4-H Club Charters Clarified

Permission to use the 4-H name and emblem is granted through the club chartering process and is granted on an annual basis. 4-H agents meet with club volunteers at the beginning of each 4-H year to make sure clubs meet this criterion, then the information is updated in our online enrollment system. This blog post covers each criterion and includes links to helpful resources for members, parents, and volunteers.

4-H Club Chartering Criteria

First, clubs need at least two appointed volunteers who have completed the application, screening, and orientation process. If you are not sure of your volunteer status, ask your local UF/IFAS Extension agent. Volunteers must be re-screened every five years or if they have had a 90 day (or more) lapse in service.
Second, clubs need at least five members from two different families enrolled in the 4-H program. If you need to recruit some new members, your local 4-H agent would be happy to assist. You can also check out a previous blog post about club marketing tips: Facebook Tips for 4-H Clubs, Instagram Tips for 4-H Clubs, Club Marketing Basics
Third, clubs must have a non-discriminatory name. The name should not give the impression the club is not open to a certain group- such as a certain gender or religion. It is also important that “4-H” is in the name of the club. For example, instead of the “Clover Bakers,” “Clover Bakers 4-H Club,” or “4-H Clover Bakers” is more appropriate. This fact sheet can help guide clubs when selecting a name.
Fourth and finally…clubs need an established meeting date, time, and location with a minimum of six meetings. This is commonly referred to as the club program. For younger youth, the Clover Planning worksheet is a great tool. For older youth, the club planning guide is a great resource. You can also download this fillable PDF from Idaho 4-H to plan and share the club program.

Key Take-Away about Club Chartering

When it comes to club chartering, just remember 4 for 4: there are FOUR criteria to charter 4-H clubs. If you need assistance with any of the steps, check out the links in this blog, or reach out to your local UF/IFAS Extension Office.