Quick Tips for 4-H Volunteers 

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 Getting Organized

• Collects facts.
• Analyzes and evaluates these facts
• Develops a plan for the club year.
• Helps carry out that plan.
• Evaluates the plan at the end of the year.

     The planning process is an educational experience. Through planning club programs, 4-H'ers learn to work with and for their fellow members.

     The program committee should meet early in the new club year. The meeting should occur after the club has met once and members have discussed what they would like to do.

     Committee members should represent the variety of members in the club. This will ensure different ideas and viewpoints. Committee members might include a junior leader, new officers, a past club president, a younger member, a parent, and naturally, the club advisor. A good committee might have 6 to 10 members. (If 4-H is new to you, you might invite an advisor or older junior leader from a neighboring club or from a club with similar interests to help with the meeting.)

     At the planning meeting:
 

• Set goals and suggest ways to reach them.
• Suggest ways to improve past programs.
• Decide when and where to hold meetings each month.
• Outline a tentative program for each meeting.
• Tentatively plan special club activities.
• Give every member a responsibility during the year. (Members may give demonstrations or talks, serve on committees, etc.)
• Help junior leaders select definite responsibilities
• Plan club participation in county, area and state 4-H activities.
• Send copies of the year's program to each club family.
• Plan to welcome and initiate new club members.

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Planning the Club Year

     After the year's program is planned, try to see that members and parents have written information about it. You may design a program booklet, or have members copy the year's program on a sheet of paper. Whatever method you choose, remember, your club will be most successful when members and parents know what to expect.

     References you can get from the Extension Office:
 

• 4-H Advisors' Handbook
• The 4-H Club President
• Guide for Vice Presidents
• 4-H Secretary's Record Book
• Ohio 4-H Treasurer's Book
• 4-H Recreation Leader's Handbook
• 4-H News Reporter
• Safety Officer Book
• Ohio 4-H Family Guide 
• Ohio 4-H Award Opportunities
• Participation in Local Government
• Program Materials Catalog
• Project Advising
• Parliamentary Procedure for Common Use
• Installation Ceremony - Candlelight
• Working with Officers & Committees

Getting it all Done

• Choose the best possible meeting places. Your choice can affect what the club accomplishes.  Meeting places should be well lighted and have a comfortable temperature with good ventilation. Try to arrange seating so everyone can see. And, find a place that has convenient work space. All of these things create a desirable atmosphere for work and enjoyment. Meeting in homes gives members a chance to serve as hosts and hostesses. If parents can see the 4-H program in action and they know what is needed for meetings, they can help improve the meeting situation. Atmosphere often determines behavior. Use the 4-H and American flags to help set the tone of your meeting. If you don't have flags and would like a set, your county Extension  agent can tell you how to obtain a set.
• Plan your work, and work your plan. Planning ahead with officers and committees make the program move faster and helps accomplish goals. Short, snappy, action-packed sessions are interesting and have purpose. Boys and girls want challenges and worthwhile activities. Members take part more wholeheartedly if they help plan an activity.
• Start and stop on time. You and the club officers set the standard for the group. Time is valuable. Two hours, well planned, can hold interest, reach goals and be fun. Habits, good or bad, are formed by practice. Teach your members to use their time resources wisely. Parents appreciate punctuality too.
• Give officers responsibility and let them act. The president should call the meeting to order and be in charge. Other officers and committee chairmen should do the job given to them. You'll need to guide, but stay in the background, to give them confidence in themselves and their abilities.
• Encourage parliamentary procedure. In a democratic club, each member has a chance to express himself. Parliamentary procedure is an orderly way to make this possible. It's really a set of good manners for respecting the views of others. Be sure it is used to give freedom and not to force action before everyone has a chance to speak. Explain the procedure to all members. They should know how to make a motion, address the group, express themselves and make decisions. The President's Book is a good reference on parliamentary procedure.
• Encourage each member to take part.  Business, project work, community services, and social activities can be exciting and fun if: "I belong to the group and am active in what the group does." Watch and listen. Some members need encouragement; some need to slow down. Your faith in each person's ability will make many things possible. Keep a record of what each member does. Thiswill help you guide their progress.
• Help the group set behavior standards. Members need to know what is expected of them. Club meetings are an excellent place to learn and practice good citizenship. Personal cleanliness, neat dress and appearance, mutual respect for people and property are important qualities that you should teach. Every club meeting is an opportunity to teach by example and discussion.

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Developing a Club Constitution or Guidelines

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4-H Newsletter

Advisor Training Requirement

     All 1st year 4-H advisors will be required to attend one training program.   

     Champaign County requires all advisors with over one year experience to attend training every other year. Dates and training topics will be covered in advisor newsletters.     

County 4-H Committee & Extension Advisory Committee

     Each year in November we take nominations of 4-H advisors to be on a ballot for election to the County 4-H Committee or the Extension Advisory Committee.   Please take the time to nominate advisors who you feel will do a good job. 

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Where to go for More Help