Mississippi 4-H Youth Development
County Volunteer Training
“This is 4-H”
Core Competencies Unit 1
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
EXTENSION SERVICE
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History of Mississippi State
University Extension Service
Mississippi 4-H Volunteer
Core Competencies
Unit 1: This is 4-H
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History of Mississippi State
University Extension Service
1862 Morrill Act establishing
Land-grant Universities
Mississippi State University
1890 Institutes – Alcorn State
University
1914 Cooperative Extension
Service established
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The Purpose for
Cooperative Extension
Education
Research based information
Formal and informal education
4-H Youth Development
Adult Education
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“Cooperative”refers to
a partnership between…
Federal
CES
State
County
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“Cooperative”refers to…
Funding received from multiple
levels:
Federal – US Dept. of Ag
State – Mississippi State
University Extension Service
County – Government
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Who is MSUES?
Mississippi State University
Extension Service
 Agriculture & Natural Resources
 Family & Consumer Sciences
 Enterprise & Community Resource
Development
 4-H Youth Development
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Participation
Mississippi State University
Extension Service does not
discriminate on the basis of
race, color, religion, national
origin, sex, age, disability,
or veteran status.
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History of 4-H
4-H was a means for reaching adults
with improved home and farm
practices
1914
Clubs became part of
Agriculture Service
1911
4-H name and Clover
1907
1st 4-H Club organized
Holmes County
1902
Boys & Girls Clubs
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What is 4-H?
Youth development component
of the Mississippi State
University Extension Service
Largest youth serving agency
in the world
Primary purpose is education
and youth development
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4-H educates through…
Individual project work
Local clubs
County, district, and state
activity and events
Short-term and Special
Interest programs
School Enrichment
Mass Media
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Membership
5 to 18 years old
Cloverbuds – non-competitive
program for 5-8 year olds
Traditional membership 9 to 18
years old
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What is a 4-H Club?
Mississippi 4-H Volunteer
Core Competencies
Unit 1: This is 4-H
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A 4-H Club is…
A group of members who learn
leadership and cooperation through fun
and educational programs.
Clubs encourage:
 Decision-making
skills
 Cooperation in
groups
 Leadership
development
 Communication
skills
 New ideas
 Knowledge and skill
development
 Pride in group
efforts
 Self-confidence
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Types of 4-H Clubs
Community Club
Project Club
Short-term Special Interest
Club
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Chartered 4-H Clubs
A 4-H club which has met the
established requirements.
To maintain charter…
 Complete and submit 4-H Club Meeting
Report (F-573)
 Actively recruit diversity in membership and
meet regularly with volunteers and youth
 Complete end of year report
 Complete annual financial accounting of club
funds
 Enroll members and volunteers annually
 Encourage parents and volunteers to
participate in Parent-Volunteer training
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4-H Clubs
 Meet regularly
 Are run by youth officers,
supervised and instructed by a
caring adult
 Educational
 Fun and enjoyable for members and
families
 Provide recognition and peer support
 Well organized
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Mississippi 4-H
On TRAC
“Taking
Revitalization
to All Clubs”
(insert county name)
Mississippi State University
Extension Service
4-H Youth Programs
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Parts of a 4-H meeting
 Business
4-H Ritual and Pledge
Business Meeting
 Educational Program
Speeches and Demonstrations
Lesson
 Recreation and Refreshments
Games, Songs
Snacks or meal
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4-H Pledge
I pledge
My head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service, and
My health to better living for
my club, my community, my
country, and my world.
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Organizational
Leader
Project
Leader
Activity
Leader
Teen Leader
Committee(s) of members
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Organizational Leader –
primary leadership for 4-H
club. They coordinate, guide,
and provide leadership.
Possess good communication
skills.
Activity Leader – primary
leadership for planning and
coordinating an activity
through a committee of youth
and adults. (Talent Contest,
Picnic, Service Project, etc.)
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Project Leader – primary
leadership educating and
training members in a specific
subject matter.
Teen Leader – assist local
leadership, as skills are
acquired they may serve as
activity, project and
organizational leaders.
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Membership and families
– actively participate in
club meetings, committees
and activities. Share
time, talents, and skills
with the club.
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Structure of County 4-H Program
Mississippi 4-H Volunteer
Core Competencies
Unit 1: This is 4-H
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The “Big” Picture
Local 4-H Club
Parent-Volunteer Organization
Activity Committee
Youth Council
Ambassadors
Teen Leaders
Program Advisory Committee
Event Committee
Camp
Parent-Volunteer Training
Jr. Achievement Trip
County Fair
Picnic
Awards Program
Mall Day
Awards and Recognition
Project Leaders
Public Speaking
Share the Fun
Fabric and Fashions
Healthy Living Fair
Horse Show
Foods Fair
4-H Foundtion
Fund Raising
Donor Recruitment
Annual Meeting
Golf Tournament
Parent-Volunteer Org.
Executive Officer Committee
Public Speaking
Horticulture
Computor
Fabric and Fashion
Dog
Foods
Poultry
Fitness
County Extention Office
Extension Educators
District and State 4-H Program
Program Specialists
Cooperative State Research, Education,and Extension Service
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County
Volunteer
Association
MS 4-H
Foundation
County
Expansion/
Review
Youth Council
Committee(s) of adult and youth volunteers
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County
Volunteer
Association
Committee(s)
Activities
Events
Parent-Volunteer Training
Club Representation
Youth-Adult Partnership with
Youth Council
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County
Expansion/
Review
Diverse group of perspectives
Representative of county
geographically and ethnically
Assists in identifying needs
and trends
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Primary purpose is strong
financial backing
Board of Directors who assist
the 4-H program through the
development of funds
Cooperation with State 4-H
Program
MS 4-H
Foundation
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Works in cooperation with
County Volunteer Association
Representative of all clubs
and ages
Youth active participants on
county planning committees
Youth Council
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Committee(s) empowered to
plan, conduct, and evaluate
county programs, activities, and
events.
Establish and maintain a
strong Youth-Adult Partnership.
Committee(s) of adult and youth volunteers
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4-H Project Work
Mississippi 4-H Volunteer
Core Competencies
Unit 1: This is 4-H
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4-H Project Work
Gateway to the member
“Learn by doing”
Tool for developing capable
adults
Teaches desirable habits and
attitudes
Learn to help one’s self, which
leads to helping others
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Purpose for 4-H Projects
“A blue ribbon 4-H'er with a red ribbon pig
is more desirable than a red ribbon
4-H'er with a blue ribbon pig. .”
Life Skills Development
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Decision Making
Goal Setting
Planning, implementing and evaluating
Teamwork and Cooperation
Communicating
Accepting Responsibility
Record Keeping
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Goals and Objectives of
4-H Projects
 Develop Skills
 Learn by Doing
 Gain Knowledge
 Accept Responsibility
 Create Ownership
 Explore Careers
 Provide a Sense of Achievement
and Accomplishment
 Create Family and Community Ties
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Selecting a 4-H Project
 Interests, needs, and capabilities
of the member
 Opportunity for sufficient
challenge and growth
 Family situation
 Availability of adequate financing
 Availability of equipment and space
 Availability of leadership
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4-H Projects,
an opportunity for…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Developing Subject Matter Skills
Life Skills
Participation
Developing communication skills
Keeping records
Sharing ideas
Productive leisure time
Recognition
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Sample of 4-H Projects
Health and Fitness
Electric Energy
Foods & Nutrition
Expressive Arts
Animal Science
Entomology
Field and Stream
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Parent’s Role in
4-H Project Work
Aide in selecting, financing and managing.
Guide and support work without doing it for them.
Encourage follow-through and completion.
Give praise and encouragement.
Assist in gathering tools and supplies.
Encourage record keeping.
Provide support and transportation.
Assist organizational, project, and activity
leaders.
 Become a project or activity leader.
 Serve on committees to plan and implement club
activities or project meetings.
 Become a certified 4-H volunteer.
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Role of the 4-H Member, Family,
Volunteer, and Extension Agent
Mississippi 4-H Volunteer
Core Competencies
Unit 1: This is 4-H
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4-H Roles
4-H Member
Family
Certified Volunteer
Volunteer
Extension Agent
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4-H Roles
4-H Member
Take responsibility for setting goals,
working toward the goals, keeping
records, and being a role model.
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Family
4-H Roles
 Encourage participation in 4-H programs at the
local and county level and to assist in the
development of the 4-H member.
 Support local and county 4-H program through
time, talent, and financial support.
 Work cooperatively with other families and 4-H
volunteers.
 Participate in County Volunteer Training to
enhance personal knowledge of 4-H.
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4-H Roles
Certified Volunteer
Have participated in a selection
process and orientation session.
Annually participate in County
Volunteer Training and be enrolled
as a 4-H Volunteer.
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Volunteer
4-H Roles
 Provide leadership to the local and county
4-H program. Leadership will include
planning, developing, implementing, and
evaluating programs and activities.
 Work cooperatively with 4-H families,
volunteers and Extension Agents.
 Participate in County Volunteer Training
to enhance personal knowledge of 4-H
and to assist in the development of 4-H
members.
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Extension Agent
 Provide leadership and direction to local and
county 4-H program.
4-H Roles
Program Associate – Support Agents in
getting the job done.
 Provide County Volunteer Training at the county,
district and state levels. Training shall provide
the tools and knowledge that parents and
volunteers need to successfully implement,
maintain, and develop 4-H clubs and members.
 Provide the support and training for the
implementation of a volunteer lead program at the
local and county level.
 Work cooperatively with volunteers, families and
4-H members.
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