club, my
  community, my country, and my world. (stand with
  your hands at your sides)
  

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4-H Colors

• The 4-H colors are green and white.
• White symbolizes purity.
• Green represents life, springtime, and youth.

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4-H in Pamlico County

• SUMMER FEST
• FALL SPRING FEST
• SCHOOL ENRICHMENT (EMBRYOLOGY)
• 4-H COMMUNITY CLUBS
• 4-H PROJECT CLUBS
• 4-H SUMMER CAMP
• 4-H PROJECT CUMULATIVE RECORD BOOKS
• 4-H PRESENTATIONS
• COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS
• PAMLICO 4-H TEEN CLUB
• ADULT/YOUTH VOLUNTEERISM

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4-H Club Framework

• 4-H Clubs should be organized and managed in
  three major age components K to 3rd grade (5-
  to 8-year-olds), 4th to 6th grade (9- to
  12-year-olds), and teens (13- to 19-year-olds).
• 4-H clubs are volunteer lead by parents, other
  adults, and/or youth
• To provide quality experiences for 4-H'ers
  through out the year, the clubs are expected to
  develop an annual plan of work/club calendar that
  outlines the age appropriate educational and
  social activities that will occur during the
  year.

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• Each club will have a youth leadership structure
  that is age appropriate.
• 4-H clubs are ongoing units that meet over at
  least a nine-month period.
• Clubs meetings should be held at least once a
  month.
• Clubs can be organized in any safe location
  during non-school hours.
• All clubs are open to all youth regardless of
  race, color, national origin, sex, or disability.

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Basic 4-H Club Meeting Information

• A 4-H Club is a group of young people and adults
  who meet on a regular basis for fun and learning.
• The 4-H agent provides support to the club
  through training opportunities and educational
  resources.
• The 4-H Club is only as strong as the commitment
  of its volunteer leadership. Clubs with weak
  leadership generally are not successful and fail.
• The 4-H agent is not the club leader. The 4-H
  Club is lead by the volunteer leadership.

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Basic 4-H Club Meeting Information

• The meeting usually lasts about an hour a half
  to two hours.
• The meeting is made up of three parts The
  business session, the program, and social
  time/refreshments.
• The program should be fun and educational in
  nature. Things such as basketball are okay for
  after the meeting, but not as the main program.

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Characteristics of Successful 4-H Clubs

• Program Planning
• 4-H'ers are involved in club program planning.
• Parents are actively involved in program planning
  and discovering the interests of 4-H'ers.
• The club's program is complete with dates set for
  meetings, names of people responsible, and other
  pertinent information.

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• Curriculum
• Club meetings are composed of a variety of
  learning activities (guest speakers, youth
  presentations/demonstrations, group planning,
  recreation).
• 4-H'ers may work together in small project groups
  which provide additional learning experiences for
  club members in addition to the regular meetings.
  
• The total family is involved in one or more club
  activities.
• Incorporated into the club plan are "doing"
  experiences for members to work on together
  during the year (community service projects,
  field trips, project work, etc.).
• Club members participate in county 4-H events,
  activities, and programs.

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• Leadership
• 4-H'ers deliver a percentage of club programs
  (teach/conduct activities, give
  presentations/demonstrations, etc.).
• Each youth has some leadership responsibility
  during a meeting or between meetings (lead
  pledges, help younger 4-H'ers, phone members to
  remind them of meetings, etc.).

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• Adult Leadership
• Leaders use incentives and recognition to get
  4-H'ers more involved.
• Leaders have a clear understanding of their role
  in the club.
• Leaders perform their roles in an
  advisor/counselor mode.
• 4-H'ers and adult volunteers are equally
  responsible fordiscipline and rule setting.
• The club has an ideal leader-to-member ratio
  (based on age of youth involved).

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• Organization
• 4-H club officers function as a team and are
  properly trained to perform their role.
• Basic parliamentary procedure is correctly used
  in conducting meetings.
• Committees are established and function properly
  to complete club tasks (program planning,
  parties, community service projects, etc.).

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• Membership
• The club has at least five active members.
• New members are recruited each year.

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Why 4-H Clubs Are Valued

• Based on research of successful community-based
  programs, and on an extensive review of
  literature, the Center for Early Adolescence
  concluded that there are seven key developmental
  needs that characterize early adolescence.
• 4-H Clubs are valued because they have a major
  role in meeting the needs of early adolescents.
• Let's look at each of these needs in the context
  of a 4-H Club.

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Seven Developmental Needs of Young Adolescents

• Positive social interaction with adults and
  peers.
• Structure and clear limits.
• Physical activity.
• Creative expression.
• Competence and achievement.
• Meaningful participation in families, schools,
  and communities.
• Opportunities for self-definition.
• How does 4-H assist in meeting these?

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Club Meeting Agendas

• K-3rd grade (5-8 years old)
• 4th-6th grade (9-11 years old)
• Teens (12-19 years old)

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4-H Club Volunteer LeaderJob Description

• Main purpose
• To organize, lead and maintain a 4-H club for the
• purpose of helping youth
• Develop positive self-concepts and social skills.
• Learn knowledge and skills that can improve their
  everyday lives.

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Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Plan with club members a club calendar of events
  which includes monthly meetings and special
  activities.
• Work with club officers to plan and conduct
  monthly business meeting.
•  
• Follow through on planned learn-by-doing
  experiences for the educational program of each
  meeting.
• Involve parents in performing assigned,
  meaningful responsibilities with regard to club
  operations.
•  
• Assist 4-H'ers in identifying interests and
  setting personal learning goals.
• Involve 4-H'ers in meaningful leadership roles.

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• Teach parliamentary procedure, as needed.
• Structure opportunities for 4-H'ers to practice
  speaking before a group.
• Teach subject matter by involving 4-H'ers in
  learn-by-doing activities.
• Work with the 4-H staff in order to better the
  overall 4-H Program.
• Advise 4-H club members regarding their
  contributions to and participation in club
  activities.
• Be dedicated to young people and sensitive to
  their needs.
•  
• Follow all guidelines and policies of N.C.
  Cooperative Extension (NCSU), N.C. 4-H program
  and the Pamlico County 4-H program.
• Recruit new members.

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• Attend all or make arrangements for all club
  meetings and activities.
•  
• Read the 4-H newsletter and other information
  from the 4-H office and keep members, parents and
  other volunteers informed.
• Participate in one or more volunteer development
  opportunities each year.

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Benefits of Becoming a 4-HVolunteer Leader

• Lifelong friendships with youth, parents and
  other volunteers.
• Developed communication and leadership skills.
• Developed organizational and time management
  skills.
• Skills useful to expand career growth and
  potential.
• Gained respect from community.
• Educational training opportunities.
• The opportunity to work with youth and provide
  positive support growth experiences.

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• Any Questions?