Fauquier County 4-H Volunteer Leader’s Training

1. Fauquier County 4-H Volunteer Leader’s Training Your Toolbox for a Successful 4-H Club

2. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

4. 4-H Delivery Modes • Types: • Community Clubs • Project Clubs • Cloverbud Clubs • After School Clubs • Special Interest • School Enrichment Programs • Camping

5. Characteristics of Successful 4-H Clubs

6. Membership • 5 + members • 2 + leaders

7. Parent Involvement • Enroll parents when you enroll members • Have parents complete the Parent Interest form • When deciding on how to involve parents, find out what talents, interests and skills they have • It is important to be specific about what you ask parents to do

8. Membership Recruitment / Promotion • Each club should be representative of the area or community in which it is organized • Club should have plan for recruiting new members • Each club should have at least one promotional activity during the fall (National 4-H Week) • Involve new members: orientation, new member packets, eventually can assign mentors

9. Monthly Meetings • Minimum of one meeting/month at least 9 months out of the year • Clubs do better if they meet at regular times each month • Regular meetings should be planned in advance • Each meeting generally consists of: opening, business, program, and recreation/team building. • Parents are strongly encouraged to attend all meetings

10. The 4-H Project

11. 4-H Projects • Project work is the major source of subject matter learning • Every member should complete at least one project throughout the year • How is a project conducted? • In a project group or by conducting a self-determined project • With a project book • Each member should give a presentation to exhibit work

12. 4-H Project How is a project completed? • Beginning • Set goals and plan for the project selected • Build on last year’s project • During • Conduct project and participate in project activities • A project is completed after 6 hours of learning experiences • At Project End • Summarize project and determine results

13. 4-H Curriculum • What’s available? • VT materials are available at Extension online http://www.4-h.ext.vt.edu/programs/index.html • National 4-H materials are available from http://www.4-hmall.org • Other State Extension Programs offer many free resources online (ex. Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska)

16. 4-H Records • Each member should keep a record of 4-H work • Teaches fundamental record keeping skills • Teaches how to set goals and analyze what they have learned in 4-H • Record of accomplishments, and document successes in 4-H and other experiences (this record will help 4-Hers apply for the All Star Award, the highest award in 4-H, when they become seniors) • Provide an opportunity for recognition

17. Elected and Trained Officers • President • Vice President • Secretary • Treasurer • And More Historian Parliamentarian Reporter Recreation Leader Song Leader Community Service Director Outreach Advisor Photographer Fundraising Chair Sergeant at Arms

18. Constitution and bylaws • Constitution – foundation of the club • Bylaws – procedures of the club, easily amended • These documents should be created with youth input and should be approved by all club members

19. Goals Club goals • May relate to the focus of the club • General club goals • Member Goals • Support club goals • Ensure that members are learning leadership, citizenship, and life-skills

20. Annual Program Plan • Members surveyed Suggestion box Collages Idea Tapestry Committee Brainstorming • Newly elected officers and club leaders plan the year’s program • Special program planning committee representative of the club • Program should be presented for club approval • Evaluation

21. Service Learning • Community Service + Learning Experience • Leadership and citizenship opportunities • Connect with the larger community - Spread awareness of 4-H

22. Participation in Competitive Events • Judging motivates better work • Kids connect with the larger 4-H community

23. Show and Sale

24. Horse Show

25. Contest Day

26. Fair

27. Hippology

28. Livestock Livestock Judging Block and Bridle Stockmen’s State Fair Cattle Working Horse Horse Judging Southern Regionals Horse Bowl State Horse Show Other Project Areas Poultry Judging State Dog Show Leadership Focused Virginia 4-H Congress National 4-H Congress Citizenship Washington Focus Host weekend by Collegiate 4-H club District Contest Day Exchange Programs 4-H Events – beyond the county

29. Recognition and Awards • Can inspire and be an incentive to greater accomplishments • Individual Progress Towards Goals • Results from Peer Competition • Achievement Banquet • Club Recognition Night

30. Awards – Fauquier County • Outstanding 4-H Member Award • Portfolio Awards • Top County Awards • Achievement • Leadership • Citizenship • I Dare You  • Pinky Horsemanship  • Senior Honor Award • Sam Gouldthorpe Sr. Award • 4-H Alumni Award • Friend of 4-H Award

31. 4-H All Stars • What is All Stars? • Honor/Service organization • Highest honor in VA 4-H • Purpose • To contribute to positive youth development through service to the 4-H program • Nominees must: • Have completed 3 years of work as a 4-H member • Be at least 15 as of Jan. 1 of current year • Be an active 4-H member and no more than 19 years of age

32. Who? 18 district level Ambassadors (3 per Extension district) Four state officers One past president Mentors Adult Advisors What? Represent 4-H across Virginia Plan and implement State 4-H Congress District meetings Contact legislators Qualifications? One full year as 4-H member Documented formal leadership training Appropriate attitudes and skills Pre-service orientation When? Apply and run for cabinet at State 4-H Congress in the summer 4-H State Cabinet

33. Club Management

34. Club Bank Accounts • All 4-H clubs handling money should do so through a 4-H Agency Account • The treasurer uses the 4-H Treasurer’s Record Book to keep a ledger of revenue and expenditures • Club leaders and treasurers should plan an annual budget for the club • If a club disbands any funds return to the local 4-H Program

35. Sales Tax Exemption • Materials purchased for use by 4-H clubs are exempt • Materials purchased for resale by 4-H clubs are exempt • EIN = 54-6001805

36. Virginia Tech Insurance Coverage for Volunteers • Enrolled volunteers working on behalf of VCE are covered by the University liability policy. • If volunteers are charged with an illegal act, they will be excluded from this coverage.

37. Risk Management • Purpose: To provide safe and caring environment for youth and adults; Protect salaried and volunteer staff • Avoid – discontinue a risky component • Transfer – insurance (http://www.americanincomelife.com/who-we-serve/4-h-insurance) • Reduce – rules / code of conduct • Retain – if risk is minimal

38. Risk Management • Above Suspicion Policy • Volunteers shall be screened prior to being selected to serve in a volunteer role • There must be 2 volunteers or more when left in the presence of 4-H youth

39. Accident/Incidents • Follow instructions on Risk Management Cardsin case of emergency • Report all other minor incidents to the 4-H Agent in a timely manner

40. Using the 4-H Name and Emblem • If you are a member or volunteer you are permitted to use the 4-H Name and Emblem once your program is chartered with the Official 4-H charter • Use the whole emblem • Keep it upright • Color: should never be screened, shaded or multi-colored • Shape: should never be distorted

41. Examples of Use of Emblem Appropriate Inappropriate Kids Club Inappropriate Appropriate http://www.intra.ext.vt.edu/marketing/logos2.html

42. Forms for Members and Volunteers • Enrollment • Health History • Code of Conduct • Volunteer enrollment • Standards of Behavior

43. 4-H Club Charters

44. 4-H Charters • What are 4-H Charters? • Certifies a group as an official VA 4-H entity that meets minimum standards • Provides the following privileges: • Authorization to use 4-H name and emblem • Authorization to raise, allocate and disburse funds in support of local 4-H programs, projects and groups.

45. 4-H Club Charters • What Groups are required to have a charter? • All 4-H clubs • All Adult Volunteer Based groups

46. 4-H Club Charters • What are the requirements for 4-H Club Charters? • Membership of at least 5 4-H members • At least 2 enrolled and trained volunteer leaders • Enrollment, Health History, Code of Conduct forms on file for all members and leaders • Elected and trained youth officers • An adopted club constitution and bylaws • A written club annual program plan

47. 4-H Club Charters • How does a group receive a charter? • Complete the 4-H Club Charter Application Form • Submit the application to the Extension Office and we submit to the State 4-H Office

48. 4-H Club Charters • How Long is a Charter Valid? • 4-H Charters are valid until the end of 4-H year • Ways a Club Might Lose it’s Charter • Failure to meet initial or renewal charter requirements • Changes in 4-H club’s name • Disbanding or separation of the club • Failure to follow VCE policies • Extension Agent revokes Charter

49. 4-H Club Charter Renewals • Continue to fulfill the minimum requirements for a club charter • Submit a 4-H Club and Organization Civil Rights Compliance Form • Submit a 4-H Club Annual Audit Report • Submit a 4-H Property Inventory Report

50. Volunteer’s Responsibilities to Extension Agent • Collect enrollment information and turn into Extension Agent • Turn in regular 4-H club reports • Keep agent informed of club activities • Keep members and parents informed of information sent by the Extension Agent • Inform Extension Agent of your training needs • Attend leader training meetings • Submit requests for information and resource materials well in advance of program being conducted • Support county, district, and state events • Insure club resources are appropriately managed