“The Top 10 Things Every 4-H Parent Should Know” (as compiled from the home offices of 4-H Leaders, Jr. Leaders, and Extension Staff) “4-H 101” Parent Orientation Meeting

#10. What is 4-H?  Largest nonformal youth serving organization in the country.  Volunteer-led organization that reaches youth through a variety of programs in both rural and urban settings.  Provides fun, educational opportunities at the local, state, national, and international levels.  4-H programs are hands-on, age- appropriate, and university-based.

#10. What is 4-H?  4-H Mission Statement: To assist youth and adults in their development by conducting hands-on educational programs, using the knowledge base of Purdue University, other land grant universities, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

#10. What is 4-H?  4-H Quiz Questions What do the four H’s stand for? What are the colors of 4-H? What is the 4-H emblem? Students in which grades may participate in the 4-H program? When did the 4-H program begin? Why?

#10. What is 4-H? What is a 4-H project? How many 4-H projects are offered in the County? Purdue University…  Is the land grant university of Indiana  Provides research-based information for 4-H  Employs Extension staff to work with 4-H  All of the above

#9. The 4-H Family Tree  Partners at each level: Federal - USDA State – Land-grant institution (Purdue in Indiana); state legislature Local – county government; local donors, supporters, and boards

#9. The 4-H Family Tree  Adult Volunteers Leaders Resource persons Advisors Policy-makers Committee members  4-H Members Officers, Jr. Leaders  4-H Families

What Should Parents Expect from 4-H Club Leaders? Parents should expect 4-H Club Leaders to...  Be able to find answers to 4-H related questions.  Distribute necessary 4-H paperwork in a timely manner.  Be courteous, helpful, and display a positive attitude. Treat all 4-H members and their families with respect.  Publish and distribute the 4-H Club meeting schedule in a timely manner.

What Should Parents Expect from 4-H Club Leaders?  Help 4-H Club officers and Jr. Leaders plan creative meetings and activities.  Be prepared for and help 4-H Club officers run an orderly meeting. Help members develop their own leadership skills.  Encourage all 4-H'ers to do/be their best.  Be a model for 4-H members to aspire to.  Assist members in learning what is available to them through 4-H.  Help make 4-H a fun, educational experience.

What Should Parents Expect from 4-H Club Leaders? Parents should not expect 4-H Club Leaders to…  Do the work for the members. The members must do a little work too!  Be babysitters for their children.  Track down 4-H members to deliver needed information or to sign their 4-H record sheets.  Have extra copies of every record sheet/manual that members have lost.  Know everything about every project and activity in the 4-H Program.  Be perfect. 4-H leaders are human too...we all make mistakes!

#8. The Nuts & Bolts of 4-H  Where can you find answers to your 4-H-related questions? County 4-H Handbook 4-H Project Manual State Fair 4-H/FFA Handbook Adult Volunteer Leader County Extension Office

#8. The Nuts & Bolts of 4-H  General 4-H Guidelines and Procedures Grades 3-12 Enroll in 4-H annually Enroll in 4-H projects annually Attend club and project meetings and activities Complete projects, including record sheets, by stated date and time Exhibit projects at local exhibition (typically at a County 4-H Fair)

#7. 4-H is a Family Affair!  4-H can be a great way for parents and children to work together through interest in mutual activities.  Parents are encouraged to be positively involved in 4-H activities.  Message from a 4-H Alumnus: 4-H is a “family thing. Because 4-H invites families to become involved is probably why people learn responsibility.”

Benefits of positive parent involvement in 4-H activities.  Members gain support and confidence from working with interested adults; participate with their parents in a common interest; and receive more individual attention and guidance.  Parents get to know their children’s friends; make new friends and acquaintances within the community; and show love and concern for their children by maintaining an interest in their activities and helping them meet their goals.

Benefits of positive parent involvement in 4-H activities.  Leaders can delegate jobs to responsible parents to allow time for development of additional club events; and more effectively reach each member with a positive adult influence.  4-H Club is strengthened, larger, and more active. Favorable Attitudes + Parent Interests + Active Parent Cooperation = Successful 4-H Clubs

Parent Roles in 4-H  Assist the 4-H Club leader.  Share your project expertise with other members.  Offer rides to other members.  Provide refreshments.  Attend 4-H meetings.  Encourage accurate and complete record- keeping.  Help secure other qualified adults to assist with projects and activities.

Parent Roles in 4-H  Share ideas for possible future programs.  Serve on planning committees.  Support & promote the 4-H Program in the community.  Serve as a judge for an event.  Know that “help” is guidance and support; “do with” rather than “do for”.  Help, cooperate, and smile often!

Parent Expectations in 4-H  Encourage your children to attend 4-H Club meetings and activities.  Pick up your children from 4-H Club meetings and activities promptly.  Advise your children in selecting 4-H projects that are appropriate for them.  Learn about 4-H with your children.  Keep informed about 4-H through information that comes to members of your family.  Help your children learn responsibility by encouraging them to complete their 4-H projects.

Parent Expectations in 4-H  Guide, advise, teach, and counsel your children as they work on 4-H projects and activities…BUT, don’t do the job for them.  Be a good example in sportsmanship.  Encourage your children when they succeed & even more when they fail.  Help children learn to make choices and decisions.  Help children understand their capabilities and reach their potential.  Be a positive, active parental influence.

Parents' 4-H Pledge  I pledge my HEAD to give my child the information I can, to help him/her see things clearly and to make wise decisions.  I pledge my HEART to encourage and support my child no matter whether he/she has successes or disappointments.  I pledge my HANDS to help my child's club; if I cannot be a leader, I can help in many equally important ways.  I pledge my HEALTH to keep my child strong and well for a better world through 4-H, for my child's club, our community, our country, and our world.

#6. Life skills are skills for life!  4-H Teaches life skills through 4-H projects, meetings, activities, etc.  H Alumni Study: What life skills did 4-H alumni develop in whole or in part as a result of 4-H participation? Sense of responsibility Self-confidence/worth Leadership Ability to relate to others Personal goal development

#6. Life skills are skills for life!

HEAD

HEART

HANDS

HEALTH

#6. Life skills are skills for life! “4-H helped me get ready for the real world by teaching me group skills, leadership, responsibility, and discipline.”  DeKalb County, IN, 4-H Member

#5. Reading is FUNdamental  Emphasize to members the importance of carefully reading… 4-H project manuals, 4-H Handbook guidelines, Record books, 4-H Newsletters, etc.  Then, they will be able to understand the basic 4-H guidelines!

#4. 4-H opportunities are knocking.  4-H Trips 4-H Camp 4-H Round-Up Science Workshops State 4-H Junior Leader Conference State Fair Youth Leadership Conference Citizenship-Washington Focus State Fair Achievement Trip International Exchange

#4. 4-H opportunities are knocking.  Career Development Events Animal Sciences Forestry Entomology Crops Horticulture Meats Dairy Foods Soils Wildlife

#4. 4-H opportunities are knocking.  4-H Scholarships & Awards 4-H Foundation Scholarships State 4-H Club Scholarships 4-H Accomplishment Scholarships Farm Bureau Tenure Award Key Club Award

#3. There is no such thing as a dumb question.  Ask!… Your leader Other parents Experienced 4-H members Extension Office Staff members  If they don’t know the answer, they can find it for you, or direct you to another source.

#2. Procrastinate…NOT!!!  4-H will be stressful if members wait until the last minute to complete their 4-H projects and/or records.  Teach children effective time management skills throughout the 4-H year. Help them work a little at a time and avoid the last-minute rush at the end of the summer!

#1. 4-H = FUN  Members have fun while they… Complete their projects Participate in club meetings and activities Meet new friends Attend 4-H Trips Learn!

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