Florida 4-H Program Handbook
SECTION 1: What Is 4-H?4-H In Florida Overview............................................................1-2
Definition, Vision, Mission and Program Values
Overview to How 4-H Reaches and Educates Youth
Guiding Principles of 4-H
Symbols and Traditions........................................................... 1-7
4-H Emblem
4-H Colors
4-H Motto
4-H Slogan
4-H Pledge
4-H Creed
History of 4-H................................................................................................................... 1-10
SECTION 2 How 4-H Is Organized
The Organizational Structure......................................................................................... 2-2
USDA, the Land-Grant University and Cooperative Extension Service
4-H in the Florida Cooperative Extension System
Florida 4-H Foundation
National 4-H Council
4-H Personnel Roles and Responsibilities ...{under construction}...................... 2-7
SECTION 3: 4-H Programming Polices, Guidelines and Procedures
Federal Laws and State Rules ...................................................................................... 3-2
Federal Affirmative Action Guidelines
4-H Name and Use of the Emblem
UF Administrative Codes for 4-H
4-H Membership Polices and Guidelines ................................................................... 3-7
Policies and Guidelines for 5-7 Year Old Members
Types of 4-H Membership Definitions ....................................................................... 3-12
Types of 4-H Club Definitions ...................................................................................... 3-13
Appendices:
A: Federal Affirmative Action Guidelines
B: Federal Guidelines for Use of 4-H Name and Emblem
C: Florida 4-H Program Guidelines and Policies
D: Florida 4-H Program Guidelines for 5-7 Year Olds.
E: Characteristics of 4-H Delivery Modes
SECTION 4: 4-H Program Management Procedures
Managing Behavior and Discipline ............................................................................... 4-2
Behavioral Criteria for 4-H Participation
Developing County Codes of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures
Florida 4-H Code of Conduct and Member Discipline Policy for ALL
Out-of-County 4-H Activities
Behavioral Standards for Out-of -County Events
Consequences and Disciplinary Actions
Notification Procedures
Review Board
Appeal Procedure
Agents' Responsibilities Regarding Managing Behavior and Discipline
What to Do in Case of Behavioral Violations?
Understanding and Using Due Process ..................................................................... 4-7
Introduction
What is "Due Process Under the Law"?
Why is Due Process an Issue Which 4-H Agents and Volunteers Should Be Concerned?
What are the Elements of Due Process?
Managing a Review Board and Appeals Procedure
Practicing Good Risk Management ............................................................................. 4-9
What is Risk Management?
Risk Assessment
Planning a 4-H Overnight Hike and Camp
Ways to Manage Risks
Reduction of Risks
Risk Transfer
Risk Assumption
Risk Avoidance
Insurance Policies and Procedures ......................................................................... 4-13
Liability Insurance Coverage
Who's Covered by the Policy?
Agent's Responsibility Regarding Policy?
Accident and Illness Insurance
County Responsibility for Insurance
Health Record Form for Florida 4-H Programs
When to Use the Form
County Extension Agent Responsibility Form
SECTION 5: Resource Development and Financial Management
How 4-H is Funded ........................................................................................................... 5-2
County Financial Management ...................................................................................... 5-3
4-H Club (Unit) Accounts ................................................................................................ 5-4
Recommended Guidelines and Procedures
Procedures for Handling Funds ................................................................................. 5-13
Fund-raising Guidelines
Gifts and Endowment Guidelines
Grants
Establishing and Maintaining 4-H Foundations....................................................... 5-18
Tax Exempt Status and Guidelines ........................................................................... 5-21
Federal IRS Tax Exemption and Guidelines
Florida Sales Tax Exemption
SECTION 6: 4-H Volunteer Staff Development and Management
Agent's Role as Volunteer Manager ............................................................................ 6-2
Historical Perspective
Why Volunteers and Why a System?
What Does a Manager Do?
A Volunteer Middle Management System .................................................................. 6-6
What Are Middle Management Volunteers?
What are Roles for Middle Management Volunteers?
What Approaches Do You Use to Implement Middle Management?
Steps and Procedures in Volunteer Development................................................... 6-8
Linking Volunteer Development to Program Vision
Assessment of Program Needs
Developing Job Descriptions
The ISOTURES Model .................................................................................................... 6-11
Identification ................................................................................................................... 6-13
Recruitment
Laying the Groundwork
Developing a Recruitment Strategy
Methods of Recruitment
Concentric Circles
Key Informant Referrals
Sponsoring Organizations
One-to-One Recruitment
98.6 Recruiting
Selection of Volunteers ................................................................................................ 6-19
Application and Screening
Florida 4-H Screening Procedures
Application Procedures
Conducting a Volunteer Interview
After the Interview
Decisions on Volunteer Screening
Orientation of Volunteers ............................................................................................ 6-22
Orientation Content
Training and Development ........................................................................................... 6-24
Where to begin?
Learning Objectives
Designing the Learning Activities
Recognition, Evaluation and Supervision of Volunteers ...................................... 6-28
Recognition
Volunteer of the Year Award
Evaluation
Establishing Goals and Standards for Evaluation
A Sample Evaluation Form
Evaluation of the County Volunteer System
Management Issues and Procedures ..................................................................... 6-30
Volunteer Personnel Information
Complaints Against 4-H Volunteers
Home County Complaint
Complaints on Service Beyond the County Level
Dealing with Problem Volunteers
Options to Consider Before Firing a Volunteer
Making Firing Easier
Informing the Soon-to-be-Former Volunteer
Grievance Procedures for Florida 4-H Volunteers..................................................6-38
Purpose of Grievance Procedures
County Level Grievance Procedures
State Level Grievance Procedures
SECTION 7: Florida 4-H Curriculum
Components of an Effective 4-H Curriculum ............................................................. 7-2
Project Experiences
Supporting Events and Activities
Recognition Opportunities
State Major Programs and Curriculum Responsibilities ....................................... 7-6
The Florida 4-H Curriculum System
The National 4-H Curriculum SystemsCurriculum Development ............................................................................................. 7-18
Elements of Good Design
Experiential Learning Model
Life Skills Model
Recognition Model
SECTION 8: 4-H Events and Activities
Overview of 4-H Events and Activities ........................................................................ 8-2
Goal of Events and Activities
Balancing Competitive and Noncompetitive
4-H Calendar of Events and Activities
Types of Events and Activities ...................................................................................... 8-3
Criteria for Events ............................................................................................................ 8-9
Events Management ..................................................................................................... 8-15
Guidelines for Planning Events and Activities
Procedures for Out-of-County Youth Participation
Recognition in 4-H .......................................................................................................... 8-16
SECTION 9: 4-H Camping
Overview to Florida 4-H Camping ................................................................................. 9-2
Philosophy and Goals
Benefits of Camping
4-H Centers: Locations and Facilities
General Information and Procedures
for Using Florida 4-H Camps .........................................................................................9-4Who's Who at Camp? ......................................................................................................9-5
Faculty Responsibilities ................................................................................................. 9-6
General Summer Camp Rules .................................................................................... 9-11
Life At Camp .................................................................................................................... 9-16
Health and Safety at Camp .......................................................................................... 9-19
SECTION 10: 4-H Publication Management
Available 4-H Publications ........................................................................................... 10-2
How to Order Publications .......................................................................................... 10-4
How Publications are Created or
Selected for Use in Florida .......................................................................................... 10-8
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