Clare County
 |
4-H Youth Programs |
Volunteer Opportunities
Here are five types of leadership roles to choose from, each involving a different emphasis and time commitment. In many cases, one person will assume several leadership roles. In other situations, each responsibility will be taken by different leaders. In any event, you are free to choose the one which you feel most comfortable.
Types
of Leaders
Qualifications
for Leaders:
ADMINISTRATIVE CLUB
LEADER
This person is responsible for guiding the direction of the
club and organizing the activities of the individual project leaders. This
leader is also responsible for maintaining communications between the 4-H staff,
club leaders, and members. This included club and leader registration each year
as well notifying the 4-H staff of changes within the club through the year. The
Administrative Club Leader will receive notices of all special county activities
and is responsible for passing that information to club members and leaders.
Must enjoy working with adults and young people in educational and fun activities. Good organization skills are helpful. Project area expertise is not mandatory, since workshops are available to teach specific skills. Many 4-H projects teach basic life skills that the leader has already mastered. An administrative club leader should have:
 | An interest in youth and youth programs |
| A willingness to devote time and energy to the task |
| A willingness to participate in training for the task |
| The ability to share decision-making and responsibilities with youth leaders and with adult leaders |
| The ability to support another person while he/she seeks to accomplish a task |
| The ability to organize and manage a team effort |
| A knowledge of the 4-H program and its mission |
| A knowledge of the community and its resources |
TIME COMMITMENT:
Time will vary from club to club, depending on the number
of club members as well as member ages, and dependent upon 4-H related
activities. Must be willing to commit whatever time is necessary to see to all
aspect of club needs.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Club Meetings
| Train and guide officers and teen leaders and assist them in setting the meeting agendas |
| Oversee club records to make sure they are up to date and that financial information is complete and accurate |
| Schedule regular periodic meetings (6-12 meetings per year) |
| Provide updated information to members and leaders as additional information becomes available from the MSU Extension office, and announce 4-H opportunities |
| Inform membership of necessary meeting arrangements (time, place, what to bring, etc.) |
| Provide a balance (education, business, recreation) at each meeting |
Program Planning
| Provide leadership for yearly club program |
| Develop techniques to involve all members, parents, leaders and community representatives in planning program progress |
| Meet with leaders to coordinate plans and keep informed of opportunities |
| Periodically evaluate club goals and progress |
| Maintain communication between members and leaders |
Liaison
You are the position between the MSU Extension office and the members and leaders of your club. Please plan to:
| Respond to correspondence from the MSU Extension office and inform your club |
| Inform parents of club plans and seek parent’s involvement |
| Maintain relationships with community individuals |
| Keep project leaders informed |
| Encourage project leaders and members to utilize workshops as much as possible |
| Encourage members to compete for county and state award programs |
| Stress project and activity record keeping by all the members |
| Share information with the MSU Extension office about activities and progress in your club/communicate with the staff regularly. |
Enrollment
| Re-enroll all previous members and leaders during the registration period each year, including updating computer information on leaders and members (New leaders and new members may register at any time of the year.) |
| Provide a financial statement of the club to the MSU Extension office |
| Recruit project, resource, activity, and teen leaders as needed |
| Provide club updates on project availability to the MSU Extension office |
| Update membership changes as necessary each year |
4-H PROJECT LEADER
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The main responsibility of a project leader is to teach and
help 4-H members learn a project skill. If the project leader is affiliated with
a club, he or she will work with the coordinating leader in conducting meetings
that teach a specific project. A project leader may work independently with a
group of youth who are learning a project skill. The project leader does
not get involved in registering any member or leader for a project area.
They refer those people to the administrative leader. It is recommended that
they assist the administrative club leader by encouraging members to apply for
county and state awards available.
TIME COMMITMENT:
A project leader usually spends two hours per session in
teaching the project skill. This may vary, as well as how often the sessions
meet, according to the member’s age, number of members, specific skill, etc. A
project leader may teach more than one project during the year to the same or
different group(s).
ORGANIZATIONAL:
| Secure literature and distribute to members |
| Determine frequency of meetings |
| Help members keep record books (don’t do it for them) |
| Assist the administrative club leader with information flow and appropriate forms |
| Use planning and evaluation sheets as part of the project |
EDUCATIONAL:
| Help members set goals |
| Encourage members to share information that they have learned with others |
| Utilize the services of teens as leaders whenever possible |
| Use audiovisual materials, speakers and resource leaders as teaching aids |
| Praise and encourage |
| Use constructive criticism |
| Evaluate project progress |
| Encourage members to attend workshops and participate in county and state opportunities |
| Attend leader workshops periodically |
4-H RESOURCE LEADER
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The resource leader is a volunteer who has expertise in an
area; however, does not necessarily have on going direct contact with the
members. They may choose to work with a club(s) offering advice or helping plan
a meeting or activity with an administrative club leader or project leader.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
To help, as needed, with the expertise they have for that area. Resource leaders are available to other leaders as resources. Communication needs to be maintained with the administrative club leader so that they are aware of the extent of your involvement, and to ensure that your personal information is updated every year at re-enrollment time.
4-H ACTIVITIES
LEADER
This person provides overall coordination of an event or
activity. This leader may also conduct club, county, or district activities
which center around project skills or personal development.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
To coordinate and plan activities and trips for their club, as well as planning and conducting fundraisers and benefits. In many clubs, the members themselves take on the activity responsibilities themselves. A leader is still requested to overlook their planning, especially if the group is of lower ages.
TEEN LEADERS
This position allows an older teen the opportunity to work
with younger 4-H members to help them learn by doing. The Teen Leader, besides
gathering useful experiences, also relieves some of the pressure on adult
leaders in organizing and maintaining clubs. In Michigan, the average 4-H’er
becomes a teen leader at the age of 13. Teen leaders can be involved in local,
county and state level 4-H activities in a variety of ways.
IN LOCAL CLUBS:
| Serve as club officer |
| Take leadership for a particular committee or activity |
| Lead the club under the guidance of an adult volunteer |
| Help with club organization or paperwork |
| Recruit new members and leaders |
| Work with leaders and teach younger members new skills |
ON A COUNTY LEVEL:
| Serve on county 4-H advisory councils and 4-H developmental committees |
| Conduct officer training programs for local 4-H clubs or group officers |
| Promote 4-H at special local activities |
| Speak at community groups |
| Act as Fair or Spring Achievement clerks, superintendents, or M.C.’s |
| Conduct fund-raising campaigns to support 4-H programs and activities |
| Become active by joining the Service Club in your county |
ON THE STATE LEVEL:
| Serve as a member on State 4-H developmental committees |
| Serve as option helpers at 4-H Exploration Days |
KEEPING TEEN LEADERS ACTIVE:
Obviously teens will be more interested in and enthusiastic about participating in activities that appeal to their needs. Older teens generally like to plan, design, and implement activities. They want and need to tackle new projects and expand their experiences. Adult leaders should offer guidance, but also allow teen leaders to try new things and learn from their mistakes. Teen leaders are the most under used leaders available. It is important that teens get involved in being a teen leader and to contribute their talents to their 4-H club.