1. This is 4-H Structure of County 4-H Program
oklahoma 4-h volunteer development
This is 4-H
Instructor Preparation – Allow 6-8 hours of preparation for 1 hour of instruction.
Review all materials thoroughly. Do any additional research or preparation to make yourself comfortable with the materials or to give it your personal touch.
Determine what new project/subject/topic will be introduced or reviewed in conjunction with this “core” subject matter.
Provide sample curriculum or links for resources.
In preparation for teaching this section refer to the Club Management Manual (CMS) for additional information on types of clubs, chartering, club meetings, On TRAC, 4-H pledge, etc. Position descriptions can also be referenced in the Volunteer and Club Management Manuals. Century III will also provide for additional information and background on this session.
Teaching Outline
Unit 1: Structure of County 4-H Program
PowerPoint Presentations
This is 4-H Jeopardy
This is 4-H Jeopardy - Questions and Answers
Activities
County Parent-Volunteer Association_Activity Sheet
County Parent-Volunteer Association - Answers
BLT - Building Leaders for Tomorrow
How to Use BLT
Activity 11 Human Knot and Tater People
Activity 12 Spider Web
Activity 13 Recycled Art
Activity 18 Tossing the Pizza
Activity 24 Flying in Formation
Activity 25 Body Parts
Activity 27 Knot or Not?
Handouts
Being a 4-H Parent
Newsletter Support Materials
Families Role in 4-H
How 4-H is Organized
Organization of County 4-H Program
This I Believe
What's in a Name
Self Study Series
4HVOL201A_History CES and 4-H
Answers_Unit 1 4HVOL201A
4HVOL201C_County PVA
Answers_Unit 1 4H.VOL.201C

2. The “Big” Picture
Local 4-H Club
Parent-Volunteer Association
Youth Council
Program Advisory
Committee
4-H Foundation
Ambassadors
Teen Leaders
Activity Committee
Event Committee
Fund Raising
Donor Recruitment
Parent-Vol. Training
Camp
Annual Meeting
Golf Tournament
Public Speaking
Share the Fun
Jr. Achievement Trip
County Fair
Design & Construction
Healthy Living Fair
Picnic
Awards Program
Horse Show
Foods Fair
Mall Day
Awards and Recognition
Project Leaders
Parent-Volunteer Association
Executive Committee (officers)
Public Speaking
Horticulture
Computer
Fabric and Fashion
During this session of This is 4-H we introduce a “model” which is very effective in sharing leadership and ownership at the county level.
The flow chart illustrates how the organizational structure moves from the members and families at the local club level into a variety of leadership roles at the county level. The purpose of this lesson is to illustrate that a county 4-H program requires many parents and volunteers serving in a variety of roles to meet the needs of the youth enrolled in our program and to expand our programming efforts.
Dog
Foods
Poultry
Fitness

3. County 4-H Program Structure
Parent-Volunteer Association
Program Advisory Committee
County 4-H Program Structure
4-H Foundation
Youth Council
The primary leadership groups in a county 4-H program will include three or more of the following: Parent-Volunteer Association, Program Advisory Committee, A Youth Council or County Officer Team and possibly a 4-H Foundation.
Counties who do not have a 4-H Foundation will run funds through the county extension office or the State 4-H Foundation.
Committees composed of adult and teen volunteers are essential to a healthy program. They provide the leadership in planning, conducting and even evaluating county activities and events. A diverse representation of the clubs and communities insures that all parties have opportunity for input and leadership.
The county educator serves as an advisor to the committee; providing continuity, a position description of the committee responsibilities and any necessary guidance. This is to insure that decisions support the overall mission of positive youth development.
Committee(s) of Adult and Youth Volunteers

4. Parent-Volunteer Association
Committee(s)
Activities
Events
Parent-Volunteer Training
Club Representation
Youth-Adult Partnership with Youth Council
County 4-H Program Structure
The Parent-Volunteer Association could also be referred to as the Leaders Council, Friends of 4-H or Federation in your county. The term Parent-Volunteer Association is used to encourage greater participation of all adults associated with the 4-H program. Most parents or volunteers are familiar with a PTA so they will be able to relate to a group with a similar title, PVA.
Many counties have moved away from using the term “Leaders Council” because it was viewed as an exclusive group rather than a inclusive group.
Every club should be represented by parents and volunteers at these meetings. Business regarding guidelines, rules, policy, fund raising and the scheduling of event dates are determined at these meetings. The meetings are planned and run by an elected set of officers and advised by the county educator.
County committees evolve from this leadership group. The committees will be composed of 4-H members, volunteers, parents, interested community leaders and other resource people. The committees are responsible for planning, conducting and evaluating an activity or event. Following the activity/event the committee is responsible for making a report at a PVA meeting. The report will include an event summary, evaluation results and recommendations for future programs.
The PVA supports a healthy youth-adult partnership with the 4-H Youth Council/County Officers. The PVA is strongly encouraged to actively and meaningfully engage young people as significant partners on county committees. To learn more about Youth-Adult Partnerships see fact sheet 4H.VOL.117.

5. Program Advisory Committee
Diverse Group of Perspectives
Representative of County Geographically and Ethnically
Assists in Identifying Needs and Trends
Program Advisory Committee
County 4-H Program Structure
The Program Advisory Committee often referred to as the PAC, is a body of interested adults and youth who are representatives of the county geographically and ethnically. Membership of the group may include, but is not limited to representatives of the PVA, the 4-H Youth Council, school officials, ecumenical groups, as well as other youth organizations and community agencies serving youth and families.
This “grass-roots” group analyzes the needs and concerns of county youth, identifies program direction and makes recommendations for the county 4-H youth development program.

6. Works in Cooperation with Parent-Volunteer Association
Representative of All Clubs and Ages
Youth are Active Participants on County Planning Committees
County 4-H Program Structure
Youth Council
This Youth Council may have a variety of names: County Officer Team; Teen Leaders; County Council; Ambassadors, etc. A council is composed of representatives from each club and headed by the elected county officers.
The primary purpose for a youth council is the development of leadership and decision-making skills. Teens want to be involved in the decision-making process, they want adult responsibilities and they want to be respected for their thoughts and ideas. Teens act as young adults when treated with adult respect and responsibility.
When given an opportunity, a youth council can address the needs and concerns of their peers with constructive ideas for improving the total county 4-H program.
Whatever the organizational structure or name, the group's function is program assistance and leadership at the county level, working cooperatively with the Parent-Volunteer Association and being active participants on county planning committees.
The council is advised by the county educator and/or 4-H volunteers.

7. Primary Purpose is Strong Financial Backing
Board of Directors Assist the 4-H Program through the Development of Funds
Cooperation with Parent-Volunteer Association
County 4-H Program Structure
4-H Foundation
A 4-H Foundation is a voluntary board of directors who support youth and adult education by funding the needs of a county 4-H program. The foundation does not determine program direction, but promotes, encourages and enriches 4-H by its strong financial backing through funds development – fund raisers, donors, etc. There are financial benefits for donors who contribute to a 4-H Foundation who has a 501C3 status with the IRS.
Not all counties will be large enough to support a 4-H Foundation. Smaller programs will manage funds through the PVA. Funds and books will be housed in the county extension office.
The PVA will be responsible for fund raisers and will develop and approve a budget to support county activities and events. The budget will include line items for committees, awards, trips, training, etc.

8. Establish and Maintain a Strong Youth-Adult Partnership
Committee(s) Empowered to Plan, Conduct and Evaluate County Programs, Activities and Events
Establish and Maintain a Strong Youth-Adult Partnership
County 4-H Program Structure
Committee(s) of Adult and Youth Volunteers
Each county works toward the end goal of having committee leadership for all county activities and events. Committees empowered with the training, tools and information necessary to manage “their” program. Our ultimate goal is to have a “Volunteer Lead” program in each county.
Standing committees are recommended for managing a large portion of a county 4-H program. There should be one committee for each major county activity and event. Possible committees will include 4-H Parent-Volunteer Training, 4-H Project Training, Share-the-Fun, Public Speaking, Publicity, 4-H Policy, 4-H Awards and Recognition, etc. Sub-committees are formed within a standing committee so that a large task becomes more manageable.
Special committees are suggested when an out-of-the-ordinary task needs to be addressed. Special committees are dismissed as soon as the job is complete.
The PVA must be informed in a timely manner of the plans a committee intends to perform. The PVA should be prepared to accept reasonable decisions presented by the committee. If the action of the committee is not acceptable to the organization, the matter should be referred back to the committee for further study.
Committees are kept fresh, active and interested when there is an organized way to replace membership using some form of rotation. Maintaining the same volunteers over a period of years does not promote growth of a program or the individual.

9. The “Big” Picture
Local 4-H Club
Parent-Volunteer Association
Youth Council
Program Advisory
Committee
4-H Foundation
Ambassadors
Teen Leaders
Activity Committee
Event Committee
Fund Raising
Donor Recruitment
Parent-Vol. Training
Camp
Annual Meeting
Golf Tournament
Public Speaking
Share the Fun
Jr. Achievement Trip
County Fair
Design & Construction
Healthy Living Fair
Picnic
Awards Program
Horse Show
Foods Fair
Mall Day
Awards and Recognition
Project Leaders
Parent-Volunteer Association
Executive Committee (officers)
Public Speaking
Horticulture
Computer
Fabric and Fashion
We are back to the BIG Picture. As you have heard, a county 4-H program requires many parents and volunteers serving in a variety of roles.
Parents, volunteers and teen leaders from the community club serve in leadership roles on the PVA, PAC, Youth Council and Foundation. Stemming from these groups committees are formed for activities such as camp and volunteer training; events such as public speaking and share the fun, project leader training for specific subject areas and fund development.
When everyone does a little, sharing their time, talent and resources a 4-H program grows exponentially and we can meet the needs of a greater number of youth.
As the community sees a bigger, more diverse picture of 4-H youth development efforts, it becomes easier to recruit volunteers with more diverse backgrounds and interests.
Dog
Foods
Poultry
Fitness

10. Activity Annual Yearly Planning of County Activities or
Introduction to Committees
See 4-H Century III – Chapter 3 planning County Activities and Events, Committee Work, etc.

11. Activity Effective Committees
Teach about effective committees at the local and county levels.
4H.VOL H Leadership Guide
4H.VOL.305 B Parli Pro Club Meeting
4H.VOL.307 B Meeting Guide
4H.VOL.308 B The Motion
4H.VOL.309 B Are you Ready to Serve
4H.VOL.310_B Committees
4H.VOL.311 How does our meeting measure up
4H.Vol.312 The Agenda