Maine 4-H Animal Science Committees
Member
Roles & Responsibilities

Term:

• three years, renewable

• term begins with the Fall Animal Science Committee (ASC) meeting of one year, and ends following Eastern State Exposition (ESE) three years later

• can only serve on one ASC at a given time

• time commitment will vary depending on the committee and the member's involvement in subcommittee work but is estimated at 20 to 40 hours per year for smaller programs, and over 300 hours per year for more complex programs

Role:

• work closely with ASC Members and Staff Liaison to develop and implement an educational program for Maine 4-H members interested in a particular animal species

Responsibilities:

• attend Spring and Fall ASC meetings if at all possible

• attend committee meetings as called by the Activity Coordinator or subcommittee chairs, as appropriate

• collaborate with the Staff Liaison to determine the need for statewide programs in the commodity area, develop an action plan, and set priorities

• actively support the implementation of the action plan and evaluation of program outcomes

• assist the ASC treasurer and Staff Liaison in preparing an annual budget

• as appropriate, seek additional funding to support the ASC's programs

• determine, in collaboration with the Staff Liaison, the process to be used to select members of the ESE team, including, but not limited to:
      - 4-H Project Records
      - a knowledge quiz of the commodity area
      - a fitting and showing exhibition or competition
      - Note that committee members who are also team members should not be involved in determining the content of the team selection process)

• be available to chaperone at ASC events or programs, or help identify appropriate 4-H volunteers who can serve in this role (does not apply to committee members under 21 years-old)
      - chaperones must be at least 21 years‑old and currently enrolled Maine 4-H volunteers, and have completed VOLT training

• follow-through on commitments and provide feedback to committee members

• take concerns and questions to AC first, then to Staff Liaison if necessary

Nomination and re-nomination process:

• ASC nominees must be currently enrolled Maine 4-H volunteers and complete VOLT training
      - nominees who have not completed VOLT training by the Fall ASC meeting must do so by February 28 or their ASC membership will end

• nominations are made by the Extension educator or Extension professional in the county in which the volunteer is enrolled and must be submitted by October 15 to the committee's Staff Liaison
      - it is hoped the committee will have broad county representation

• Staff Liaison reviews the nomination and if approved, submits it to the current members of the committee at the Fall ASC meeting

• committee members vote on the nomination; majority rules

• terms expire after three years; re-nomination follows the same process

• nominations that are made at other times of the year will follow the same process but will be voted on at the next regularly scheduled committee meeting

• all ASC's are strongly encouraged to have at least one youth member for every three adult members
      - youth must be enrolled 4-H members, active in the commodity area, and age-eligible for ESE
      - youth must complete VOLT training

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