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1. Identify potential members. Con- tact parents in your neighborhood. Ask youth to recruit their friends. Ask the Extension Office for a list of interested youth. When first starting a club, however, keep the total number manageable for you (suggested number of 9- to 10-year-olds per leader is 6 to 8.)
2. Identify potential adult leaders, teen leaders or parent helpers, and the leadership or help each is willing to provide. Same contacts as above.
3. Know what projects your club can offer, based on available leadership. Pick up sample project literature from Extension Office. When first starting a club you should limit the number of projects to one per leader, expanding beyond this number as you and your fellow leaders feel more comfortable with 4-H, and as the interests of your members develop.
4. Pick up leader materials from Extension Office.
a. "Make a difference. Be a 4-H volunteer."
b. "4-H Is For You!"
c. 4-H Policies
d. 4-H Project Literature List
e. Delaware 4-H Project Record
f. 4-H Enrollment Cards
g. 4-H Membership Cards
h. Officer's Handbook
i. Secretary's Book
j. 4-H Treasurer's Book
k. 4-H Presents
l. "Parents, You Are A Partner in 4-H"
m. County 4-H Calendar of Events
5. Meet with adults and teens who have agreed to help with the club. Get acquainted with each other and what each person's part will be. An Extension staff member or experienced 4-H leader may attend, if requested. Plan first meeting: date, time location and program.
6. Invite potential members and parents to meeting. (Extension staff member or experienced 4-H leader may attend this meeting if desired. However, it may be preferable to establish the local leadership at the beginning
1. Help members get acquainted with each other, with adult and teen leaders and with what they will be doing in 4-H. You may wish to use a movie or slide show to present an overview of 4-H.
a. Plan a get-acquainted activity.
b. Present an interesting preview of the projects you and the other adult and teen leaders and resource people are able to provide.
c. Help parents understand what they can do to help. Use "Parent..You Are A Partner in 4-H" brochure.
2. Decide a name for the club. Members may wish to bring ideas to the next meeting.
3. Establish a regular meeting time and place and a telephone calling system.
4. Collect member's personal information on enrollment cards.
5. Prepare members for election of officers at the next meeting. Explain roles and responsibilities of club officers.
6. Give members an opportunity based on their ages and experiences, to plan the remaining programs and what will be done at each. Make assignments for the next meeting.
7. Younger members, especially, need some informal time. This might include a game or a snack.
1. Return 4-H Enrollment Cards to Extension Office and pick up the number of project manuals and records and other resource material needed for club members.
2. Keep parents informed about club activities. Ask for their ideas for programs.
3. Review responsibilities of officers and project leaders. Meet with club leaders (adult and teen) and officers to plan the year's program. Use club planning forms to indicate business and type of educational program for each meeting, as well as recreation and community service.
4. Plan for project training in those areas leadership is available. Set dates of training to avoid future conflicts. During project meetings, members complete educational activities, work on projects, develop and present demonstrations, prepare for county and state 4-H activities related to the project, prepare a program for the total club's monthly meeting, and update project record
1. Provide a balanced program of:
a. Business - Follow meeting procedures as outlined in 4-H Secretarial book. Set club goals.
b. Ceremonies, traditions, pledges, songs).
c. Project work and educational tours, judging of work, exhibits and demonstrations.
d. Citizenship experiences such as participation in club meetings and committees.
e. Leadership experiences through club meetings or committees, or helping younger members through teen leadership.
f. Personal development experiences group discussions and working together.
g. Recreation, games, social events.
h. Health and safety.
2. Involve parents where possible. Some may be able to help with tours, social events, trips, or provide programs for club meetings.
3. Setup a schedule for project work that will insure completion in time for any scheduled show or activity.
Make the schedule flexible to allow for the unexpected. Exhibiting 4-H projects where possible is a valuable learning experience and incentive to complete the project and do quality work.
4. Allow time for each member to give a demonstration on some aspect of their project. Demonstrating (showing or explaining to another how to do something) is a teaching/learning method used by both leaders and members. One demonstration per project is encouraged of each member. Demonstrating begins in the project group, goes on to the club, then community, county and state. A schedule of assigned dates for demonstrations insures every member's participation.
5. Early in the club year, explain to members the importance of keeping track of project expenses and what they do, how they do it and what happens as a result, as this information will be needed to fill out their record book. Each project has a record which should be completed, signed by the leader and turned in at the end of the year.
6. Encourage members to participate in club, county and/or state 4-H activities or events, depending on their age and experience. Such participation usually increases interest in 4-H and thus encourages continuation of membership. Some activities and events available include:
a. County
Demonstration/Illustrated Talk Contests
Judging Contests
Performance Contests
(Favorite Foods, Public
Speaking, Bicycle Rodeo)
Younger Member or Teen
Weekend
Fashion Revue
Fair
Interstate Exchange
Junior Council
b. State
Fair
Camp
Performance Show Contests
c. National
Citizenship Washington Focus (Washington, D. C.)
National 4-H Congress (Chicago)
National 4-H Conference (Washington, D. C.)
American Institute of Cooperation Conference (location changes each year.)
American Youth Foundation Leadership (Camp Miniwanca, Michigan)
National Judging Events Awards and Scholarships
1. Attend leader training sessions scheduled by county Extension staff. Some training is general in nature and of interest to all active leaders. Other sessions apply specifically to a project or subject area.
2. Check with Extension Office for audio visual aids available in your project area.
3. Join the County 4-H Leaders' Association and attend their meetings and programs.
4. Attend the Northeast Regional 4-H Leaders Forum.
5. Keep a diary of your travel related to 4-H, plus any other out-of-pocket expenses you may have. As a volunteer, some of these may be deductible from your income tax
Adapted for use in Delaware by Joy G. Sparks, Area 4-H Agent, from materials prepared by Corinne Rowe, Extension 4-H youth Specialist, University of Idaho, Moscow.
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