4-H Leadership Team
The 4-H
Program requires a team effort. This team includes volunteer leaders,
University of Missouri (MU) Extension staff, parents and youths working
together in a common cause — the growth and development of young
people. Sponsors and supporters also have a place on the team. All are
needed to carry out an effective 4-H program.
As lifestyles and
family schedules have changed, the structure and work of the 4-H clubs has
also changed.
In smaller clubs the
team may include the club leader, one or more assistants, the necessary
project leaders and youths. Responsibilities are shared in a more
informational manner. A larger club might share the tasks among a team of
leaders including the organizational leader, the activity coordinator and
the project coordinator. Remember, these roles should be adapted to fit the
particular situation in your club. There is no single right way. As a
group, develop an organizational structure that works best for your club.
Here are some possibilities:
Organizational
Leader
He or she might
be responsible for such things as enrolling 4-H members, election and
training of officers, helping members plan, carry out and evaluate their
4-H programs, keeping members informed of awards and recognition programs,
and the general operation and coordination of the club.
Activity Coordinator
This leader
coordinates club participation in 4-H events; assisting in the planning for
club activities such as recreation, health, community service, camping and
others.
Project Coordinator
This person recruits
the necessary project leaders, acts as consultant for these leaders, and
relates project activities to the club program. In some cases, the project
coordinator might also be responsible for enrolling members.
Project Leader
The project
leader's main responsibility is to teach skills and subject matter in a
given project area. Project leaders also help members learn to keep good
project records, to prepare demonstrations and exhibits, and to participate
in project-related events and activities. Refer to 4-H Project Leader LG784
(PDF) for more detailed information.
Parents
Parents need to
feel they are making a meaningful contribution to their children's club.
They can save a leader much time and work if their specific skills are
known and used.
Club Officers
Club officers
need training and direction. The following guides will help specific club
officers.
· Y785 So You Are President of Your Group
· Y786 So You Are Vice President of Your Group
· Y787 So You Are Secretary of Your Group
· Y788 So You Are Treasurer of Your Group
· Y789 So You Are Historian of Your Group
· Y790 So You Are Photographer of Your Group
Teen Leaders
Teen leaders
are older members that carry out adult roles as leaders in project groups,
special interest groups or the club.
Resource Leaders
Resource
leaders are people in the community who have special skills, talents and
abilities that are needed to help 4-H members carry out certain aspects of
their program. Many such people are willing to share their training and
experience with young people on a limited time basis — perhaps an
evening or two. Resource leaders are usually recruited by the club leader
or invited by a 4-H officer or other youth representative to meet with
their group. Resource leaders may be found among business and professional
men and women, public officials, technicians, civic leaders, homemakers and
farmers. They may need a brief orientation to 4-H and its purpose, along
with specific details on the job they are expected to do.
Specific Responsibilities
The
specific responsibilities of the organizational leader, the project
coordinator and the activities coordinator are listed below. Remember,
adapt these roles to your particular situation.
4-H Organizational
Leader
This leader
gives overall direction to the 4-H club members and officers in conducting
the 4-H club program.
1.
Act as the contact person between 4-H club members and local MU
Extension staff. Submit the completed 4-H enrollment forms to the extension
center. This may be done by the project coordinator. With the aid of the
club project coordinator, collect the project completion forms and submit
year-end reports for club members' and leaders' recognition.
2.
Recognize members' accomplishments on a local level through praise,
awards and leadership opportunities.
3.
Hold a conference with club officers before each meeting to organize
the 4-H agenda. Counsel individually with 4-H club officers about their
duties. Provide necessary information to the secretary and reporter for
completing club records.
4.
Coordinate the program planning effort of the club project
coordinator and the club activities coordinator so the club program fits
together for the year.
4-H Project
Coordinator
This leader
coordinates the 4-H project program in the local 4-H club.
1.
Secure project leaders to teach the subject matter in the selected
4-H projects.
2.
Compile a 4-H project roll for each 4-H project leader, including
the name of the member, address, and phone number.
3.
Secure project literature for leaders and members from the MU Extension Center and distribute it to the 4-H
project leaders.
4.
Follow-up with 4-H project leaders to see that they begin their
project meetings early in the year. Encourage project leaders to attend
training meetings held for hem throughout the year.
5.
Arrange for 4-H project completion reports to be submitted to the
4-H club leader in August or September so the members and leaders may be
properly recognized.
6.
Be alert to special project activities that might be publicized in
the local media.
7.
Encourage demonstrations and illustrated talks by members in local
project meetings. Arrange for each project group to give a program at the
4-H club meeting some time during the year.
Club Activities and
Special Events Coordinator
This leader
coordinates special activities and events of the 4-H club.
1.
Serve as the coordinator for the selected 4-H club activities:
health, recreation and optional activities.
2.
Work with the program planning committee as an adult adviser.
Encourage broad participation by all 4-H members on club committees and
arrange for an adult adviser to work with each of the committees.
3.
Follow-up on committee assignments to make sure they are allowing
sufficient time to plan 4-H events.
4.
Encourage member participation in county-wide events and activities.
5.
Lead the club in taking responsibility for county-wide 4-H council
sponsored activities, such as Achievement Day, National 4-H Week activities
and others.
Job descriptions are
one way to clearly state tasks. The process of dividing tasks among
different jobs will make recruiting and training volunteers easier. Job
descriptions can
· help to fit the volunteer to the
job
· clarify relationships
· specify responsibilities
· identify training needs
· identify important job elements
The following sample format for a position
description should be adapted to your particular situation.
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