4-H Citizenship Club Organization Guide

Acting. Young people have energy and enthusiasm. They want to do many new and different things. With the guidance of older youth and/or adults, they will amaze you at how creative they can be, provided rewards are available. The rewards may be as simple as feedback and approval of their actions.

Informed. Youth who are informed about who, what, when, where, and why to take positive action learn how to take positive, constructive action. There is no shortage of information. We have a knowledge explosion with computers available to file and organize it. We have libraries filled with information. Anyone who wishes to become informed on any subject has but to seek and ask.

Concern. Positive concern and caring are natural results of becoming involved in creative action based on positive information. As people begin to learn and receive the rewards of accomplishment, they begin to expand their concern.

Self. Citizenship begins with each individual. Think of the difference between a young person who is learning to act with informed concern and a young person who acts with uninformed concern. The difference is revealed in their self-concepts.

Helping youth develop a positive self-concept is the magic of 4-H. This idea is embodied in the motto, "To make the best better." It is realized through the slogan, "Learn by Doing." You will see immediate improvement in the self-concept of your club members. Youth love to belong to something bigger than themselves. The idea of a club is exciting and intriguing. Simply filling out the enrollment form is an adventure into the unknown!

Others. Youth who act with informed concern for themselves quickly learn that the greatest rewards come from sharing their concern for and with others.

How To Start

1. Visit with your 4-H agent.

• How to organize a club, fill out enrollment forms, secure project materials, and report your club's activities.
• How to develop teaching aids and support.
• How to communicate with other leaders and the community about your club.
• About citizenship activities and support at the county, state and national level.

2. Organize your club staff.

4-H uses the following titles for adults and/or teen leadership roles:

• Club Advisor -- Overall club coordination
• Assistant Club Advisor
• Project Leader -- Leads youth in a specific project
• Assistant Project Leader
• Activity Leader -- Leads in any activity, program, or event
• Assistant Activity Leader

3. Enroll members and leaders.

• Make a list of young people and adults 8-19 years of age who are prospects for the club.
• Call or visit with the youth and parents and explain to parents how they can help by filling a position in the club.
• Inform them about the orientation meeting.
• Meet with each leader to discuss
  • literature available for project or activity.
  • training required and how the training can be obtained.

4. Hold an orientation meeting.

• Invite potential 4-H members and parents to a fact-finding meeting.
• At the meeting, explain 4-H and the Citizenship Program.
• Display your organization plan and other materials about 4-H including:
  • Publication 1011 4-H Wants You
  • Form 1277 4-H Members Handbook
• Answer questions.
• Discuss the role of parents and the importance of making the program a family affair.
• If possible, conduct a demonstration and allow hands-on activities by youth and adults.

5. Hold organizational meeting.

• Invite all 4-H members and their parents who attended the orientation meeting.
• Discuss with the youth what they want to do in citizenship. Consider the local resources available.
• Make a chart with months of the year listed. By each month, list program topics for each meeting, the 4-H members responsible, the volunteer who will teach, etc.
• Discuss activity meetings, what will be done, and how many will be held.
• Elect officers and assign other roles.
• Consider appointing a committee to produce a citizenship club yearbook.

Plan Effective Programs

• Name of club
• Objectives
• Projects for the year
• Statement on when activity meetings are held
• Officers
• Instructors and leaders
• Names of members, addresses, and phone numbers
• Monthly club and meeting schedule
  • Place of meeting
  • Program topic
  • Person in charge
  • 4-H members to give demonstrations, project talks, speeches and/or exhibits
• List of events in which members are to participate.
• Motto, Pledge, 4-H Creed
• County Extension agents' names and addresses.

Conduct Effective Meetings

4-H Meeting Agenda

Call to order
Pledge to American Flag
4-H Pledge
Prayer
Roll call
Reading of minutes
Treasurer's report

Reports
Old business
New business

The program should be of interest to all members and the topic should have been selected by them. Members may present a demonstration to introduce the topic. The program can then be presented by an instructor or resource person.

Fun and games appropriate for the age group of the club members.

Questions and Answers about 4-H Meetings

Question: What about club offices?
Answer: Establish offices for what you need, but most clubs have a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, reporters, and recreation leaders.

Question: Is a meeting agenda necessary?
Answer: Yes. It helps everyone appreciate the program more. Use the preceding outline. Several days before each meeting:

1. Meet with the president and develop outline as to who is doing what.
2. Contact all those previously scheduled to be a part of the meeting to make sure of attendance.

Question: How do you get members to do demonstrations, speeches, and project talks at each meeting?
Answer: At the August planning meeting, list all topics required for each of the 12 monthly meetings and ask members to sign up for the topics they wish to prepare. Before each meeting, have a leader help members get ready.

Question: Should the 4-H club or project group meet more than once a month -- and if yes, what do you call these "extra" meetings?
Answer: Yes, but the number depends on the daily work and school schedules of the adults and members. Schedule any number of meetings per month needed. These "extra" meetings are called ACTIVITY MEETINGS or PROJECT MEETINGS.

Question: Should we develop a meeting agenda for Activity Meetings?
Answer: No. The activity leader should have a lesson plan for what he/she is going to teach. Since time is usually critical, use the time for teaching.

Question: How do I get parents to help?
Answer: Enroll the parents when you enroll their children. Explain what you expect and how they should support their children and you. Give them jobs and make them an important part of the program.

Guidelines for Leaders

Keep in mind that there is a wide range in the economic and personal background of youngsters in the 4-H program. Some youth have interested and informed parents. Others may have parents who demonstrate little concern for their child's development or success. Boys and girls who have difficulty getting to meetings and participating in project work will need encouragement from their leader. Try to be sensitive to their problems and assist as best you can.

In addition to your understanding of boys and girls and your knowledge of citizenship, it is helpful to do the following:

• Know the expectations of various age levels. Using the same standards for young children and more mature youth is quite unfair. By the same token, being too easy will retard their development.
• Put youngsters at ease. Some of the youth you work with will be nervous. Some are afraid of you. A smile and pleasant words will go a long way to help your image.
• Set a happy mood. A 4-H lesson should be fun.
• Criticize constructively. Most mistakes are a result of the member's not knowing or understanding what is expected. You won't hurt any feelings when you offer helpful suggestions for improvement in a positive manner.
• Praise. You can find something nice to say even to the poorest of performers. Encouragement will stimulate further work and improvement.

Extra Activities

Secure a copy of Extension Publication 1456 4-H Club Advisors and Project Leaders Handbook. This publication has extensive information on how to plan and enrich your 4-H club activities.

County, State and National Citizenship Activities

4-H Community Pride (My Community)

Money may be available to 4-H clubs with good ideas and plans to conduct citizenship programs and activities. To request this money, a club or project group must get an idea and develop a plan to conduct the activity. Use the "Community Pride Grant Proposal Form." The request and plan (or proposal) is sent to the State 4-H Office for judging. Clubs selected to receive the money for their projects are required to make a report in July the following year. The best club project in each county will receive recognition and award money for their efforts.

International (My World)

Citizenship -- Washington Focus

Citizenship -- Washington Focus is an inspirational and educational program. It focuses on ways to get more involved in citizenship in the home community.

4-H Record

Public Speaking Contest

Citizenship Materials Available

For Leaders
MO304 Exploring Citizenship Leader's Guide
Publication 902 4-H Community Pride Leader's Guide
Publication 1252 Opportunities for Leadership

For Members
Exploring Citizenship Series

Citizenship -- Washington Focus Application Forms
Citizenship Project Sheet
MO266 The National 4-H Report Form
MO244 The Organized Public Speaker -- You

Prepared by Jim L. Yonge, former 4-H Youth Development Specialist

Publication 1630
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. Ronald A. Brown, Director