Why be a volunteer leader?

First of all, how many members? 4-H clubs should have at least five members from two or more families. Some suggest that six to 10 members per adult leader is an optimum number. Some clubs have as many as 70 youth. However, it depends on the age of the members in your club.

It also depends on how many other leaders will be working with you. Limit your first group to a number with which you and your co-leaders feel comfortable!

Recruiting members is seldom hard to do. Start with a contact to your county Extension staff. They usually have names of people who want to join a club in your area. You can always write newspaper articles, recruit at schools or church, or just talk up the club to parents and children you know.

Because 4-H receives federal and state funds, we must be certain our programs are made available to all people equally without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or handicap.

You may find it helpful to recruit some other adults to help with club leadership as co-leaders, project leaders, or program leaders. Interested parents, 4-H alumni, or friends are often willing to help. This gives the leader much needed assistance and also provides continuity for club meetings in case of the leader’s absence. To provide a safe environment for youth enrolled in 4-H, all leaders must go through the leader application process. Please see above section on how to become a leader.

Before youth can enroll in a new club, leaders will need to complete the state 4-H club/group chartering paperwork.  You can view chartering documents at the State 4-H Website.  These chartering documents must be completed by a September deadline every year that the club remains active.  Organizational leaders are responsible for getting these materials to the Extension Office, along with any treasurer records for auditing, each year.  Clubs who wish to have a bank account must apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) before opening a bank account.  There are specific guidelines for managing 4-H funds, so please contact the Extension Agent for more information.

Colorado uses a computer-based enrollment system, which means the forms must be filled out completely and accurately. Be sure to check the projects listed. All returning 4-H members should re-enroll by January 31 to avoid a late fee. New members can join at any point in the program year. It’s a good idea to enroll as soon as possible so you and your members remain on the e-mail distribution lists to receive notices of all events and activities. Jefferson County also has a deadline for project enrollment additions and changes in order to be eligible to participate in state and county fairs, May 1.

4-H club members are charged a program development fee, $50 per member (ages 8-18) and $20 per Cloverbud (ages 5-7).

In addition, some clubs may decide to pay for local club program costs by assessing a small fee per member or by working together on a fundraising project. Special events such as camps and office activities may also have registration fees connected to them. If a family feels they cannot afford the amount, they contact the County 4-H Office and ask about scholarships. No child will be denied access to the 4-H program.

4-H leaders automatically have liability insurance coverage through Colorado State University when leading a 4-H group or 4-H activity as soon as they are officially enrolled in the 4-H program. County Extension offices and clubs are required to carry accident insurance. Additional insurance is also required for special activities or events on a per-day basis.

There are several possibilities in choosing a day and time for club meetings, such as:

• once a week, after school (this works well for elementary age members)
• once every 2 weeks, after school or on a weeknight
• once a month, on a weeknight
• once a month, on a Saturday or Sunday (sometimes this works best for clubs with members of a wide age span)
• other variations, limited only by the needs of your club members

It is required that a 4-H club be involved in at least six hours of educational programming during the year, more if desired or needed. This provides continuity for the club as well as time for development and accomplishment of individual and club goals.

Some projects can be taught on a short-term or seasonal basis. Members can enroll at any time during the year, prior to May 1 for competition in the County Fair. Some clubs start at the beginning of the school year but may plan to meet later for a shorter period of time, perhaps for a 3- or 6-month time period, and some clubs meet monthly all year long, depending on the project needs.

4-H clubs are groups of youth and adults who meet on a regular basis, chartered by the county Extension office. Leadership is jointly provided by youth and adults where there is a planned educational program, and the club meets at least 6 hours in any given year and plans to continue meeting from one year to the next.
4-H Clubs and its members will:

• Build youth and adult partnerships.
• Set goals and evaluate progress toward those goals.
• Plan fun experiential-based activities where youth learn life skills by:
  • Attending meetings, workshops, camps, etc.
  • Completing service projects.
  • Demonstrating learning by giving a presentation or demonstration before a group.
  • Keeping records of activities and evaluate experiences.