How Can You Best Inform Your 4-H Team of Risks?
Limiting your coaching risk begins with having your players and their parents/guardians read and sign permission forms. You would not plan to climb Mt. Everest without knowing the conditions and requirements. You may not be climbing mountains, but you and your club may choose to participate in a variety of High Risk 4-H Club Activities.
Use appropriate permission forms when conducting these activities to inform parents and members of potential risks. You can review the different types of permission forms below, but seek assistance from your county 4-H Youth Development Educator in developing any of these liability shields.
Inform your players of potential risks and use permission forms to limit your risks.
- Permission Slip serves as a means for parents to give their authorization for their child to participate in a program. Do not ask for release of liability, therefore, permission slips do not absolve Extension/4-H and you, the volunteer of any liability.
- Informed Consent clearly describes the activity and appraises the participant and his/her parents of the specific risks involved requiring the parent/guardian signature acknowledging the activity and related risks. Do not attempt to excuse Extension/4-H from responsibility for its own negligence; however, does attempt to relieve Extension/4-H and you, the volunteer, from liability for the inherent risks of the activity.
- Generic Permission Form - This sample Informed Consent Permission Form to Participate was developed as a guide for designing similar forms at the county level. You should seek assistance, guidance and approval from your County 4-H Extension Educator in developing any Permission Forms before using with club members.
- Ohio 4-H Horse Activities Disclosure and Release of Claims Permission to Participate Form - Ohio 4-H Horse Members and their parents/legal guardians must annually sign this form in order to participate in 4-H horse events and activities at the club, county, regional or state level. This form was developed as a result of the Ohio Equine Liability Law, 1997.
- 4-H Dog Activities - The Dog Activities Permission to Participate Form is not a requirement. You may select to use at the county level, but consult with your County 4-H Extension Educator before using.
- 4-H PetPals - Use the PetPals Permission to Participate and Informed Consent Form with all PetPals program participants.
- Waivers and Release clearly informs parents/legal guardians of the 4-H club activity's potential risks and releases Extension/4-H and its employees, and others as stated in the form from liability.
