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Dear
Leader:
This letter has answers to some of the most
frequently asked questions about starting a 4-H club. If you are a new
leader in an ongoing club, you will find this information useful, too.
How big should our club
be?
4-H clubs can have as few as five members or as
many as the leaders feel can be effectively included in the group. This
decision depends on the number of volunteers involved in the club and how
they share the leadership. Some suggest that six to 10 members per adult
leader is an optimum number. Dedicated teen leaders may also increase the
number of members a club can support. The size of the club will also depend
upon what the club will be doing and where the meetings will be held. Limit
your first group to a number with which you and the other leaders feel
comfortable.
How do I recruit 4-H
members?
It is seldom hard to recruit members. If there
are exciting things happening in the club, the word will get out. Start
with your own children and other children you know and their friends. You
can contact your local schools or churches for potential members. Your
local University of Missouri Extension Center may have the names of
children who want to join a club in your area. The county staff also may
have a recruitment program or other ideas for recruiting new club members.
How to recruit other
4-H leaders?
It is helpful to recruit some other adults to
help with club leadership. Parents of 4-H members should be willing to
help. Other possibilities include senior citizens, 4-H alumni, friends, and
local experts or people with a special area of interest they can teach. If
you feel you need assistance in recruiting other volunteers, youth
specialists may be available to train you upon request. University of Missouri
(MU) Extension has initiated a selection procedure for any volunteers
involved directly with youth. This procedure includes completion of the
Missouri Volunteer Application, reference checks and an interview. Make
sure you discuss the volunteer screening procedures with your county staff.
Where will our club
meet?
Where your club meets will probably be
determined by the size of your club. It may be easiest for the club to meet
at various members' homes. Many clubs rotate meetings from one member's
home to another; each family then has an opportunity to host a meeting.
Other meeting places could be accessible public school buildings, churches,
fairgrounds, community rooms, etc. Many community groups and other
organizations are willing to allow their facilities to be used for 4-H
activities. Facilities used for 4-H activities should be barrier-free.
How often will our club
meet?
The decision on how often your club meets should
be determined by the needs and composition of the club and its members.
Although a club should meet a minimum of six times a year, it is
recommended that they meet ten or more times a year. Many clubs meet
monthly, but you might want to consider meeting more frequently than that,
especially if you have a club of young members. Frequent meetings can
benefit the club by helping to maintain a high level of enthusiasm and
keeping the members more involved. Some clubs alternate formal meetings
with less formal project sessions or social activities.
Is our club name
important?
Each 4-H club is a unique group of individuals
who work together toward common goals. A club name can reflect the
interests of the club members, often relating to the project area the club
participates in or the geographic area where members live. Allow all the
members to participate in selecting a name for the club. 4-H does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap.
Therefore, please be sure that the club name you select is not biased for
or against certain groups in any of these categories. Consider whether
potential club members might shy away just because of a misleading name.
"The Sewing Susan's" would discriminate against or discourage
boys from participating, whereas "The Nimble Thimbles 4-H Club"
might be a better idea. Creative or cute names for 4-H clubs are fine
— but plan for the name to identify the group at the county level and
beyond. Trendy names may not stand the test of time.
When in doubt, you may contact your local MU Extension Center to determine the
appropriateness of a name. You will also want to check to ensure that your
club name does not duplicate the name of an existing club.
How do I enroll my
group as an official 4-H club?
Your county extension office has the necessary
enrollment forms. Official enrollment is necessary for participation in any
4-H activity and for you to have the rights and protection of a 4-H
volunteer. The 4-H year begins each fall on September 1 and runs through
August 31. All continuing 4-H members must re-enroll every year. Members
may join 4-H at any time during the year, but clubs may have deadlines for
enrollments which apply to participation in specific activities. It is
beneficial to both the club and its members to enroll early in the year to
gain the most from the 4-H experience.
What about project
materials?
Each county extension office will have copies of
the Missouri
4-H Clover for each family, and may have a local 4-H project listing. If
you have not received your copy of the Clover, please ask for one. MU
Extension provides publications and project manuals at no costs to
volunteers.
Are there dues for 4-H
members?
4-H members do pay nominal state dues. There are
no national organization dues. Many counties also charge a small fee. Some
clubs may decide to pay for the cost of supplies and activities by
assessing a small fee per member, while others may fund their needs by
working together on a fund-raising project. If you club chooses to hold a
fund-raising project, be sure to check with your extension unit staff about
fund-raising guidelines and policies in your area. Also, they may have
information as to the kinds of activities that have been successful
fund-raisers in the past.
What about insurance?
Liability coverage is provided by the University of Missouri for officially-enrolled
adult volunteers who are conducting authorized 4-H/MU Extension activities.
This insurance has been purchased on an excess basis; that is, coverage
applies after all other available insurance has been exhausted. This is
liability insurance; it provides coverage for you in cases of negligence claims
against you. Automobile liability insurance is also provided by the University of Missouri on an excess basis for all
adult volunteers while participating in scheduled and supervised 4-H/MU
Extension activities. All volunteers are expected to comply with state law,
have valid driver's licenses and maintain personal liability insurance at
levels that meet or exceed the Missouri Financial Responsibility limits for
owners/operators. This insurance is also liability coverage and does not
provide coverage for damage to the adult volunteer's vehicle.
This coverage does not substitute for health and
accident insurance. Special Activities Insurance Coverage for accident and
illness can be purchased for 4-H youth, their volunteer leaders and adults
participating in supervised activities. This insurance covers illness and
accidental injury while participating in 4-H activities on an annual or
individual event basis. Your local MU Extension staff can provide
information and applications.
If you have other questions or concerns, we'd
love to help you!
Character Counts
Missouri 4-H
recognizes the importance of good character in everything that is done. 4-H
staff and volunteers as well as 4-H members and their families know that a
person of character:
· is a good person, someone to look up to and admire;
· knows the difference between right and wrong and always tries to do
what is right;
· sets a good example;
· makes the world a better place to live; and
· lives according to the "Six Pillars of Character" — Trustworthiness,
Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
Other helpful resources
Volunteers: The Foundation of Youth Development
4-H Project Leader Audio Tape
Ages and Stages of 4-H Youth Development LG782
(PDF)
Learning by Doing LG783 (PDF)
4-H Project Leader LG784 (PDF)
Adapted from Dodd, M.A., Hoglum, L., and
Robinson, M. (1998). Letters to New 4-H Leaders. Oregon
State University
Cooperative Extension Service, Corvallis,
Ore.
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