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“The Top 10 Things Every 4-H Parent Should Know”. (as compiled from the home offices of 4-H Leaders, Jr. Leaders, and Extension Staff) “4-H 101” Parent Orientation Meeting. #10. What is 4-H?. Largest nonformal youth serving organization in the country.
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“The Top 10 Things Every 4-H Parent Should Know” (as compiled from the home offices of 4-H Leaders, Jr. Leaders, and Extension Staff) “4-H 101” Parent Orientation Meeting
#10. What is 4-H? • Largest nonformal youth serving organization in the country. • Volunteer-led organization that reaches youth through a variety of programs in both rural and urban settings. • Provides fun, educational opportunities at the local, state, national, and international levels. • 4-H programs are hands-on, age-appropriate, and university-based.
#10. What is 4-H? • 4-H Mission Statement: • To assist youth and adults in their development by conducting hands-on educational programs, using the knowledge base of Purdue University, other land grant universities, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
#10. What is 4-H? • 4-H Quiz Questions • What do the four H’s stand for? • What are the colors of 4-H? • What is the 4-H emblem? • Students in which grades may participate in the 4-H program? • When did the 4-H program begin? Why?
#10. What is 4-H? • What is a 4-H project? How many 4-H projects are offered in the County? • Purdue University… • Is the land grant university of Indiana • Provides research-based information for 4-H • Employs Extension staff to work with 4-H • All of the above
#9. The 4-H Family Tree • Partners at each level: • Federal - USDA • State – Land-grant institution (Purdue in Indiana); state legislature • Local – county government; local donors, supporters, and boards
#9. The 4-H Family Tree • Adult Volunteers • Leaders • Resource persons • Advisors • Policy-makers • Committee members • 4-H Members • Officers, Jr. Leaders • 4-H Families
What Should Parents Expect from 4-H Club Leaders? Parents should expect 4-H Club Leaders to... • Be able to find answers to 4-H related questions. • Distribute necessary 4-H paperwork in a timely manner. • Be courteous, helpful, and display a positive attitude. Treat all 4-H members and their families with respect. • Publish and distribute the 4-H Club meeting schedule in a timely manner.
What Should Parents Expect from 4-H Club Leaders? • Help 4-H Club officers and Jr. Leaders plan creative meetings and activities. • Be prepared for and help 4-H Club officers run an orderly meeting. Help members develop their own leadership skills. • Encourage all 4-H'ers to do/be their best. • Be a model for 4-H members to aspire to. • Assist members in learning what is available to them through 4-H. • Help make 4-H a fun, educational experience.
What Should Parents Expect from 4-H Club Leaders? Parents should not expect 4-H Club Leaders to… • Do the work for the members. The members must do a little work too! • Be babysitters for their children. • Track down 4-H members to deliver needed information or to sign their 4-H record sheets. • Have extra copies of every record sheet/manual that members have lost. • Know everything about every project and activity in the 4-H Program. • Be perfect. 4-H leaders are human too...we all make mistakes!
#8. The Nuts & Bolts of 4-H • Where can you find answers to your 4-H-related questions? • County 4-H Handbook • 4-H Project Manual • State Fair 4-H/FFA Handbook • Adult Volunteer Leader • County Extension Office
#8. The Nuts & Bolts of 4-H • General 4-H Guidelines and Procedures • Grades 3-12 • Enroll in 4-H annually • Enroll in 4-H projects annually • Attend club and project meetings and activities • Complete projects, including record sheets, by stated date and time • Exhibit projects at local exhibition (typically at a County 4-H Fair)
#7. 4-H is a Family Affair! • 4-H can be a great way for parents and children to work together through interest in mutual activities. • Parents are encouraged to be positively involved in 4-H activities. • Message from a 4-H Alumnus: 4-H is a “family thing. Because 4-H invites families to become involved is probably why people learn responsibility.”
Benefits of positive parent involvement in 4-H activities. • Members • gain support and confidence from working with interested adults; • participate with their parents in a common interest; and • receive more individual attention and guidance. • Parents • get to know their children’s friends; • make new friends and acquaintances within the community; and • show love and concern for their children by maintaining an interest in their activities and helping them meet their goals.
Benefits of positive parent involvement in 4-H activities. • Leaders • can delegate jobs to responsible parents to allow time for development of additional club events; and • more effectively reach each member with a positive adult influence. • 4-H Club • is strengthened, larger, and more active. Favorable Attitudes + Parent Interests + Active Parent Cooperation = Successful 4-H Clubs
Parent Roles in 4-H • Assist the 4-H Club leader. • Share your project expertise with other members. • Offer rides to other members. • Provide refreshments. • Attend 4-H meetings. • Encourage accurate and complete record-keeping. • Help secure other qualified adults to assist with projects and activities.
Parent Roles in 4-H • Share ideas for possible future programs. • Serve on planning committees. • Support & promote the 4-H Program in the community. • Serve as a judge for an event. • Know that “help” is guidance and support; “do with” rather than “do for”. • Help, cooperate, and smile often!
Parent Expectations in 4-H • Encourage your children to attend 4-H Club meetings and activities. • Pick up your children from 4-H Club meetings and activities promptly. • Advise your children in selecting 4-H projects that are appropriate for them. • Learn about 4-H with your children. • Keep informed about 4-H through information that comes to members of your family. • Help your children learn responsibility by encouraging them to complete their 4-H projects.
Parent Expectations in 4-H • Guide, advise, teach, and counsel your children as they work on 4-H projects and activities…BUT, don’t do the job for them. • Be a good example in sportsmanship. • Encourage your children when they succeed & even more when they fail. • Help children learn to make choices and decisions. • Help children understand their capabilities and reach their potential. • Be a positive, active parental influence.
Parents' 4-H Pledge • I pledge my HEAD to give my child the information I can, to help him/her see things clearly and to make wise decisions. • I pledge my HEART to encourage and support my child no matter whether he/she has successes or disappointments. • I pledge my HANDS to help my child's club; if I cannot be a leader, I can help in many equally important ways. • I pledge my HEALTH to keep my child strong and well for a better world through 4-H, for my child's club, our community, our country, and our world.
#6. Life skills are skills for life! • 4-H Teaches life skills through 4-H projects, meetings, activities, etc. • 2008 4-H Tenured Member Study: What life skills did members perceive they developed in whole or in part as a result of 4-H participation? • Self-responsibility • Self-motivation • Communication • Social skills • Leadership
#6. Life skills are skills for life! “4-H helped me get ready for the real world by teaching me group skills, leadership, responsibility, and discipline.” • DeKalb County, IN, 4-H Member
#5. Reading is FUNdamental • Emphasize to members the importance of carefully reading… • 4-H project manuals, • 4-H Handbook guidelines, • Record books, • 4-H Newsletters, • etc. • Then, they will be able to understand the basic 4-H guidelines!
#4. 4-H opportunities are knocking. • 4-H Trips • 4-H Camp • 4-H Round-Up • Science Workshops • State 4-H Junior Leader Conference • State Fair Youth Leadership Conference • Citizenship-Washington Focus • State Fair Achievement Trip • International Exchange
#4. 4-H opportunities are knocking. • Career Development Events • Animal Sciences • Forestry • Entomology • Crops • Horticulture • Meats • Dairy Foods • Soils • Wildlife Habitat • Livestock Skill-a-Thon
#4. 4-H opportunities are knocking. • 4-H Scholarships & Awards • 4-H Foundation Scholarships • State 4-H Club Scholarships • 4-H Accomplishment Scholarships • Farm Bureau Tenure Award • Key Club Award
#3. There is no such thing as a dumb question. • Ask!… • Your leader • Other parents • Experienced 4-H members • Extension Office Staff members • If they don’t know the answer, they can find it for you, or direct you to another source.
#2. Procrastinate…NOT!!! • 4-H will be stressful if members wait until the last minute to complete their 4-H projects and/or records. • Teach children effective time management skills throughout the 4-H year. • Help them work a little at a time and avoid the last-minute rush at the end of the summer!
#1. 4-H = FUN • Members have fun while they… • Complete their projects • Participate in club meetings and activities • Meet new friends • Attend 4-H Trips • Learn!