4-H clover

2007-2008 4-H Marketing Campaign
Iowa State University Extension

Recruitment and Retention

Public 4-H program presentation
This Power Point presentation and script overviews the 4-H program. It can be adapted by county directors and field specialists for use with external audiences. It is recommended that the speaker add his/her own biographical information and pictures at the beginning of the program. Also consider partnering with a youth who can deliver a personal testimonial (with photos) for the last half of the program.

Where to recruit volunteers

Quick info for volunteers
Iowa 4-H Volunteer Web site, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/Volunteers/index.htm 

4-H volunteer forms
Child protection and safety policy, volunteer interest form, etc.
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/restrict/cpsp.htm

Order volunteer brochures

New 4-H club volunteer training expectations
Successful club volunteers need more intensive training and contact with 4-H professionals the first year or two.   Good orientation and training are essential to retaining volunteers and youth by creating a quality program. The following methods are suggested.,

Check out these resources to help you. 
New Leader Letters: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/restrict/BLresources.html

Leaders- A Priceless Piece of the 4-H Puzzle
Self-Study Materials for New 4-H Club Volunteers.  4-H 49-1  and 4-H 49-1CD.  Should be in every county office.  Contains a Facilitator Guide, Self-study Guides and Videos. 

Our goal is to help our caring adults fulfill the 4-H mission.

Additional resources
Web site information: 

Publications available (plus stickers, tattoos, etc.)
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/restrict/pubs.htm#1  

Item #

Cost

Item title

4H 16   

free

4-H membership cards

4H 18   

4.50

Plastic Recruitment Bags—25 bags

4H 18A 

4.50

Larger Recruitment Bags—25 bags (10” x 15”)

4H 18B 

3.00

Largest Recruitment Bags—10 bags

4H 19A  

.15

Discover 4-H for Youth

4H 19B  

.15

Discover 4-H for Parents

4H 32    

.50

Volunteer to Help People Like These (pkg. of 10)

4H 32A

1.00

Be A 4-H Volunteer—Do It for Youth, Do it for you (pkg. of 10)

4H 34A

2.00

“4-H … The Fun Starts Here,” 25 Bookmarks for Recruitment

4H 34B

3.20

“4-H … The Fun Starts Here,” 50 sheets of stationery with 50 envelopes

4H 34C

1.00

“4-H—Family-Sized Fun,” parent brochure to localize (revised 2001), package of 10

4H 34D

6.00

“4-H…The Fun Starts Here” placemats (100 placemats per package) (2001) – we are currently out of print on the placemat if there are enough requests we will reprint.

4H 34E

.50

4-H…The Fun Starts Here,” Member Recruitment brochure to localize (pkg. of 10)

4H 36

free

Recruitment brochure and posters (2007)

4H 37 

free

Youth Voices and Action Poster

4H 200

 

4-H Pick a Project

4H 1-A 

 

Recruitment Wrapper

4H 3010 

 

Let’s Join 4-H
4H 911
3.45
 Exploring the Treasures of 4-H (member)
4H 911LDR
7.45
 Exploring the Treasures of 4-H (leader)

4-H videos
The following are found at http://ca4h.org/4hresource/marketing/  These may be useful for trainings, at 4-H Find-out Evenings, etc.

Impacting a broader age range
Marketing is closely tied to recruitment and retention of 4-H members and volunteers.  To expand your club membership, you also want to retain current membership.  Developing a strategic plan that includes all ages of members and volunteers will help you grow your overall 4-H club program.  

Additional tools
Take time to review the additional resources found on the 4-H Marketing, Recruitment, and Retention Web page. These resources can be found at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/howard/kidsteens.htm , Go to the right-hand column, look for the heading State 4-H Marketing, Recruitment, and Retention Tools and click on the document you want to look at.  

Comprehensive timeline
This timeline includes the aforementioned marketing tools and recruitment and retention tools.

All Year
  • Take photos showing how 4-H is Fun, Friends, and Family.  You can use them promotionally in the months to come to tell your county’s story of 4-H.
  • Continually review your 4-H County Action Plan.  For each year’s planning process, refer to Long Range Club Expansion Process.  Also, you may want to discuss the options of creating Multiple Entry Points to 4-H.
  • Other resources for marketing, recruitment, and retention from other states can be found by reviewing Marketing Overview from Other States or Readings and Resources for 4-H Retention.

May
  • Prepare a PowerPoint slideshow loop that can be used during county fair and other events to promote the idea: 4-H is Fun, Friends, and Family.  Refer to Howard County 4-H Fair Slideshow.
  • Create opportunities to get the community interested in 4-H fair activities by Marketing Exhibitors Prior to County Fair.

June/July
  • During 4-H Camping Experiences have camp counselors write notes on 4-H Camp Photo Cards
  • Name a camp photographer so that digital photos can be put into a Camp Slideshow via PowerPoint for the camp closing ceremonies.  Refer to  Marketing and Retention Tool for Area Junior Camp.
  • Send email evaluation to parents after camp or other 4-H events to create touch points with them.  Refer to 4-H Camp Parent Evaluation Email and Member Retention Through Touch Points.
  • Create a Member Recruitment Fair Booth with Potential Member Intake Cards
  • Send Clover Kids Photo Cards to alert them to the new program year
  • Send graduated Clover Kids Club Transition Photo Cards

July/August
  • Mail First Year Member Satisfaction Survey to first year 4-H Families
  • When communicating in written form to volunteers, take care that letters are attention getting and scanable…refer to Communicating with 4-H Volunteers

August
  • Marketing Plan--share marketing plan with volunteers and families.
  • Prepare county office and train staff for inquiries using Potential 4-H Member Intake Cards.
  • Choose distribution sites.
  • Contact schools, PTAs, Afterschool programs, etc. about dates for presentations and first night programs.
  • Set up date and location for orientation/first night event. 
  • Begin distribution of brochures and begin talks.
  • When communicating with families, use family friendly dialogue and messages.  Refer to Creating Family Friendly Communications I and II

September
  • Send out PSAs, etc to local radio and television stations.
  • Update Web site to make sure friendly for new families?
  • Prepare packets of brochures, posters for 4-H club leaders and families to begin recruiting.  Hand out at Volunteer Trainings.

October
  • National 4-H Week recruitment. 
  • Set up radio/TV spots for older 4-H’ers to tell their 4-H story to recruit new members.
  • Remind volunteers of recruitment efforts at Volunteer Appreciation Events.

Note: Many counties are moving recruitment activities to the start of the school year in August and September as other organizations are recruiting youth at that time.

If your county markets to and recruits new members in August and September, consider using National 4-H Week as a celebration week for 4-H members and their families.

November
  • Billboards, where to put posters
  • Take brochures to doctor’s offices.
  • Connect with School Guidance counselors about helping to recruit.

December through May
  • Continue to emphasize recruitment through one-on-one contacts.  Most counties accept new members at any time until May 1.
  • Put into practice the Past Member Survey Protocol and/or the Former 4-Her Phone Survey Protocol.