What is a 4-H Club?

Clubs are the foundation of 4-H. A 4-H club is a group of five or more youngsters guided by one or more adults. A club can be any size–from a small group of youth from the same neighborhood to a large group of youth from within the county.

A 4-H club has a planned program that is ongoing throughout all or most of the year, and can meet in any location. Typically a club’s members elect officers. This is not a requirement of a club. 

4-H clubs are organized and supported to provide community-based, positive, structured learning opportunities for youth during their developmental years.

What do kids in a 4-H club do?

Kids in 4-H clubs participate in a wide variety of fun projects, based on members’ interests. Members learn through projects on such topics as gardening, woodworking, bicycle care and safety, photography, aerospace and model rocketry and much more. Members choose their own projects.

4-H members build life skills like decision-making, communication, citizenship, and leadership. They also meet new friends, and–most important–have lots of fun!

Do all 4-H clubs offer the same activities?

All kids are different, and so are 4-H clubs! The goals and structures of 4-H clubs vary according to the needs of the members they serve. Some clubs offer one project topic that all members experience together at the club meetings. Others offer a selection of projects delivered through project meetings held apart from the clubs’ main meetings. Some clubs have a singular geographic focus, or serve specific audiences, such as tribal reservation clubs, afterschool clubs, or 4-H clubs on military bases.

The 4-H Club Meeting Outline

Most 4-H Clubs hold at least a monthly meeting. Meetings should be well planned, interesting, educational, and inspirational. The 4-H Club meeting consists of four main parts - opening, business, program, and recreation.

I. Business Meeting (15-20 minutes)

A.     Meeting is called to order

B.     American and 4-H Pledges

C.     Songs

D.    Roll Call

E.     Minutes of the last meeting

F.     Treasurer’s Report

G.    Correspondence

H.    Committee Reports

I.      Unfinished Business

J.     New Business

K.     Make assignments as needed

L.     Adjournment

II. Program (30 minutes)

The educational program is an important part of the 4-H club meeting. Various methods may be used to present subject matter material to club members. In larger community clubs care must be taken in choosing a topic of interest to all, regardless of project in which members are enrolled.

Some program ideas are:

•       Demonstrations

•       Guest speakers

•       Project talks or panel discussions

•       Slides or other multimedia program

•       Guest speakers

•       Skill-a-thon

III. Recreation - 15 Minutes

•       Game

•       Snack

Club Officers

Each club will decide which offices are needed and elect members to these positions. Individual clubs create their own rules or bylaws that govern the various offices and election procedures. If a club is large enough then the following offices may be elected:

•           President

•           Vice President

•           Secretary

•           Treasurer

•           Reporter

•           Historian

•           Parliamentarian

•           Sergeant at Arms

•           Recreation Leader

All Officers should become familiar with their duties and work as a team. For more information about what each officer should be willing to do for their club, ask for the Florida 4-H Officers’ Handbook from the Santa Rosa County Extension Office or download from the Florida 4-H website. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/4H/4H04900.pdf

Each Officer position has a Project Book to work with. You can download them from our website: http://santarosa.ifas.ufl.edu/4h/projects-curriculum/

Other club resources that you may find helpful are available at the Florida 4-H website. https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/get-involved

How can I be part of a 4-H club?

There are three different ways to become part of a 4-H club:

1.    Join an existing 4-H club in your area. Contact us at the office for the number to get in touch with individual club leaders for more information on each club.         

2. Start a new 4-H club with your friends and neighbors.

3. Start a 4-H club at your school, afterschool or another location, like a military base.