Vision 

The vision of the Alcorn State University’s Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program is one in which all youth will experience positive personal growth and increase self-reliance through encouragement and support of a wide variety of learning experiences: a world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as a catalysts for positive change.

Mission

The mission of the Alcorn State University’s 4-H Youth Development Program is to empower youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

 

The Cooperative Extension Program of Alcorn State University is affiliated with the  U. S. Department of Agriculture, and works in a number of counties in Mississippi as an educational agency. Helping people improve their economic and social well-being is it’s main purpose. Extension Agents, through educational means, help people analyze and solve problems relating to home, farm, business, family, and community.

 

Today, approximately 6 millions 4-H members and nearly 680,000 volunteer leaders in every county across the Nation give their time and talent for the benefit of these young people.

4-H Emblem…  

The four-leaf clover is the official 4-H emblem. The four “H”s stands for:

Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

Head – Thinking critically, solving problems.

Heart – Respecting self, others, and the environment communicating.

Hands – preparing for a career serving others.

And Health – choosing healthy lifestyles managing change and challenges.

4-H Colors are…  

Green - life, springtime, youth, White – fresh, clean  

4-H Pledge is…

        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.  

The 4-H Motto is…  

“Make the Best Better”

Learn it and set your goals with the motto in mind. It means to always try to do a thing better', to constantly improve.

4-H SLOGAN…  

“Learn by Doing”  

To “Learn By Doing” slogan encourage 4-H member to learn new skills, be responsible for their actions, and express their own creativity.

How did 4-H begin?  

4-H began in the early 1900s. The first groups were called Boys and Girls Clubs. Then in 1914, Congress passed an act that established Cooperative Extension and 4-H.

        

Cooperative Extension is part of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. It is also part of Alcorn State University. Through Cooperative Extension, Alcorn State University reaches out to your community.

Who Brings 4-H to you?

Extension agents are hired by Alcorn State University to work with 4-H. they organize 4-H clubs in the county and community. 4-H leaders help 4-h’ers learn and have fun. Leaders, since they are volunteers, do not get paid. They help because they want youth to learn new things. They want then to grow-up to be happy, caring persons.   

Who can be a member?

A young person who is 5 years old and in kindergarten can join 4-H and be a member until age 19.

What is a 4-H Club?  

A 4-H club is a group of youth who gather, with the guidance adults, to learn about a topic (or topics) of interest, to be involved in activities, and to develop leadership skills. Members are involved in the direction of the club; therefore clubs may look different from club to club. A 4-H club is tailored to meet the needs of its members, the needs of other youth, and the community. A club might:  

ü      Include a group of the same age youth

ü      Include youth ranging in age from 5 to 19

ü      Meet for a limited time

ü      Focus on one topic

ü      Include a variety of projects 

Types of Clubs… 

Community –Based 4-H Clubs – are clubs based in your local community, they have planned programs and meet regularly. Club activities can include demonstration, project work, community service, and social events.

 

Special Interest Clubs - are clubs organized to for youth who participate in special learning activities.

 

School-Based 4-H Clubs – are clubs based in your local school where learning experiences or presented or coordinated by extension personnel.

School-Age 4-H Clubs - are clubs that organized in after school program.

Who Helps In 4-H…

4-H club members are helped by 4-H Volunteer Leaders. Every club needs one or more adult leaders. These leaders teach youth, organize the club, help officers at the meeting and keep parents informed about 4-H and other activities.  

The Extension Agent helps 4-H Volunteer Leaders. The Agent plans the county program, helps leaders organize clubs, Provide educational information, coordinate county events, and trains Volunteer Leaders.

 

State Youth Specialist – work at Alcorn State University. They train Extension Agents and Volunteer Leaders, develop new programs projects.

Club Meetings

In 4-H there are two kinds of meetings: 

Club meetings - Members plan and carry out what they want to do as group. A good club meeting has four parts with definite activities in each part:

ü      Opening – Call to order, Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, 4-H Pledge

ü      Business – Roll Call Secretary’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Committee Reports, Old Business and New Business.

ü      Education – Program, demonstration, talks, video, speaker,

ü      Fun – Recreation, group singing, skits, entertainment, refreshment.

Project Meetings – Members get together to work on their projects.  

What Do Officers Do?  

Members elect 4-H club officers. They are proud of their jobs and do their best to get things done right and on time each officer has a specific job:

ü      President – The president leads the club meeting and keeps them orderly.

ü      Vice-President – The Vice president leads in the president’s absence, introduces guests, is the 

       program chair and takes care of the club’s property.

ü      Secretary – The secretary writes down what happens at the meeting, keeps attendance records, brings the secretary’s book to all meetings and takes responsibility for letters and other correspondence.

ü      Treasurer – The treasurer takes care of club money, pay bills, keep an accurate account of the club’s finances, and reports at each club meeting.

ü      Reporter – The reporter sends news stories to local newspapers, radio stations, and plan publicity for events.

ü      Recreation – The recreation leader leads games, fun activities and singing with enthusiasm.

ü      Committee Chairs – Your club may have several committees, depending on the club size and what you want to do. Committees may include: program, membership, recreation, community service, publicity, social events and safety.

Prepared by:

Manola C. Erby, Youth Specialist 

Publication No. 1003  

Alcorn State University Cooperative Extension Program, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Publishes in furtherance of section 1444of NARETPA as amended. Dr Jesse Harness, Interim Extension Administrator  

 

Alcorn State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or handicap in delivery of program and is an equal opportunity employer.