New 4-H Family Orientation University of Illinois Extension Kane County Unit 535 S. Randall Road St. Charles, IL /

What is 4-H? – Voluntary, informal education program for boys and girls who are ages 8 to 18, or in the third grade by September 1 of the current program year. – Open to everyone. – Clubs are volunteer led. Purpose is education involving dedicated volunteers as teachers and mentors. Family involvement in the program is important. – Members are expected to be active in their club and complete their project responsibilities at least for the year they enroll. Parents are expected to support that commitment through example, assistance, and enforcement.

What is 4-H? (continued) To encourage a well-rounded 4-H experience, youth must participate in a minimum of four 4-H meetings, tours, workshops, and/or other 4-H activities in Kane County (or representing Kane County) to be considered a 4-H member in Kane County. Two of those activities must be club meetings; the other two are at the member choosing. Those who do not meet this requirement will not be eligible to take part in 4-H exhibitions, receive 4-H premiums or other 4-H awards and recognition that are available to 4-H members.

What methods does 4-H use? – Meetings – democratic process where youth experience being officers, serving on committees and conducting business – Projects & Clinics – tools to create interest and develop skills – Field Trips & Tours – expand project experience and explore careers – Public Presentations – develop skills to speak comfortably in front of others

What methods does 4-H use? (continued) – Community Service – develops community citizenship – County Fair Judging/Exhibits – expands project learning and provides recognition for project achievement – Recognition – certificates, year pins, project medals, ribbons, awards, trips, scholarships, and memorabilia to provide motivation and encouragement

Who is responsible for administering the 4-H program? University of Illinois Extension U of I Extension receives financial support from the federal, state, and county governments, as well as private donors. We provide informal education to the citizens of Kane County – 4-H youth development, consumer & family, horticulture, nutrition & wellness, agriculture.

Staff Introductions Deanna Roby, 4-H Youth Development Educator Doris Braddock, 4-H Community Worker JoAnn Britton, Program Coordinator-Learning Enrichment Ruth Thompson, 4-H Secretary Cynthia Worsley, County Director Therese Copher, Fiscal Secretary Nancy Leubner, Extension Program Coordinator Barbara Bates, Horticulture Educator Rosa Borjon, Horticulture Secretary Maria Trejo, Family Nutrition Program Olivia Melgoza, Family Nutrition Program Lorena Reyes, Family Nutrition Program

What are some 4-H basics? – Pledge: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” – Motto: “To Make The Best Better” – Colors: green and white

What are some 4-H basics? (continued) – Emblem: The 4-H emblem is the four-leaf clover with the letter “H” on each leaf, standing for head, heart, hands, and health. It is copyrighted and can only be used by authorized representatives for specific purposes.

What is a 4-H club? – A group of boys and girls organized with officers and with one or more adult volunteer leaders. – Clubs can organize within a neighborhood, a school, a church, or social unit. – The size of the club should be suitable to the age of the members, meeting place, and leadership available. To start a club, there must be at least five youth and a screened adult volunteer.

What is a 4-H club? (continued) – Most clubs hold monthly or bi-monthly meetings, normally the same day of the week and time each month. Clubs must meet at least 6 times during the program year. – Youth can also be members of special interest groups, short-term groups, and school enrichment programs.

Who organizes and guides local 4-H clubs? – Adult volunteers with support, training and guidance from the local Extension Office. – Adults serve as volunteers. Volunteer leaders have three basic roles: Organizational – this leader organizes meeting location, enrollment, club program, and serves as the club’s contact with the Extension Office Project – this leader provides direction and support for member’s project work Activity – this leader coordinates club wide activities outside of project work

Who organizes and guides local 4-H clubs? (continued) Clubs are always in need of volunteers. Parents can assist the club by helping in a variety of ways. Adult volunteers must complete the volunteer screening process.

What is the volunteer screening process? Volunteer Application Department of Children & Family Services Child Abuse & Neglect Tracking System check Illinois State Police Background Check Registered Sex Offenders Website Check through Illinois State Police References (relative, work, personal) Interview (as needed basis)

What about 4-H club meetings? Purposes – acquire new information, learn creative use of leisure time, develop social skills, acquire leadership skills and citizenship traits. Opportunity to learn and practice group decision making. Important to attend meetings regularly. Parents encouraged to attend; but youth should be making decisions.

What about 4-H club meetings? (continued) Most clubs meet monthly. Clubs have to meet at least 6 times during year. Club meeting should be balanced between business, educational programs, and recreation. Youth should have the opportunity to give at least one talk or demonstration during the year.

What are 4-H projects? Challenging, but practical planned course of study with learning experiences centered around a specific subject. Designed for year long involvement. Over 100 different projects to choose from in the Illinois Clover. Youth must enroll in projects on a yearly basis; project enrollments don’t carry over from year to year. Project work can be done independently or as a group. Youth must be enrolled in one project to participate in 4-H. Generally, we ask for this project selection by December of the current program year. In April of the current program year, all project enrollments must be finalized. Projects added after the final enrollment deadline in April may not be exhibited at the county fair.

Some guidelines to selecting projects.... Know what is expected in the project and also what youth want to learn (refer to project manual, goal sheets, fairbook). Projects are selected each year. Do not enroll in more projects than can be realistically completed. Each project has some general age guidelines. Pick the project that best fits your abilities and age level. Youth may not enroll in multiple levels of the same project (i.e. Woodworking I, II and III).

Some factors to consider when selecting projects.... Project costs are the responsibility of the member. Meet the needs & interests of the member; be open to new interests. Project is in keeping with age & ability of member How much time does the member have? How much time does the project require? What season of the year is the project work done in? Is the project acceptable to parents? Does it fit with family needs and abilities?

Some factors to consider when selecting projects.... How much will the project cost? Is there adequate space & equipment available to do the project? Is there an opportunity for ownership & management responsibilities? Are there project leaders in the club to help? Or are the parents willing to help with the project? If parents can’t help, do you know someone who can and is willing?

How can projects be conducted? (this varies from club to club) Project meetings at local club Regular club meetings (demos, project talks) Tours Special workshops or clinics Family support & assistance at home Exhibit project at shows, fairs, etc. Recordkeeping/project plan/goal sheets

What is the Kane County Fair? An opportunity for 4-H members to exhibit current year’s project work. Held in cooperation with the Kane County Fair Association. U of I Extension and this group are two separate entities. U of I Extension deals with 4-H exhibit related issues only. The fairbook lists exhibit classes and requirements for those classes. The fairbook is available online.

What is the Kane County Fair? (continued) Read the fairbook carefully – you don’t have to read the whole thing, but read the section(s) that pertain to your child’s 4-H projects and the general rules. Enrolling in projects is not enrolling in the fair. Projects are what you do to complete exhibits for the fair; there is a separate entry form for what you will actually be exhibiting at the fair. Youth can only bring exhibits related to projects they are enrolled in.

What is the Kane County Fair? (continued) Each youth will receive an individual fair enrollment form. It is distributed at a club meeting. It is pre- printed with classes they are eligible to exhibit in – this is based on what projects youth are enrolled in. Individuals are responsible for turning in their own fair enrollment form by the deadline. Fair entry forms are generally due the first part of June. After the form is turned in you cannot make changes or additions.

What is the Kane County Fair? (continued) General Projects are checked in between 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Monday of the fair week at the 4-H/Industrial Building on the fairgrounds. Livestock projects check-in on Tuesday of fair week beginning at noon. All general project judging takes place from 2-6 p.m. on Monday of the fair week – youth bring projects and are judged at that time. Parents are asked to wait in the parent gallery during the judging. Livestock shows are held at various times throughout fair week – see fairbook for exact times. Projects stay on display until 6 p.m. on the last Sunday of fair week. Projects are not allowed to leave early. Some project shows are held prior to fair week – dogs, cats, small pets, and bicycles.

What is the Kane County Fair? (continued) 4-H utilizes conference judging – this is an opportunity for 4-H members to talk to the judge about their 4-H project. Generally, each child will have at least 5 minutes with the judge to discuss their project. This varies somewhat in livestock projects. Everyone is awarded an blue, red or white ribbon based on their own individual merits. There is a 2 nd phase of judging which is more competitive. In the 2 nd (competitive) phase of judging, champion exhibits and state fair delegates are selected, if merited.

What is the Kane County Fair? (continued) Season passes are given to any 4-H member that exhibits at the fair. Youth are asked to pick them up on the day they check their projects in (Monday of fair week for general projects; Tuesday for livestock projects). Members showing only before this day (i.e. dog, small pets, cats, bicycles), still must get the pass on the general projects check-in day. Any member not showing until later in the week (livestock) will go to the 4-H Fair Office (on the fairgrounds) to get their pass. Parents/Leaders can purchase season tickets at a reduced rate prior to July 1.

Other Resources for You Extension Office/staff What About 4-H brochure 4-H Calendar (yearly calendar of events & activities) 4-H Newsletter (bi-monthly, sent to 4-H families) 4-H Glossary

Other Resources for You (continued) Websites – Kane County Extension – – Illinois 4-H –

THANK YOU! Thank you for taking time to learn more about 4-H. If you have questions, please contact Doris or Deanna at the Extension Office. – Deanna, 630/ , ext. – Doris, 630/ , ext.