What is a 4-H Club? 

A 4-H club is a group of young people and adults who meet regularly for fun and learning. Clubs are usually made up of families from a community and often formed around schools, churches or community centers. Most clubs hold monthly meetings attended by members and their parents. Club members elect officers who lead the group and the meetings. An adult club leader advises the officers. The meetings usually last less than two hours. The time is equally divided among club business, recreation and educational programs. A well-organized 4-H club meeting provides opportunities for every member to be involved.

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How to Join a 4-H Club

Step 1. Find a club in your area. If you know of a 4-H club in your area, contact one of the members or leaders. They will invite you and your family to a club meeting so you can learn more. If you do not know of a club in your area, contact your local OSU Extension Center. (Look in the telephone book under county government for the listing.) Because many clubs function around the school term, the fall might be a good time to join 4H. However, membership is open year round.

 

Step 2. Visit one or two monthly meetings. Learn all you can about the club and 4-H.

 

Step 3. Let the club leader know your family wants to become a 4-H family. The leader will give you an enrollment form to fill out and help you select projects. Parents may also be asked to help by leading a project group or assisting in some other way.

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How to Become a 4-H Club

The qualifications necessary to obtain a charter for a 4-H club include:

• A membership of at least five 4-H members from two or more families
• An approved/certified volunteer leader to supervise the organizational needs and programs of the club, Certification and 4-H volunteers
• An appropriately structured group, utilizing a leadership team of officers
• The utilization of a team of volunteers supporting the workings of the club and the clubs involvement/activity above the local club levels,
• A calendar of planned educational programs and activities for a minimum of six months, and On TRAC
• Approval of the County Extension professionals

I/We understand:

The use of the 4-H name and emblem is granted on the basis that membership in the 4-H group named above of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

The 4 H club/group is the local learning group in which 4 H members are involved. Club activities are critical to 4 H as they advocate both leadership and cooperation among club members. 4 H club activities encourage members:

• To develop decision-making skills
• To cooperate in group or team efforts to practice and refine leadership abilities
• To develop skills in group communication to try new and different ideas
• To gain new knowledge and skills
• To take pride in group or team endeavors
• To build self-confidence

Once chartered, a club will be expected to do the following to maintain the charter:

1. Submit annual set of Monthly 4-H Meeting Planning Guides to the County Extension office. Keep OCES informed of changes and additions On TRAC.
2. Actively recruit and meet regularly with volunteers and youth from a variety of racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic groups in your community.
3. Complete an end of year report of club activities and submit to County Extension office.
4. Provide an annual financial account to County Extension educator(s) for any funds raised or collected in the name of 4 H including account numbers and balances in the form of a Treasurers Report.
5. Complete a regular enrollment process for 4-H members and volunteers.
6. Have a team of local parent(s)/volunteer(s) attend Parent-Volunteer Training opportunities.

 

4-H Membership

What happens at a meeting?

Learning by doing starts at the project meeting. No set number of meetings is required, but projects usually include at least six hours of learning time. Project meetings can begin as soon as the 4-H club has completed its enrollment. Some project groups have seasonal activities and may not start meeting until later in the year. Project volunteers receive a roster of members in their project and a project manual for each member. The manuals are short, easy-to-read books that explain the project and suggest things to do. These manuals are written by Oklahoma State University Extension faculty.

 

What happens at a typical project meeting?

As members arrive, the project volunteer involves members in a fun, pre-meeting activity. Once all the members arrive, they may share what they have accomplished and problems they have faced in their project since the last meeting. Next, 4-H members may demonstrate something they learned at the lasy meeting. Demonstrations help members review what they have learned and gain self-confidence. The project volunteer teaches a new skill or technique. Teaching can take the form of demonstrations, films, judging, tours, skillathons, or discussion. Then, members are given the opportunity to try out the new skill during a work or activity period. The meeting concludes with a summary of what has been learned and a discussion of plans for the next meeting. Members also learn by participating in contests and events and by exhibiting the items they have made or grown.

 

Project Member

Learning is most exciting when it is learning by doing. Four-H projects offer this kind of excitement. Four-H members start by selecting a project. Once enrolled in the project, the 4-H member and parent and project volunteer set goals, stating what the 4-H member hopes to learn in the project. It is important that 4-H members complete each project by attending a majority of the project meetings, reaching project goals and keeping records.

 

Project Volunteer

Project volunteers are adult or teen volunteers who teach small groups of 4-H members. They are responsible for organizing the group, planning and holding project meetings and helping the members learn. Their most important job, however, is guiding, motivating and encouraging 4-H members. Project volunteers contact 4-H members enrolled in their projects to set up meetings. Each project group should have at least six hours of learning time. The volunteer may also give the 4-H members tasks to be completed at home.

 

Parents

Parents also have a role in 4-H project work. Parents should help the 4-H member obtain supplies and equipment needed for a project. They should assist the 4-H members with assignments given by the project volunteer. Parents may also be asked to assist with a project group by providing transportation, bringing refreshments or attending a meeting. As with project volunteers, their most important job is to guide, motivate and encourage the 4-H member.

 

Youth Leaders

Four-H members have many opportunities to develop leadership skills. Beginning teen leaders may assist an organizational or project leader with their specific duties. Older teen leaders may lead a project group of their own or serve as an activity leader in the club.