Community Club Leaders/Volunteers
Leader Resources
Leaders Handbook Parents Committee
Celebrating with 4-H Ceremonies Vibrant 4-H Clubs
Club Management
New Kansas 4-H Club Corner resources
Latest National 4-H Council Information-4-H Thrive
https://www.atchison.k-state.edu/4-h/4-_h_thiving_model/youth_thriving.html
About Kansas 4-H: Information for Leaders
4-H Structure
Kansas 4-H is a partnership between Kansas State University, Kansas State University Research & Extension, the United States Department of Agriculture and the local extension board.
4-H is active in all fifty states and many countries throughout the world. 4-H members are involved in several ways:
- Community clubs
- Special interest groups
- School enrichment programs
- Summer, overnight or day camps
- Afterschool programs
- 4-H utilizes volunteers to expand the total youth development
KSU Extension Mission
Kansas State University Research and Extension is an educational resource dedicated to improving the quality of people's lives by providing research-based knowledge to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of families, communities and agriculture enterprises. Kansas 4-H is an extension educational program for youth.
Kanas 4-H Mission
To educate youth and adults for living in a global and ever-changing world by using the resources of the Land Grant Universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In 4-H, we believe in the power of young people. We see that every child has valuable strengths and real influence to improve the world around us. We are America’s largest youth development organization—empowering nearly six million young people across the U.S. with the skills to lead for a lifetime.
4-H Guiding Principles
- Kansas 4-H focuses on positive youth development while teaching leadership, citizenship and life skills.
- 4-H is a family-centered program
- 4-H program focus is determined locally to fit the specific needs of youth.
- 4-H provides programs that appeal to a diverse audiance.
4-H Name and Emblem
The 4-H clover is the official emblem and the most widely recognized symbol of the program. It protected by Congress under federal statute 18 USC 707. As 4-H volunteers you are responsible for upholding the 4-H name and emblem guidelines and protection policies. The right of 4-H volunteers to reproduce the 4-H clover is limited to in-club use only. Permission must be obtained from extension staff for commerical priniting of materials, t-shirts, signs or electronic reporduction of the clover image or 4-H name.
4-H Pledge
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.
4-H Motto & Brand Promise
“To Make the Best Better”
4-H empowers kids with the skills to lead for a lifetime as they focus on making their personal best, better by participation in ongoing learning experiences.
4-H Colors
Green and white are the 4-H colors. Green symbolizes springtime, life and youth. White stands for high ideals. Visit the 4-H Brand page for specific graphics and color palette details.
4-H Membership
Any youth ages 7-19 may enroll as a 4-H Member. Youth ages 5-6 may enroll in the Cloverbud program. Participation in Kanas 4-H and its programs is open to all interested youth regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual preference, religion, creed, political belief, marital or parental status or disability. There are over 20,000 youth enrolled in Kansas 4-H. Visit the 4-H age gudelines page for specifics on enrollment ages.
Extension Agent’s Role
- Planning – Program development
- Organizing – Resource development and coordination of program.
- Staffing – Recruit, train and supervise volunteers.
- Supervising – Support, motivate and recognize volunteers.
- Evaluating – Access needs, evaluate program and communicate
Volunteer’s Role
4-H is a non-formal educational program delivered by volunteers trained and supervised by Extension Agents. Volunteers may work in various capacities through the guidance of Extension faculty and staff.
Volunteers are responsible for a group, activity or event and its members and adults as assigned by Extension faculty or staff. Visit the volunteer and adult role page for more details.
Experiential Learning Model
Retreived from Iowa State Extension and Outreach
Kansas 4-H engages youth in events, activities, programs, meetings and projects through “learn by doing” hands-on activities. 4-H utilizes the experiential learning model to facilitate youth engagement in learning and life skill development. The model contains three basic stages:
- Do - Youth participate in an activity, meeting or program
- Reflect - Youth think about the experience and what was
- Apply - Youth draw conclusions and apply what they learned
Review the NIFA factsheet on using the experiential learning model.
Experiential learning process questions you can use when planning 4-H activities.
4-H Essential Elements
- A positive relationship with a caring adult.
- A safe environment
- An inclusive enviornment
- Engagement in learning
- Opportunity for mastery
- Opportunity to see oneself as an active participant in the future
- Opportunity for self-determination
- Opportunity to value and practice service for others
Resources
The Kansas 4-H Resources tab below includes materials and links for families, leaders and staff.
- Awards and Recognition
- Disability Accommodations
- 4-H Clover Classroom
- 4-H Club Corner
- 4-H Online Family Resources
- Informacion en Espanol
- Starting a New 4-H Club
For All Volunteers
Volunteer Recruitment Video
Ever thought of being a 4-H volunteer? 4-H volunteers are essential to the 4-H program. Learn how you can share your passion that will provide the spark that inspires the next generation.
Volunteer Screening Resources
Application Process
- Volunteer Applicant Steps
- 4-H Online Enrollment Guides for Volunteers
- Kansas 4-H Volunteer Code of Conduct
Volunteer Orientation
Volunteers complete the Kansas 4-H applicantion process annually. Year 1 is a new application or after not being active in the local program for 3 years. While the following years are a renewal process; approval to serve is an annual process. Volunteers may be dismissed for not following Kansas 4-H policies.
Step 1- Complete an application.
Online option
Paper option- Complete the form below and send to the extension office when complete.
Step 2- Training
Watch the Orientation Videos below.
This can be done with in the 4-H online account by clicking on the training tab in the menu tab. Note each family member will need to watch the video online and complete the quiz on an invidudal basis. We understand families desiring to view together but the online system doesn't allow recording joint testing. Another option would be for the 2nd family member to download the quiz below and send to the Extension Office. Or you may view the videos by clicking on the links below.
Videos for Orientation
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Video 1: Kansas 4-H Volunteer Orientation Training - Introduction to 4-H Youth Development
As a new volunteer, learning the basics of 4-H Youth Development will help in understanding the bigger picture of the 4-H program
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Video 2: Kansas 4-H Volunteer Orientation Training - Creating Age Appropriate Learning Experiences
Volunteers work with a wide variety of ages of youth. This section covers how to create age appropriate learning experiences.
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Video 3: Kansas 4-H Volunteer Orientation Training - Experiential Learning Process
This section covers important hints on how to teach. “Learning by Doing” is one of the main reasons 4-H has been so widely recognized and respected in the field of informal education.
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Video 4: Kansas 4-H Volunteer Orientation Training - Creating a Safe and Positive Learning Environment
Kansas 4-H Volunteer Orientation Training - Creating a Safe and Positive Learning Environment. As a positive youth development organization, 4-H has an obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of the young people involved. This section covers how to create a safe and positive learning environment.
Complete the quiz for each video below, sign and return to the Extension Office
Generally new volunteers are asked to attend an in-person orientation session. Check to see if a session is currently scheduled.
How To Record 4-H Training Within The Online System
Returning Volunteers
- Attend/complete an annual training session organized by the Extension Office . Long -term volunteers may attend recommended training options to meet this requirement.
- Reviewing the above videos serve as a good annual review but is not reqired.
Step 3 Vounteeer/Extension Agent Connection Time Chat
Contact the Extension Office to schedule a time for a brief chat time. This is a time to discuss annual 4-H goals and plans, resource needs, training options, possible Kansas project changes,etc. This 15 -30 minute chat by phone or informal one-on-one session is planned to allow us together to create the strongest 4-H program posssible for our youth.
Sign Confidentiality Statements if volunteer will have acess to the confidential information shared by 4-H members.
Step 4 Background Check Permission Approval
Please wait for a message fr om the Extension Office before completing this step. If you think you are ready, give us a call. Background checks are completed every 3 years. By checking in, you will learn if this is the year for your background check. Once you have established an account, you will use in future years. Tip: Save user name and password for further reference.
Step 5 Volunteer Approved and Appointed Congratulations the 4-H fun with youth begins! To be ready for a new 4-H year, we would suggest returning volunteers begin the renewal application process in July or August to be ready for the new 4-H year in October.
Step 6 Volunteeer In Action Bring 4-H resources to live as you connect with kids so they gain life skills to prepare them for school, work and life and not just county fair. Make it fun for the kids while encouraging them to be life-long learners using a guided process! In summary , focus on To Make The (My) Best, Better and Learn By Doing. The 4-H leader's task is to teach life and project skills, the 4-H member's resposibility is to apply the skills learned via their project work.
Step 6 A Saluate to Our Volunteers 4-H volunteers are recognized for their service and dedication each fall.
Volunteer Service Application |
Volunteer Service Renewal Form |
Goal Setting
S.M.A.R.T Goal Setting Template |
4-H Goal Setting Worksheet |
Examples of 4-H Project Goals |