To JoinContact Your Community Club Leader Contact Your Community Club LeaderIf you live in Alameda County and would like to enroll in Alameda County,
follow the directions below:
Community Club Leader Prospective Member Info4-H is a non-formal educational youth development program conducted by the University of California Cooperative Extension as authorized by federal and state statues. In each county, the local Extension staff (County Director, 4-H Youth Advisor, 4-H Program representative) have the authority to administer the program in accordance with University and Extension policy. 4-H provides a wide variety of enrichment activities. Members belong to a group and take part in group events, or explore their own special interests on an individual basis. Youth are eligible to participate in 4-H as primary members if they are 5 years old or in kindergarten as of January 1 of the program year. Because programming varies from county to county, check with your local county 4-H office to learn what is offered for primary members. If a youth is 9 years old or enters 4th grade by January 1 of the program year, he or she enrolls as a regular member. Please note that the grade criterion does not apply to home schooled children. Youth remains eligible for membership until December 31 of the year in which they turn 19 years old. The purpose of 4-H is to help young people discover and develop their potential. 4-H encourages young people to set their own goals and make their own plans and decisions. This helps boys and girls mature and build self confidence. By being part of a group, 4-Hers learn to understand and to cooperate with others. These two basic skills help youth achieve a happy, useful life. MeetingsThe 4-H members in clubs/groups may elect officers and plan, implement, and evaluate an annual Plan of Work. A volunteer leader coaches the officers and members in these activities and guides them as they acquire leadership skills. Any parent or adult volunteer leader may join the discussion during a 4-H meeting, but only 4-H members vote on matters that are brought before the club/group. The meetings also enable members and parents/guardians to get together to share experiences and interests. One of the good things 4-H offers is an opportunity to enjoy learning with family and friends. Meetings for the 2002-03 year will be held at Maloney Elementary School in Fremont, the second Monday of each month from 7-8:30 pm. Membership4-H is a program of the University of California Cooperative Extension. I f you are 5 years old, or in kindergarten as of January 1st of the program year, you may enroll as a primary member. Because programming for primary members varies from county to county, check with your local county Extension office to learn what id offered. If you are 9 years old or in 4th grade by January 1 of the program year, you can enroll as a regular member. Please note that if you are home schooled, the grade criterion does not apply. You remain eligible for membership until December 31 of the year in which you turn 19 years old. A 4-H group or club will be organized with at least one volunteer leader and three or more members. Each member in 4-H has one or more projects. Your leader can also tell you about projects. Projects are only offered when leaders are available to work with members. 4-H Member's CreedI believe in 4-H for the opportunity it will give me to become a useful citizen. I believe in the training of my HEAD for the power it will give me to think, plan, and reason. I believe in the training of my HEART for the nobleness it will give me to become kind, sympathetic, and true. I believe in the training of my HANDS for the ability it will give me to become helpful, useful, and skillful. I believe in the training of my HEALTH for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, to resist disease, and to work efficiently. I believe in my country, my state, my community, and in my responsibility for their development. In all these things I believe, I am willing to dedicate my efforts to their fulfillment. CostThere is a minimal statewide program fee that is associated with membership. The program fee supports development of educational materials and volunteer training and covers the cost of insurance. There may also be a county or regional program fee. Insurance4-H accident and illness insurance is a mandatory cost to your child. The organizational leader in your club can tell you about this insurance and can give you a leaflet that explains how much the insurance costs and what medical costs it covers in case of an accident or illness that occurs during any 4-H work or while traveling to or from official 4-H meetings and events. Star AwardsPart of the fun of learning is measuring your progress. The Star Awards in 4-H are designed to help you plan attainable objectives and to measure the progress you are making toward those objectives. The 4-H Personal Development Report (4-H-1071) is a guide for you to use to document your 4-H involvement. The Star Award is a program unique to California. Bronze, Silver, Gold, and All Stars are awarded at the county level to 4-H members in recognition of their achievements. There is no time limit for achieving a star rank, and there is no limit to the number of Bronze, Silver, Gold, or All Stars a county can award. At the county level, All Stars are awarded for outstanding achievement and leadership in 4-H. At the state level, Diamond Stars are awarded for outstanding achievement and leadership in 4-H. Beyond Your Local Community4-H offers opportunities beyond your local community. County Level4-H exhibit days, judging contests, field days, demonstration days, favorite
food days, and other events are held in most counties and offer members
a chance to take part. Regional LevelCooperative Extension is organized into four regions in California: North, North Central, South Central, and South. Each region provides opportunities for youth through leadership conferences, presentation days, special events, and teen councils. State LevelThere are statewide activities related to leadership training, citizenship/service
learning, exchanges, and incentives and recognition. |