UM College Park UM Eastern Shore 1 Part V The 4-H Club University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens without regard to race, color,

UM College Park • UM Eastern ShoreUM College Park • UM Eastern Shore 1

Part V The 4-H Club

University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, gender, disability,

religion, age, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, or national origin.

UME Volunteer Policy

UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore

4-H AgeThe age of a 4-Her on January 1st of

the current year.Clovers: ages 5 - 7Juniors: ages 8 – 10Intermediates: ages 11 – 13Seniors: ages 14 - 18

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What is a 4-H ClubA 4-H Club is an organized group of at

least five youth from three different families who meet regularly with adult volunteers or staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences.

www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/fs-clubs9-08.pdf

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Types of 4-H Clubs• Community Clubs

• Project Clubs

• Clover Clubs

• Special Interest or Short Term

• School Enrichment

• Independent Study

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4-H Membership StandardsOpen to all youth without regard to:

RaceColorGenderReligionNational OriginAgeDisabilitySexual OrientationParental or Marital Status

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4-H Membership Standards• Enroll by June 30th (4-H Year 1/1 – 12/31)• Membership in multiple clubs is permitted• Expectation of 4-H members

• Regularly attend club meetings/activities• Complete at least one project

• Complete project book• Give an oral presentation at a club meeting• Exhibit at local, county or state fair

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• Minimum of 5 members ages 8-18• Members should be from three different

families• Elected Officers• UME Volunteers• Six or more club meetings annually• Annual club educational plan• Written by-laws developed by members• Have a Club Charter

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Standards for 4-H Clubs

UM College Park • UM Eastern Shore8

Clover Club Standards• For children ages 5 to 7 years as of Jan. 1st

• Usually a small number of members engaged in “hands on” activities

• Should have two appointed UME volunteers• Volunteer to member ratio of 6 to 1• Clovers do not participate in competitive

events• Planned program using the Clover Curriculum


Naming a 4-H Club or EventNames must be SpecificNames should not imply Exclusivity Names should not be Overtly ReligiousNames should not be OffensiveNames should foster the Character-Building

Purpose of 4-HNames should be Sustainable over TimeNames should comply with Copyright Regulations

www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/fs-naming_4-H4-08.pdf


Summary of Maryland 4-H Club Charter GuidelinesHave a minimum of five members between the ages

of eight and 18 from at least three families. (Members should be at least eight years old as of January 1 and not have passed their 18th birthday on January 1.)

Membership meets the Affirmative Action guidelines for new 4-H clubs according to the University of Maryland Extension Plan for Compliance and other anti-discrimination laws and guidelines.

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Summary of Maryland 4-H Club Charter GuidelinesHave at least six or more regularly

scheduled club meetings per year.

Have a written planned educational program that provides a variety of learning experiences.

Have a set of BY-LAWS developed by the club and a Federal EIN tax number.

www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/fs_charter_1-23-08.pdf


4-H Behavioral ExpectationsProvides opportunities for character

buildingBased on Six Pillars of Character Counts!

TrustworthinessRespectResponsibilityFairnessCaringCitizenship

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Behavioral Policy and ProceduresMember and parent annually reads policy

and both sign agreementProhibited possession of items Prohibited actionsProcedures

Written notificationRight to be heard prior to sanctionsReview Board option

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Annual Club PlanEveryone helps in planningResponsibilities are sharedBalanced and interesting programsProvides directionImproves quality of meetings


Financial IssuesGood Financial Records:

Are an open, public recordFulfill University auditing

requirementsEnable accountability for

everyoneBank Account, EIN & Two

SignaturesGood Record KeepingClub Treasurer’s Record Book


Fund RaisingEducational activityRaise $$ for a specific purpose Match the fundraiser to amount

needed Safety First!5-50-90 Rule of Thumb


Awards and RecognitionEveryone likes recognitionClub awardsCounty awardsState awards


Risk ManagementSafety First!Benefit vs. RiskTransportationInsuranceCamp and Overnight policiesHealth and Release FormsPrivacy Statement


Projects and Record KeepingExperiential LearningObtaining useful skillsIn groups or individuallyRecord books & resumesThe Clover Award Program


Use of 4-H Name and Emblem

The “official” emblem is a green four-leaf clover with a white H on each leaf.

The 4-H name and emblem are “owned” by USDA.

Check with 4-H Educators before designing club signs, clothing, etc.

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www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/4-Hguidelines-v4-26-04.pdf


4-H Events and ContestsCooperative and CompetitiveCounty/City, Region, State & NationalFamily FriendlyWorkshops, Field Trips & CampsNewsletters & www.maryland4h.org

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Questions?

This presentation was originally created Dr. Lisa Dennis, 4-H Youth and Adult Leadership Specialist, and revised by Amy Rhodes, Sharon

Pahlman, and David Gordon 2010.

UM College Park UM Eastern Shore 1 Part V The 4-H Club University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all citizens without regard to race, color,

Documents

h names

h year

h club charter guidelines

h membership standards

club meetingsactivities

members ages

clover club standards

scheduled club meetings