Who’s Who and Who’s Important

New Family New Members * Benefits of new families in your 4-H club * How to retain these new families and members * What new families and new members need

New Family New Members A new family in your 4-H club means you have expanded your club’s family circle * Benefits of new families in your 4-H club * Committee work * Club fundraising * Parent helpers at project meetings * Future project leaders ( Youth and Adults ) * Future organizational leaders * Future club officers * New ideas

One of the strengths of 4-H is that it provides an opportunity for family involvement. * Benefits of new families in your 4-H club

4-H, by design encourages parents to take part in member activities and experiences. * Benefits of new families in your 4-H club

Parents are especially vital to the 4-H program. They can provide: * Benefits of new families in your 4-H club * Encouragement * Assistance * Transportation * Guidance * Knowledge * Resources * Leadership * Ideas * Sparks of energy and enthusiasm * Role models for younger members * A lighter load for organizational leaders and project leaders

* Benefits of new families in your 4-H club New members are eager to participate *More often than not, they will be eager to volunteer their family to help on a committee, or for their family to bake cookies for the club auction basket. * They are new at the idea of fundraising and can’t wait to sell, sell, sell. Their minds are already racing to the finish line.

* Benefits of new families in your 4-H club * They quickly jump at the chance to fill an office in their 4-H club. * These new young members are enthusiastic great recruiters for your club and the 4-H program. * They enjoy spreading the news at church, school or other activities they are involved in about their 4-H club, their new friends, new experiences and fun activities.

* Benefits of new families in your 4-H club * The community also benefits when families support community minded organizations like 4-H. Involved families are more knowledgeable about community needs and therefore more likely to support community efforts as well. * Getting these families off on the right foot means added support for your leadership teams that can help lighten the load.

* Benefits of new families in your 4-H club * Everyone benefits when parent are involved in the 4-H club. Parental involvement is needed and welcomed Team work is essential Never say “No” to a volunteer

New Families New Members * What new families and new members need * Parents want what is best for their children. They have enrolled them in your 4-H club because they believe it will benefit their child. * Most parents consider their sons and daughters their most cherished possessions. Parents will be more comfortable, knowing their child will have a meaningful and purposeful experience.

* What new families and new members need * It is a good idea to have a Family Coordinator in place who can greet these new families and introduce them to the Organizational Leaders along with the President of your club. * A friendly greeting is important. They may know someone in your club, but they may have come on their own.

* What new families and new members need In this brief introduction they have learned : * You as a parent are involved in the club in some way. * The leadership of the club belongs to the youth. * The Organizational Leaders who oversee the tasks at hand between your club and the District Extension Office provide a safe, positive and nurturing environment for youth.

* What new families and new members need In this brief introduction you have learned : * The names of the parents. * The names of the potential 4-H members. It is important to a parent that you have taken the time to associate with their children and that you have not overlooked them. After all they are there for their children.

* What new families and new members need A main source of contact for your new families creates less confusion. They can go to that contact and ask questions, and get answers. Give your new family some information about your club: * When your club meets * Where your club meets * Special events that take place in your club (Flyers from the Extension Office or you can create your own)

* What new families and new members need Parents : * Like to see that there is a sense of thankfulness and recognition. Recognition of achievements, to leaders, committees, volunteers, of a job well done. This can be a simple acknowledgment in front of the entire 4-H club or something special. * Parents see that we are a group working together, and are not out for self gratification. We are there to help, be encouraging and share in the excitement of each others accomplishments and successes.

* What new families and new members need New 4-H members : It is encouraging to young new 4-H members that there is active participation by all ages. Young and older members doing project talks, demonstrations, reporting on committees, and sharing their ideas in discussions.

* What new families and new members need New 4-H members: To be noticed by older 4-H members is a big deal. Imagine the feeling they get when they are greeted by the officers at the next meeting. Would that not give them a tremendous feeling? Young members may not remember the adults involved in the club, but this is where the 4-H identity comes in. They will remember whose parent you are. Does this sound familiar, I am (insert childs name) Mother/Father.

New Families New Members * How to retain these new families and members Parents have a significant role in 4-H ! The key to parental support is to make them knowledgeable about the 4-H program. A parent who is significantly involved in 4-H will have a better understanding of how the 4-H program works.

* How to retain these new families and members Parental involvement is vital to the success of a 4-H member. It takes the parents good will and support to keep their children interested, enthusiastic, and active. A child's attitude and accomplishments are strongly influenced by parental attitudes.

* How to retain these new families and members Reasons parents want to get involved: * Desire to help their child * Joy of helping others * Personal satisfaction * They have a skill to share * Enjoy working with other adults * Enjoy teamwork * Enjoy new experiences * Their child wants their parent involved “ Making a Difference”

* How to retain these new families and members Why parents don't get involved! * No one has asked them to be involved * No one has really explained how to be involved * Too many other commitments * Fear they have nothing to offer * They don’t know how to ask without seeming pushy or nosey

* How to retain these new families and members The key to a truly successful 4-H club is team work. A club that works together and shares the load is a club that is living by the pillars of character. They share their talent and skills to help make their club better.

* How to retain these new families and members Parents need to be given the knowledge, but the new 4-H member needs to feel part of the club and have fun !! * Get new parents involved * Keep members active

* How to retain these new families and members Don’t think that any part of your club counts any less than another. A club that demonstrates these qualities will most likely retain their members.

* How to retain these new families and members Every area is important (First impressions make lasting impressions) President: They are presiding over the meeting closely keeping structure at the meetings. Parents see a structured well run meeting with YOUTH involvement.

* How to retain these new families and members Song leader: Camp songs are sung, and everyone’s favorite, Happy Birthday. We need to stress the fun of this activity more. Recreation: This is a very important activity, that is usually one of the first items to be cut from the agenda. For many new 4-H members this is the first place that they can truly participate. They learn names, and make new friends.

* How to retain these new families and members Secretary: Roll call plays a big part of our 4-H business. The young 4-H member knows the roll call response and anxiously waits for their name to be called and this is one of the first forms of public speaking in their 4-H experience. * Encourage roll call to be fun. * Discover new ways to announce response before the meeting so the young 4-H member can come up with a clever answer.

* How to retain these new families and members Club Committees: One of the first areas where new families have the opportunity to participate. Tour: Every 4-H member should be proud of their accomplishments. The tour is a fantastic way for each member to show their work and receive praise from fellow club members

* How to retain these new families and members Float: At times this can be a dreaded item. What will we do for a club float? Who will commit to preparing the float? Remember… new families bring new ideas. This is one important area where new members can feel they are really a part of something special. It is exciting to them to ride the club float in the parade with all of their new 4-H club.

The task before us all is not always easy. Each one of you has something special inside that wants to see your club be successful, grow and be able to keep new members.

If you did not have this desire…… You would not be here today!!!

Resources: * K-State Research and Extension * Ohio State University 4-H Office * Texas Agricultural Extension Services * Indiana 4-H Leader Guide * University of Minnesota 4-H Extension * Missouri 4-H Youth Development