oklahoma 4-h club management

Tools of the Trade

Positive Youth Development

Positive Youth Development• To create opportunities which

promote healthy development in a nurturing environmental

• Youth engaged at many levels• To teach knowledge and life skills

which enhance quality of life now and in the future

• To engage young people in the work of the Land-Grant University

Essential Elements of 4-H

Belonging1. Positive Relationship with a

caring adult2. An inclusive environment3. A safe environment

Heart

Mastery4. Engagement in Learning5. Opportunity for Mastery

Health

Independence6. Opportunity to see oneself as

an active participant in the future

7. Opportunity for self-determination

Head

Generosity8. Opportunity to value and

practice service for others

Hands

Four Important Models

• Experiential Learning• Life Skills• Recognition• Service Learning

The Experiential Learning ModelFive Step Process

Do

ReflectApply

Sharing

ProcessingGeneralizing

Applying

Experiencing

4-H Recognition Model

A club and county program should have a healthy blend of all five

forms of recognition.

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Preparation

Action

Reflection

Celebration

Service Learning Model

4-H Name and Emblem4-H ColorsThe 4-H colors are green and white.

• White symbolizes purity and high ideals.

• Green, nature’s most prominent color symbolizes growth.

4-H Name and Emblem http://

www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/family/res/youthdev_res_emblem.html

4-H Ritual

I Pledge … My Head to clearer thinking,My Heart to greater loyalty,My Hands to larger service, andMy Health to better living,For My Club, my Community, my Country and my World.

Enrollment

4-H Membership

5-19 years old Traditional membership 9-

19 years old Cloverbuds – non-

competitive program for 5-8 year olds

http://4h.okstate.edu/about-4-h/4-H_POLICY-2014.pdf/view

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Enrollment4-H year – September 1 – August 312013-14 New Enrollment Card Introduced• Youth and CB Enrollment Card

Includes: Code of conduct, Photo Release/Survey/Evaluation Participation, Permission to contact Youth, Signature of Parent/Guardian

• Adult Enrollment CardVolunteer ApplicationTransferring EnrollmentProject Enrollment – 5 projects• Project Name Changes• Project groups, project leaders,

introduce projects or topics to club

The 4-H Member Who Never Came Back

It amuses me now to think that your organization spends so much time looking for new members – when I was there all the time. Do you remember me?

I’m the member who came to every meeting but nobody paid any attention to me. I tried several times to be friendly, but everyone seemed to have their own friends to talk to and sit with. I sat down among some unfamiliar faces several times, but they didn’t pay much attention to me.

I hoped someone would ask me to join one of the committees or somehow participate and contribute – but no one did.

Finally, because of illness, I missed a meeting. The next month no one asked where I had been. I guess it didn’t matter very much whether I was there or not. On the next meeting date, I decided to stay home and watch a good television program. When I attended the next meeting, no one asked me where I was the month before.

You might say that I’m a good person. I have a good family and love my community.

You know who else I am? I’m the member who never came back.

CC Unit 1 - Source: Voluntary Action Leadership, Fall 1984

Club Management

Activity Leader

Project Leader

Organizational Leader

Teen Leader

Committee(s) of members and parents

Loca

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-H C

lub S

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4-H Clubs

Meet regularly and are well organizedAre run by youth officers, supervised and instructed by a caring adultHave an educational emphasisProvide opportunity for developing communication skillsFun and enjoyable for members and familiesProvide recognition and peer supportWell organized

Club MeetingBusiness

Call to OrderOpening with Pledges and RitualRoll call/sign inIntroduction of GuestsMinutes & CorrespondenceTreasurer’s ReportReports of CommitteesUnfinished BusinessNew BusinessAnnouncementsAdjournment

Program or EducationTalks & Demonstrations by MembersJudging Activity or Project LessonOpportunities to Learn by DoingGuest Speakers, Films, etc.Special Tours or Group Activities

Recreation & RefreshmentsGames, skits, plays, parties, songs, etc..Snacks or meal

Education Business Recreation

Business

Recreation Education

50%33%

17%

Chartered 4-H Club• 4-H On TRAC – planning guide• Officer Training – club lead by

youth• Education, Fun, Social• Financial Management• Service Learning

Opportunities• Charter Renewed annually

Chartered Renewal1. Monthly Planning Guides2. Actively recruit and meet

regularly3. Annual Club End-of-Year

Evaluation4. Annual Financial Accounting5. Annual enrollment with

healthy youth-adult ratio6. Parent/volunteer(s) attending

PV Continuing Eduation7. Club represented at County

PVA

The Value of One Member

“Van Zandt County 4-H News” TXTen little members standing in a line.

One disliked the president, then there were nine.

Nine ambitious members offered to work late.

One forgot her promise, then there were eight.

One lost enthusiasm, then there were seven.

Seven loyal members got into a fix.They quarreled over programs, and

then there were six.Six members remained with spirit

and drive.One moved away, then there were

five.Five steadfast members wished

there were more.One became indifferent, then there

were four.Four cheerful members who never

disagree –‘til one complained of meetings; then there were three.

Three eager members! What do they do?

Three eager members! What do they do?

One got discouraged, then there were two.

Two lonely members; our rhyme is nearly done.

One joined a bridge club, then there was one.

One faithful member was feeling rather blue – met with a neighbor, then there were two.

Two earnest members each enrolled one more – doubling their number, and then there were four.

Four determined members just couldn’t wait – ‘til each won another, and then there were eight!

Eight excited members signed up 16 more.

In another six verses, there’ll be a thousand twenty-four!

Managing Risk

Youth-Adult Ratio

Under Oklahoma Law…“…any person who is authorized to act

in behalf of a political subdivision or the state whether that person is acting on a permanent or temporary basis, with or without being compensated on a full-time or part-time basis.” (51 O.S. 1991, 152)

OCES views volunteers as an extended employee when they are acting in the scope of their

duties as a sanctioned volunteer for an approved/official 4-H

activity.

Everyday operations...Participate in sufficient training regarding

supervising minorsHelp identify risks, report them and/or correct the identified risk(s).Avoid situations of negligence.Reduce riskBe sure insurance is in place or is purchased.Report plans to club leaders and OCESReport (through written documentation claims or losses: date, time, details leading up to the accident, treatment administered, persons contacted, etc.Participate in health and safety training.

As a Chaperone…Identify and reduce opportunities for riskAvoid situations of negligenceBe sure there is insurance for an activity or eventHave a copy of the child’s Medical Release form quickly accessibleAvoid transporting one childDo not leave children aloneReduce the need to house youth and adults togetherWell oriented/trained in expectations and responsibilities

Resources

Get LinkedResources for Volunteers…

• Volunteer Development Fact Sheets• Enrollment • Curriculum• Leadership Development• Newsletters • OK 4-H Club Leaders Facebook Page -

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oklahoma-4-H-Club-Leaders/191303067707199?ref_type=bookmark

• 4-H.org Volunteer Resources - • Other state 4-H websites – curriculum and ideas• Recreation • Lessons for Club Meetings –

Parent Orientation

4-H Parents Pledge

I pledge my Head to give my child the information I can, to help him/her see things clearly and to make wise decisions.

I pledge my Heart to encourage and support my child no matter whether he/she has success or disappointments.

I pledge my Hands to help my child’s club; if I cannot be a leader, I can help in many equally important ways.

I pledge my Health to keep my child strong and well for a better world through 4-H, for my child’s club, our community, our country and our world.

Georgia 4-H, 1982

Parent’s Role in 4-H Project Work• Guide and support work without

doing it the work• Encourage follow-through and

completion• Give praise and encouragement• Aide in selecting, financing and

managing• Assist in gathering tools and

supplies

Parent’s Role continued…• Encourage journaling 4-H experiences• Provide support and transportation• Serve on committees to plan and implement

club activities or project meetings• Assist organizational, project and activity

leaders• Become a project or activity leader• Attend PVA meeting and volunteer

continuing education• Become a certified 4-H volunteer

4-H Events4-H events provide an opportunity for education, evaluation and recognition.

4-H Activities4-H Activities provide an opportunity for education, participation and fellowship.

Learn by Doing

Philosophy of…

4-H Clubs

Meet regularlyFun and enjoyable for members and familiesHave an educational emphasisAre run by youth officers, supervised and instructed by a caring adultProvide opportunity for developing communication skillsProvide recognition and peer support

Enrollment4-H year – September 1 – August 31Youth and CB Enrollment CardIncludes: Code of conduct, Photo Release/Survey/Evaluation Participation, Permission to contact Youth, Signature of Parent/GuardianVolunteer Application/Volunteer EnrollmentProject Enrollment – 5 projects

Project Work

A teaching tool for developing desirable character traits and project skills.Provides real life experiences in making decisions.Age appropriate and flexible for individual development.Concerned with the optimum development of the individual.Teaches desirable habits and attitudesTeaches one to help one’s self, which leads to helping others

4-H Project Work…

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Selecting a 4-H Project• Interests, needs and capabilities of

the member• Opportunity for sufficient challenge

and growth• Family situation• Availability of adequate financing• Availability of equipment and space• Availability of leadership for the

project

• Project Leaders• Project Groups• Curriculum• Goal Setting• Journaling/record keeping

Guiding Project Work needs…

Volunteers

Volunteers

AdultClub leader must be 21 or older

Teen LeaderAssists with or takes complete responsibility for a learning group such as a 4‑H project, activity or special interest group.

Continuing EducationCounty OpportunitiesDistrictStateRegional

Annually complete4 Continuing Education creditsWorking with Minors trainingEnrollment formReview

oklahoma 4-h club management

Tools of the Trade