Organize or reorganize a 4-H community club by coordinating members, leaders and their families to determine a plan for the club's involvement, and to determine resources needed for that plan.
The qualifications necessary for anyone to be an organizational leader are simple yet important:
· a sincere interest in youth and youth programs
· willingness to devote time and energy to working with youth and parents
· knowledge of the community and its resources
· ability to work cooperatively with youth and adults
· organizational skills
· enthusiasm, patience and understanding
· effective communication skills
As the organizational leader, you should
· help the club get organized for each 4-H year--helping the club nominate and elect officers, set goals, establish regular meeting times and dates, prepare for county events and other tasks. Each new club receives a national charter once the club is organized and meets the basic requirements of being a club:
- have five or more enrolled members
- have one or more adult local leaders
- have a slate of club officers
- submit a written yearly program to the county Extension office. At the end of each club year, the club receives a seal to be placed on its charter. (See page 21.)
· assist club officers in their responsibilities. You should meet with club officers prior to each meeting to develop and discuss an agenda, each of the officer's specific responsibilities during the meeting and how to use parliamentary procedure or other techniques to manage the meeting.
· help members select appropriate projects and complete their enrollment cards
· see that 4-H enrollment forms are completed and turned in as soon as possible to the county Extension office.
· distribute project literature to individual project leaders or to members.
· help recruit project leaders and activity leaders for the club.
· help plan the club's yearly programs, activities and events.
· be a major contact between the county Extension office, the club members, parents, and other leaders.
· inform project leaders, parents and members about club, county-wide, and out-of-county opportunities, events and activities.
· attend leader training sessions when possible and consult with Extension staff for assistance and guidance.
County MSU Extension Agent
Resource People
· County MSU Extension Agent
· Other club leaders
Resource Materials
· Yearly Program for 4-H Clubs, 2C0237
· Program Planning Blanks, 5117
· Achievement Award Check Sheet, 2FM029
· Certificate of Achievement, 2FM205
· Leadership Certificate, 5128
· Certificate of Achievement (1-8 Years), 5129
· Certificate for Citizenship Achievement, 5130
· 4-H Leader's & Member's Certificate of Appreciation, 5131
· AV I'm OK, You're OKBuilding Self-Esteem in Youth
· AV Letters to New Leaders
What is 4-H
Starting a Club
Planning and Conducting Meetings
Leadership and Teaching Techniques
Opportunities for Members
Opportunities for Leaders
· AV 4-H Is More
· AV You and Your Child in 4-H
Time Commitment
Varies greatly depending on club size, types of involvement, and number of resource people sharing responsibilities. A one-year commitment is commonly expected in order to provide club continuity.