4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults. Membership in a 4-H club provides youth opportunities to develop skills and meaningful relationships they will carry with them throughout their lives. 4-H clubs participate in programming in these four program priority areas:
- Healthy Living
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
- Citizenship and Leadership
- Communication and the Arts
Independent 4-H Membership
Why Independent Membership?
Independent 4-H members learn life skills in project areas that they choose, just like 4-H club members. Independent members also meet new friends through completing community service projects, giving presentations, and participating in organization-wide programs and activities.
Independent membership provides youth in grades 4-12 an entry point into the 4-H program that has not been previously available.
How to Join 4-H
Contact our office for more info! East Pottawattamie County 4-H, 406 Dr Van Zee Rd. Oakland, IA 51560, 712-482-6449
Just as the 8 essential elements of positive youth development provide the foundation for a quality 4-H Club experience, they are central to the 4-H independent membership experience as well. To ensure that young people choosing independent membership have a 4-H experience of the highest quality they are asked to sign an agreement indicating their commitment to:
- Identify an adult mentor to guide and support them in their 4-H project work. The individual chosen, other than a parent, must complete the official IA 4-H Child Protection and Safety Screening Process. All mentors must agree to the roles and responsibilities outlined in the 4-H mentor position description and attend training. We encourage the mentor be someone other than a parent or guardian.*
- Develop skills in leadership, citizenship, communications, personal life management and knowledge through project work.
- Complete one or more community service learning project during the year.
- Demonstrate their learning by giving a presentation or demonstration before a group (nursing homes, a 4-H club, church groups, afterschool programs).
- Reflect on their learning by recording goals and submitting to their mentor a year end report using record-keeping skills.
- Share their progress on goals with their designated mentor six or more times throughout the year.
- Abide by all county, state and national 4-H policies and recognize the authority of Extension staff to establish and enforce rules and policies.
- Contribute to the larger 4-H program by participating in county and state fundraising efforts; volunteering to lead or assist with 4-H committees, programs and activities; reading and responding to extension office correspondence; and remaining informed and current on 4-H opportunities, procedures and guidelines.
Independent Member Completion Report Form
Independent Membership Agreement
Independent Member Adult Mentor Position Description