Questions And Answers

About The 4-H Club Meeting

Why do boys and girls go to 4-H meetings?  What do they gain from the experience of attending or joining a 4-H club?

4-H clubs provide an opportunity for boys and girls to learn decision making, to take part in discussions, to learn new ideas and methods as well as provide opportunities for leadership and citizenship. 

What do we mean by “Business”?

In the business session, members learn how to express themselves in a group, to listen to the views of others, to take individual responsibility in reaching a decision, and to abide by majority rule.  To keep the business meeting interesting and moving, it should be well planned by the officers, with help from the leader, before the meeting begins.  A way to avoid long business meetings is to refer complicated business to committees for their study and recommendation.

A typical agenda might include:

• Call to order
• 4-H Pledge, Creed, The Pledge of Allegiance, other opening thoughts or songs.
• Roll call
• Minutes of previous meeting
• Committee reports
• Old business
• New business
• Adjournment
• Recreation/Refreshments

 What is the Program portion of a meeting?

Is it necessary to use strict parliamentary procedure?

The rules of courtesy—such as everyone is allowed to express himself before a decision is made, only one person speaks at a time, everyone’s opinion is considered, the majority’s wishes are accepted by the whole group and considerations for the feelings of others are good rules for the 4-H meetings.  Parliamentary procedure is a great help in these issues. 

As a 4-H leader, you should be willing to abide by the decisions of the group (unless safety issues are involved) even if you don’t agree.  One of the biggest jobs of the leader is to help the group thing through consequences of each alternative decision before a decision is made.  Simplified parliamentary procedures are available at the Ada County 4-H Office and are also found in all of the officer manuals.

What is a project meeting?

This is a meeting devoted to working on a specific 4-H project.  Generally, it does not include a business meeting, but may.  Most often it is held separately from the business meeting, but may follow a business meeting.

During these meetings, project leaders assist members in the completion of their projects and keeping record books up to date.  As the fair time approaches, project leaders may also assist members in making decisions concerning fair exhibits.

Is the recreation and refreshments really an important part of a 4-H meeting?

Yes—this is the social time for the members.  As members join a 4-H group, it helps develop a team unit as well as helps in getting new members involved in the group.  As members get older, it becomes even more important.  During the teen years, members need more social time and it is important for clubs to keep this in mind and make plans to include this very important time.

Adding fun activities adds enthusiasm and enjoyment to the 4-H meeting.  It also allows time for energy release in constructive ways and help s youth learn to create their own fun, to cooperate, to follow and give directions and to understand themselves and others better..  Many clubs have different committees for each meeting.  Some elect recreation and refreshment leaders for the year.  However, having someone responsible for the job each time, makes it go smoother and make the meetings more fun. Possible activities include:  group games, charades, relays, active sports, quiet games, puzzles, folk games, parties, picnics, hikes, swimming, and more.

Many clubs serve refreshments at meetings, although they are not essential.  If you club does wish to have them, you can make sure it’s done in a way that club members learn how to select simple, nutritious, and inexpensive refreshments or snacks as well as how to serve them.

Is it important to preplan meetings?

Good meetings don’t just happen, they are planned.  The importance of preplanning the meeting lies in the fact that officers will know the agenda for the meeting.  This being done ahead of time gives leaders and officers a better idea of what might be included at the meeting. 

Are committees helpful?

Committees are usually very helpful in making a 4-H meeting run more smoothly.  They give members learning experiences and broaden the scope of the club program.  However, too many committees, not properly supervised and encouraged by the leader are sometimes more harmful than beneficial.   Select your committees carefully and make sure they really are needed.

What about guest speakers?

If you have speakers or guests at meetings the club members should always thank them.  A member, shown where they will be doing their program and helped with setup and obtaining necessary supplies should greet them.  It is also helpful for members to have planned in advance questions to ask and be prepared on the basics of the program so they can respond correctly.

Is a particular location for a meeting better than another?

Meeting locations vary considerably.  The important factor to consider is will the location support the number of members and the planned activities.  If the answer is no, your options are to consider changing the location or changing the activity.  Many clubs meeting in member of leader homes, churches, schools, grange halls and more.  Just be sure that the club can afford to meet at the chosen location and that it meets the clubs needs.

Is it a good idea for the leader to do most of the preparation work so they know everything will be ready?

The job of the 4-H leader is a big one.  If the leader does all the work himself, (and it often is much easier to do it yourself), he robs the club members of many opportunities to learn and grow.

  To more effectively let members help share the load, the leader gives definite responsibilities to each member during the year (Better Meetings is a quick and easy way to spread meeting responsibility).  Those responsibilities should be something challenging to the ability of the boy or girl—not just busy work.

Through the aspects of the meetings, the 4-H leader helps boys and girls learn those things that are important to today such as:

• How to be creative in leisure time
• How to play with others
• Skills in project work
• Sharing project knowledge and abilities with others
• Having a definite part in planning, conducting and evaluating their club.