4-H LEADER S Guide. Your Information Guide for the 4-H Program in Manitoba

Transcription

1 4-H LEADER S Guide Your Information Guide for the 4-H Program in Manitoba September

2 The 4-H Motto: Learn To Do By Doing The 4-H Pledge I pledge My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to greater service, My Health to better living, For my Club, my community and my country The 4-H Grace (Tune of Auld Lang Syne) We thank thee, Lord, for blessings great On this, our own fair land. Teach us to serve thee joyfully, With head, heart, health and hand. Updates to the manual will be posted on the Manitoba 4-H Council website. Sections of guide were adapted from the Alberta 4-H Leader's Guide. They were used with the permission of the Alberta 4-H Council. 2

3 Table of Contents Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program Pages 1-14 Section Two - Protecting the 4-H Family Pages 1-37 Section Three - Head Leader - Tips for Running a Successful Club Pages 1-18 Section Four - Project Leaders - Working with 4-H Members Pages 1-20 Section Five - Club Meeting Guide Pages 1-22 Section Six - Planning an Effective Club Program Pages 1-20 Section Seven - 4-H and Social Media Pages 1-11 Section Eight - Chaperone Guidelines Pages 1-9 Section Nine - Event Planning Workbook Pages 1-7 3

4 Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program What is 4-H? 4-H is a program dedicated to developing youth in Manitoba. Through the dedication of members and volunteers, 4-H is able to positively impact Manitoba communities. Learning through experience is a key objective of 4-H and members are encouraged to better themselves through participation at all levels of the 4-H program. 4-H members are given the chance to: Make decisions Foster entrepreneurial skills Work in teams Become goal oriented Develop self-confidence Develop leadership skills Communicate through public speaking, presentations and writing Be involved in a club activity Hold effective meetings t that is a benefit to the community Achieve awards, trips, scholarships and bursaries Have fun at club, zone, area and Build friendships within Manitoba, Canada and around the world provincial activities Background Thousands of proud Manitobans have participated in the 4-H Manitoba program since it began in H Manitoba has over 2,000 members and nearly 1000 leaders in 156 clubs across Manitoba. 4-H Manitoba is continually improving the 4-H experience, and all of the opportunities that come along with it, for it s members, leaders and 4-H families. 4-H Manitoba operates through the cooperation of: - 4-H Team - Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Development - Manitoba 4-H Council - Manitoba 4-H Endowment Fund Foundation 4-H Motto - Learn To Do By Doing Learning through experience is a key objective of 4-H. At all levels of 4-H, members are encouraged to learn through active participation. Mission Building leadership in youth and adults through unique practical experiences. Philosophy 4-H is young people and adults learning project and life skills, cooperating and having fun together, sharing leadership and learning to do by doing. Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -1

5 4-H Pledge: I pledge: My Head to clearer thinking, My Heart to greater loyalty, My Hands to larger service, My Health to better living, For my Club, my community and my country 4-H Logo A green four leaf clover with a capital letter H inscribed on each leaf in white. The maple leaf in the centre. Beneath the clover is Canada and then the province. The four H s stand for head, heart, hands and health. The 4-H name, pledge, logo and motto are protected by trade mark and copyright.. 4-H graphics can be obtained by contacting Manitoba 4-H Council. dkrinke@4h.mb.ca. These graphics can be used in club brochures, posters, web sites, handouts, t-shirts and so on. The 4-H Manitoba website, is an essential tool and resource for all 4-H leaders. On it, you will find up-to-date information, online resources, member and leader sections, news articles, project and program materials and a whole lot more. The home page is the hub and all navigation through the website begins here. All the latest news and announcements are on the home page to keep all 4-Hers in the know with 4-H happenings in and around Manitoba. The menu tabs at the top of the home page provide a series of links to various information including the current edition of The Banner and the online 4-H Store. You can reach any of the 4-H Manitoba staff through the Contact Us link located in the drop down menu from the About 4-H tab at the top of the home page - we are just a click away. Explore all the links and web pages and if you have any questions, comments or suggestions regarding the 4-H Manitoba website please dkrinke@4h.mb.ca. Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -2

6 Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -3

7 For further and more specific details on using the logo please refer to the guidelines at Please note that this document is also available in different format. Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -4

8 The 4-H Manitoba Family Manitoba 4-H Council This council assists 2-way communication between members, leaders, clubs, area councils, and partners. Council enhances the 4-H Manitoba program by leading policy development implementation and governance. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development MAFRD provides operating essentials, resources and skill development at all levels of the program. Manitoba 4-H Endowment Fund Foundation Invests and manages funds to support future growth and development of the 4-H program in Manitoba. Sponsors At club, area and provincial level, sponsors support the 4-H program through awards, trophies, travel, scholarships and grants. Manitoba 4-H Council (M4HC) The Manitoba 4-H Council is a registered charity governed by a volunteer Board comprised of member and leader representation from around the province, supported by three staff positions. The Council is responsible for: Delivery of provincial programs for members and leaders. Delivery of travel, exchange and award opportunities. Administering and funding of provincial scholarships. Providing fundraising opportunities and province-wide sponsor-led opportunities for Area Councils and clubs. The purchase of insurance through the Canadian 4-H Council, as well as managing claims and inquiries. Promoting 4-H to ensure the long term future of 4-H in Manitoba. Leading policy development and implementation, as well as governance. Providing a representative to the Canadian 4-H Council. Leader and club recognition. Implementing internal and external communication through a variety of means including the website and social media. Administering the 4-H Manitoba Store. CONTACT: Manitoba 4-H Council 1129 Queens Avenue, Brandon MB R7A 1L9 (204) dkrinke@4h.mb.ca Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -5

9 Area Councils Throughout the province there are ten Area Councils. They are named: Valleys North, South Parkland, North Parkland, Southwest, Pembina, Central Plains, Red River, Eastman, South Interlake and North Interlake. Area 4-H Councils are responsible for establishing policy, planning and executing 4-H Area programming and providing a means of communication between 4-H clubs, Manitoba 4-H Council, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and other 4-H Area Councils. The membership of the 4-H Area Council includes the 4-H clubs of the area (represented by one 4-H member and/or one 4-H leader per club) and MAFRD (exofficio-non-voting). Due to the number of clubs in some 4-H Area Councils, several in the province have been subdivided into zones. Check with your 4-H Area Council to determine if your club is in a zone. 4-H Clubs 4-H Clubs are comprised of 4-H members (youth) and volunteer leaders (adult). Each member is responsible for participating in a minimum of one 4-H project. 4-H Clubs are run by youth through an executive and appropriate meeting management practices. 4-H Clubs coordinate a club program in their community. This program may include leadership development, communications, skill development, and/or social/recreational events. Each club has the opportunity to send member and/or leader representation to the Area 4-H Council. Clubs must: Have at least two families and one leader. Register members and leaders and pay the registration fee in order to request supplies and for insurance to be in effect. Have their leaders register in the Youth Protection Program. Have several business meetings a year (the number to be determined by each club), with an executive formed amongst the members to handle club affairs. Offer 4-H projects as well as club achievement and community service opportunities. Offer a communications program. Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (MAFRD) Delivery of the Manitoba 4-H program is a partnership between M4HC and MAFRD. MAFRD provides the operating essentials of the 4-H program. They also provide financial, administrative and staff support to the Manitoba 4-H program. MAFRD is responsible for the development, production and distribution of Manitoba s 4-H project manuals and resources. MAFRD staff provides resource and skill development in working with 4-H clubs, councils, members and leaders at all levels of the program. Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -6

10 Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Contact Information Community and Industry Leadership Staff in Brandon SOUTHWEST AREA Leanne Sprung, Rural Leadership Specialist Virden GO Centre Joanne Baker, Rural Leadership Specialist Meghan Sprung, Rural Leadership Specialist Melita GO Centre Shirley Warelis- Thompson, Client Service Coordinator NORTH INTERLAKE AREA Brandon GO Office Souris GO Centre Arborg GO Centre SOUTH PARKLAND AREA Ashern GO Centre Hamiota GO Office Minnedosa GO Office SOUTH INTERLAKE AREA Russell GO Centre Teulon GO Centre NORTH PARKLAND AREA EASTMAN AREA Dauphin GO Centre Debra Kaleta, Rural Leadership Specialist Beausejour GO Centre Roblin GO Centre St. Pierre GO Centre Ste. Rose GO Office Steinbach GO Office Vita GO Office PEMBINA AREA Pilot Mound GO Office CENTRAL PLAINS AREA Somerset GO Centre Carberry GO Centre Killarney GO Centre Gladstone GO Centre Portage la Prairie GO Office RED RIVER AREA Morden GO Office VALLEYS NORTH AREA Carman GO Office The Pas GO Centre Altona GO Centre Swan River GO Centre Morris GO Office Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -7

11 Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -8

12 Other 4-H Organizations Manitoba 4-H Museum Roland, Manitoba is recognized as the birthplace of 4-H in Canada as they were the community in which the first organizational meeting for a Boys and Girls Club was held in The 4-H Museum located in Roland opened in August 1990 and has many artifacts from across Canada and the United States. The artifacts are anything related to 4-H, such as trophies, uniforms, banners, records, scrapbooks and articles made in projects. The 4-H Museum is open in July and August, Monday to Saturday and welcomes visitors from all over the world. Canadian 4-H Council The Canadian 4-H Council began in 1933 to oversee 4-H in Canada. They do this through national marketing campaigns, a national magazine, and through national programs. Youth have the opportunity to expand their 4-H experience through national and international conferences, exchanges, scholarships and grants. They focus on making sure 4-H members have exciting opportunities available to them and on building a strong 4-H program across Canada through national public relations initiatives, sharing communication and information between the provincial 4-H programs, developing recruitment and other resource materials and providing a National 4-H Supply Service, a mail order catalogue featuring 4-H promotional items. The Council is a not-for-profit, non-governmental agency governed by volunteer Board comprised of individual members and individuals representing member organizations, which may include national sponsors. For more information, visit Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -9

13 4-H Foundations The Manitoba 4-H Endowment Fund Foundation (M4HEFF) The Manitoba 4-H Endowment Fund Foundation is a registered charity responsible for overseeing the disbursement of funds and long term investments for the 4-H program in Manitoba. A Board of Trustees makes decisions for the Foundation and is also tasked with identifying/introducing potential donors to help support the 4-H program for the long term. Manitoba 4-H Council annually donates $1.00 per member's fee collected to the M4HEFF. The Manitoba 4-H Council scholarships awarded annually are funded by the M4HEFF. 4-H Foundation of Canada Incorporated in 1969, the Canadian 4-H Foundation s main purpose is to raise funds to support the continuation and growth of national 4-H programs. The foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and all funds are invested through a financial advisor. Principal amounts of all donations remain in the Foundation trust with 10% of the interest reinvested each year. This allows 90% of the investment income to benefit programming and services for all 4-H clubs across Canada. The most encouraging aspect of supporting the Foundation is that the money you donate today will not only support current 4-H members, but will continue to work for the benefit of future generations of 4-Hers. All donations to the Foundation are recognized in the Annual Report and on an individual basis. Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -10

14 4-H Manitoba Regulations Registered Members A member of the Manitoba 4-H Council is defined as a youth or young adult between the ages of 6 and 25 years as of January 1 st of the current project year. A project year runs from September 1 st to August 31 st. Registered members will have paid their enrolment fees to the Manitoba 4-H Council and, where applicable, to their respective Area Council; are affiliated with a recognized 4-H Manitoba Club; and are participating in at least one eligible project. Members are recommended to sign a code of conduct agreement. Age categories for most non-project programming and competition include the following: Cloverbuds: 6 to 8 years Juniors: 9 to 11 years Intermediates: 12 to 14 years Seniors: 15 to 17 years Adults: 18 to 25 years (required to complete the screening process under the Youth Protection Program) Club A club is defined as a recognized organization of registered members and leaders, affiliated with their appropriate Area Council, engaged in the conduct of approved 4-H activities. The minimum standard for a 4-H Club in Manitoba is comprised of registered members from at least two different families with at least one registered adult volunteer leader who has been screened through the Youth Protection Program. Registered Adult Volunteers Registered adults in the 4-H program in Manitoba are defined as individuals over the age of 18 who interact with members in such a way that completing the screening process under the Youth Protection Program is a requirement of 4-H Manitoba. Registered adult volunteers are also recommended to sign a code of conduct agreement. The level of interaction is defined in the following roles: Head leader: Adult volunteers who administer a 4-H club; this position may be held by one or more individuals (see Section 3 page 3 for the job description and Section 2 Page 19 for the registered volunteer code of conduct) Project leader: Adult volunteers who have expertise or particular skill sets and interests can see the project leader job description in Section 4 page 1. The registered volunteer code of conduct in in Section 2 page 19. Individuals cannot be both a leader and a member at the same time. Chaperone: Adult volunteers who work with 4-H program staff and other volunteers to provide direct supervision and/or accompany members to non-project activities that involve travel to and from the event. Chaperones may or may not be registered leaders. Please see Section 2 Page 24 for the parent/guardian/volunteer code of conduct). Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -11

15 Non-registered Adult Volunteers Non-registered volunteers are adults who are not currently active in the 4-H program in the capacity of a registered volunteer. Instead, they offer their services to undertake specific 4-H activities, events or roles. These individuals are not recognized as having been screened through the Youth Protection Program and as such must always be under the supervision of, and in the presence of, a registered adult volunteer when members are involved. Their roles may include: event coordinator or committee member; event volunteer at competitions, recreational activities, rallies, camps, and educational workshops; assisting chaperones; and Board members on Area or Provincial Councils (See Section 2 page 24 for the parent/ guardian/volunteer code of conduct). Buddy A Buddy is defined as a non-registered guest, for example a friend or sibling of a registered 4-H member, who is invited to participate along with the member in a 4-H activity or event approved by and under the supervision of 4-H Manitoba registered adult volunteers. Endowment Fund Foundation Trustee EFF Trustees are individuals who have volunteered their time and committed to the duties required for the administration and management of the 4-H Manitoba Trust Fund. They are tasked with decisions on the management of the investment portfolio and all legal matters pertaining to laws governing the conduct of registered Foundations. EFF Trustees carry out their duties in consultation with investment advisors and legal counsel and also work closely with Manitoba 4-H Council staff. Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -12

16 Why Do We Have Rules? The 4-H Council of Manitoba has developed a number of policies that define basic expectations for 4-H membership. These policies are established as a minimum guideline for clubs and councils. The 4-H Manitoba Program Policies are reviewed on a regular basis, and recommendations for changes or additions can be made through your area council. Through your club, or area council constitution, additional rules and policies can be made, but they must recognize the minimum standards set by the 4-H Manitoba Program Policies. The 4-H Council of Manitoba, in collaboration with MAFRD has developed the policies to provide a framework for club operations as well as consistency within the program. Consistent rules are necessary for activities that lead to higher-level competitions. An example of this is communications. These rules ensure that when members arrive at the provincial event, they have been subject to the same rules. We recognize that each club is unique. Clubs have the opportunity to ensure that they can meet the needs of their 4-H members by developing some of their own rules and expectations. Clubs may decide on the type and number of projects they wish to have, the maximum number of members, and even the level of competition with which they are comfortable. Clubs and Area councils should have a constitution that describes how the club operates. If your club, council or committee is making rules, they should form part of your policies and procedures. Some things to keep in mind are: Provincial rules provide the minimum standards. Each club, council, or committee may make additional rules which are more restrictive. However, they can t contradict or diminish the provincial rules. Avoid rules that are too restrictive or inhibit innovation and creativity. Be aware that specific events may require special rules. These same rules do not have to be followed at all activities. Contact M4HC for information on Manitoba 4-H Program Policies and Procedures. Manitoba 4-H Council 1129 Queens Avenue, Brandon MB R7A 1L9 (204) dkrinke@4h.mb.ca Contact M4HC for These Additional Resources: 4-H Manitoba Factsheet 4-H Manitoba Brand Guide 4-H Manitoba Logo Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -13

17 4-H Club Policy Checklist 1. Look at the big picture. Do you really need the rule to control the situation? 2. Do your current 4-H club members have the opportunity to vote on the rule through a club motion? 3. Is the rule fair to everyone? 4. Is the rule realistic? 5. Is the rule enforceable? A. Is it clear when a person is in violation of the rule? B. Will you know, in all instances, when the rule is violated? C. Is the intent of the rule clear with few or preferably no exceptions to the rule needed? D. Has someone been identified and agreed to enforce the rule? E. Has a procedure been clearly laid out for enforcing the rule? F. Have consequences to rule violation been clearly indentified? 6. Is the rule effective for a number of years? 7. Is the rule in writing? 8. Are all club rules on one written sheet of paper to share a copy with ALL 4- H members at the beginning of every 4-H year? 9. Is the rule free of any evidence of discrimination due to sex, race, national origin, religion, physical ability, etc.? 10. Has your club clearly identified all the benefits or advantages of establishing this rule? 11. Has your club clearly identified all the negative consequences or disadvantages of establishing this rule? 12. Does your club have a process in place to ensure that club rules are reviewed annually by the membership? Yes No Check out for updates Section One - 4-H Manitoba Program -14