Fulton-Mason-Peoria-Tazewell Unit
All 4-H club leaders and current and hopeful club officers are invited to this fun, interactive morning of learning, networking, and building your leadership skills. 4-H staff and volunteers have coordinated this training to better equip youth and adults to lead 4-H clubs. Resources and best practices for 4-H club management are part of the morning's activities.
Session 1 Options (9 – 10 AM)
Building Big Experiences for Little Learners: Designing Successful 4-H Cloverbud Programs
Presenter: Melissa Irwin, Illinois 4-H Club Resources and Award Associate
Cloverbuds are often a child's first introduction to 4-H, making these early experiences critical to long-term engagement and success. This session will explore how to create developmentally appropriate, engaging, and fun Cloverbud experiences that foster the 4-H Essential Elements of Belonging, Independence, and Mastery. Participants will learn practical strategies for organizing Cloverbud programming, review age-appropriate curriculum resources, meeting structures, hands-on activities, and tips for keeping young members actively involved while helping them build confidence, friendships, and a love for learning through 4-H.
Hands-Only CPR
Presenter: Shelby Carlson, Youth Development Educator
Learn how to respond confidently in a cardiac emergency through this hands-on training using the American Heart Association’s CPR in Schools kits. Volunteers will practice Hands-Only CPR techniques and gain the knowledge needed to recognize sudden cardiac arrest and take action until professional help arrives. Volunteers will also learn about the option to check out a kit to use at their 4-H club.
Build Your Team, Beyond Ready
Presenter: Alicia Sandidge, 4-H Program Coordinator
Invest in your club’s success by building a stronger team! Through fun, hands-on team-building challenges, 4-H club leaders and officers will explore ways to strengthen communication, build trust, encourage collaboration, and solve problems together. Experience the power of Learn by Doing while discovering practical ways to help every club member feel included, connected, and ready to lead!
Session 2 Options (10 – 11 AM)
Bringing Animal Science Activities to Club Meetings
Presenter: Shelby Carlson, Youth Development Educator
A vital part of every 4-H club meeting is the educational activity. In this session, we will sample a handful of activities that you can take directly to your 4-H club meeting to get members interested in animal science projects. Even those members whose interests lie outside of animal science will learn something new!
Beyond Ready to Lead: Club & Officer Resources
Presenter: Melissa Irwin, Illinois 4-H Club Resources and Award Associate
Explore practical strategies, tools, and resources to help build stronger clubs and club officer teams. Participants will discover best practices, gain new ideas, and connect learning to the Illinois 4-H experience. Learn how the new self-paced Moodle courses can support Secretary and Treasurer training and discover how to guide youth in using the Illinois 4-H Secretary and Treasurer resource books. Participants will also be introduced to the 4-H and Teen Leader Hub for hands on activities that are just a click away on the 4-H website. Be Beyond Ready to help club officers develop leadership, organization, and skills that will serve them far beyond 4-H!
Making Meetings Fun
Presenter: Judy Schmidt, 4-H Youth Development Educator
Turn ordinary 4-H club meetings into engaging experiences where every member has a chance to participate! Explore creative, easy-to-use activities for every part of the meeting using the Meeting Wheel as your guide. From opening activities and business discussions to educational lessons and fun group experiences, you’ll discover practical ways to add energy, build participation, and keep members excited to come back!
