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Step 1: Establish the outline of the program
Step 1: Establish the outline of the program
The first step to starting a local ambassador program is to establish the outline of the program. Begin by exploring the data about your 4-H program and the geographic area or population that you serve. Consider:
How many middle school and high school-age youth are there in your program, and how many live in your program area?
What other leadership opportunities exist for teenage youth in your program?
Why do you want to create an Ambassador program, and what will its purpose be?
Then, consider the structure of your program, including:
What grade levels will this program be open to?
What is the maximum number of participants?
Will there be an application? If not, how can youth sign up?
What will the role of the staff and adult advisors be?
What are some of the activities the Ambassadors might do?
Program Budget
Local 4-H Ambassador activities take time, energy, and financial resources. Expenses might include transportation, materials and supplies, food and beverages, awards, and facilities to complete their duties and plans. Local 4-H Ambassador teams must budget accordingly.
Many counties/Tribal Nations maintain a budget for Local 4-H Ambassadors that are funded through their Federation/Council accounts. This prevents seeking Federation/Council approval for individual expenses. Please consult the Budgeting Development and Approval guide for information on establishing and maintaining a budget. If you are a volunteer Adult Advisor, consult with your Local 4-H educator for guidance on deadlines and processes.
Local Ambassador Programs should be funded by the local 4-H program. However, if the local budget is unable to cover the full extent of a youth’s participation in the program, there may be additional funding available from other sources. Please contact your CEL Regional Extension Educator for information. No youth should be unable to perform the duties of being a Local 4-H Ambassador due to a lack of financial resources.
Fundraising
If you plan on holding a fundraiser specifically for the Local Ambassador Program, or if the Ambassadors would like to hold a fundraiser to support their local 4-H program, please review the Fundraiser Guidelines included in the Club Management Toolkit. Any fundraising activities for or by a Local Ambassador Program must adhere to these guidelines.
Additional grants from external agencies are often posted on the Minnesota 4-H Facebook page or are directly sent to youth and volunteers enrolled in Minnesota 4-H. Your community may also have funds available from other service organizations, the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, banks, and more. If you are a volunteer Adult Advisor, work with your Local 4-H Educator if interested in pursuing grants.
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