Let’s go to the 4-H Meeting

Jim RhodesNorthwest District 4-H Program

Specialist

Successful 4-H members andclubs require:

Families involved in supporting their 4-H’ers 4-H project and participation in local and county programs.

All families, volunteers and 4-H members share in the leadership and responsibilities of being associated with the 4-H organization, name and emblem.

1. Promote Feelings of Acceptance and Belonging2. Provide Opportunities to Develop Relationships3. Provide Safety and Structure4. Provide Opportunities to Contribute to the Group5. Promote Competence and Independence

Five Basic Needs

Club Environment meets…

Local 4-H programs shoulddevelop life skills

Decision-Making SkillsCooperationLeadershipGroup Communications

Ability to try new ideasNew Knowledge and SkillsPride in Group EndeavorsSelf-Confidence

A 4-H meeting should be…

On a Regular ScheduleRun by Youth Officers and Supervisedby AdultsOrganized – On TRAC planningFun and EducationalProviding Peer Support and RecognitionSupported by Positive Contact withCaring Adults

Parts of a 4-H Club Meeting

Opening CeremonyMonthly Business MeetingEducational ProgramSpeeches/DemonstrationsRecreation

Refreshments

Another Look at a 4-H MeetingBusiness– Call to Order– Opening with Pledges and Ritual– Roll Call/Sign In– Introduction of Guests– Minutes and Correspondence– Treasurer’s Report– Reports of Committees– Unfinished Business– New Business– Announcements– Adjournment

Program of Education– Talks and Demonstrations by Members– Judging Activity or Project Lesson– Opportunities to Learn by Doing– Guest Speakers, Videos, etc.– Special Tours or Group Activities

Recreation & Refreshments– Games, Skits, Plays, Parties, Songs, etc.– Snacks or Meal

Recreation33%

Business17%

Education50%

Opening Ceremonies

The purpose and character of the 4-H Club is represented in the 4-H Ritual.When performed correctly it is very impressive. Each member should strive to commit to memory.If not memorized each member should be provided with a copy to read from.

The Ritual

Teach the members to read or recite with meaning or feeling.

To help the members recite or read with meaning you may want to use the following explanation of the 4-H pledge.

Understanding the 4-H Pledge

My head to clearer thinking

4-H:Helps you learn to plan before you take action.Lets you learn things you can use as an adult.

Lets you make decisions.

Understanding the 4-H Pledge

My heart to greater loyalty

Through 4-H you:Make many friends.Learn about trusting and respecting others.Learn about people who are different from you.Learn about values.

Loyalty

Understanding the 4-H Pledge

My Hands to larger service

4-H:Is learning by doing.Is learning to complete tasks.Is serving your community.Is helping others.

Understanding the 4-H Pledge

My Health to better living

4-H:Encourages activities that are fun and healthy.Teaches about protecting the environment.Promotes wise use of leisure time.

Understanding the 4-H Pledge

For my club, my community,my country and my world.

Through 4-H you:Learn to be a good citizen.Learn about community relationships.Learn that you are a part of a larger group and that you belong.Learn about 4-H across the nation andaround the world.

Entire club in unison at each club meeting should give the ritual

Vice President: “Stand Please.” Members: [All members rise and stand erect.] Vice President: What is our 4-H Club motto?” Members: (In unison): “To make the best better.” Vice President: “We will repeat the 4-H Club pledge.” Members: “I pledge My head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, and My health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world.”

In repeating the pledge, • raise the right hand to side of head when speaking line No. 1;• lower right hand over heart when speaking line No.2; • extend hands, palms upward, when speaking line No.3; • and stand at attention when speaking line No. 4.

Vice President: “We will now give the Pledge to the Flag.”

Members: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

(At attention facing the flag repeat together the pledge of allegiance. The right hand should be placed over the heart while giving the pledge of allegiance. Congress, made this change December 15, 1942, Section 7, Public Law 623.)

Vice President: “We will now review the meaning of the club emblem. What is the national 4-H club emblem?”

Members: “The National 4-H Club emblem is the four leaf clover with the letter “H” on each leaflet running parallel with the mid-rib of the leaflet.”

Vice President: “What do the four H’s on the club emblem represent?” Members: “They represent the equal training of the head, heart, hands and health of every member.” Vice President: “For what is the head trained?” Members: “To think, to plan, to reason.” Vice President: “For what is the heart trained?” Members: “To be kind, to be true, to be sympathetic.” Vice President: “For what are the hands trained?” Members: “To be useful, to be helpful, to be skillful.” Vice President: “For what is the health trained?” Members: “To resist disease, to enjoy life,to make for efficiency.”

Vice President: “In the All-Star Emblem, what does the Fifth H represent?” Members: “The Home.”

Vice President: “In what way can we be of help in our home life?” Members: “By striving to train for a home life that represents true character, comfort and contentment.”

Vice President: “Be seated, please.”

Order of Meeting (Meetings should last 1-1/12 hours

Business Meeting (17%)Roll callIntroduction of GuestsMinutes and CorrespondenceTreasurer’s ReportCommittee ReportsUnfinished Business – Leader may want to work with the president in developing the agenda items.New Business – Leader may want to work withthe president in developing the agenda items. Announcements

Order of Meeting

Program or Education (50%)

Talks and Demonstrations by MembersJudging Activity or Project LessonOpportunities to learn by doing

Guests Speakers, Videos, etc.Special Tours or Group Activities

Order of Meeting

Recreation and Refreshments (33%)Games, Skits, Plays, Parties, Songs, etc. Snacks or Meal Consider moving the games, skits, etc. from the end of the meeting to the beginning or middle of the meeting.

Adjourn

Tips for 4-H Leaders

Enlist the help of parents. Set out a sign up sheet with each month listed and have the 4-H members sign up for a snack, drinks, program and members for a speech or demonstration each month. Appoint an officer to call and remind each person that signed up at least one week before the meeting.

Arrange with your county educator to have a set of flags for your meetings. Encourage parent participation. Encourage the officers to run the meeting.Encourage 4-H members to be respectful.Ask for help when needed.Have Fun, the meeting does not have to run perfectly.