Club Members
Who Is On Your 4-H Club Team?
Each member in your 4-H club is unique and special…coming to your club with characteristics, needs, and interests reflective of their age, project knowledge and skill level and support network. Your 4-H club team may include Cloverbuds and teens, first timers and veteran members, leaders and followers. Your coaching challenge is to create a club environment where all members are “green and growing”.
Your coaching challenge is to create a club environment where all members are "green and growing".
Whether you have just three or more than thirty members, you are helping each of them to become competent, caring, contributing and capable citizens. Your members are part of the Ohio 4-H Club Team of nearly 100,000 youth, which continues to grow stronger.
Why Do Members Join 4-H?
Whether you were a 4-H member or are brand new to the 4-H program, you will need to be able to answer this question to be a successful 4-H coach. Fun, friends, camp, fair, projects and new experiences are some of the common reasons sited by 4-H members. If you probe a little deeper, members may share with you answers such as “to develop leadership skills, to be part of a team, or to make a difference in my community”. However, what these reasons have in common is the opportunity for members to grow individually and as part of a group – The 4-H Club.
How Do Member’s Benefit From The 4-H Club?
Your club’s ability to meet members’ individual and group needs and interests can be the catalyst for member self-motivation, initiative and creative expression. Research has shown that self-motivation, when coupled with challenge is an effective way to encourage youth initiative. Many believe developing initiative helps youth solve problems, achieve goals, and overcome life’s challenges. Some even consider initiative to be the foundation for leadership, creativity, altruism and civic engagement. How are your 4-H club experiences helping to shape member’s lifestyles, daily decisions and career choices?
How Can You Train Successful 4-H Members?
- Understand the differences in member requirements for cloverbud and project members to plan meaningful club experiences for both.
- Sharpen your coaching (volunteer) skills in the developmental needs of youth and learn how age influences your club experiences and members’ outcomes.
- Increase 4-H teen participation by creating experiences that meet their specific developmental needs.
- Develop member’s character by incorporating the six character pillars in your club activities.
- Support special need members by understanding and meeting their specific programming issues.
- Tap your members’ potential by encouraging their participation in 4-H’s world of awards and opportunities.
