Michigan 4-H Youth Development: Start a 4-H Club


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4-H Youth Development Michigan State University 160 Agriculture Hall East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 USA Phone: 517-432-7575 Fax: 517-355-6748 Email: msue4h@msu.edu Disclaimer & Indicia

Volunteers

Start a 4-H Club!

What Is a 4-H Club?

A 4-H club is a place where young people and adults come together to do things that help them:

Be what they want to be.
Think and learn about what interests them most.
Share how they feel about their activities and their lives in general.
Do fun things that also help them learn more.
Relate to peers and the adults in their lives in positive ways.

A 4-H Club Would Have:

At least five members from two or more different families.
One or more caring adult volunteers working with the members.
A format in which youth members decide what the club does and how it operates. This can, but doesn't have to be, done through club officers.
A club program (link to Starting the Year Off Right: Tips and Tools for Volunteers) planned by members, volunteers and parents that will help the group achieve their goals.
Six or more meetings a year.
Learning experiences that use the community.
Ways to evaluate and recognize the growth and learning of those involved.

Individual county programs might have different or additional criteria for starting a 4-H club, but these minimal guidelines should provide the foundation for your new club.

Are There Dues?

4-H youth participants pay an annual $10 fee when they enroll each year in 4-H. $5 of this fee goes to the state 4-H office and $5 stays in the local county. Both the state and county portions are used to support new and/or updated 4-H youth programming. Individual clubs may also charge club membership fees to generate funds to meet club goals. For more information on the 4-H participation fee, please visit http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/MI4-Hparticipantfee.html.

What Types of 4-H Clubs Can We Start?

Although all 4-H clubs include the basic elements listed above, there are three common club formats.

Community Club

This type of club involves members of a variety of ages and interests. This club holds a general club meeting that may be held monthly throughout the year. Each member also is part of a project group or club that meets at other times to explore the specific project interests of the group. An administrative volunteer leader usually manages the club. This person provides support to the individual club and groups and to their volunteer leaders. Community clubs are formed within geographic areas, schools or housing communities.

Project Club

The activities of this type of club focus on one project or interest area. All members participate in the same project or interest. Club meetings can be held on a regular basis, usually weekly or monthly.

Explorer's Club

This club meets a minimum of six times a year to explore one or two projects or activities. These clubs are not usually ongoing clubs and are often limited to specific or limited timeframe based on the needs and interests of the members and their adult partners.

What Do I Need to Do to Start My Club?

Once you've recruited your adult and youth members, contact your county MSU Extension office to find out how to register your new 4-H club. Each county may have specific requirements for starting a 4-H club in that county. Volunteers who work with youth in 4-H are required to go through the Child-Well Being: Volunteer Selection Process before engaging in direct, ongoing and unsupervised work with young people.

Online Resources

Starting the Year Off Right: Tips and Tools for 4-H Volunteers
Experience the Power of 4-H - Volunteer!
Michigan 4-H Club Development Guide
Michigan 4-H Youth Web Site
4-H in the USA
4-H Mall
Michigan 4-H Site Map
Michigan 4-H Treasurer’s Record Book (4-H 1203)—Monetary records for 4-H groups should be entered in this book, which includes descriptions of the treasurer’s duties, how to write checks and manage a checking account, and how to report and audit accounts. It includes sections on financial guidelines for Michigan 4-H clubs and Michigan sales tax facts. A blank “Application for Employer Identification Number” (IRS form SS-4) also is included. (36 pages plus cover, Michigan 4-H, complete revision 2004)

Training & Events

For upcoming training and events in this area, check the 4-H Volunteer Workshops web site, the MSU Extension Calendar and the 4-H Exploration Days web site.

Contact Information

For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:

4-H Youth Development
Michigan State University
160 Agriculture Hall
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
USA

E-mail: msue4h@msu.edu
Phone: 517-432-7575
Fax: 517-355-6748