Walla Walla County Extension

4-H Youth Program

What do 4-H groups do?
It is entirely up to 4-H members what their 4-H club does! 4-H clubs usually focus on one or more topics of the members’ choice. They conduct project related activities, for example, a gardening club may have a year round garden or a technology club may work on web design at meetings. 4-H clubs also do lots of community service both in their project area and where they are needed.

What are some of the activities available?
4-H activities include cows to computers, and everything in between. The best way to find out exactly which 4-H activities are available to you is to contact Walla Walla County WSU Extension at 509-524-2685 or fultonj@wsu.edu. We can give you a list of current clubs and their activities.

4-H meetings give your club members a chance to think and act together, to plan and do things together. Meetings let members learn from each other.

You couldn’t very well learn to lead a discussion, or work out the ideas for a picnic or party by yourself. You need club members thinking and acting together to get things done. That’s what a club meeting is all about: to learn, to make plans, and to have fun.

There are no state or Walla Walla County dues for membership in 4-H. Clubs and programs may charge a nominal fee to cover the cost of supplies, materials, or event fees. Collecting this fee must not be a barrier for membership enrollment.

Individuals are responsible for the cost of their personal project expenses.

Good officers are enthusiastic, tactful, and friendly. They work to get each member of the club involved in plans and to give everyone a fair chance to participate. They accept and respect each member and encourage everyone to contribute to the club.

Club officers are proud of their jobs and always do their best. They get things done right and on time.

4-H clubs usually elect the following officers:

President

• Prepares an agenda and presides at all meetings.
• Understands and follows basic parliamentary procedure.
• Appoints committees with the help of the leader.
• Works with advisors to insure that each meeting runs effectively.
• Works with member and the leader to plan the program for the year.

Vice President

• Presides over the meeting in the absence of the president.
• Serves as chairman of the program planning committee.
• Coordinates the work of committees.

Secretary

• Keeps complete and accurate minutes of each business meeting.
• Writes club correspondence.
• Records attendance of members and advisors.
• Reads letters to the club at meetings.
• Reminds members of special meetings and makes sure each member knows when and where the next meeting will be.

Treasurer

• Handles club money.
• Maintains accurate and current financial records.
• Reports at club meetings on money received, money paid out, and the amount of money on hand.

News Reporter

• Writes interesting and accurate reports for the club meetings and special activities.
• Sends reports of meetings and activities to local media and 4-H News.
• Sends advance information to local papers or radio stations when a special event is planned, such as a demonstration day or a community service project.

Historian

• Takes photos and organizes news clippings, mementos of events, programs, etc.
• Maintains a club scrapbook.

Recreation Leader

• Plans and leads recreation at each meeting.
• Plans special events and parties.
• Involves other members in leading recreational activities.

Other offices may be added to meet the individual club’s needs.

As one of the goals of 4-H is to develop leadership skills, it is a good idea to pass jobs around so members gain different experiences. This usually means that a member should not hold the same office in successive years. A variety of experiences will help the member grow in leadership and develop new skills.

See the 4-H Leader Information Page for steps to becoming a leader.

• Learn a little about 4-H and how it works. Help your girl or boy select a project that is fun and realistic.
• See that projects are completed.
• Help your youth, but don’t do the project for him or her.
• Encourage your son or daughter in failure and in success. Help your youth see progress and what was learned, not just the end result.
• Help him or her be a good sport and appreciate the success of others.
• Provide transportation to meetings and events, or have meetings in your home. Providing refreshments also helps.
• Attend special 4-H activities and events for parents.
• Help your 4-H member take part in other events, such as fairs, shows, or camp.
• Get acquainted with local 4-H leaders. Let them know you appreciate their efforts.
• Volunteer to help with 4-H meetings and events.

Approximately 7 million members across America.

4-H can be found in all 50 states and the provinces of the United States. 4-H and 4-H related programs also exist in over 80 other countries around the world. Check out http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_atlas.htm to learn about 4-H in other countries.

Faith Hill, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Pat Nixon, Jim Davis (the creator of Garfield), Al Gore, Dolly Parton, Johnny Carson, and Johnny Cash, just to name a few! For a full list of distinguished 4-H alumni, visit http://www.nae4ha.org/4hda.htm.

The 4-H program is supported through both public and private funds at the county, state and national levels. The public funds that the 4-H program receives from the county, state, and the federal government provide the salary and support of personnel. These sources do not adequately support the educational programs and activities of the county program. Funds must be secured from private resources to augment the county 4-H educational programs and activities for youth.

Walla Walla County 4-H Leader’s Council conducts fund raisers, organizes 4-H promotional events, provides county-wide educational opportunities, and establishes policies consistent with the 4-H mission.

The Walla Walla County 4-H Endowment Fund is managed locally by the Blue Mountain Community Foundation under the supervision of a local board of directors who represent various facets of leadership in our community. This fund benefits youth in Walla Walla through 4-H educational programs that allow them to grow into caring, mature, and responsible adults and members of our society. Funds are received through estate planning, memorials and financial donations sent directly to the Blue Mountain Area Foundation at P.O. Box 603, Walla Walla, WA 99362.  For more information, visit their website at http://www.bluemountainfoundation.org/

National 4-H Council is the private, non-profit sector of 4-H at the national level, in partnership with USDA and the Extension system. The sources of revenue are varied. 25% of the revenue comes from corporate, federal, foundation, and individual gifts. 20% of the revenue comes from the National 4-H Supply Center. 53% if the revenue is generated from the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. Just 2% comes from investments or other income.

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