El Dorado County 4-H Youth Development Program

Leadership

Life Skills

Citizenship

Member Guide

El Dorado County 4-H Youth Development Program

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT EL DORADO COUNTY 4-H

Website: http://ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_4-H_Program/

(ElDoradoCounty4h)

UC COOPERATIVE EXTENSIONUniversity of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

WHO WE ARE, 4-H Staff:Vera M. Allen, Youth Development Program Representative (Enrollment, Club & Countywide Projects, Volunteer Development, Policy)(530) 621-5507 vmallen@ucanr.edu

Denise Vaffredo, Youth Development Program Representative (Livestock, Countywide/Special Events, Newsletter & Record Books)(530) 621-5568 dveffredo@ucanr.edu

Nancy Starr, 4-H Desk Administrative Assistant (530) 621-5503 njstarr@ucanr.edu

WHERE WE ARE:University of California 4-H, El Dorado Office houses the 4-H staff. Address: 311 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667

4-H office is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHAT WE DO:The 4-H staff provides technical support to all levels of the 4-H program. Here 4-H members can find forms, program information, curricula, and collaboration.

Mission: 4-H assists young people, ages 5-19, to reach their fullest potential as healthy, happy, thriving people who make a positive

contribution in their communities.The 4-H Youth Development program combines the strengths

of experiential education and inquiry-based learning with a positive youth development framework that addresses the developmental and

educational needs of young people.

4-H PLEDGE:

4-H SLOGAN:

4-H MOTTO:

All ANR programs are federally mandated to be accessible to persons with disabilities• All materials should advertise that the county offices and

meeting sites are accessible to individuals in wheelchairs (if they are)

• Individuals who need to request an ADA accommodation in order to participate in 4-H sponsored events and activities can complete a 4-H ADA Accommodation Request Form

• UCCE County 4-H YDP staff fill out the ADA Accommodation Request for Material/Equipment Form and submit to the Office of Affirmative Action when requesting materials, equipment and services or financial support from ANR

Accessibility

4-H Structure4-H is an organization for youth, ages 5-19, thatpromotes hands-on learning and is based onvolunteer participation. The common theme is “youthlearning and growing in citizenship, leadership, andlife-skills.” To accomplish this, 4-H is structured thefollowing way in El Dorado County:4-H starts on a club level, then moves on to county,region, state, and national levels. 4-H offers such awide range of projects, programs and activities thatevery member can do well in 4-H.

4-H Clubs are one of the most popular and visible partsof the overall 4-H program. A 4-H Club is run by youthwith the help of one or more adult advisors. The Clubusually has one meeting a month where all membersattend. This meeting is run by elected club officers andcovers general club business. Each Club offers one ormore projects.

Projects are the heart of 4-H’s hands-on learning. Each project focuses on a topic – anything from art tozoology – including cows, bugs, cooking, mechanics, camping, photography, candy, and rocket science. Thereare thousands of different projects. Your imagination is the only limit.

4-H COMMUNITY CLUBS

All 4-H members choose a Community Club whose meetings and events they will attend. Meetings are held monthly and are run by youth with the help of one or more adult Community Club Leaders. Each Community Club has elected youth officers and puts on varying events for its members. To be eligible for fair a member must attend 80% of their Community Club meetings. Members who attend every club meeting during the year receive a 100% Attendance pin.

Community Club Meetings are an important source of information about the 4-H program, events, and project meeting dates. Members may change clubs during open enrollment. After October 15 members changing cubs must notify in writing the leaders of both the club they are leaving, and the club they are joining, and the UCCE office within 30 days.

Each Community Club offers various projects that its members may participate in.These can range from arts and crafts to swine to zoology. All that is needed to havea project is a willing volunteer leader and three or more youth members.

• Projects must have a minimum of six hours of project meetings and instruction.Projects meet on a regular basis, usually once a month, but variations arepossible.

• Members must attend 80% of their project meetings to be eligible to show theirproject at fair.

If you are interested in a project that is not offered by your club you may join acounty-wide project or you may join the project at another club with the leaderspermission. Example: A member wants to participate in a foods project and theirclub has a foods project that is the project the member will participate in. If theirclub doesn’t have a foods project, then the member may participate in a county-wide or another club’s project.

4-H Projects

Competition and Primary Members Formal competition does not foster the development of self-esteem in members younger than age nine. Therefore, structured competition, including the use of the American and Danish Systems of judging, is not permitted for the 5-8 year olds. Primary members may receive participation recognition only.

Animal Projects and Primary Members The only approved animal projects for primary members are dogs, rabbits, rats, cats, poultry, cavies, mice, embryology, entomology, marine science, pygmy and Nigerian dwarf goats and therapeutic animal projects. Check with your county 4-H staff to discover which projects are available to primary members.

Primary Members and 4-HFramework for programming outlined by USDA/NIFA 4-H HQ• May only participate in primary

member approved projects California 4-H Project List.

• Exhibit in shows and fairs based on their age/grade as of December 31st of the 4-H program year regardless of when a fair, show, or event is conducted during the calendar year.

Membership Policy• Junior, Intermediate, Senior 4-H Members

o Must be 9 years old by December 31st of the program yearo Continue in the program until December 31st of the year in

which they become 19o Developmentally appropriate programming defined in 4-H

Policy Handbook

• Special Needs Memberso Extensions beyond the age of 19 must be approved annually by the

County Director.

• Project Leaders should encourage members to participate in events related to their 4-H projects such as Presentation Day, Home Arts Day, etc.

• Project Leaders should assist members with the 4-H project report form, or arrange for a Jr./Teen Leader to help members.

• Project leaders should hold their meetings on a regular and consistent basis that best fits their individual schedules.

• Project leaders also must attend project leader meetings put on by the resource leaders.

• A project needs a minimum of three members. • A leader may choose to limit the total number

members in their project but the project must be filled on a first-come-first-served basis, based on completion of registration

Project Leaders are trained by the 4-Hoffice and must undergo a backgroundcheck and fingerprinting process.

Project Leaders may have meetings intheir homes, but there must be 2certified 4H adults present.

Curriculum and project planningassistance is available for projects.

All 4-H volunteers must submit a 4-H volunteer application, complete an orientation, agree to the Volunteer Code of Conduct and be cleared in a background check, prior to their appointment. Volunteer appointments are made by the county director. Volunteers are appointed agents of the University of California to carry out their duties as educators under the policies set forth at the national, state and county levels.

• The 4-H organization is run by volunteers from community club families.

• Projects are run by volunteers also

• Our local clubs are supported by two (2) 4-H YDP representatives and one (1) office support staff.

• In order to succeed as a club and benefit ALL youth, everyone should volunteer!

WHO ARE YOUR VOLUNTEERS CONTACTS/LEADERS

CLUB LEADERSPROJECT LEADERSOTHER FINGERPRINTED ADULTSCOMMITTEE LEADERS

Club Level• Club Leader• Assistant Club Leader• Enrollment Coordinator• Officer Team Advisor• Treasurer Advisor• Record Book Coordinator• County Council Representative County Level

• Volunteer Management Board Member• Program Board Chairperson• Event Chairperson• Event Committee Member• Expansion and Review Committee Member• Evaluator• Newsletter Editor• State Representative

Project Level• Project Leader• Assistant Project Leader• Fundraiser Advisor • Resource Leader• School Enrichment • County/Club Liaison

State Level• Volunteer Management Board• Statewide Committee Member• Statewide Advisory Committee

Summer Camp/Leadership Conferences• Camp Director• Cabin Leader• Chaperone• Carpool Driver• Committee Member

4-H MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Learn the 4-H Motto and Pledge• Abide by the 4-H Code of Conduct• Select projects with guidance from a 4-H Leader, parent/guardian• Attend 4-H Community Club and project meetings• Do your own project work• Participate in local and county 4-H activities and events• Exhibit project work• Participate in committees• Participate in service learning & community service projects• Keep a record of 4-H project work• Stay informed, READ the Hotline, READ your club newsletter• LISTEN at Community Club meetings• Be aware of deadlines and make sure your paperwork is in on time

4-H PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES• Involvement in monthly Community

Club and project meetings • Offer support to your club and

project leaders (remember they are volunteers)

• Support your child’s project work by helping him/her secure the needed materials

• Transport your child to meetings and events

• Volunteer by enrolling in the 4-H program to help with the many events put on during the year – many hands make for light work

• Stay informed, • READ the Hotline, • READ your club newsletters• ATTEND Community Club Meetings • Be aware of deadlines and make sure

your paperwork is in on time

IMPORTANT 4-H DATES

July 1- October 15 Enrollment for 4-H

September- October First club meeting

October Recognition Night

October- May Work on projects (keep records from each meeting for your record book)

February Presentation Day

March 4-H Skills Day

April Home Arts DayColor Me Green 5k Fun Run

June Horse Show, County Fair

July 4-H Camp

EVENTS:

Recognition Night: Is an event where 4-H members & volunteers are recognized for the previous years work.

Home Arts Day: is El Dorado County’s annual 4-H event highlighting everything but livestock. Fashion Revue is included in the day’s activities. Arts and crafts, food preservation, fiber arts, robotics woodworking & photography are also part of this fun day.

Skills Day: is a fun filled day wheremembers may show off the skillsthey have learned in their projects.Member can also check out whatother projects are doing!

4-H CAMP4-H camp is a 5 day/ 4 night camp located in El Dorado County. Members stay in cabins and spend their days hiking, swimming, playing games, doing crafts. Life-long friendships are built at camp with a focus on skill building, team work and collaboration. The evenings are filled with campfire events, skits, songs, and fun!

EVENTS CONTINUEDPresentation Day: is when members from all over the county get together to give talks (presentations) and visual displays about things that interest them. Presentations are judged and awards are given. Presentation Day helps members to: Develop an ability to speak before a group, Share acquired knowledge and skill, Develop creativity Gain experience in teamwork, Gain self-confidence, leadership and initiative, Gain personal recognition & Have a more interesting and active project!

MORE OPPORTUNITIES• Junior/Teen Leader: A member may lead a project under the supervision of an adult leader. Members

in sixth through eighth grade may be a Junior Leader. Members in ninth grade and above may be aTeen Leader.

• Emerald Star: 4-H member may develop service projects in their community or 4-H beyond the clublevel through the Emerald Star. Helping individual 4-H members grow and improve themselves in theareas of organization, leadership, and planning a project from beginning to end.

• All Stars: All Stars are the ambassadors of the 4-H program in a county. They are selected based oncriteria set by County Council. All Stars plan their own program within established guidelines. TheirPlan of Action may include planning and leading a county event, fundraising, visiting clubs,participating in Council meetings, presenting the 4-H program to other agencies, etc. They may alsoparticipate in the State 4-H Leadership Conference, State or Sectional 4-H meetings and events, andother activities.

• State Ambassador: State Ambassadors must be 16 to 19 years of age and are selected based ondemonstrated ability in leadership along with achievement in 4-H. Ambassadors serve for fourteenmonths from July to August and support and assist with various local, regional and state programs.

• Conferences: There are many conferences and leadership training opportunities for both volunteersand youth members. Conferences are held regionally and statewide. Some are open to any interestedleader or member while others are open to designated representatives such as All Stars. You can findmore information on conferences on the county and state websites, and in the Hotline. CountyCouncil offers Educational Sponsorships to many conferences. See the Hotline and county website forapplications and deadlines.

RECORD BOOKSRecord Books are a formal record of a member’s accomplishments and involvement for the year. 4-H members are encouraged to keep a Record Book because it is an important part of the educational experience in 4-H. Record books are also used to qualify a member for stars, awards and scholarships.

Record Books help members to: • Record accomplishments • Recognize personal growth • Evaluate their learning • Develop valuable record keeping skills • Take pride and interest in their records because they are the author and

artist in their Record Books

The current Record Book manual, forms and detailed instructions can be found at: http://ucanr.edu/sites/EDC_4-H_Program/Record_Books/

Record Book covers may be purchased at the 4-H office.

JUDGING RECORD BOOKS• Record books are judged at the club level and may compete at the county

level if recommended by your leader (any member can compete at state level, if interested).

• Record books are judged on both the completeness and neatness of records, and the achievement and enthusiasm of the member.

• At the club level, record books can receive a green, red, blue or gold seal. Record books earning a Gold seal may compete at the county level.

• At the county level, books can receive certificate of merit, silver, gold, or a Premium Medalist award.

UNIFORMThe 4-H uniform is not required for membership or

participation in 4-H sponsored activities and events, however, 4-H uniform is required to show at fair.

4-H Hat Kelly-green for members through 8th grade. White for members 9th grade and above.

Shirt/ Blouse White, long or short sleeved shirt or blouse (not sleeveless).

Tie/Collar Green tie with 4-H emblem or green collar with 1-3/4 emblem (chevron on the back corners).

Jeans/Pants White pants, slacks or jeans – a belt must be worn if there are belt loops.

Footwear Clean black, white or brown shoes or boots.

Exceptions to uniform:

Western Horse showmanship uniform consist of blue jean pants, white long sleeved shirt, 4-H tie, boots (mandatory), ASTM/SEI approved equestrian helmet (mandatory), western belt. English Horse check with leader for uniform information.

4-H HAT, STRIPES, PINS & STARS

A members hat is used to display her/ his awards! The 4-H Clover is worn on the front right side. The clover is followed by the white on green service stripes, one for each year in 4-H. More details can be found on the state 4-H website:

http://4h.ucanr.edu/About/History/Attire/

CODE OF CONDUCTThe 4-H Policy Handbook tells me my rights as a 4-H member, and the rules I have to follow. 4-H calls the most important rules for members the “Code of Conduct”. When members follow the Code of Conduct, it helps keep 4-H safe and fun for everyone.I will follow the 4-H Code of Conduct (rules) and I will:1. Be nice, kind, helpful, and respectful to other 4-H members; and to adult volunteers, youth leaders, 4-H staff, and other adults in charge.2. Be honest, honor my commitments, and accept responsibility for my choices.3. Use language that is respectful and kind. Not use curse words. 4. Wear appropriate clothes that are allowed by 4-H rules.5. Not use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs (unless my doctor gives them to me).6. Not bother or attack others, not carry or use a weapon; and not do anything else illegal or unsafe. 7. Know that adults can search my things (like my backpack) if they think I might have broken the 4-H rules.8. Not touch anyone in a way that is too affectionate, and not engage in sexual behavior.9. Follow the 4-H Guidelines for Social Media http://www.ca4h.org/files/133821.docx. 10. Not do things outside of 4-H that are harmful to anyone in 4-H or the 4-H program.