Starting, Leading and Managing 4-H Community Clubs
Starting, leading and managing 4-H Community Clubs can be a rewarding and challenging experience. A strong 4-H club engages youth members in the decision making, leading and carrying out events and activities. Youth and adult leaders working together is the back bone of a strong 4-H club. These tools can assist in the process. This information can be used for other 4-H groups and committees.
The Starting a New 4-H Club Guide for New and Returning 4-H Volunteers
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Starting a New 4-H Club (3 pages, 111 KB) This guide provides essential elements for a new club, including what makes up a 4-H club and what are the critical things the youth and adult leadership team must do.
- New 4-H Member Handbook (14 pages, 596 KB) This handbook is a tool for new members to become familiar with the 4-H community club program. It is set up so that county programs can add pages with county specific information. One idea is to post the handbook with links to important county documents and maps.
4-H Club Charter and Renewal Process
- : 4-H Clubs must have a 4-H charter. The 4-H Charter formally recognizes a group's affiliation with 4-H and grants the group permission to use the 4-H Name and Emblem. It provides the permission for the 4-H club to be a subsidiary of National 4-H Headquarters and eligibility for federal tax exemption status. All 4-H groups and committees that use the 4-H Name and Emblem and handle finances and have a checkbook must be chartered. This includes accepting donations and fund raising.
 4-H Charters and Renewals for 4-H Clubs, Groups and Committees This YouTube video features Greg Hutchins, State 4-H Youth Development Program Director as outlines the purpose and the process for 4-H Charters and their annual renewal. (4:27 minutes)  Please view the following presentation by Greg Hutchins, State 4-H Youth Development Program Director. (4:27)
This is the same presentation in an alternate format.
4-H Club Charter and Annual Charter Renewals: All 4-H clubs must be chartered. Each year 4-H clubs must renew this charter. These two packets are to be used by volunteer organizational leaders and submitted to the UW-Extension office and 4-H Youth Development Staff. The annual charter renewal is due December 1.
- 4-H Committees Web site provides information and links for the 4-H Group or Committee Charter and Annual Charter Renewals.
4-H Club Team Leadership
The tasks and responsibilities for leading a 4-H club are outlined in this role description. Team leadership helps insure successful 4-H clubs.
4-H Club and Group/Committee Management Tool Kit
4-H Club Management is the organizational operation oversight for the development and ongoing existence of a 4-H club or group including the programs, resources and inputs. It is about the organizational structure where 4-H happens. The focus of management is on systems, resources and things. In contrast 4-H Club Development is the education and empowerment of 4-H clubs, members and volunteers to provide quality positive youth development educational experiences for youth members. 4-H club or group development includes improving and building the volunteer and member knowledge and competencies needed for leadership and service roles within 4-H. The focus of development and leadership is on people. This Toolkit can be used as online links to specific sections or run as one document as desired.
- 4-H Club/Group Management Overview (133KB) This document provides the definition and nine responsibilities of 4-H Club or Group management. It identifies tools and resources for each of the nine management responsibilities. Hot links bring the user directly to the tool or resource to assist with the identified management responsibility. The table of contents for the 4-H Club and Group Management Tool Kit is included. Pages 1 and 2 of the 4-H Club/Group Management Toolkit.
 4-H Club/Group Management Deadlines Calendar(38 KB) The 4-H Club Management Calendar sets a timetable for managing the details for 4-H clubs and groups. It includes due dates and required actions. Counties and clubs input their local deadlines and actions as per the sample for efficient club management and communication. Pages 3 and 4 of toolkit.- 4-H Club/Group Management Budget Tool (38 KB)
The 4-H Annual Budget is used by the members, treasurer and other officers and 4-H volunteer leaders for planning expenses and approving bills. The annual budget is developed and voted on by the membership. This tool includes how to put the budget together and a sample budget template. Pages 5 and 6 of toolkit.
- 4-H Club/Group Management Responsibilities and Roles(81 KB) This tool outlines volunteer and 4-H Youth Development Educator responsibilities and roles in 4-H club/group management. Page 7 of toolkit.
- 4-H Club/Group Management Glossary (213 KB) The glossary includes commonly used terms in 4-H club/group management, their definition and links for additional information and use within 4-H Youth Development. Pages 8 - 12 of toolkit.
Additional Tools to provide 4-H clubs plan great meetings and set guidelines for how the club will operate so all members are informed.
- Developing
4-H Groups and Committees Operating Guidelines This tool provides clubs and committees a checklist for essential elements needed in developing operating guidelines that could be part of a handbook or bylaws. Developed by Jackie Johnson, Chippewa County 4-H Youth Development Agent.
- Considering 4-H Club and County Policies This guide can assist members and leaders as they review and update operating guidelines for their 4-H club and county groups.
- 4-H Youth Development Educators and County 4-H Leader Organizations Identifying the specific roles of the 4-H Youth Development Educator, 4-H Leader Organizations, 4-H Boards and Committees is important to insure quality educational programs for 4-H members and effective organizations. This document outlines these roles and accountability so the work of the groups can be accomplished, improve communication, and assist in developing operational guidelines and bylaws. (Update 1-2011)
- Sample
Constitution and Bylaws
(3 pages, 55 KB) Updated 6-2011
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Sample Constitution and Bylaws (3 pages, 159 KB) Updated 6-2011
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Sample Club Calendar Planner (3 pages, 62 KB) This document is required and is part of the 4-H club charter packet.
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Sample Club Calendar Planner (3 pages, 170 KB)
- Activity or Event Planning Form This tool helps club and committee groups plan a successful event or activity. Developed by Chris Viau, Wood County 4-H Youth Development Agent.
- Activity or Event Report Form. This tool helps club and committee groups report how an event or activity happened and suggestions for the next group. Developed by Megan Stuessel, Trempealeau County 4-H Youth Development Agent.
4-H Meeting Tools
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