MCE Volunteer Policy

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MCE Volunteer Policy

• Part III - 4-H

Developed by the Maryland 4-H Volunteer
Curriculum Committee
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Maryland 4-H Mission

• Help all youth reach their full potential
• Teach useful life skills
• Community focused, research based
• Create competent, caring and responsible
  individuals

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Maryland 4-H Vision

• Recognized leader in youth development
• Address present and emerging issues
• Employ proactive approaches
• Experiential and age-appropriate curriculum
• Collaboration and networking
• Diverse Audiences, programs and methods

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Life Skills

• Decision Making
• Acquiring Knowledge
• Personal Responsibility
• Creative Thinking
• Communicating
• Understanding Self
• Getting Along With
• Others

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4-H Membership Standards

• Open to all youth without regard to
• Race
• Color
• Gender
• Religion
• National Origin
• Age
• Disability
• Sexual Orientation
• Parental or Marital Status

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Membership Standards

• Enroll by June 30th (4-H Year 1/1 12/31)
• Membership in multiple clubs is permitted
• Expectation of 4-H members
• Regularly attend club meetings/activities
• Complete at least one project
• Complete work in manual and submit report
• Give an oral presentation at a club meeting
• Exhibit at local, county or state fair or public
  exhibit

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4-H Age

• The age of a 4-Her on January 1st of the current
  year.
• Clovers ages 5 - 7
• Juniors ages 8 10
• Intermediates ages 11 13
• Seniors ages 14 - 18

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4-H Behavioral Expectations

• Provides opportunities for character building
• Based on Six Pillars of Character Counts!?
• Trustworthiness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Fairness
• Caring
• Citizenship

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Behavioral Policy Procedures

• Member and parent annually reads policy and both
  sign agreement
• Prohibited possession of items
• Prohibited actions
• Procedures
• Written notification
• Right to be heard prior to sanctions
• Review Board option
• Code of Animal Science Ethics

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Types of 4-H Clubs

• Community Clubs
• Project Clubs
• Clover Clubs
• Special Interest
• or Short Term
• School Enrichment
• Independent Study

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Standards for 4-H Clubs

• Minimum of 5 members ages 8-18
• Elected Officers
• MCE Volunteers
• Six or more club meetings annually
• Annual club educational plan
• Written by-laws developed by members
• Have a Club Charter

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Clover Club Standards

• For children ages 5 to 7 years as of Jan. 1st
• May be a stand alone or affiliated with a club
  of older members
• Usually a small number of members engaged in
  hands on activities
• Volunteer to member ratio of 6 to 1
• Clovers do not participate in competitive events
• Planned program using the Clover Curriculum

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Club Charter Requirements

• Meet all Standards for 4-H Clubs
• Submit required documentation to State 4-H Office
  for approval
• Maintain minimum standards
• Keep records

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Use of 4-H Emblem and Name

• The official emblem is a green four-leaf clover
  with a white H on each leaf.
• The 4-H name and emblem are owned by USDA.
• Check with 4-H Educators before designing club
  signs, clothing, etc.

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Annual Club Plan

• Everyone helps in planning
• Responsibilities are shared
• Balanced and interesting programs
• Provides direction
• Improves quality of meetings

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Characteristics of Youth

• Ages and Stages
• Ages 6-8 becoming independent
• Ages 9-11 like to be busy doing learning
• Ages 12-14 self-conscious of body image
• Ages 15 18 self interest is maturing

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Financial Issues

• Good Financial Records
• Are an open, public record
• Fulfill University auditing requirements
• Enable accountability for everyone
• Bank Account, EIN Two Signatures
• Good Record Keeping
• Club Treasurers Record Book

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Fund Raising

• Educational activity
• Raise for a specific purpose
• Match the fundraiser to amount needed
• Safety First!
• 5-50-90 Rule of Thumb

4-H Bake Sale
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Awards and Recognition

• Everyone likes recognition
• Club awards
• County awards
• State awards

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Risk Management

• Safety First!
• Benefit vs. Risk
• Transportation
• Insurance
• Camp and Overnight policies
• Health and Release Forms
• Privacy Statement

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Projects Record Keeping

• Experiential Learning
• Obtaining useful skills
• In groups or individually
• Record books resumes
• The Clover Award Program

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4-H Events and Contests

• Cooperative and Competitive
• County/City, Region, State National
• Family Friendly
• Workshops, Field Trips Camps
• Newsletters www.maryland4h.org

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Short-term Volunteers

• Child Safety First!
• No direct, unsupervised contact
• Specific tasks
• Form MEP 319

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Thanks to

• Dan Tabler, Principal Author
• 4-H Volunteer Curriculum Committee