LEADER TIPS

These articles are an exchange of ideas between leaders, so if you have a great or even just a good idea of something you do in your club that works well and are willing to share the idea with others, please contact Kathy at kwolfe@larimer.org and we’ll get it in the newsletter. Please send your ideas so that we can keep this going.

Most of us welcome more praise than we receive on a regular basis. Kids especially like to hear genu-ine positive feedback when they do a good job. As we are closing the 4-H year, we are offering encouraging words. It might just make the difference of whether a 4-H member re-enrolls or not.
17 Ways to Say “Well Done!”

~ I am proud of you.
~ Congratulations on a terrific job.
~ You are so helpful. Thank you.
~Thank you for your consistent effort.
~I really admire your dedication.
~You are a champion.
~You are a real plus for our club.
~Great effort. You make us all look good.
~You have earned our confidence in you.
~You took on a difficult challenge and then mastered it.
~Your results were outstanding.
~You are a valuable member of our club.
~Your efforts really make a difference.
~You continue to be one of our top members.
~You make the 4-H pledge come alive.
~Your accomplishments inspire all of us.

*P.S. Adults like to hear these statements too, so don’t forget those leaders who give so much for 4-H. And with Well Done!, there are 18.

County Fair brings out the best! Kara Rudnick, organizational leader for the Bug-A-Bug-A 4-H club suggests that if the 4-H members make goals for each project, perhaps clubs should make goals as well. Organizational leaders could make goals for themselves such as helping the club to master parliamentary procedure, or committing to one more community service project than the year before. The club members could set a goal to have more members involved in county-wide activities and contests, or recruit at least five new members. The choice is yours, and the outcome will be a stronger 4-H club.

Leaders, please be careful when giving advice to 4-H members about policies, rules, deadlines, and procedures for the county fair. Try to remember that many members are in 4-H for the first time this year and may need extra attention. From time to time, rules and procedures change, so use the following sources for your information.
1. Clover Connections newsletters - found on the web
2. Larimer County Fair premium book - on the web
3. Family Consumer Science letter to every family with members enrolled in those projects - mailed June 4
4. Livestock project letters - mailed early spring
5. Extension Agents - 498-6000

This article is an exchange of ideas between leaders, so if you have a great or even just a good idea of something you do in your club that works well and are willing to share the idea with others, please contact Kathy at kwolfe@larimer.org and we’ll get it in the newsletter. Please send your ideas so that we can keep this going.
It is good to remind members, leaders and parents about the Larimer County 4-H code of conduct several times a year and especially as we move into a busy season of competition. In effect, the code of conduct sets forth the expectation that youth will “conduct themselves in a courteous, respectful manner, use appropriate language, exhibit honesty, good sportsmanship and act as a positive role model.”
Recently, some older 4-H youth were reminded of the importance of being a positive role model for younger members. Research suggests that youth between the ages of 8 and 10 are especially interested in imitating the behaviors of teenagers. When those teenagers are engaged in positive, thoughtful and productive behaviors, they are serving as positive role models. If however, they are behaving in negative, obnoxious and destructive ways, they are serving as negative role models. With either type of behavior, they are still role models.
So, if you witness positive role modeling, praise those older youth who are setting a great example for younger members. On the other hand, if you witness negative role modeling, remind those older youth that they are being watched and potentially imitated.

On many college applications, community service is expected. That is just one of many reasons why doing community service in 4-H is so important. However, be sure to select a service project that is helpful to the community and society as well as safe for the 4-H club members. 4-H clubs should not pick up trash on roadways. The dangers of methamphetamine lab waste dumped in roadways is of grave concern. For every pound of meth produced, five to six pounds of hazardous waste by-products are generated. Even the use of latex gloves when picking up trash won't prevent serious exposure to toxic chemicals and fumes. It is impossible to tell by just looking if trash bags or containers have been used in the production of methamphetamine. Therefore, please choose a community service project that is both helpful to the community and safe for 4-H members, leaders, and parents.

Being sucessful in life has a lot to do with ones attitude. At a meeting of organizational leaders, there was a great deal of discussion about this. Simple word changes can change attitudes. Just by changing language of "have to" to "get to", the message is changed from an obligation to an opportunity. Leaders choose their words carefully to convey the message of opportunity through 4-H.

Because there are quite a few new 4-H members attending club meetings now, please make sure they feel welcome. Sherri Jernigan has set up a buddy system for new members and their families. Experienced 4-H members buddy up with new members to provide guidance. In Judi Blum's club the Sunshine Committee is responsible for recognizing birthdays and offering sympathy, congratulations, and get well cards as needed.

Many clubs struggle with incorporating Cloverbuds in their business meetings. Two of our organizational leaders have wonderful suggestions on how to do this. Kara Rudnick suggests having Cloverbuds lead pledges at the beginning of the business meeting. Really, all they have to be able to say is “I pledge allegiance…” and “I pledge my head…” They might want to hear the announcements as well. In Regina Biven’s club, after the pledges and announcements, Cloverbuds go off for their own Cloverbud time and come back at the end of the meeting and present their “project” to the rest of the club. Cloverbuds are a very important part of the Larimer County 4-H program.

Tracy Sandmann suggests that with the economic crisis that is occurring, clubs should consider taking the Consumer Savvy or Financial Champions projects as a club. These projects are designed for older members, but the topic couldn’t be more timely.
Another idea is for clubs to use the time right before the start of a meeting to have fun with 4-H trivia. Do you know what the 4-H colors are and what they stand for?

Some clubs have their own web sites, which is great! Marilyn Lasich, organizational leader for the Buckeye Buck n’ Ears 4-H club invites you to check out theirs at www.buckeyebucknears.info Asking the 4-H members to be responsible for developing a web site is a great way to promote the newest 4-H initiative, Science, Engineering and Technology (SET). Be sure to provide adult supervision for the development of the site to assure the safety of members and the appropriateness of the content. Continual monitoring of the site is essential to make sure all the information is current and represents 4-H well.

As club members get older and age-out of 4-H, some clubs struggle with having very young club officers who lack experience. One way to help younger members gain some experience with officer leadership skills is to elect senior and junior officers every year. Senior officers are older members who conduct all of the meetings except one which is conducted by the junior officers. Senior officers can serve as mentors to junior officers so that your 4-H club doesn’t struggle with inexperienced young officers.

One ambitious organizational leader used to have a breakfast for project leaders at least quarterly. Besides being a great social networking opportunity, it helped everyone to share information, discuss any problems with the club and develop teamwork. It wouldn’t have to be breakfast, but could be a lunch, or just dessert. Good food is always an incentive to attend something and sets the stage for good conversations.

Are your 4-H club meetings welcoming to new members and visitors? So often, long-time members and families know each other very well and love being together. Does this set up an unwelcoming atmosphere for others?
Your club might want to have 2 youth serve as greeters at each meeting. This responsibility can be rotated among the members and might require some training for the youth. The end result will be that you have taught social skills and your club meetings will feel welcoming to all who attend.

Kara Rudnik, organizational leader of the Bug-A-Bug-A 4-H club shared an idea at a recent leader training to encourage members, parents and leaders to read the 4-H newsletter, the Clover Connection. At the beginning of every meeting there is a 3 question quiz taken from articles in the newsletter. Small tokens are given to each member who gets all three answers correct.

Sherri Jerrnigan, organizational leader for the Owl Canyon Critters provides this month’s tip for senior members graduating from 4-H. Every year the club hold a good –hearted roast of the senior members. Everyone enjoys the light-hearted kidding and the laughs are non-stop. If your club plans to have a roast, you might ask members to observe funny things the roasted members do, cute habits or quirky situations they encounter at the county fair.

Did someone from your club miss getting vital information about the fair? Janeth Hansen from the Livermore Wranglers 4-H club say that in their club, the “reporter” takes an article from the Clover Connection & reports it to the club. In Pat Alger’s club, the Timnath Goaldiggers, they read and discuss sections of the newsletter that are very important for new and returning 4-H members at the meeting so club members have yet another way to learn about the policies and procedures used in the Larimer County 4-H program.

Organizational leader Don Brehm of the Desperado’s 4-H Club shares a great idea for promoting 4-H. By the way, so many people want to be in the Desperado’s 4-H Club that they have a waiting list. Wow!
Every year two club ambassador’s are elected. Among the many duties they have are to welcome new members, put together a welcome packet, promote 4-H in schools and look for other ways to promote the club and 4-H. Obviously, they have been very successful and serve a very valuable function in the club. This also gives more youth the opportunity to develop leadership skills.