4-H Club |
A 4-H club is a group of 5 or more young people who meet reguarly to conduct business, learn about projects, take part in community service events, and enjoy recreation. These groups may have elected officers, a set of bylaws and a treasury maintained by fund-raising efforts. Most 4-H clubs meet monthly. Members plan a yearly program for meetings and events in advance with their club leader. All 4-H members, volunteers, and parents of the club attend to share information about club, regional, county, state and national 4-H events. |
4-H Educator |
An employee of The University of Massachusetts or of Plymouth or Barnstable Counties. The 4-H Educator specializes in youth development, agriculture, animal science, nutrition, SET, or urban education. The 4-H Educator manages the 4-H program for the region or county. |
4-H Emblem (Clover) |
The 4-H emblem is a green four-leaf clover on a white background. There is a white H on each cloverleaf. This was adopted as the national symbol about 1911. |
4-H Impact Program |
The UMass Extension 4-H Program partners with libraries, youth centers, recreation departments and others to bring high-quality, experiential learning programs to young people not currently enrolled as 4-H members. 4-H Impact programs consist of 6-10 sessions on a single topic such as Babysitter Training, Critter Care, STEM, and more. |
4-H Member |
Any young person who is 5 years old but is not yet 19 may become a 4-H member. A member may remain active in 4-H until the end of the calendar year in which he or she becomes 19 years old. |
4-H Motto |
"To Make the Best Better" |
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, my country, and my world. |
4-H Year |
In Massachusetts, the 4-H Year is September 1 through August 31 of the following year. All 4-H members and leaders must re-enroll online at the beginning of each year to remain active. |
Achievement Night |
An event where 4-H members and volunteers are recognized for their work in a project or leadership area |
Achievement Pins |
Pins are awarded at the Achievement Night to members who complete a project. |
Camp |
4-H summer camps provide outdoor educational activities and a time for summer fun. |
Certificates |
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Cloverbud |
4-H members ages 5-7 (generally grades k-2). These members may participate in learning experiences and activities that are age appropriate. They do not participate in competitions. |
Club Leader |
A Club Leader is a screened and registered volunteer who is willing to assume the responsibility of helping a group handle the administrative tasks that must be done if the group is to be effective. A volunteer in this leadership role helps with planning, organizing, communicating, coordinating, and directing the work of the 4-H club. The club leader assumes the responsibility of helping 4-H members acquire knowledge, attitudes, skills, and habits through the activities associated with a specific project. |
Club Assistant Leader |
An Assistant Leader is a screened and registered volunteer who is willing to assume the responsibility for handling short-term assignments and assist the main club leader. |
Club Officer |
Many 4-H clubs have 4-H members who are officers for the club. These usually consist of president, vice president, treasurer, secretary. Some clubs may also have additional officers. Officers are elected by the club members annually and are each responsible for a particular part of the club's function. The officers are under the guidance and mentorship of the club leader. |
Community Service |
A project or event undertaken by a club, project group, or individual 4-H member which helps make the community a better place in which to live |
Cooperative Extension or Extension |
An organization established May 8, 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Smith-Lever Act, which directed Cooperative Extension "to aid in diffusing among the peoples of the United States . . . useful and practical information on subjects relating to agriculture and home economics" by means of "instruction and practical demonstrations." Congress clearly intended to create an educational program, and wanted it to include work with young people. This educational program is a cooperative effort between the United States Department of Agriculture at the federal level and the University of Massachusetts at the state level. |
Event |
A planned, educational opportunity for 4-H members to learn through group participation. Events are held at the club, county or region, state, and national levels. Examples of club and county or regional events are camp, fairs, exhibits, judging, visual presentation, achievement nights, and other similar events. |
Fair |
An event where 4-H members may exhibit their projects. Informaiton about county or regional fairs can be obtained from your local 4-H office. |
Juniors |
4-H members ages 8-12 |
Junior Jeader |
A Junior Leader is a 7th, 8th, or 9th grade 4-H member who is enrolled in the leadership development project. Junior Leaders carry out planned leadership responsibilities under the supervision of volunteers. |
Land Grant University (LGU) |
A land grant university is an institution of higher education in the United States designated by Congress to receive benefits of the Morril Acts. The original mission of a land-grant was to establish a public institution where students could receive an education in agriculture and other subjects. Land grant universities are the home of 4-H Programs throughout the United States. The University of Massachusetts is the land grant affiliated with Massachusetts 4-H. A land grant university may also be called a land grant college or land grant institution. |
Learn By Doing/ Experiential Learning |
A hands-on approach to learning. 4-H projects are designed for members to experience something with minimal guidance from an adult. Instead of being given all the directions, they are presented with a problem or activity which they solve for themselves. Experiential learning allows members to learn from experiences. |
National 4-H Council |
A non-profit organization that uses private resources to assist Cooperative Extension advance the membership, leadership, and influence of the 4-H Youth Program. It was organized in 1976 when the National 4-H Service Committee and the National 4-H Foundation merged to form the National 4-H Council. The Council carries on a board range of educational, information, and technical functions to aid several million 4-H members, volunteers, and 4-H Youth Advisors. The Council’s services are made possible through the generous support of hundreds of public-spirited donor organizations and individuals. |
National 4-H Week |
A nationwide observance held in the fall. Clubs are encouraged to participate by having displays, conducting the National Science Day experiment, or participate in special programs publicizing 4-H |
Medals |
Medals reflect project work and are symbols of work well done |
Meeting |
A project meeting or club meeting is where 4-H members learn specific knowledge or skills about a particular subject |
Premium Book |
A publication associated with a fair, a premium book lists the competition classes that are offered and the prizes available for each class. |
Project |
A planned unit of work, using the learning by doing concept in a specific skill or interest area carried out by a member or group of members with the supervisions and guidance of a volunteer or a Teen Leader. |
Record Book |
A written record of project work, training, achievements, leadership, and community service presented in a specific format. |
Seniors |
4-H members ages 13 and older |
VP's |
V.P's are Visual Presentations, or public speaking. VP's consist of demonstrations, illustrated talks, or speeches. 4-H members may first present their VP at their club. They may also present at the county or regional level, and from there move on to the state level VP event. |
Volunteer |
A screened, registered, non-paid position for an adult working with a 4-H group. Volunteers may be a club leader, project leader, member of an advisory or fair board, judge or serve in other roles |