Develop your 4-H team rules for a successful season. January 2, 2009

Need some help creating or updating your 4-H club’s constitution and by-laws? Here are some great tips on getting started…

 

How Can You Create A Club Constitution and By-Laws?

 

Creating a 4-H club constitution and by-laws is a great way to start developing leadership, decision making and communication skills with your members. Consider these documents your 4-H club’s team rulebook to successful operation.

 

Your club’s constitution and by-laws should be simple to read and understand. The writing and adoption of these documents is an important first year task for new clubs. The constitution seldom changes, but by reviewing your club’s by-laws annually, you will enable your club’s operation to change to reflect the members’ needs.

 

To help you get started, use the sample 4-H Club Constitution and By-Laws to engage, first a small committee in creating, and then the entire club in reviewing, editing and adopting. File a copy of your club’s constitution and by-laws with your County Extension Office.

 

What are the important points to include in any 4-H Club Constitution and By-Laws?

 

• Name of 4-H Club
– Select a club name with your membership. Be creative and use common sense. Avoid names that may connect the club to a business, reference race, gender, sexual preference, or religion and/or could perceive to be discriminatory. Your county 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator must approve your club’s name as part of the Chartering Ohio 4-H Clubs process.

• Membership – You may not discriminate in your membership, but you may set guidelines and limits. Guidelines and limitations may include: ages of members accepted (Cloverbuds, Project Members or both), maximum membership, enrollment process, and attendance requirements to stay an active member.

• Meetings – You should include location of meetings, day of the week/month and time. Also, include reorganization meeting and/or achievement meeting dates.

• Officers – List the officers and their duties. You should also include the election process (use of nominating committee, open floor, etc.).

• Committees – Outline who makes up the Executive Committee and list standing committees. Examples of standing committees may include: Recognition, Fundraising, Community Service, Fair Exhibit, Policies, Program Planning, etc.

 Sample Constitution and By-Laws

Ohio 4-H Clubs Advisors Handbook – Club Management – Constitution & By-Laws

http://advisorshandbook.ohio4h.org/clubmanagement/constitution.html

NC 4-H Volunteer Conference December 17, 2008

The annual North Carolina 4-H Volunteer Leaders Conference will be held on Friday February 6^th-Sunday February 8^th at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center in Durham.  There are a number of great workshops planned for the conference.   Early registration ends on January 16^th.  Hotels have been blocked off at a rate of $90 for up to four people.  If you are interested in attending or want more information, just email me at leslie_wilson@ncsu.edu. 

Volunteer Positions Available October 16, 2008

As you all know, 4-H is an organization that is led by youth but guided by volunteers.  The Brunswick County 4-H Office is always looking for new enthusiastic volunteers.  Currently, Cheryl Mintz is looking for a co-leader to start a new Livestock Club.  There is also a Volunteer Recruiter position available to assist us in finding quality volunteers.  If you are interested in volunteering some of your time to a great youth organization, please contact our office.  For detailed job descriptions, click here. 
4-H Volunteers:

PRACTICE the power of leadership,
DRILL the seeds of knowledge,
TRAIN the hearts & minds of 4-H’ers,
CONDITION the spirit by giving of themselves and encouraging 4-H’ers to give of themselves,
CHEER 4-H’ers on with their time, caring, enthusiasm and skills,
CUT the buds of disappointment and
SCOUT the roots for success,
RECORD growth and change in 4-H TEAMS“club membership” and FANS ”parent involvement”,
PLAY out the 4-H Motto…To Make the Best Better,
No matter what theFOUL or GOAL, they help every 4-H’er LEARN BY DOING for the perfect 4-H SEASON.

by Patty House