Publications
4-H Member's Handbook
Introducing 4-H
Welcome to 4-H
As a 4-H member you
are a part of one of the
largest youth programs
in the world. Through
4-H, you will meet new
friends, learn new skills,
travel, and have fun!
What is 4-H?
4-H is an informal, practical,
learn-by-doing educational program
for youth aged 5 to 19, from rural
and urban areas, and from all racial,
cultural, economic, and social backgrounds.
4-H helps you set goals,
and it can help you learn how to be
a good citizen. And you have fun in
the process! In 4-H you learn to
solve problems facing you and your
community. The knowledge and
skills you acquire in 4-H can open
the door to a lifetime of personal
growth. 4-H is the youth program of
the Mississippi State University
Extension Service.
What is the 4-H emblem?
The 4-H emblem is a four-leafed
clover with an "H" on each leaf.
The letters in the emblem stand
for Head, Heart, Hands, and
Health -- the foundation of all 4-H
programs:
- Use your head to think, make decisions, understand "why," and to gain new and valuable knowledge in many areas.
- The heart involves concern with the welfare of others, accepting responsibilities of citizenship, determining values and attitudes, and learning how to work and live with others at home, in your community, state, nation, and the world.
- Use your hands to learn new skills, to perfect skills you already know, develop pride and respect for your work, and to explore possible vocations and careers.
- Health involves practicing healthful living, protecting the wellbeing of yourself and others, and making constructive use of leisure time.
Although every 4-H club or program is different, the four Essential Elements are common to all. As a member of your local 4-H club, you will experience a sense of belonging. You will be card for and accepted not only by other 4-H members, but also by 4-H adult volunteers and your local county Extension staff. You will be mastering new knowledge and developing new skills when you work on 4-H projects designed to help you improve yourself rather than compare yourself to others.
Your 4-H membership will also give you the opportunity to connect with your community and give back to others. As you practice generosity, you will develop a greater sense of compassion and tolerance for diversity. While working on your 4- H projects and with your 4-H club, you will practice personal responsibility and discipline, allowing you to influence people and events through decision-making and action...providing you a sense of independence.
How do you become a part of 4-H?
- Join a 4-H club. Members select one or more projects, elect officers, and plan and implement a program for all or several months of the year. All the members may enroll in the same project (a project club) or in a variety of projects (general club). You can find 4-H clubs in communities and schools.
- Take part in a special-interest group. In a special-interest group, members learn about one subject during one or several meetings.
- Join a 4-H EFNEP group. Members learn through the Expanded Food-Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
- Take part in a school enrichment project. Members participate in a 4-H program that enriches or enhances a subject they are studying in school, taught by the teacher during school time.
- Enroll as an individual member. Boys or girls who carry out individual 4-H projects but are not able to be members of a local 4-H group.
Who are 4-H volunteers?
Adults and youth serve as volunteers
in the 4-H program. Some volunteers
help youth plan and conduct
4-H projects and activities. Others
serve as leaders to 4-H clubs.
What are 4-H projects?
Each 4-H member may enroll in
one or more 4-H projects. 4-H projects
are "learn by doing" experiences.
You should select a project you are
interested in and would like to learn
about. You work on the project(s)
throughout the year, keep records of
what you do and learn, and then turn
your record in to your project leader
or 4-H club leader. You may enroll in
the same project or a different project
each year.
Before you select your 4-H project( s), talk with your parents or guardian and club leader. Your 4-H project book(s) will present information about how and what you should do to complete the project. You have completed your project for the year when you have carried out your project goals.
May I wear 4-H pins,
clothes, and other novelties?
As a 4-H member, you are entitled
to wear the official 4-H member
pin and other 4-H clothing items
available from the National 4-H
Council. For more information, contact
your volunteer leader or
Extension 4-H youth agent.
What leadership
opportunities does
4-H offer?
The County 4-H Club Council is
an organization made up of representatives
of each 4-H club in the county.
The purpose of the 4-H Club
Council is to promote 4-H projects
and activities and to provide 4-H'ers
an opportunity to serve at the county
level. Members of the County 4-H
Club Council learn to improve their
leadership skills.
In the 4-H Leadership Project, members learn ways to carry out the different leadership roles, such as club officer, committee member, junior leader, or teen leader. The 4-H Leadership Project is open to 4-H members of any age:
- Junior Leader is a 4-H member who serves as an assistant or helper to an adult or teen leader.
- Teen Leader is a 4-H member who has a 4-H leadership role normally given to an adult, such as a project or activity leader or as a 4-H club leader.
- Other leadership opportunities might be serving as an officer of a club and/or council and as a committee member and committee chairperson.
PLEDGE
I pledge:
My Head to clearer thinking
My Heart to greater loyalty
My Hands to larger service
My Health to better living for my
club, my community, my country and
my world.
MOTTO
To make the best better
SLOGAN
Learn by doing
COLORS
Green and White
- Green - Nature's most common color is symbolic of springtime, life, and youth.
- White - Symbolizes purity and high ideals.
CREED
I believe in 4-H club work for the
opportunity it gives me to become a
useful citizen.
I believe in the training of my Head for the power it will give me to think, plan, and reason.
I believe in the training of my Heart for the nobleness it will give me to be kind, sympathetic, and true.
I believe in the training of my Hands for the ability it will give me to be helpful, skillful, and useful.
I believe in the training of my Health for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, resist disease, and work efficiently.
I believe in my country, my state, my community, and in my responsibility for their development. In all these things I believe, and I am willing to dedicate my efforts to their fulfillment.
Are there special
opportunities for older
youth
in 4-H?
State 4-H Council officers represent
4-H at State and District events,
which they help plan and conduct.
State Council officers are elected by
4-H members who attend a state 4-H
event. In order to run for a State
Council office, a 4-H member must
submit a resumé that summarizes
his/her 4-H experiences. Youth in the
14 to 18 age group are eligible for
nomination.
State 4-H Leadership Team members promote 4-H by telling youth and adult groups about their 4- H experiences. They work with State 4-H Council officers in planning and conducting state 4-H events. Leadership Team members submit a resumé that describes their 4-H experiences and participate in an interview and reception event. Youth in the 14 to 18 age group are eligible to compete.
Are there opportunities for
4-H experiences outside the
state?
National 4-H Conference is held at
the National 4-H Center in
Washington, DC, each spring. A predetermined
number of 4-H members
(based on funds available) are selected
as delegates, who participate in
program development workshops
and in developing methods of promoting
4-H progress. They visit their
senators and congressmen to provide
them a report of 4-H work in
Mississippi. The state delegation will
implement a plan of action adopted
by the entire Conference delegation
to be implemented back in the state.
Citizenship-Washington-Focus is held at the National 4-H Center in Washington, DC, each summer. The program focuses on what being a good citizen means, on how 4-H members practice citizenship, and on how our government works. The delegation tours historic sites while in Washington.
What 4-H events are held in
Mississippi?
Your county Extension 4-H
youth agent or 4-H club leader will
give you a 4-H Calendar of Events
that lists 4-H project workshops,
activities, and contests that will be
conducted at the county, district, and
state levels.
Why are family members
important to your success in
4-H?
Since most 4-H projects are carried
out at home, 4-H should be a
family affair. Family members can
help you plan and carry out project
work. Your family can provide
encouragement as well as transportation
to meetings and events. Parents
need to stay informed about the programs
and activities of your 4-H
club. Parents may share their talents
and interests by serving as 4-H project
and activity leaders.
Responsibilities of a
4-H member
As a 4-H member, you should do
the following:
- Complete your 4-H project.
- Give visual presentations or demonstrations on your 4-H project(s).
- Make exhibits of your project work.
- Attend club meetings.
- Take part in club activities.
- Participate in county 4-H workshops and clinics.
- Assist younger members.
- Encourage others to join 4-H.
- Know the 4-H Pledge and 4-H Motto.
- Let parents and friends know about 4-H.
- Keep a record of your 4-H work as you complete your project goals.
Rights of a 4-H member
As a 4-H member, you should do
the following:
- Enroll in the 4-H project(s) of your choice.
- Participate in county 4-H activities and events.
- Enter any 4-H contest for which you are eligible.
Revised by Dr. Rae Oldham, Extension Professor, 4-H Youth Development
Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran's status is a violation of federal and state law and MSU policy and will not be tolerated. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation or group affiliation is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated.
Publication 1277
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8
and June 30, 1914. MELISSA J. MIXON, Interim Director. (2M-03-10)