K-State Research and Extension

4-H Clubs conduct regular meetings, either virtually or face-to-face, in various locations, including a member's or leader's home, community centers, libraries, public housing sites, or schools. Members participate in service learning projects, give presentations, serve as club officers, and complete educational projects.

Purpose

The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development opportunities to meet the needs of young people to experience belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity–the Essential Elements–and to foster educational opportunities tied to the Land Grant University knowledge base.

Membership Requirements

4-H Club membership is open to all youth age 8 (as of January 1) through 18 (as of January 1). 4-H Club membership is open to all youth without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, gender identity, sex, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, religion, political affiliation or socioeconomic backgrounds. All 4-H club members must be enrolled in a 4-H club each year.

Youth ages 5 to 7 are eligible as Clover Buds. 

Structure

All clubs meet at least 6 times per year either virtually or face-to-face in any location including community centers, military installations, libraries, public housing sites, schools, afterschool programs, etc. Many clubs meet 9-12 times a year holding meetings throughout most or all of the year and often supplemented by project meetings, camps, fairs, and other 4-H learning experiences.

Clubs must have a minimum of 5 youth members from at least 3 different families.

Members plan meetings and elect club officers to lead meetings. All members must present an in-club demonstration or presentation each year. Additionally, 75% of a club's members must complete a 4-H project each year. As a club, members must complete yearly service learning or community service projects. 

All clubs must be advised by an adult club leader. Leaders may be 4-H staff or volunteers who have been screened and trained in accordance with the Kansas 4-H procedures.

Leaders or youth must complete and submit the club's financial audits to the local Extension office at the end of each year.

A High-Quality 4-H Club...

• Meets interests and needs of youth in same-age or cross-age groupings and using single project or multiple project formats.
• Helps youth and parents/guardians adapt in cases of mobility – linking them to 4-H programs in other counties and states when needed.
• Selects its own club name. As shared in the Naming 4-H Clubs/Units Fact Sheet from 4-H National Headquarters, 4-H Club names must: Be specific to the 4-H club or organization either through a unique name or by identifying the county or location. 
• Not be overtly religious or represent the beliefs of one religion or denomination over another. 
• Not imply that membership is limited or exclusive (for example the 4-H Country Girls would imply that only girls can join the club). 
• Not be offensive or generally seen as demeaning to any group protected by equal opportunity regulations. Develops a set of by-laws or rules approved by the members to govern the club. 
• Develops an annual educational plan. 
• Keeps records of their meetings and finances. 
• Complies with applicable state, Land Grant University, and 4-H National Headquarters' policies.
• Uses experiential learning (learning by doing) as a primary teaching approach.
• Shows evidence of fostering the Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development.
• Includes planned opportunities to learn and apply life skills such as leadership, citizenship, community service and public speaking.
• Provides programs, curricula, and procedures that are based on research and are developmentally appropriate.
• Provides participants and volunteers access to resources of land-grant universities and to county, state, and national 4-H opportunities.
• Fosters youth-adult partnerships that encourage active involvement and participation by youth and adults.
• Provides safe and healthy physical and emotional environments.