| Policies and Guidelines |
Maine 4-H Program |
B.2.2 County Leaders’ Organizations
The county 4‑H program should be designed to meet the educational needs of youth and their volunteer leaders. In many instances it is the task of 4-H leaders' associations and 4-H advisory councils or committees to identify and meet these needs. The great variability in state and county 4‑H programs leads to diversity in the existence and structure of associations, councils and committees. Some counties have none while other counties have one or more. Because counties differ in their needs, their organizations will vary in size and approach. Each will tailor its procedures and activities to fit the county situation.
Although you will sometimes hear the terms "leaders' association" and "advisory council or committee" used interchangeably, the descriptions below generalize their organizational function and are offered as guidelines.
4‑H Leaders' Association - The county 4‑H leaders' association gives volunteer leaders a voice and direct involvement in the county 4‑H program. It organizes and sponsors educational efforts for both leaders and 4‑H members. Leader association meetings provide forums in which volunteers exchange ideas, discuss mutual concerns and gain information about working with youth through 4‑H. Meetings are a time of learning, sharing, and fellowship. Any interested volunteer 4‑H leader may belong to the association, and all leaders are invited to attend association meetings.
4‑H leaders' associations’ roles usually include:
Identify training needs of 4-H volunteers.
Help conduct leader training.
Promote idea exchange and mutual support.
Stimulate formation of committees to plan, conduct and evaluate county programs if a 4‑H advisory council does not exist.
Cooperate with other 4‑H organizations such as the Pine Tree State 4‑H Foundation.
Help explain 4‑H to the public.
Help develop program resources.
Recruit leaders into 4‑H programs and activities.
Recognize and evaluate leader progress and accomplishments.
4‑H Advisory Council or Committee - The 4‑H advisory council or committee is generally a working group responsible for providing direction to the 4‑H program. Its membership should represent the community, including racial and ethnic minorities. A good mix would be to have one third of the membership be teenage youth, one third be from the 4‑H leaders' association and one third be adults from outside of the leaders' association.
Possible sources for council members outside of the 4‑H organization include:
Business or civic leaders, elected officials.
Civic organizations.
Youth groups and school student councils.
Senior citizens.
Former 4‑H members or volunteers.
The general functions of a 4‑H advisory council or committee include:
Collect and assess information about youth and volunteer needs.
Set long‑range and short‑range objectives for the 4‑H program.
Help locate support needed to conduct educational programs.
Maintain a relationship with the County Cooperative Extension Executive Committee.
Conduct educational programs that are outside the function of the leaders' association.
Evaluate and report program results.
Successful 4-H advisory councils or committees generally adopt meeting procedures that are agreeable to members and helpful in conducting business. Selected procedures to help the council include:
Approach its job in an orderly way.
Be responsible and responsive in its meetings.
Keep an accurate account of its activities.
Conduct relationships with other groups in a productive manner.
2/7/02