Welcome! Every year there are new people that join 4-H. More than likely at least one of them will be in your club. Make sure you take the time at your next club meeting to introduce yourself to those new club members. They may have some questions you will be able to answer.
Did you say "Thank You"? All 4-H'ers who won a 4-H award or plaque at the 4-H Fair, had someone buy their animal at the 4-H auction or won prize money in the rate-of-gain class, needs to write a thank you to the sponsor. A simple thank you means a lot to the sponsors. It lets them know that their donations are appreciated. If you misplaced the address of your sponsor contact the office.
Premium checks - from the 4-H Fair were handed out at your September club meeting. Be sure to cash your check within 60 days or it is void.
Publication Information - All publications listed in the Illinois Clover as a "Reference" for the project will automatically be distributed to 4-H'ers who enroll in the related project. Materials listed as "Project Support" items will NOT automatically be distributed. These materials must be ordered in addition to signing up for the project. Ask your leader, if you have any questions. Also be sure that when you are completing your enrollment papers you check both the box and the circle if you need the project manual.
Club Attendance - If you are unable to attend a club meting you must let your leader know! 4-H members must attend 2/3 of their club meetings in order to show at the 4-H Show. Members who notify their leaders that they are unable to attend a meeting due to illness, participating in a school event or 4-H event, etc. will be excused and it will not be counted as a missed meeting.
Club Reporters - If you are the reporter for your club, make sure to get your meeting write-up into the office after the meeting for the newspapers. You can drop it off, send it in, or e-mail it to me. Since we cannot put the articles in the newsletter, this is a great way to let the public know what your club is doing and how to join.
Enrollment -
Re-enrolling members: each year all members and leaders must re-enroll by completing a re-enrollment form. Please review all information on the form to see if it correct. If something is wrong, please circle it and write in the correct information. Parents and 4-H'ers are required to sign the bottom of the form. You must also fill out the project selection form attached to the re-enrollment form. Be sure to fill in the box in front of a project if you would like to select that project and fill in the circle if you need a manual. Either clubs or members must pay for the project manuals.
New members go through the same procedure with an Enrollment form.
Please get your completed forms to your leader as soon as possible. The sooner you turn your form in, the sooner you get your materials.
Remember you can always add projects up to the deadlines. Re-enrollment deadline for current members is December 15, 2009; livestock enrollment is January 1, 2010 for new members and additions of livestock projects; general enrollment is April 1, 2010 for new members and additions of projects.
Steps In Choosing 4-H Projects - Here are a few guidelines to help you when choosing 4-H projects for the new year.
1. Review the Illinois Clover. Ask your family and 4-H leader for help in selecting your projects.
2. Eliminate project areas that don't interest you. If you are a first or second year member, limit yourself to 3-4 projects per year. This will give you time to enjoy working with and completing each project for the 4-H Fair.
3. Consider how much time you have for each project and what your previous experience is. If you have no experience at all in woodworking, please don't enroll in level III just because the suggested project age is how old you are. The suggested ages are listed as "suggested" only.
4. Look at a past year's Fair Book to see the specific criteria needed to show the project at the 4-H Fair.
5. Think about awards. If you are interested in receiving additional recognition for your projects, please talk to some older 4-H members or your leader to find out what kind of records you should be keeping from year to year to help you fill our your Illinois Award Application.
Enrollment - Any person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation or disability, may enroll as a 4-H member.
¨ Youth who are 5 through 7 years of age on or before September 1, 2009 may enroll in 4-H Cloverbud groups.
¨ Youth who are 8 years of age or in the third grade and have not reached their 19th birthday on or before September 1, 2009 may enroll in 4-H clubs or groups.
¨ Persons considered to be mentally challenged may participate fully in the 4-H program regardless of age.
State Award Applications - All award applicants (ages 15 and older) that want to be considered at the state level must have their completed award application returned to the Extension Office by Friday, January 4, 2010. If you have any questions, ask your club leader or call the Extension Office.
4-H Manual Cost - Each club will be charged for the project manuals that they order and the club can decide if they want to charge each individual or do fundraising to cover the cost. Other options to look at to cut cost on manuals are:
· Recycle and reuse books within your club and other clubs.
· Enroll only in projects that you are truly interested in.
· It should take a 4-H'er an average of three years to complete one manual.
Parents - 4-H takes everyone to provide the opportunities for youth to develop the life skills to become successful leaders. We, the 4-H'ers and volunteers need help from parents to provide opportunities. You may say you don't have time, but some of the things that need to be done are short term.
¨ First, I encourage you to ask the leaders of your club how you can help out.
¨ Secondly, take a look at the projects in the "Illinois Clover". Where do your interests and talents fit in? Could you come to five meetings a year and be involved with that project for the 4-H show?
¨ Next, how about a commitment to help with an exciting activity such as clinics, workshops, judging or activities at the fair. 4-H is involved in many community service projects. All of these jobs take people. We need you!
Parent Involvement Suggestions for 4-H Club Activities - because boys and girls gain the most from 4-H when their parents take an active role, we ask parents to:
¨ Encourage and support your 4-H'er(s) and leaders. Help your member select, finance and manage their projects. Encourage your children to complete what they begin.
¨ Work cooperatively with other parents to assume one or more responsibilities in the 4-H club, if possible. Your family will possibly be scheduled to provide refreshments for one meeting during the year.
¨ Help the Jr. Leaders guide your 4-H'er(s) in setting project goals and determining when it will be done and who will help. Encourage good record keeping.
¨ Check the 4-H calendar of events and review meeting business after each meeting. Assist 4-H'er(s) in keeping a current 4-H calendar folder to remind family members of important dates and to fill in their participation check list.
¨ Phone the leader if there are any questions or problems to help clarify the situation.
¨ Each month a county newsletter is sent to each family. Both parents and 4-H'er(s) should read this carefully since dates of county events and opportunities are explained.
¨ Encourage your child to attend all club meetings and 4-H activities. Feel welcome to attend club meetings with your child.
(Adapted from 4-H Times, Boone County)
New Illinois 4-H Program Fee - Beginning with enrollment for 4-H members in September 2009, a $20 per year 4-H Program Fee will be applied to all members of community clubs, special interest groups, Cloverbud groups, after school programs and Independent Members. $14 of the fee will stay locally and be used by the county program to help 4-H support costs. $6.00 will be forwarded to the State 4-H Program to provide educational, technical and logistical support to maintain the 4-H program at all levels.
The 4-H Federation will pay $10 for each member using the profits from the BBQ from the last two years. So your cost will only be $10. Clubs or groups may choose to do fundraising or collect donations to offset the fee for their members. If you have any questions, please call the office.Scholarship waivers are available at the county website or upon request from the office.
