What Happens at a 4-H Club Meeting

A Guide to Successful Meetings

Florida 4-H

VisionFlorida 4-H aspires to be the leading youth development program that creates positive change in youth, families, and communities.

MissionFlorida 4-H creates supportive environments

for diverse youth and adults to reach their fullest potential.

Florida 4-H Values

• Hands-on learning• Linkages with land-grant systems• Fun• Organization history and tradition• Diversity in programs, participants and delivery modes.• Volunteerism and volunteers• People• Role of communities, families and individuals• Ability of individuals to make decisions• Youth• Leadership Development• Balance between cooperation and competition• Youth-adult partnerships

Essential Elements of 4-H

• Belonging• Mastery• Independence• Generosity

Getting a Club Started

• Contact your 4-H Agent

• Attend volunteer leader training

• Obtain county and state 4-H policies and procedures

Getting a Club Started

• Assess needs and interests* Youth * Parents* Community

• Recruit potential members• Conduct organizational meeting

Getting a Club Started

• Recruit project leaders• Complete & submit enrollment forms

for youth & adults• Discuss club goals• Develop yearly plan• Develop club by-laws• Club Charter application

4-H Agent is the Link

• Provides information in◊ helping start a club◊ locating resources◊ training opportunities◊ recognition for youth and adults◊ county & state competitive events◊ youth development principles &

experiential learning

Reasons for Joining 4-H

• Be with friends• Fun things to do and learn• Youth driven and led• 4-H is everywhere• Not costly• Projects are adaptable for different

ages

Parts of a 4-H Club Meeting

• Opening• Business Meeting • Educational Program • Recreation • Refreshments

Parts of a 4-H Club Meeting

• Business Portion:– Call to order– Recite pledges– Call roll– Reading of minutes– Treasurer’s report– Committee reports– Old business– New business– Leader Announcements

Parts of a 4-H Club Meeting

• Educational Program Ideas:– Demonstrations by members– Guest speakers– Project work– Community service project work

Parts of a 4-H Club Meeting

• Recreation:– Planned by Recreation Chair/Committee– Make it fun– Safe and appropriate for all ages– Use older members in leadership roles– Include refreshments as part of the

meeting.

A Well Planned 4-H Club Meeting

• Provides an opportunity to:– Make new friends– Share ideas– Gain new knowledge and skills– Enjoy planned recreation– Develop self-confidence and leadership– Help make decisions– Gain a sense of pride– Learn to work as part of a team

A Well Planned 4-H Club Meeting

• Election of Officers:– Only 4-H members can vote and hold an

office within their 4-H club– Officers should be elected on their

leadership skills– Agent/Club leader should provide

training for officers

Club Officers

• President• Vice President• Secretary• Treasurer• Reporter• Historian• Recreation Chair• Parliamentarian• Sgt. – at – Arms

• Use Florida 4-H Officer Training Handbook for descriptions and responsibilities of each officer.

Sample Agenda

• Call to Order• American and 4-H Pledges• Introduction of new members/guests• Ice breaker/recreation• Secretary’s report/correspondence• Club roll call/voting delegates• Treasurer’s report• Old Business• New Business• Announcements• Adjourn• Educational Program

“4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership,

citizenship and life skills”.

Written and developed by Judy Butterfield, Central District Regional Specialized 4-H Agent III, UF/IFAS, 4-H Youth Development Program, Gainesville, FL., June 2 0 0 7 .