Club Chartering

In order to carry the 4-H name and emblem, all 4-H clubs and groups must apply for and annually renew a 4-H charter. This ensures the safety of youth members and the quality of the educational programming.

State 4-H offices are expected to maintain documentation on the issuance of 4-H Charters to 4-H clubs within their respective states.

  1. It's an agreement by the club with USDA on the proper use of the 4-H Name and Emblem; and
  2. It's an agreement by the club with the land-grant institutions’ state or local 4-H extension office to follow and abide by all state and local 4-H policies, procedures, and other requirements.

https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/4-H-Charter-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Benefits of Chartering

  • Creates uniform expectation for volunteers, less ambiguity
  • Could be an opportunity to introduce club awards – Motivation/Goal Setting
  • Quality Assurance
  • Defines what a club is
  • Allows 4-H Staff a mechanism to know who their active clubs are.
  • Allows 4-H Staff an opportunity to better support clubs and assist them in the process/quality assurance
  • Following the Law
  • Positive Youth Development
  • Increased social & leadership opportunities

Find the Form Below: 

  Chartering Form  

What if my Club doesn’t meet criteria?

If you need to collaborate with other groups to have enough members let us know so we can reach out to other clubs (Also a great opportunity to get more friends and parents involved)

***If you don’t have club officers- see the secretary handbook

Family Clubs

What is a Family Club:

An organized group of less than 5 members from less than 3 families who meets regularly with adult volunteers for a long term, progressive series of educational experiences but who don’t meet all of the official chartered club requirements.

What does this mean?

A family club still allows you to be a 4-H member, and attend 4-H camps and workshops, but to compete in Discovery Days, county contests, and state contests youth would need to be a member in an official chartered club. (*contests include any competitive element in a 4-H event)

  • Club officers and use of the secretary handbook still important in Family Clubs and will aid in that positive youth development.

For many youth, their exposure to 4-H experiences and learning materials comes through activities conducted either within their family or as independent members. While 4-H encourages participation in club settings to promote friendships and interaction with other youth and adults, for some youth, this is not always possible. Families and independent members are welcome to participate as part of the 4-H experience, however, the IRS and National 4-H Policies prohibit 4-H families or independent members from inclusion under the 4-H General Exemption Number as a tax-exempt entity, and from raising funds for their specific family group or members.

Independent Study

What is Independent Study?

Independent Study is planned learning that occurs independently of a formal group setting such as a club. Experience is often self-directed as an individual, paired or in family learning effort. Examples include self-study, home study courses, advanced placement courses, mentoring or shadowing with an “expert,” or whole families learning together.

What does this mean?

It still allows you to be a 4-H member, and attend 4-H camps and workshops, but to compete in Discovery Days, county contests, and state contests youth would need to be a member in an official chartered club. (*contests include any competitive element in a 4-H event)

Chartering Meeting: 

Who do you submit the Chartering Form to?

Katie Weber - Salt Lake County 4-H Staff Assistant

You can send an email (download fillable pdf, save as new document, email filled attachment to katie.weber@usu.edu in person (when applicable), or mailed into our office.

If you have questions regarding chartering, please contact: Katie Weber at katie.weber@usu.edu.