4-H PROJECT CLUBS
The community 4-H club is a club that consists of members who live near each other in a community or neighborhood and offers project groups for a variety of projects. The project club has the same characteristics of a community 4-H club except that it initially (upon organization) provides for only one project interest.
The project club recognizes the limited amount of time people have and that most people tend to limit themselves to one major outside interest. The project club is a good way to attract membership through one project interest. A project club could co-exist in a rural community with a community 4-H club. In a large town or city, where there are numerous community 4-H clubs, there could be numerous project clubs made up of people having a primary interest in such areas as shooting sports, rabbits, dogs, horses, gardening, clothing, etc.
The 4-H project club is an ideal way to expand membership and to create interest in new project areas. This organizational concept is especially appealing to parents/adults and volunteers who have intense interest in the project area.
The characteristics of the 4-H project club are as follows:
- composed of at least five 4-H members
- has at least one club manager
- has as many project leaders as required
- has junior and teen leaders
- has 4-H officers that may include: president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer, health and safety officer, and county 4-H council delegates
- has club meetings each month
- has project groups that meet during the duration of the projects
- has a club community service project
- involves all parents/supporting adults
- are a recognized 4-H club, following the procedure for chartering the 4-H Project club
- Must be chartered annually
When a 4-H project club is initially organized, it is developed around one project interest. However, over time, these 4-H members will notice 4-H members from other clubs conducting other projects and participating in activities different from those related to their project. Soon, 4-H members, parents and leaders will begin to inquire about other opportunities in 4-H. A need for expansion of the club arises.
As a result, new project groups may begin noticing the change, you will see that the project club begins to take on the look of a community 4-H club. However, it is important to remember that the membership may continue to emphasize the project which they initially chose. This pattern is the logical expansion process for a project 4-H club.
Since one project is the primary focus of a project club, the club managers and project leaders have to work hard to keep interest up. It is vital for the volunteers to come up with new ideas and teaching methods to allow members to grow in the project. Where do these ideas come from?
- Maintain an open mind. Don’t be held back by “We’ve always done it this way” or “We’ve never done that.” Brainstorm! When you brainstorm there are no wrong answers and everyone can contribute, no matter how silly an idea may seem!
- Visit with other clubs or even leaders from other counties working with the same project. By attending county and district-wide meetings, leaders can share ideas and resources.
- Ask the members what they want to learn more about! If the members have a chance for input, they are going to take more ownership with the group and its activities.
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