Building a Strong 4-H Club Rod Buchele, SW Area 4-H Specialist

Traits of a Strong 4-H Club Fun for members Growing Doing Strong Leadership Adult Youth Visible in the Community

Traits of a Strong 4-H Club Fun Members bring in new members New members (and their families) welcomed and supported Members receive recognition for many accomplishments Members participate in beyond the club level activities, events and training

Traits of a Strong 4-H Club Fun High percentage attendance at meetings, activities and events Family involvement Lots of parents at the meetings and activities Good relationship with the Extension Office Fair to all Good Communication

Traits of a Strong 4-H Club Parents committee active Community Service Fun Meetings belong to members Youth are valued - Youth as partners Broad base of Leadership Planned leadership progression

How do we build strong 4-H Clubs? Standard meeting times and places Have and use an annual plan and calendar Have good communication systems in place Club Officers receive training and support Club Officers run the club meetings Club meetings include Fun - recreation, fun activities etc. Learning - program or activity Accomplishment - do something of value

How do we build strong 4-H Clubs? At meetings club members talk more than Adults (leaders and parents) Club Values Club Meetings, Activities and Events for and of members, members have a real say in them Kids are the important out come Members have real age appropriate leadership development experiences

How do we build strong 4-H Clubs? Strong Leadership Many are involved in leadership roles There is a plan for bringing in new leaders Community Project New leaders are supported Experienced leaders stay involved as mentors When is isn’t fun anymore, leaders move on

How do we build strong 4-H Clubs? Leaders see their job as helping others Leaders see their job as involving others Leaders lead do with rather than for do to teach Leaders seek to improve by; training, talking to others, seeking help

Strong 4-H Clubs Do things Have fun Remember that the growth and development of the member is the reason for 4-H Keep the experience of the member the priority Show strong communications Are fair to all Keep conflicts rational and non-personal

Strong 4-H Clubs Understand that building leadership in youth is developed by practice but the process is sometimes messy and rarely efficient Members, Parents and Families are, or become friends through the club Members, Parents and Families place high value on the 4-H Experience

Develop strong kids Strong 4-H Clubs Practice learning and thinking - Head Care for members and families - Heart Do cool stuff - Hands Promote healthy behaviors - Health Develop strong kids