1. Texas 4-H PARENT INVOLVEMENT

2. Topics covered A Look at Parents/Adults A Look at Us (Club Managers)
How to Achieve Parent Involvement
Read the three topics to participants and let them know what to expect from this training.

3. A Look at Parents Unconcerned Overstrict Overindulgent Balanced
Step 1:
Below is a description of each of these types of parents. Read the description of each and ask the club managers if they can come up with any more description s of parent that warrant addressing.
Unconcerned: These parents give their children no support. Their children tend not to join clubs. When they do join, they become “quitters” because they are not encouraged by a significant adult.
Overstrict: These parents criticize and find fault with their youth. They suppress the child’s will to do things. Children with these parents may be insecure, frustrated and rebellious.
Overindulgent: These parents protect and pamper their children. These youth may join 4-H because their parents think 4-H is good for them. You may find that these children lack initiative. Often their parents unintentionally do much of the project work for them. Many of these parents push their children into leadership positions at the expense of other members.
Balanced: These parents share planning, decision-making and home responsibilities with their children. 4-H is a family activity. Youth from such homes have many positive advantages. These parents discipline their children to do 4-H projects and activities with a firm but kind hand.
Step 2
Add their ideas to the list and begin discussion about how to include each of these parents in the 4-H Club. If possible break the audience into groups and have them brainstorm the positives and negatives of each of these types and offer ideas for working with them that will make them more inclusive and participatory. (remember every idea has merit)
Step 3
Talk about ways to move parents to the “balanced” level. Once parents reach this level they will be more willing to participate in your club.

4. A Look at Us How We See Parents Chore Helpers ONLY
Activity Helpers ONLY
Project Helpers ONLY
4-H Supporters
Step 1: Acknowledge that when we look at these 4 views of parents the “4-H Supporter” view has the room for most merit in involving parents.
Step 2: Read the description of each of these views and ask club managers to think about what they do in their club when engaging parents.
Chore Helper Only: Expect parents to help with ordinary and necessary chores. Most often ask parents to bring refreshments, provide transportation, pick up needed supplies, pay for basic project needs….
Activity Helpers Only: Expect parents to help with club activities. Most often ask parents to help at the fair, with project work, fund raising, and club social activities
Project Helpers Only: Expect parents to teach project subject matter, as there is not time to do this at club meetings. There is a basic expectation that parents will are interested in their child’s project and are teaching project lessons at home.
4-H Supporters : Encourage parents to support everything the club and members do. Inform parents about all parts of the program. Strive for balance of parent chore work, activity work, and project help. This attitude will gain the best attitudes, interests, cooperation of parents
Step 3: We all want to achieve the “4-H Supporter” view, but not being perfect ask Club Managers, which of the other 3 views do you tend to lean towards? Why?
Step 4: Have participants identify why they lean that direction. Ask them what can be done to change that.
Step 5: Involving Parents involves a targeted approach. Ask each club manager to make a short list (not more than 3) of names of parents they would like to see more active. Have them Characterize that person based on the 4 types of parents and have them reflect on the way they have viewed them in the past (Chore Helper, Activity Helper, Project Helper, Supporter). Share specific steps to move each of those individuals from where they currently are to where we want them: 4-H Supporter

5. How to Achieve Parent Involvement
Want Parent Involvement!
Inform Parents
What is expected of 4-H Members
What is expected of parents
What 4-H can do for parents and families
Ask parents to do things they are interested in or have skills to do
Ask Parents to do small things and gradually work up
Recognize parents for their efforts
Step 1: Read or paraphrase the following material
Parents are indispensable in 4-H. They share both the work and success of a club. Enrolling parents when the boys and girls enroll makes good sense because much of 4-H work centers around the home and family. Much of what youth gain from 4-H depends upon the attitudes of their parents.
Step 2: Emphasize that information is the key to gaining support from 4-H parents and there are three key areas that new parents need information in:
What is expected of 4-H members
What is expected of parents
What 4-H can do for parents
Step 3: have the group discuss the three areas above and come up with their own list of things parents need to know. Then talk about ways to share that information.
Step 4: Ask, Ask, Ask. Let club managers know that if they do not ask parents for involvement they will not get involvement
Step 5: Discuss ways to recognize parents for their efforts. Don’t confuse their efforts with their successes. It’s their effort we want to recognize

6. Summary What type of parents do you have?
How do you view parent involvement
Find out what they are willing to help with
Parent Surveys
Then…. ASK!
As you look for ways to delegate work to other leaders, remember that you need to take inventory of the type of parents you have and think about the things you can let go of and let others lead. One tool that you can use to find out what parents would be willing to do is to have them complete a parent survey. There are three different surveys you can choose from. Use the one that works best for your club.
Distribute the Parent Survey Handout to participants and review each one. Talk about pros and cons of using each form and let the club managers decide what will work best for them.