Saskatchewan 4-H Council
Frequently Asked Questions

History
What is 4-H?
What is the history of 4-H in Saskatchewan?
What is the 4-H motto?
What is the 4-H pledge?
What do the four H's stand for?
What is the 4-H Vision?
What is the 4-H Mission?
What are the 4-H Core Values?

 

Membership
Why should I join 4-H?
How do I become a member?
Who can become a member?
What does being a 4-H member entail?
Do I need to live on a farm or own an animal to join?
How much does it cost to belong to 4-H?

 

Volunteer Leaders
Why should I become a 4-H leader?
How can I become a leader?
What are the leader requirements?

 

Clubs
How can I find a 4-H club near me?
When do clubs organize?
How often does a club meet?
How can I start a club?
How many members do you need to make a new club?
Do all 4-H clubs have to do fundraising?
Does every club need an executive?

 

Projects
What is a project?
How do I choose a project that is right for me?
Where can I find project information online?
Can I get school credit for my 4-H project?
What is Achievement Day?
What is the public speaking aspect of 4-H?

 

Opportunities with 4-H
Can I volunteer with 4-H Saskatchewan?
Does 4-H have any employment opportunities available?
Where do I find information on regional and provincial programs and events?
Where can I find information about travel opportunities?
Where can I find information on scholarships?

 

Saskatchewan 4-H Council
Where is the Saskatchewan 4-H Council located?
Where can I find more information about the staff, board of directors, and advisory council of the Saskatchewan 4-H Council?

 

Fundraisers
Where can I find more information on fundraising events being held by 4-H Saskatchewan?

 

Merchandise and Gifts 
Where can I buy 4-H merchandise or gifts?

 

Use of the 4-H Saskatchewan Logo
What are the rules for using the 4-H name and logo?

 

4-H Saskatchwan Sponsors
Who are the sponsors that support the 4-H Saskatchewan program?
How can I become a 4-H sponsor?

 

National 4-H
Where can I get information about 4-H on a national level, including national 4-H policies?

 

Insurance
What type of insurance policy does 4-H have in place?
How does 4-H's Liability Insurance work?

 


 

 

History

What is 4-H?
4-H is an almost 100-year-old organization that helps young people discover where they shine by letting them explore what they love, discover what they don’t, and try new things until they become a natural. We’re all about a time-tested learning process we call “learn to do by doing.” Click here to learn more about our exciting program.


What is the history of 4-H in Saskatchewan?
4-H has been an important part of Saskatchewan communities since 1917 when the first clubs were formed. In 1952, the name 4-H was embraced to represent the youth community clubs across the province and the 4-H Saskatchewan program was officially born. The Saskatchewan 4-H Council was later formed to administer the programs in 1957, making Saskatchewan the first Provincial 4-H Council in Canada. With a deep-rooted history and pride in the program, the simple vision that started 4-H has endured the test of time, making 4-H one of Canada's most recognized and valued youth programs.


What is the 4-H Motto?
The 4-H motto is “Learn to do by doing”. Here at 4-H we value learning through experience, and members are encouraged to learn through active participation.

What is the 4-H Pledge?
The 4-H Pledge is:
        I pledge: My head to clearer thinking,
        My heart to greater loyalty,
        My hands to larger service,
        And my health to better living,
        For my club, my community, and my country.

What do the four H’s stand for?
The H’s stand for the four H’s mentioned in the pledge: Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

What is the 4-H Vision?
We take pride and ownership in being an organization based on our pledge, our values, and our belief that the power of the 4-H experience has a positive impact on individuals, families, communities and our country.With a focus on fun and learning, we provide opportunities that will develop the skills needed in an ever-changing future using the talents and energies of our members, volunteers, and staff. We create innovative ideas and programs as well as maintain our successful traditional ones. We work to spread the impact of 4-H and help the youth of today become the leaders of tomorrow.

What is the 4-H Mission?
4-H Saskatchewan is a project-based youth organization dedicated to the growth and development of our members, leaders, volunteers, and staff through our motto: “Learn to do by doing”.

What are the 4-H Core Values?
We respect the importance of family and honour our 4-H traditions by upholding all of these core values:

  • Honour and Integrity: treating one another respectfully and fairly.
  • Reliability: Being dependable and responsible for our actions.
  • Co-operation: Working as a team to achieve our goals.
  • Fun: Creating positive and enjoyable experiences.

We do this within a safe, caring, and positive environment.

 

Membership

Why should I join 4-H?
Do you like learning new things? Do you like having fun? Do you like making friends? If yes, 4-H is definitely for you! There are a lot of reasons to join 4-H. Click here to read some of them.


How do I become a member?
Click here to find a club in your community, call up the Saskatchewan 4-H Council at 306-933-7727, or email us at info@4-h.sk.ca and we’ll help to help you start or find the club that’s most suitable to you.

Who can become a member?
Anyone between the ages of six and 25 is free to join 4-H as a member. 4-H has five membership categories:

  • Cloverbud: 6-8 years of age
  • Junior: 9-12 years of age
  • Intermediate: 13-15 years of age
  • Senior: 16-21 years of age
  • Future Leaders: 22-25 years of age

What does being a 4-H member entail?
In order to get the most out of 4-H, you have to DO. To complete the 4-H year, each member must:

  • Register in at least one (or more) project(s)
  • Complete a record book
  • Complete a questionnaire consisting of general 4-H knowledge questions
  • Exhibit or demonstrate project work
  • Participate in public speaking at the club level
  • Follow the constitution and/or policies of the club in which they are registered.

Do I need to live on a farm or own an animal to join?
No. While the 4-H roots are in rural Saskatchewan, projects have grown to reflect a diversity of lifestyle and offer everything from photography and small pet to scrapbooking and wilderness camping projects.

How much does it cost to belong to 4-H?
Members pay an annual membership fee to support the ongoing creation of new projects, programming costs, insurance fees, and volunteer training. Some individual clubs or districts may charge additional fees for programs and events that they provide. Membership fees are due on November 15. For the 2012-13 year, membership fees are $73.88 (includes GST). Fees paid after November 15 are $98.19 (includes GST). New members are not required to pay the late fees.

 

Volunteer Leaders

Why should I become a 4-H leader?

  • Why not? There are a lot of reasons to become a 4-H leader:
    • There are many young people out there that need your support.
    • You do not have to be an expert to become a 4-H leader; you only require enthusiasm and a desire to make a positive impact in a child's life. Parents and caregivers play a critical role in volunteering with the program to support our members. More than 1,000 volunteer 4-H leaders in Saskatchewan share their time and talents to help our members "learn to do by doing."  Leaders also advise and support club members in developing and strengthening skills that will help our youth grow and become effective leaders in their communities.
    • As a volunteer leader, 4-H is a place to:
      • Make a difference in the lives of Saskatchewan youth
      • Meet new people
      • Improve and build on your skills and talents
      • Travel with youth or other volunteer leaders

How can I become a leader?
Click here to download the 4-H Leader Screening Package, complete all documentation, and submit to the Saskatchewan 4-H Council for approval. After you become a screened leader, the next step is to start your 4-H club. The Saskatchewan 4-H Council will assist and guide you through this process and have your club up and running in no time! If you want to become a leader in an existing club (and the club wants you to become a leader for their club), then all you have to do is complete the screening process and then you will be ready to start your 4-H experience.

What are the leader requirements?
In order to ensure a safe environment in which young people can learn and grow, the Saskatchewan
4-H Council has a screening process for all volunteers. This requires:

  • Completion of a leader application form
  • Submission of three references
  • A criminal record check
  • Leaders must be 18 years of age or older

Applications are valid for five years. Once an application has expired, the individual must re-certify by completing the standard screening package (click here to download). Packages are sent by the provincial office to leaders whose applications are expiring.

The deadline to submit a leader application or renewal for existing clubs is December 15. Leader applicants are “tentatively” registered as leaders and on probation until then. Applicants who have not completed the application process are sent a letter and removed as a leader until they do so. New Clubs Leader applications for new clubs must be received prior to the new club being registered.

 

Clubs

How can I find a 4-H club near me?
4-H Saskatchewan has over 200 operating clubs and new clubs are always welcome! Click here to find one operating near you or click here to start your own.

When do clubs organize?
The Saskatchewan 4-H Council program year extends from September 1 to August 31, but because
4-H clubs are autonomous (they can determine many of their own rules), 4-H clubs may be active for whatever length of time suits the needs of their members, leaders, and community. Most 4-H clubs organize in the fall, are active through the winter months – meeting one to four times per month – and wind up with Achievement Day in the late spring.

How often does a club meet?
Most clubs have a general meeting once a month, but there is no rule on how often. Your club can determine what works best for you. How many meetings do you need to get the business done? If you can do it in 4 meetings rather than 8, that’s how many meetings you should be having. Having your club assess how many meetings are right for them teaches a valuable management skill. However, a club must hold a minimum of three general meetings per membership year. Project meetings are decided by the leader and the members in the project.

How can I start a club?
If there are no clubs in your area that do the project you are interested in, you can consider starting your own club. We have a lot of information to help you out, click here to start the process.

How many members do you need to make a new club?
Four members between the ages of six and 25 are needed to form a club. A club must also have one or more adults 18 years or older acting as leaders.

Do all 4-H clubs have to do fundraising?
Your club will determine how much money it requires to operate and how those monies will be raised. Some clubs choose to fundraise, others set up additional membership fees to offset the costs, and still others choose a pay-as-you-go philosophy. Club programming as determined by the club and annual Saskatchewan 4-H Council membership fees are the two main needs for funds.

Does every club need an executive?
The 4-H program encourages the teaching of meeting management to the 4-H members. Electing an executive of 4-H members and running your business through an executive is a proven method of teaching meeting management and getting the business of the club done. The executive should be elected from the general youth membership. It should include, but is not limited to, a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

 

Projects

What is a project?
4-H projects are in-depth learning experiences for 4-H members. Through the exploration of a 4-H project, a member develops knowledge and skills in an area of interest to them. At the beginning of each club year, each member chooses one or more projects to work on throughout the year. A few examples of skills learned through project work include: training pets, raising livestock, making videos, learning wilderness skills, or scrapbooking. Click here to learn more about projects.

How do I choose a project that is right for me?
4-H has over 35 projects to meet your needs. With so many projects available, choosing one or two can be a challenge! Click here to download our Project Selection Guide to help you decide. Exploring
4-H is a great option for those who would like to sample a few of the projects that we have to offer. Plus, don’t forget that you can design your own project if you want, through the 4-U Self-Determined project. Some examples of previous 4-U projects are Animal Science, Robotics, Folk Art, Sports, or Snowmobiling. You can do just about anything! Click here to learn more about 4-U Self-Determined.

Where can I find project information online?
Click here to find project information on our website and download the Project Selection Guide.

Can I get school credit for my 4-H project?
Yes, often times you can use your 4-H community and project work to earn a high school credit! Click here to find out more.

What is Achievement Day?
Achievement Day is a time for celebration! Achievement Day is your day to celebrate the year’s accomplishments. Members, their families, and the community are highly encouraged to attend. Each club must hold an Achievement Day at some point during the year, and must provide an opportunity for each member to display and/or demonstrate project work and an accompanying record book. For more info on Achievement Day and to download tips, click here.

What is the public speaking aspect of 4-H?
Public speaking is a large part of the 4-H program. Learning how to speak naturally and comfortably in front of an audience does wonders for developing self-confidence and self-esteem, and what better way to do it than in front of a supportive group of your 4-H friends and family? Throughout the club year,
4-H members have many chances to try a little public speaking, whether it’s telling their fellow club members the results of bowling costs research or preparing and delivering a speech on proper grooming methods for a club competition. To learn more about public speaking and see upcoming public speaking event dates, click here.

 

Opportunities with 4-H

Can I volunteer with 4-H Saskatchewan?
Yes, you can! If you’re interested in helping out with your local 4-H club but are not ready to commit to being a leader, would like to judge public speaking, help out at an upcoming event, or offer your expertise through a workshop or training session, we would love to have you. If you would like to help out, please contact the provincial office by calling 306-933-7727 or send us an email at info@4-h.sk.ca to have your name added to our Judges and Resources Directory Listing.

Does 4-H have any employment opportunities available?
Click here and scroll down to #6 to see a current employment opportunities at the Saskatchewan 4-H Council.

Where do I find information on regional and provincial programs and events?
You can find information on regional and provincial programs and events under the Opportunities and Events tab on our website.

Where can I find information about travel opportunities?
You can find information about travel opportunities by clicking here.

Where can I find information on scholarships?
Every year, the Saskatchewan 4-H Council has the opportunity to award some of our outstanding senior members with 4-H Scholarships to assist in their post-secondary education. Scholarship application packages are available in January of each year and the deadline for applications is April 1st of the current year. Click here for information on available scholarships and to download an application form.

 

Saskatchewan 4-H Council

Where is the Saskatchewan 4-H Council located?
The Saskatchewan 4-H Council office is located in Saskatoon, SK at 3830 Thatcher Avenue. Our phone number is 306-933-7727 and our email is info@4-h.sk.ca  A regional office is also located in Regina.

Where can I find more information about the staff, board of directors, and advisory council of the Saskatchewan 4-H Council?
Click here to learn more about our staff, board of directors, and advisory council as well as download our policy package.

 

Fundraisers

Where can I find more information on fundraising events being held by 4-H Saskatchewan?
Click here to find more information on fundraising events happening now.

 

Merchandise and Gifts

Where can I buy 4-H merchandise or gifts?
The Saskatchewan 4-H Council is pleased to provide a great line-up of 4-H Gear available for sale year round. Click here to visit the 4-H store and see what great merchandise can be yours! To order products, place your order on-line through the PayPal option, call us at 306-933-7727, email us at info@4-h.sk.ca, or visit us at the Saskatchewan 4-H Council provincial office to see the merchandise display area.

 

Use of the 4-H Saskatchewan Logo

What are the rules for using the 4-H name and logo?
Registered 4-H Clubs in good standing with the Saskatchewan 4-H Council are granted full permission to correctly use the 4-H logo without prior written consent. Correctly reproduced versions of the 4-H trademark, logo, pledge, and motto may be used, without prior written permission, by non-commercial news media such as newspapers, periodicals, and radio and television programs, when such use is primarily for education or informational purposes. Usage of the 4-H trademark, logo, pledge, or motto by any organization, agency, or individual for any purpose other than that noted above, without prior written permission from the Canadian 4-H Council is expressly forbidden.

 

4-H Saskatchewan Sponsors 

Who are the sponsors that support the 4-H Saskatchewan program?
Sponsorship plays an integral role in the operation of the 4-H Saskatchewan program. To see a list of our generous sponsors, click here.

How can I become a 4-H sponsor?
By donating to the Saskatchewan 4-H Foundation, you are investing in the youth of Saskatchewan. Go here to learn more about becoming a 4-H sponsor.

 

National 4-H Council

Where can I get information about 4-H on a national level, including national 4-H policies?
National opportunities such as travel and club grants are posted under the Opportunities and Events tab. For additional national information, please contact the Canadian 4-H Council.

 

Insurance

What type of insurance policy does 4-H have in place?
4-H has 3rd party liability insurance in place. It is not personal insurance. Our policy covers registered leaders, members, employees, and adult volunteers that assist with 4-H activities. Our commercial general liability covers third party bodily injury and third party property damage arising from your premises, products, and operations/activities. The policy does not cover your injuries (accident insurance) or your property damage.

How does 4-H’s Liability Insurance work?

  • There must be property damage or injury to a third person(s).
  • The policy does not cover your injuries or damage to your property. The idea is to protect you from claims made by others.
  • If you are legally responsible, you (the insurance company) must pay for the damages. You must not have intentionally caused the damage.
  • If you meet these criteria and the loss is covered by the policy, the insurer will provide (and pay for) legal counsel as well as pay the final settlement amount up to a maximum of $250,000 with $2,500 deductable.
  • Medical payments in excess of provincial health plans are also covered. Liability insurance does not replace automobile insurance.

If you use your own vehicle on 4-H business (including driving 4-H members), your automobile policy will be the first to respond to an accident claim. To ensure that you have coverage when you need it, advise your insurance broker prior to any 4-H related trip.

More information on the 4-H insurance policy can be found in our Saskatchewan 4-H Council Policy document, which can be downloaded here.

If you have any further questions that haven't been answered here, feel free to give us a call at
306-933-7727 or drop us an email at
info@4-h.sk.ca.

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