Welcome to the 4-H Program as a volunteer 4-H  Club Leader. You are an important and essential part of the 4-H Program and will be giving leadership, guidance and direction to the 4-H members in your club. This homepage is intended to be a guide for your reference and assistance. All of us involved in th 4-H Program would like to express our appreciation and best wishes for success in your new role as a 4-H Club Leader.

GENERAL INFORMATION

4-H PURPOSE: To help young people aquire a postive self-concept and become creative, productive citizens. 4-H lays a foundation for continuing education and helps youth acquire a zest for life long learning.

MEMBERSHIP:

For YOUTH:  Membership is open to all youth 5 to 19 years of age, regardless of race, creed or national origin.

For ADULTS:  Adult volunteer leaders come from all walks of life. They serve on boards of directors, program advisory committees, and finance committees, in addition to carrying out their responsibilities as club leaders, special interest group instructors, etc.

FOUNDED: Congress passed the Smith Lever Act in 1914. This provided for a National Cooperative Extension Service. Under it, the "boys' and girls' club work" became 4-H.

WORLD SCOPE: 4-H is indeed international, with 82 countries having 4-H like organizations. The "IFYE" program has provided over 4,200 people the opportunity to live and learn in another country.

4-H IS: 4-H is a voluntary, educational program offering real-life learning experiences for young people in hundreds of projects ranging from family nutrition and child care, consumer education, sewing for the family to community and home improvement, engineering programs, drug awareness, backyard gardening, electronics, and workforce preparation.  4-H teaches young people and eventually involves the total family in the learning process.

HOW 4-H REACHES YOUTH: Most of today's four million 4-Hers belong to 4-H clubs. Many youth, though participate in special interest groups, such as veterinary science, dog obedience, child care, and environmental sciences.

Members of clubs organize, elect officers, and plan programs - aided by adult volunteer leaders and parents. They choose from over 100 projects that fit their interests and the places where they live. County, state, regional and national activities - such as trips, camps, and conferences - offer all 4-Hers other learning opportunities.

Nearly half a million men and women, mainly parents, serve as unpaid volunteer leaders of local 4-H clubs. They counsel and encourage members, observe progress of projects, and make suggestions where needed. County extension agents select, train, advise and assist these adults.

Older 4-Hers - called "junior" or "teen" leaders - aid and teach younger members and gain valuable experience for themselves

4-H HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE:

- Acquire knowledge of science and scientific methods.

- Explore careers and improve employability.

- Learn agriculture production and management principles.

- Improve home and family living.

- Create desirable relationships with others.

- Promote safety, health and fitness.

- Engage in comunity development.

- Value and conserve natural resources.

- Appreciate cultural arts and use leisure constructively.

- Increase leadership competence.

- Become productive and responsible citizens.

- Share in international progress and understanding.

4-H EMBLEM AND PLEDGE: The 4-H emblem is a 4 leaf clover with an H in each leaf. The four "H's" stand for HEAD, HEART, HANDS, and HEALTH. Colors are green and white.

The 4-H pledge reads:  I pledge: my HEAD to clearer thinking, my HEART to greater loyalty, my HANDS to greater service, and my HEALTH to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

MOTTO: "To Make The Best Better"

NATIONAL CENTER: National 4-H Council 7100 Connecticut Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815

FUNDING: From four sources - federal, state and local government, and private support.

PARTNERS FOR 4-H: The 4-H program is a part of the national educational system of Cooperative Extension, shared by the Science and Education Administration, US Department of Agriculture, the state Land Grant universities, and county governments. The National 4-H Council is a member of this team.

TIPS FOR LEADERS

BE DEMOCRATIC - Encourage everyone to have his/her say in order that a democratic decision may be reached. Imposing your will on others will limit their development.

DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITY - Let others feel they have part in running the club, but be ready to offer assistance if needed. Do not assign a job beyond the ability of the individual. Make a practice of letting them choose their own jobs.

SHOW AND DEVELOP INTEREST - Express your own enthusiasm and interest. Strive always to discover and develop the particular interest of each member. Try to arouse their desire and ambition. Don't nag!

SHOW INTEREST IN OTHERS - Let others know what they do and contribute is important. Listen to their opinions; try out their ideas; encourage them to make their own decisions.

GIVE PRAISE AND RECOGNITION - Give recognition for a job well done. Do not give praise unless it is truly deserved.

DISCIPLINE PRIVATELY - Do not embarrass anyone by disciplining him before others. A friendly talking to in private will be far more effective. Never punish the whole group because a few are misbehaving. But encourage the group to develop behavior standards to control their own behavior.

BE SURE OF YOUR FACTS - This is one of the best ways to increase your confidence and gain the confidence and respect of others. Knowing the facts helps 4-H members to be confident.

KEEP SIGHT OF YOUR GOALS - Know the goals of your group and guide the group toward these goals. Discuss goals and their achievement with your members.

HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE - Make the best of things. Complaining wastes time and energy and causes discord. Be sympathetic, but creative and positive in attitude.

UNDERSTANDING OTHERS - Through understanding others and appreciating their point of view, more can be accomplished harmoniously. In any "problem" situations, strive to understand why young people act as they do.

BE FRIENDLY - People think and act their best in a friendly, relaxed, atmosphere. Try to help each person feel secure and wanted in the group.

BE A MEMBER OF THE GROUP - Do not set yourself apart from the group. It is better to pull than to push. Show young people you admire and trust them.

ENCOURAGE MORE EXPERIENCED MEMBERS (Specifically TEENS) - Give them responsibility in club activities. Provide them with leadership roles. Let them develop ideas for some of the club activities. If absent from a meeting, make it a point to find out why. These members must know that they are important to the club and are missed when absent.

ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN NEW EXPERIENCES!

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