Learn about becoming a volunteer leader

Policies and Operations

COVID-19 Planning Documents

Financial Management

Forms and Factsheets

For project information, such as books and forms, visit our projects page.

Club Meetings

Club Constitution & Bylaws (PDF)
Club Guidelines (PDF)
Club Monthly Meeting Report Form (PDF)
Club Officers Handbook (PDF)
Secretary's Record (PDF)
Virtual Meetings Best Practices (PDF)

Enrollment

4-H Member Enrollment Form (PDF)
Background Check Form (PDF)

Competition Requirements

Code of Conduct Infraction (PDF) for adult or youth 
Dress Code (PDF)
Lyric Checklist (PDF)

Health

Health History Form (PDF)
Permission for Medication or Pre-existing Injury Form (PDF)
Permission Form (PDF)

Risk Management

Name and Emblem

The 4-H Name and Emblem are protected under federal statute Title 18, U.S. Code 707. This provides the 4-H Name and Emblem with the level of protection afforded other Federal marks, such as the Seal of the President of the United States. The 4-H Name and Emblem is intended to represent the ideals of the program with its focus on serving the educational needs and interests of 4-H youth.

The Vermont 4-H Program Leader can grant Vermont businesses with a one time use to use the name and emblem on behalf of 4-H clubs or 4-H committees who wish to get the clover printed on jackets, shirts, banners or other items. Please email sarah.kleinman@uvm.edu at least 30 days before desired receipt of items, with the name of the 4-H entity (club or committee), business name and contact information you wish to use, and items wishing to be purchased/desired design.

Please note that the 4-H Mall  is equipped to print your unique club or committee name on their merchandise as well.

Specific information, including a list of businesses already approved to use the name and emblem, application to apply for national authorization to use the name and emblem, as well as a general factsheet can be found at the USDA Youth Development & 4-H website .

High and low resolution 4-H clover emblems are available for download at University of Florida Cooperative Extension.  Remember to use "high" resolution for printed materials and "low" resolution for web.

Project Management

 

Training Resources

4-H Positive Youth Development Modules & Child Protection Training

The following are two areas of trainings that all 4-H volunteers are required to complete. At the bottom of this section you will find the link to directions on how to access the both sections of training.

  • Positive Youth Development Modules - As a 4-H volunteer it is important that you know the basics of positive youth development. These 4 modules each take about 10 minutes to complete and cover everything from your role as a volunteer to helping young people learn by doing in safe and inclusive environments.
  • Child Protection Training - All 4-H Volunteers must complete child protection training per UVM’s “Protecting Minors” Policy. There are two modules, "Child Protection" Parts I and II", and each one takes 15 minutes to complete.

A word about technology… We highly recommend using a laptop or tablet to access these trainings. The learning modules were developed with these technologies in mind and are therefore not well suited to mobile devices, like phones. If this is an issue, please contact your local 4-H staff member to make an appointment at the Extension office to complete the orientation on a computer. You may also look into computer availability at your local library.

Time Required to Complete Orientation
Completion of all modules within the orientation takes just over an hour to complete. You may begin the modules and come back to finish them later at your convenience.

Completion of Trainings and Certificates

Upon completion of modules, claim your certificate of completion. Please be sure to download these so that you can save them for your files and send a copy to your 4-H staff or educator overseeing your application process. You should also receive a copy of your certificate in your email.

Click here for instructions for completing the 4-H E-Learning Course for Volunteers & Retrieving the Completion Certificate (PDF)

Leader Training Series

The University of Vermont 4-H Leader Training Series has been developed to assist volunteer 4-H leaders who are starting new 4-H clubs or who may be working with current club members. This resource manual for 4-H leaders includes forms and guidelines specific to Vermont 4-H.

Lunch and Learn Webinars

 

Educator Information

In School

4-H in-school programs provide for the 4-H model of programming to be conducted during the school day. Often these classes are offered as a school enrichment segment within the school curriculum and can provide an opportunity for enhanced programming not currently made available such as digital photography, robotics, global positioning systems and other topics.

Embryology

4-H Embryology is a school enrichment program that delivers life skills education through public, private, and home schools using hands-on learning. UVM Extension provides curricula and fertile eggs at minimal cost to the teacher/s, along with instructions on how to implement the program. Incubators may be purchased through the program independently. Currently, over 100 classrooms throughout the state participate in this educational enrichment activity. Students not only learn science skills, but also math and writing skills.

For more information, please contact Martha Manning, 4-H Educator for Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, St. Albans Extension Office, 1-800-639-2130 or 802-656-7621, martha.manning@uvm.edu.

Related Links

After School

4-H is here to make your after school time fun and rich with opportunities. Read more in the PDF icon 4-H after-school fact sheet (PDF).

Program sites can offer 4-H opportunities to youth by:

  • Starting a 4-H club at a site, with one or more projects.
  • Hosting a 4-H special interest program at a site.
  • Transporting interested youth from several sites to an offsite location for a special interest program.
  • Informing youth about 4-H opportunities such as the 4-H gardening program or 4-H summer camps.

University of Vermont Extension 4-H can provide program sites with the following:

  • Screening for 4-H volunteer applicants.
  • Orientation, training, and ongoing support for 4-H club leader(s).
  • Training and support for 4-H special interest program leader(s).
  • Nationally juried curriculum designed to teach life skills in a hands-on manner.
  • Training for program staff in the Targeting Life Skills model for program planning and evaluation.
  • Evaluation of life skill development using Targeting Life Skills evaluation tool and software.
  • Structure for out-of-school time with activities.
  • Relationship building by focusing on leadership and interactions between all members of the 4-H club.

For more information on what programs are available in your area or about starting one, contact:

Sarah Kleinman, Director of 4-H, Farmworker & Family Education Programs
802-656-7637 or 1-800-571-0668, Sarah.Kleinman@uvm.edu