Volume 17, Number 1, Fall 2006

New Participation Fee Will Grow 4-H Programming in Michigan

Cheri Booth

How long has it been since 4-H in Michigan has really been able to invest in new programming? How long have Michigan’s 4-H youth made do with old curriculum materials and done without programs that reflect really current areas of interest?

That’s about to change, thanks to something that costs less than the average pizza or a handful of movie rentals. Starting this fall, Michigan State University Extension will ask youth who participate in 4-H to pay a $10 annual participation fee. Those dollars will only be used to create, purchase, implement and/or update 4-H programming. In the hands of our wonderful volunteers, those materials will help our kids learn and grow—and that is truly 4-H’s great and vital mission.

Yes, 4-H has a tradition of being open to all, and we will remain true to that tradition—no child will be turned away from 4-H because they can’t pay the fee. It may seem hard at first to ask people to pay for something they’ve been getting for free. If you keep your eye on the prize—new and updated programming for our youth—it suddenly gets much easier.

In a recent survey, nearly 70 percent of 4-H parents said they were willing to pay at least $10 for their child to participate in 4-H. This level of support shows that parents understand what 4-H brings to their child’s life. Many said they would consider 4-H a bargain at much more than $10!

In this 2006-7 pilot year, I’ll be asking each of you to evaluate the implementation of this new fee and give us your suggestions and ideas to make things run smoothly in the years to come. All of us—4-H staff members at the state and county levels, 4-H volunteers, parents and youth—have a stake in making this work. Just remember to keep your eye on the prize: improved programming for our youth.

Thank you, and have a great year in 4-H!

Cheri Booth, State Leader
4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University Extension

P.S. Find more information on the new participation fee, including enrollment forms and reports, on the Web at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/cyf/youth/MI4-Hparticipantfee.html.