Clubs are the heart of the 4-H program. During club meetings, 4-H members learn new skills, such as speaking in public, working together as a team, and making decisions. You'll help out in your communities and lead activities while you practice the skills you'll need at school and in your careers.
- If you're 5 to 7 years old, you'll meet in Cloverbud clubs and explore all 4-H has to offer while you work together on projects which are perfect for you.
- If you're 8 to 18, you can choose to join a multi-project club or a special interest project club. In a multi-project club, members work on many different projects independently. During meetings, you'll focus on leadership skills. In a special interest club, the focus of the club meetings is on one specific project which all members are interested in. Meeting times are spent developing new skills that help you become very good in that one project area.
There are many resources to help you bring your club to a new level of excitement, education, and exploration.
- Checklist for Club Officers
- Action Plan for Club Volunteers
- Club Committee Planning Worksheet
- Yearly Club Program Plan
- Club Meeting Agenda Template
- Club Treasurer Book
- Club Secretary Book
- New Club Checklist
- Tips for Good Meetings
Looking for other forms? Check out the club meeting resources on the Illinois 4-H website.
We've pulled together all the important enrollment-related forms in one place so that club leaders and officers can easily manage membership enrollment.
- Agreement to Assume Risk
Required once during 4-H career. - SPANISH: Reconocimiento de Riesgos Y Exencion de Responsabilidad
Required once during 4-H career. - Annual Code of Conduct Form
Required annually. - Member Enrollment Form
Optional use for those not using 4-H Online. - SPANISH: Formulario de Inscripción de 4-H
- Member Emergency Medical Form
Required for overnight trips. - SPANISH: Informacion Medica de Emergencia del Programa Juvenil 4-H
- Independent Member Action Plan
For use by youth working with a mentor doing independent study 4-H work. - Member & Volunteer Photo, Audio, & Video Permission Form
- SPANISH: Autorización para la divulgación de fotos, videos y audio
Annually, families should enroll through the 4-H ONLINE ENROLLMENT SYSTEM
- Set up a family account. Enter the information about your family household.
- Select your projects. Change your mind? No problem; just sign in, click your change and start learning something new.
- There’s an exact date anytime you add information, so there’s no more questioning if you met local county deadlines.
Can't find what you need here? Check out the member enrollment resources on the Illinois 4-H website.
4-H youth education is an active part of communities across the U.S. The 4-H program is administered by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who ensures all programs meet federal guidelines. In Illinois, 4-H is managed by the University of Illinois Extension, an active network of educators and topical specialists who serve all 102 Illinois counties. The guidelines listed below ensure that all volunteers, members, and Extension staff are held to an appropriate degree of accountability.
Annual responsibility
Each year, clubs must indicate whether or not they will have financial activity in their club by completing an Indication of Financial Activity form and turning it in to local Extension staff. These additional forms guide club leaders in their administration of local clubs.
- Annual Financial Statement
- Club Budget Template
- Club Treasurer Book
- Club Fundraising Request Form
- Annual Indication of Financial Activity
- Long-term Spending Plan
You can download additional club fiscal resources from the Illinois 4-H website.