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Florida 4-H Secretary Record Book

Sarah Thomas Hensley and Stacey Ellison

Name of 4-H Club: ________________________________________

County: _________________________ Club Year: 20___ to 20___

Leader's Name: ___________________________________________

Secretary's Name: ________________________________________

UF/IFAS Extension Agent: _­__________________________________

Dear 4-H Secretary:

Congratulations on being selected as your 4-H Club Secretary! This is an important position and your good work will help your club to be successful. This book should serve as a good guide for you to follow and outline your club's goals, plans for the year, as well as keep records of what your club has done.

Here are a few hints to be successful:

  • Look through this book and pay careful attention to your duties, the by-laws, and the section for club goals/planning.

  • Use this book as a guide and planner, and a way to keep track of your club's success.

A main part of your job is taking notes during the meeting and keeping up with the correspondence of the club. Make sure to pay careful attention to details when doing your job and you will be sure to be a success.

Table of Contents

Duties of the 4-H Club Secretary 3

Club Information Sheet4

Club Membership Roster5

Suggested 4-H Club Goals7

Club Performance Standards8

Annual 4-H Club Program & Activity Plan10

Meeting Plan Form11

Membership Roll12

Meeting Minutes13

Secretary's Monthly Report26

Secretary's Annual Report27

Our Club's Achievements29

Suggested 4-H Club Constitution 31

Duties of the 4-H Club Secretary

  • Call roll at the beginning of each meeting (make sure it is alphabetical & up to date).

  • Keep records on each member and their participation.

  • Keep records and write minutes for each meeting & present minutes at each meeting.

  • Handle all correspondence for the club. Correspondence refers to maintaining all the records.

  • Keep record all of committee reports.

  • Turn in your 4-H Secretary's Record Book to the 4-H Office at the end of the year.

Sample Meeting Agenda or Order of Business

I. Call to Order

II. Opening Exercises (songs, pledges, etc.)

a. Roll-Call

III. Approval of Minutes

IV. Reports (Treasure, Council Delegates, Committee)

a. Unfinished Business

b. New Business

V. Program (Demonstrations, Slides, Judging Events, Project Talks, Guest Speakers, etc.)

a. Recreation

b. Announcements

c. Adjourn

Club Information Sheet

President:

Vice President:

Secretary:

Treasure:

Reporter:

Historian:

Sergeant at Arms:

Other Officers:

Club Leaders:

Project Leaders:

Activity Leaders:

County Extension Agent:

Committees

Name:

Chairman:

Members:

 

Name:

Chairman:

Members:

Club Membership Roster

 

Table 1. 

Club Membership Roster

Name

Address

Phone Number

Email

Date of Birth

Grade in School

Years in 4-H

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

 

Suggested 4-H Club Goals

For your club to be successful, you should set goals at the beginning of the year. Some goals are general for all clubs, and some goals are specific for your club. Below are suggested goals that your club should meet and space for you to write in your own club goals.

The yearly program planned and sent to 4-H Extension Agent.

  • The club held at least eight regular meetings.

  • The average attendance at meetings was at least 75%.

  • The club conducted a planned community service activity.

  • Every club member presented something at two club meetings.

  • The club had entries at county events day.

  • At least 75% of members participated in special County 4-H activities.

  • The president and council delegate attended all county council meetings.

  • Club officers received formal training.

Standard of Excellence for 4-H Clubs and Groups

Check the following Club Performance Standards completed during the 4-H year. Documentation may come from meeting minutes, scrapbooks, photos, newspaper articles, letters, etc.

Club Name:

County:

Club/Group President Signature:

Date:

Club Leader:

Date:

Total Number of checked responses for the 20 Excellent Standards:

Club Performance Standards

  1. Club/group had a planned annual program that includes group goals. (Ex: recruit 4 new members; 75% of members will attend camp; all members will choose one county learning activity to attend)

  2. Group members were actively involved in planning the group's annual program.

  3. Group selected an area of focus for their annual program. (Ex: health & fitness; environmental science; pet care; community service; intercultural understanding OR Club is represented in the community, by serving on a committee, council or board with adult partners)

  4. Group members were involved in implementing the annual program/activities. (Ex: planning and bringing snacks; leading the pledges; calling club members for a group meeting or assignment; presenting a demonstration; organizing a tour; introducing a speaker; leading recreation; teaching others)

  5. A calendar for the year was printed and distributed to members, parents, volunteers, and the local Extension Office. (Ex: identify meeting dates, locations, educational programs; special projects; social events; county or district events)

  6. All members were invited and at least 75% of group members were involved in at least nine group activities during the year. (Ex: meetings; club tours; recognition event)

  7. Group officers were elected or appointed and fulfilled their leadership roles.

  8. Group completed at least one (1) community service project.

  9. Group completed at least one (1) project that promotes 4-H visibility at the community or county level. (Ex: participating in a community parade; radio interviews during National 4-H Week; project displays in business windows; or doing website development for UF/IFAS Extension office)

  10. Group has completed at least one (1) project that promotes 4-H visibility at the county, multi-county, district, state, multi-state, national or global level.

  11. Group recruited at least one (1) project volunteer for at least 75% of the member's project learning areas.

  12. At least 75% of the members made progress toward individual 4-H project goals.

  13. Group developed a method to communicate with families at least three (3) times per year regarding group activities, education and achievements. (Ex: newsletters; e-mails; calling tree; group activity that includes families)

  14. Group planned at least one (1) activity to include parents and families in club activities. (Ex: project showcase; skating party; tours; recognition event)

  15. Members took part in a variety of events and/or meetings beyond the 4-H group level. (Ex: county project workshops; district events; state fair; interstate exchange programs)

  16. A scheduled recognition event was held for members, volunteers and parents.

  17. Club/group planned and implemented at least one multi-club activity. (Ex: doing multi-club community service; several clubs managing a community or county event; conducting a multi-club learning or social event)

  18. Group members participated in 4-H activities beyond the club level. (Ex: county educational workshops; district events; state fair)

  19. 4-H club/group consistently had a safety/supervision ratio of 1 adult to 10 youth.

  20. The racial/ethnic composition of the club reflects the diversity of the surrounding community. (If club does not reflect the diversity of the community, then successful efforts to contact minority citizens in person, by mail, and through mass media may be used)

12–13 Checked of 20 questions = BRONZE Clover Club Award

14–15 Checked of 20 questions = SILVER Clover Club Award

16–17 Checked of 20 questions = GOLD Clover Club Award

Annual 4-H Club Program & Activity Plan

It is important to have a plan of what your club is going to do for the year. Use this sheet to plan the program and activities your club will do each year.

Club Name:

Regular Meeting Time:

Place:

 

Table 2. 

Month

Educational Program

Recreation

Other Activities

September

   

October

   

November

   

December

   

January

   

February

   

March

   

April

   

May

   

June

   

July

   

August

   

 

Meeting Plan Form

It's a good idea at the beginning of the year to sit down and make plans for who is going to do what at your 4-H Club meetings throughout the year. You can use this sheet as a planning guide to outline who will have what responsibilities each member will have each month.

 

Table 3. 

Month

Inspiration

Pledges

Introduce

Program

Program

September

    

October

    

November

    

December

    

January

    

February

    

March

    

April

    

May

    

June

    

July

    

August

    

 

Membership Roll

 

Table 4. 

Name

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             

 

Meeting Minutes

Date:

Time Began:

Time Ended:

Place:

Members Present:

Visitors:

Business:

Educational Program/Recreation:

President:

Secretary:

Secretary's Monthly Report

As club secretary, you conduct correspondence on behalf of your club. A special type of correspondence is the Secretary's Monthly Report. This is sent to the county Extension office to help Extension agents know what is happening in the 4-H club at the end of the year.

Immediately after each monthly club meeting, fill out the report card. It is encouraged to make several copies of this report card for all your meetings. Continue to keep a record of the report cards in this book.

Sample 4-H Report Card

Dear County Extension Agent(s),

Below is a report of our recent 4-H meeting or activity:

Name of 4-H Club:

Type of meeting or activity:

Date of meeting or activity:

Place:

Total present:

Members:

Leaders:

Others:

What we did:

Date of next meeting:

Place:

Time:

Name of person making report:

Title:

Secretary's Annual Report

Name of Club:

Date Organized:

  1. How many members were on the club roll this year?

  2. How many regular meetings were held?

    • How many project/workshop meetings were held?

    • What kind were they?

3. What was the average attendance at club meetings?

    • What percentage of the club's membership is this?

4. What community improvement or service projects did the club participate in?

5. Number of club members exhibiting projects during the year?

6. How many members completed one or more projects?

    • What percentage of the club's membership is this?

7. How many members participated in the following during a club meeting:

    • Gave a talk or demonstration

    • Lead an activity

    • Presented an exhibit

8. How many of your club members participated in the following?

    • State University

    • County Camp

    • Specialty Camps

    • Achievement Banquet

    • Fairs or Shows

    • Judging Events

    • Other:

9. Is the club secretary's book complete?

Is the club treasurer's book complete?

Did your club keep a scrapbook?

10. Did any members, or your club, have a newspaper story printed? How many?

Did members of the club make any radio/television broadcasts? How many?

Did members of the club provide outreach on Social Media? How many?

11. Did any member appear on school, community or civic programs pertaining to 4-H Club work?

How many occasions and what?

12. Outside speaker:

    • Subject

13. Project work

 

Table 5. 

Project

Number

Enrolled

Number

Completed

Project

Number

Enrolled

Number

Completed

Aerospace

  

Goat (Meat/Dairy)

  

Agriculture Science

  

Healthy Living

  

Beef

  

Horse

  

Bicycle

  

Leadership Development

  

Cat

  

Marine & Aquatic Sciences

  

Citizenship

  

Meat Science

  

Clothing & Sewing

  

Money Management

  

Cloverbud

  

Nature & Outdoors

  

Communication & Expressive Arts

  

Outdoor Adventures

  

Community Service

  

Personal Well-Being

  

Computers

  

Pets

  

Dairy Cattle

  

Plants & Gardening

  

Discovering 4-H

  

Poultry

  

Dog

  

Rabbits

  

Earth Science

  

Robotics

  

Electricity

  

Science & Technology

  

Embryology

  

Sheep

  

Energy

  

Shooting Sports

  

Entomology

  

Small Engines

  

Environment

  

Soil, Water, & Land Use

  

Family & Child Development

  

Swine

  

Food & Nutrition

  

Vet Science

  

Forestry

  

Weather & Climate

  

General Animal Sciences

  

Wood Working

  

General Science

  

Workforce Preparation

  

Geospatial

     

 

Our Club's Achievements

County:

District:

State:

National:

Suggested 4-H Club Constitution

For additional information regarding club bylaws, please refer to EDIS publication 4H338, Adopting 4-H Club Bylaws (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/4h338).

Article I—Name

This organization should be known as the _______________________________ 4-H Club.

Article II—Purpose

The purpose shall be to enable the members to work in harmony with one another for the best interests of the individual and of the community. Leadership, citizenship, and personal development should be the aim.

Article III—Membership

Any boy or girl between the ages of 8 and 18 years, who is interested in club work and willing to accept supervision by Extension Agents or volunteer leaders, may be considered for membership. The club will determine its membership under the guidelines of the Affirmative Action Programs of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service.

Article IV—Meetings

Meetings should be held regularly according to the needs and desires of the group.

Article V—Officers

Suggested officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Recreation Leader, Council Delegate, and Reporter as needed. The President, Vice-President, and Secretary should compose the executive committee. The adult 4-H leaders shall serve as advisors to the Executive Committee.

Article VI—Duties of Officers

The president shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees, and attend to such other duties as usually pertaining to the office. The Vice-President shall act in the absence of the President. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and attend to all correspondences of the club. The Treasurer shall collect and account for all monies of the club and shall pay out money only upon the order of the executive committee. The Reporter shall supply local newspapers with the news. The Recreation Leader shall plan and direct the club's recreational activities. The Council Delegate shall represent the club at council meetings and report to the club membership.

The 4-H Pledge

I pledge...

my Head

to clearer thinking

my Heart

to greater loyalty

my Hands

to larger service

and my Health

to better living

for my club

The HEAD represents:

  1. Thinking, planning and reasoning.

  2. Gaining new and valuable knowledge.

  3. Understanding the whys.

The HEART represents:

  1. Being concerned about the welfare of others.

  2. Accepting the responsibilities of citizenship.

  3. Determining the values and attitudes by which to live.

  4. Learning how to live and work with others.

  5. Developing positive attitudes.

The HANDS represent:

  1. Learning new skills.

  2. Improving skills already known.

  3. Being useful, helpful, and skillful.

  4. Developing respect for work and pride in accomplishment.

The HEALTH represents:

  1. Practicing healthful living.

  2. Enjoying life.

  3. Using leisure time wisely.

  4. Protecting the well-being of self and others.

The 4-H Pledge, first adopted in 1927, summarizes 4-H as the four-fold development of youth through the Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

Post a pledge banner at your meeting site. At the end of the first meeting, give everyone a card with the 4-H pledge to take home.

Publication #4HGCR01

Release Date:April 25, 2019

Reviewed At:January 27, 2022

Related Experts

Hensley, Sarah T.

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Ellison, Stacey

Specialist/SSA/RSA

University of Florida

Related Topics

Curriculum
4-H/Youth

About this Publication

This document is 4HGCR01, one of a series of the 4-H Youth Development Program, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 2009. Revised October 2018. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

About the Authors

Sarah Thomas Hensley, state specialized agent III; and Stacey Ellison, northeast regional specialized agent; 4-H Youth Development Program, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Contacts

  • Sarah Hensley