Discover the World Together,…be a 4-H Volunteer

1. Discover the World Together,…be a 4-H Volunteer Rachelle Vettern Leadership & Volunteer Development Specialist

2. What is 4-H? • 4-H is a fun, learn-by-doing educational program for young people. • Mission is to help youth become self-directed, productive, contributing members of their communities. • 4-H club structure is an effective way to achieve this mission. • The quality of their 4-H experience depends on the relationship built between 4-H members & their volunteer leaders.

3. The 4-H Mission: 4-H Youth Development education creates supportive learning environments for youth and adults to reach their fullest potential as capable, competent, and caring citizens.

4. Did You Know? • 4-H provides hands-on, real-life experiences through projects, activities, & events. • Youth are involved in 4-H through clubs, school enrichment programs, independent study, after-school programs, & special interest programs. • Program is available to all youth, & information is offered in every county in N.D. by an Extension agent. • 4-H is the largest & only research-based youth organization in our state. • We reach approximately 35% of eligible-age (6-18) youth with programs offered through the NDSU Extension Service.

5. Why 4-H? Benefits for Youth • A greater knowledge & appreciation of self   • Increased self-esteem • Public & interpersonal communication skills • Positive interaction with adults & other youth • Responsibility for self • Commitment & contribution to the group & community • A life-long desire to learn

6. More Benefits… • An ability to use knowledge for betterment of self & community • An ability to relate to a constantly changing world • Strengthened family interactions • Career exploration • Leadership skills • Decision-making skills

7. Volunteers are a Key Piece • Adults & teens who are 4-H leaders can influence development of young people in their communities through 4-H clubs. • Clubs that are planned and "owned" by adults & youth of a community create the greatest stability & commitment to the 4-H program.

8. The 4-H Pledge I pledge. . . my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty,  my hands to larger service,  and my health to better living,  for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

9. What are 4-H Meetings For? • Meetings give people a chance to think, act, plan and do things together. • Its not much fun to work on 4-H projects alone or to plan or hold a party all by yourself • You need other club or group members thinking & acting together to get things done.

10. Effective club or group programs: • Provide an opportunity for members, parents & leaders to be actively involved. • Are preplanned to include a balance of business, education & recreation. • Provide an opportunity for each member to be involved in the program. • Stimulate interest in individual & group projects. • Include community service opportunities. • Meet the needs of members & their families. • Provide for parent involvement.

11. Ingredients for a 4-H Club • At least 5 members from 2 or more families • One or more caring adult volunteer working with members, teen leaders & parents • Structure that gives members primary responsibility for making decisions & operating club • Club program planned by members, leaders & parents • Around 12 club meetings during the year • Outside learning experiences • Involvement in the community • Personal evaluation & recognition of progress on individual & group goals

12. Possible Meeting Outline • Call to order - President • Pledge of allegiance, 4-H pledge, singing (optional) • Roll Call - Secretary • Introduction of Visitors - President • Minutes of previous meeting read & approved-Secretary • Reading of correspondence, if any • Treasurer's Report

13. Meeting Outline Continued… • Reports of officers & leaders - list reports to be presented. • Committee Reports - Used to keep members involved • Old Business • New Business • Announcements - Announce place, date & program topic for next meeting

14. Meeting Outline Continued… • Adjournment of business meeting • Education-Hands on learning • Talk • Demonstration • Project discussion • Recreation • Games, singing, etc.

15. Volunteer/Leaders’ Roles • Volunteers are persons, like yourself, who care enough about others to want to assist with developing and carrying out programs designed to meet the needs of local citizens, groups, & communities. • As a volunteer, you are an unpaid representative of NDSU. • Volunteers provide time, talent, spirit & resources to help make the 4-H program function.

16. Local Club Volunteer Opportunities • Organizational Leader - Provides overall leadership to a local club. Coordinates efforts of club officers & other group leaders. • Project Leader - Teaches subject matter to youth. • Activity Leader - Coordinates & provides leadership for local events. • Teen Leader - Older member who assumes leadership role in 4-H program. • Parent - Provides support to both 4-H member & club leaders.

17. Youth Protection Policy • Behavioral Expectations Form (Form A) • Application to Volunteer in Youth Programs (Form B)-Permission to contact ND Dept of Human Services to conduct search of Child Abuse Information Index • Interview with Extension Staff • Extension staff provides volunteer orientation and educational support

18. 4-H Delivery Methods • Community 4-H Club – Get together for meeting, then separate into one or more project or age groups for specialized instruction. • Clover Buds - Groups of 6 & 7 year olds. Programs are educational, noncompetitive & fun. • Project Club - Organized around 1 project area. • Special Interest Groups - Provide learning experiences for youth in one subject. Ex: summer day camps. (Short or long-term) • School Enrichment - Educational youth programs designed by NDSU Extension Service used in schools.

19. 4-H Woodworking Project

20. 4-H Activities & Events • Life Skills - Abilities useful for day-to-day living. Through 4-H projects, members develop life skills such as: 1) learning to learn, 2) understanding self, 3) communication skills, 4) getting along with others, 5) decision making, 6) management, & 7) working with groups. • Interview Judging - Evaluation of a 4-H member's project in an interview with member. • Danish System of Judging - A blue, red or white placing on each exhibit as measured against a standard.

21. 4-H Horsemanship Project

22. 4-H Activities & Events • Activity - Any group program selected & carried out by all members, short or long-term; Ex: career exploration • Event - Occurrence with definite time & place; ex: camp, county fair. • Exhibit – Display of an article or skill learned through participation in a project or activity. • Educational Display - An exhibit that shows one idea that a member has learned through participation in a project • Judging Activity - Member compares & ranks a class of 4 items or products & gives reasons for their decisions.

23. 4-H Technology Team

24. 4-H Activities & Events • Project - Area of interest in which 4-H member enrolls. Teaching tool that builds self-confidence, security & responsibility. • Public Presentation - 4-H program designed to teach youth communication skills. Includes demonstrations & illustrated talks. • Demonstration - Talk in which demonstrator shows how to perform an activity step-by-step. • Public Speaking - Oral presentation on a particular topic. • Record Book - Booklet in which member records information about projects, events, awards, leadership involvement & community service.

25. ND State Fair

26. Volunteer Educational Opportunities • District Leader Forums - Educational events held in the various districts of the state • State 4-H Leader Forums - A statewide educational event for county leader teams. Program emphasis is placed on understanding and working with youth. Participants in the regional Leader Forum help plan and conduct this event. • North Central Regional 4-H Leaders Forum - An educational event annually for 4-H leaders and Extension staff of the twelve north central states. It is held in a different state each year. • Educational Trip Chaperone - Nat’l 4-H Conference & Congress, Citizenship Washington Focus, Judging Team Trips

27. 4-H Volunteers in Action

28. 4-H Livestock Project

29. 4-H Range Judging

30. 4-H Arts & Crafts

31. Building Life Skills through Projects • Animal Science: Beef, dairy, goats, pets (hamsters, cage birds etc.), cats, dogs, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine, horsemanship. • Plant Science & Natural Resources • Fishing • Insects – Entomology • Environment • Aerospace • Bicycle • Computer • Electricity

32. 4-H Showcase-Project Expo

33. 4-H Horticulture

34. A Project for Everyone • Small Engines • Welding • Woodworking • Leadership & Community • Arts & Crafts • Photography • Foods & Nutrition • Family Science: Child Development, health, home environment, Money Management • Clothing & Textiles • 4-H Showcase

35. Youth Build Leadership Skills: National 4-H Conference

36. 4-H Small Animals

37. 4-H Encourages Wellness and Healthy Lifestyles: Yoga

38. Quilting

39. Like Horsin’ Around? Then Become a 4-H Volunteer Today

40. Local Contact Information Agent Name ________ County Extension Service Address City, ND Zip P-(701) F-(701) E-mail address-@ndsuext.nodak.edu

41. State Contact Information Rachelle Vettern Leadership &Volunteer Development Specialist Center for 4-H Youth Development 219 FLC, Box 5016 Fargo, ND 58105-5016 Phone: (701) 231-7541 Fax: (701) 231-8568 rvettern@ndsuext.nodak.edu

42. Remember… You can make a difference in a youth’s life… become a ND 4-H Volunteer Leader