An Orientation Programfor 4-H Club
Volunteer Leaders
4-H Mission, Policies and Implementation
Helping you put knowledge to work.
The 4-H Youth Development Program of University of Illinois Extension helps youth learn skills
for living.
The period of time from September 1 through August 31.
Any youth who participates in a program, which is planned, organized, delivered, and
evaluated by the University of Illinois Extension.
Any person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status,
familial status, sexual orientation, or disability may participate in
4-H programs.
This 4-H program is open to youth who are five, six, or seven
years of age on or before September 1 of the 4-H year. It
is not intended to duplicate the 8-19 year old experience, nor to
create a mini-4-H concept.
Youth who are eight years of age and have not reached their
nineteenth birthday on or before September 1 of the current 4-H
year.
4-H Clubs, Special Interest Groups, Short-term programs,
and Individuals
4-H members’ behavior is expected to demonstrate the
character traits of trustworthiness, respect,
responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship
This document contains plans for financial activity within the club
during the 4-H year.
This report provides a detailed accounting of the year’s financial
transactions for a club. It is submitted to and filed in the
Extension Unit Office.
This club officer has responsibility for signing checks along with at least one adult from the club to whom he or she is not
directly related.
4-H Leader OrientationIntroducing . . . .
University of Illinois Extension in
Champaign County
Champaign County Program Committees
• Unit Council Extension Board Marketing/Resource Program (i.e. ag/hort, youth development,
home & family, community economic development)
Special Committees (as needed)
Champaign County Program Committees (c’d.)
• Youth Development Expansion & Review (required) Project (home ec, livestock, general) Event & Activity (Fair, National 4-H Week,
International Night, Cloverbud Fair, etc.) Volunteerism (selection, interview & training) Federation and/or Ambassadors 4-H Foundation
Champaign County Program Committees (c’d.)
• Agriculture/Horticulture/Natural Resources• Home & Family• Community Economic Development
Champaign County Organizational Chart
S e c re tary 1 o r 2
S e c re ta ry 3 F a m ily N u tritio n P ro g ram V o lu n te e rs
U n it L e a d er
V o lu n te e rs
A c a d e m ic H o u rlyS c h o o l E nric h m e nt
C o m m u n ity W o rk er
U n it E d u c a torY o u th D e ve lo p m e nt
M a ste r G a rd e n e rs
A c a d e m ic H o u rly
U n it E d u c a torH o rtic u ltu re
R e g io n a l D ire c tor
Types of Staff in Champaign County
• Administrative Associate Dean &
Director, Extension & Outreach
Assistant Dean & Director, 4-H
Regional Director Associate Regional
Director
• Academic Professional Unit Leader Unit Educator Unit Assistant Extension Educator Extension Specialists State 4-H Staff
Types of Staff in Champaign County (c’d.)
• Civil Service Secretarial Community Worker Program Coordinator
• Temporary Academic Hourly 900 Hour Summer
4-H Delivery Modes Utilized in Champaign County
• Club Community School
• Special Interest School Enrichment After School Community
4-H Delivery Modes Utilized in Champaign County (c’d.)
• Short-Term• Camp• Individual Membership• Cloverbud Groups
Types of Volunteers Utilized in Champaign County
• Club Organizational, Project, Activity, Junior Mentor Leaders
• Cloverbud Groups Organizational, Project
Types of Volunteers Utilized in Champaign County (c’d.)
• Special Interest School Teachers, Agency, After School Staff
• Short Term Project Workshop Leaders, Ag Expo
• Administrative Volunteers Committees, Superintendents, Judges
4-H Glossary
• Famous for acronyms like IFYE.• Bad about not explaining them. Please
don’t be embarrassed to ask us to explain.• As time progresses, you can help us think of
new ones!
Champaign County4-H Policies
• Unique to our county• Cannot supercede State 4-H Policies• Developed by: • Approved on:
Clubs, Meetings, Projects, Life Skills,
Experiential Learning
What is a 4-H Club?
• Five or more youth• Elected officers• Planned programs/activities• Six or more meetings
What is 4-H Club Meeting?
What is a 4-H Project?• Major way 4-H’ers "learn by doing“• A series of experiential learning activities• Planned by member & leader or helper • Involves:
setting goals learning new skills (subject matter and life skills) evaluating progress
• Done in a challenging and fun format • Specific subject-matter chosen by a 4-H member
What is 4-H Activity?
• Group experiences that reinforce, but may not address specific projects.
• Examples include: Community service Club trip Group study Judging Contest Fundraising
Experiential Learning Cycle
What are Life Skills?
• Competency: Decision-making Communication
• Coping Positive self concept, consistent with values
• Contributory Leadership Community Service
The Job of a Volunteer Leader is to:
• Help youth develop skills• Teach members how to think, not what to think• Recognize & encourage members
You Don’t Have to Do the Job Alone
• Adult and Junior Leaders• Parents• Experienced 4-H Members• Community Members• Mentor Leaders• Extension Staff
Volunteer Leadership Roles in 4-H Clubs
4-H Project Leader
Helps members enrolled in a specific project gain knowledge, skills and
attitudes for that project.
4-H Activity Leader
Helps members learn through involvement in one or more 4-H
activities.
4-H Organizational Leader
• Provides leadership to the club organization, structure and operation.
• Serves as primary contact for the club.
4-H Project Leader ResponsibilitiesFacilitates learning in the project --• Introducing the project to all members and
parents.• Helping members set goals and plan.• Conducting project meetings and workshops.• Assisting individuals in planning and
completing projects.
4-H Project LeaderResponsibilities (c’d.)
Supports other activities to enhance project learning --• Involving older members as junior leaders.• Encouraging parents to support projects at home.• Assisting members with presentations, contests and exhibits of
their projects.• Helping members complete planning forms and reporting
accomplishments.• Keeping members informed of other opportunities.• Recognizing achievement in projects.
4-H Activity Leader Responsibilities
Help members --• Set goals for the activity.• Explore alternatives and options.• Develop a plan.• Report plans and gain support of other members.• Organize tasks needed to carry out the plan.• Secure resources (human, materials, funds, transportation,
etc.)• Identify and assign responsibilities.
4-H Activity LeaderResponsibilities (c’d.)
• Publicize the activity and inform potential participants.• Identify and manage risks.• Recruit other volunteers and plan for supervision.• Coordinate all aspects of the activity.• Evaluate the activity.• Celebrate successful completion of the activity.• Encourage/facilitate participation in related activities at
unit level and beyond.
4-H Organizational Leader Responsibilities
Guides the organization of the club by:• Organizing recruitment and enrollment of members• Scheduling regular meetings• Helping club members and families set club goals• Facilitating program planning• Assisting with evaluating individual and group
accomplishments
4-H Organizational Leader Responsibilities (c’d.)
Supports group and individual learning by:• Guiding individual members in project
selection• Securing and distributing learning resources• Conducting group activities and events• Providing training and guidance for officers,
committees and junior leaders
4-H Organizational Leader Responsibilities (c’d.)
Coordinates recruitment and work of other volunteers:• Informing of leadership needs• Completing screening and enrollment procedures• Helping volunteers understand and carry out roles• Monitoring activity, encouraging and guiding other
volunteers• Helping volunteers evaluate progress• Recognizing volunteer achievements
4-H Organizational Leader Responsibilities (c’d.)
Maintains communication with members, unit, region and state program by:
• Establishing information dissemination processes in the club
• Maintaining regular contact with Extension staff• Attending leader training and information meetings• Providing club enrollments and other information
Junior or Teen Leaders
Older 4-H members who lead other members.
Filling Leadership Needs1. Identify Club Needs2. Describe Club Roles3. Recruit and Interview Prospects4. Screen and Place Volunteers5. Orient and Develop Leaders’ Skills6. Provide Support7. Evaluate Club Staffing for New Year
Volunteers & 4-H Partner to Provide Wholesome and
Safe Programs
Extension Expects Volunteers to:
• Know and Carry Out Mission• Provide Information about Interests• Follow Behavior Guidelines• Maintain Two-way Communication• Participate in Orientation• Work as a Team
Volunteers Expect from Extension:
• Meaningful and Clearly Defined Roles• Orientation, Training Support and Direction• Inclusion in Decision-Making• Teamwork• Performance Feedback• Recognition and Appreciation
Selection Procedures --4-H Volunteers
• Extension Volunteer Application• 3 References• Interview• Check of DCFS’ CANTS Database• Check Registered Sex Offenders List• Verify Auto License and Insurance for
Authorized Drivers*• Check Criminal Convictions**
Guidelines for Youth Interaction• Avoid being alone with one youth.• Do not share a sleeping room with a youth.• Avoid socializing with 4-H youth outside 4-H
and family settings.• Do not use physical discipline.• Be alert to evidence of potential abuse or neglect
and report it.• Encourage parent participation in 4-H activities.
Liability Protectionfor
4-H Volunteers
Risk ManagementHelps Avoid
Liability
Becoming Familiarwith the Office
• Office Tour• Maps, phone number, address• Staff Introductions• Unit/Office Policies• Additional Facilities• Emergency Contacts
Assessing Needsand
Training Programs
Interpreting Volunteer Inventories
• What skills can you share with others?• What are your most urgent training needs?• What are the most urgent training needs of the
whole group?
Training/In-Service Opportunities
• 4-H Volunteer Leader meetings• Neighboring county’s Volunteer Leader
meetings• Multi-county/Regional Forums• State Volunteer Forum• North Central Volunteer Forum
Other Training Resources
•Mentor Leaders•Publications/audio-visual•Illinois 4-H Clover•Illinois Leader Newsletter•National Source Book
•Project leader guides•Helping Youth Help Youth series
•Leader Handbook•4-H Web pages
Volunteer Requirements
• Attend orientation programs• Abide by Illinois 4-H policies• Work to provide youth with quality learning
experiences
Expectation: Take Advantageof Training
• Training to help you develop specific skills• Training to help you effectively
use specific materials help members use specific project guides conduct specific programs
• Information/coordination meetings about county events, etc.
Making Your Needs Known
• Important to keep Extension staff informed about training needs. Write, phone, e-mail, and FAX Contact Kathy Mullins, 333.7672 Contact your mentor
This 4-H Orientation Lesson Planwas developed by
The Volunteer Training Subcommittee of Youth Development Education Team
*************************************************Mary Kay Munson, Extension Specialist, 4-H/Youth, ChairBill Million, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth DevelopmentDeanna Roby, Extension Unit Educator, Youth DevelopmentMelinda States, Extension Educator, Youth DevelopmentJudy Taylor, Extension Educator, Youth Development
September, 2001
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