Club Management
Clubs are so vital because they are the ultimate in experiential learning for young people, giving them the leadership and power to make their own decisions and watch how those decisions effect their life and the lives of others! Developing leadership skills in the local club occurs through participation, committees, meetings, officers, service learning and more.
The club at its best creates a society of personalities with a community sense, which is the essence of good citizenship...We are not concerned with the making of 'good club members' or 'well-organized youth groups,' but with a much wider issue, the making of good citizens. This can only be done in a society where each member is important, where each one is given a chance to contribute something to the life of the group - the leader no more and no less than the member. It is for this reason that self-government is so important in club work.
- Josephine Brew
- 4-H Clubs Overview and Resources
- 4-H Club Ritual
- Understanding 4-H
- 4-H Name and Emblem rules and guidelines for anyone using the 4-H name and emblem
- Official Clover Downloads and 4-H Pledge
- 4-H: United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- Family Participation
- Orientation for New Families/Parents - notes for club leader or volunteer to use with the enrollment process.
- Brochure for New Parents (2022)
- Risk Management Forms
- On TRAC | Simple planning process for local club management
- Oklahoma 4-H On TRAC
- Oklahoma 4-H On TRAC - Lesson Guide
- Monthly Planning Guide
- Annual Club Self-Evaluation - Form can be completed by the club if the county does not have some other form of "end of year" evaluation in place for club self-assessment.
- County Planning Guide - Example of calendar to provide clubs
- Club Charter Renewal Checklist - Completed by Extension Educator and Club Leadership.
- Planning a Key to a Successful 4-H Experience
- Club Management Tools and Resources
- By-Laws - Enables members to determine what rules they can all agree with and abide by, and yet allow the members to make changes when the organization grows and changes. These rules ensure stability, continuity, and structure especially during times of rapid growth or when there are not many "old" members to tell the new members what to do.
- Club Funds - Treasurer Guide
- Club Accounts - Three options for housing funds.
- Title IX and Youth Development V.2011 -Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) proscribes discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Since Cooperative Extension 4-H Programs receive Federal financial assistance for education programs, they must adhere to USDA regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex. Gender specific competitions and awards are not permissible under Title IX of the Educational Amendments enacted by Congress in 1972.
- Position Descriptions | Volunteer roles helpful in managing a club
- How to Start a 4-H Club
Want to start a 4-H Club? The qualifications necessary to obtain a charter include:
- At least five youth members from two or more families.
- Certified volunteer(s) who care about working with members, teen leaders and parents.
- Maintain a necessary/appropriate youth adult ratio.
- A structure that gives members the shared responsibility for making decisions and operating the club.
- An organized, fun and educational program planned by members, volunteers and parents.
- Six or more club meetings during the year.
- Participation in learning experiences outside of the local group.
- Involvement in the community through service-learning.
- Personal evaluation and recognition of progress on individual and group/club goals.
- Effective blend of all five components of the 4-H Recognition Model.
The process for creating a new club begins with visiting with our county OSU Extension office and completing the necessary paperwork. A group requesting a charter must agree upon the following:
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, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions.
Planning and delivering a quality club experience where families, members, and volunteers are provided unlimited opportunities for learning, developing relationships, and fun. The primary purpose of a 4-H club is to support the development of each member’s potential. The club structure helps members build significant relationships with caring adults and fellow members through group interaction and project work.
- Maintaining a 4-H Club
Steps required to maintain the charter of a 4-H Club:
- Submit annual set of Monthly 4-H Meeting Planning Guides to your county Extension office. Keep OSU Extension informed of changes and additions.
- Actively recruit and meet regularly with volunteers and youth from a variety of racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic groups in your community.
- Complete an end of year report of club activities and submit to your county Extension office.
- Annual review of financial accounting/funds from the county office/school activity fund/foundation approved by the club’s leadership team.
- Complete a regular enrollment process for 4-H members and volunteers. Based on youth enrollment a healthy and/or adequate youth-adult ratio is maintained.
- Have a team of local parent(s)/volunteer(s) attend Parent-Volunteer Continuing Education opportunities for personal development, as well as to take the information back for use in the club.
- Club represented at all county Parent-Volunteer Association meetings by parent(s)/volunteer(s).
- Risk Management