Registering Members and Volunteers

Enrollment and Behavioral Expectation Forms

Member Enrollment - Registering members is easy and usually free (some 4-H units may charge a small fee to cover incidental expenses). Call the 4-H Office to request copies CD ROM of the member enrollment form 4-H 120. The 4-Her or a family member should complete this form. Most members are enrolled in the fall when clubs are reorganizing, but new members can be registered any time of year. Due to program deadlines, members registered later in the year may be ineligible for some 4-H events.

Adult volunteers are registered using form 4-H 343.

Important: Please have 4-Hers and adult volunteers complete and sign enrollment forms as soon as possible. When the enrollment forms are received by the 4-H Office the new members and volunteers will be added to the database and will begin receiving the 4-H newsletter. You'll find sample enrollment forms with instructions on the CD-ROM that accompanies this unit. Members and volunteers who were previously enrolled do not need to complete a new enrollment form. Organizational leaders will receive a computer printout in the fall for re-enrolling members and volunteers to review, update and sign.

Brief Instructions for Completing Enrollment Forms

Members and Family Information - The top two sections of the form request mailing, telephone and similar information for the member and their family. A box is provided to list the name to appear on the newsletter mailing label. The member's special needs (wheelchair access, hearing, etc.), if any, should be indicated in the top section.

4-H Club and Project Information - The lower section provides space to list the 4-Her's club or clubs. The 4-H Office assigns the club number. Most members belong to one club, but some belong to two or more. You will find a box for "Years in 4-H" in this section. Always count the current year, so a new 4-Her should write 1 not 0. This section also requests information on the project(s) the member has selected with the identification number. There's also a box to check if a project manual is needed (not usually necessary every year). You'll find more information about projects later in another lesson in this unit.

Signatures - The bottom portion of the form has lines for four signatures. The member and the club's organizational leader signs the form indicating the member has enrolled in the club.

Photo Release - At the very bottom of the form are lines for the member and a parent/guardian to sign a photo release giving Maryland 4-H, the College of Agriculture and the University permission to use a photo of the 4-Her for educational or promotional purposes without compensation.

Behavioral Expectations (4-H 418) One of the goals of the Maryland 4-H program is to help young people build character. Maryland 4-Her's behavioral expectations are based on the six pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS! Members are encouraged to be trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, caring and a good citizen.

Maryland 4-H Disciplinary Policy and Procedures can be found on the back of the behavioral expectations. A list of unacceptable behavior and actions is provided along with the procedures that will be followed should a 4-Her violate this policy. The 4-H member and a parent/guardian must sign this form indicating they have read and understand the policy.

Collect the Behavioral Expectations/Disciplinary Policy and Procedure forms as part of the enrollment process. These forms will be on file at the 4-H Office and will be in effect for one year.

Volunteer Quick Reference

Learning Check

One of the most important tasks at the start of a new 4-H year is getting new members registered and previous members re-registered. The sooner this task is done the sooner members will begin receiving the 4-H newsletter and other communications. Please check carefully to make sure a parent or guardian signs the enrollment form and that the member signs it in two places. What has worked best for you in getting enrollment forms completed in a timely manner?

The Maryland 4-H Behavioral Expectations are based on the six pillars of Character Counts! Please collect the Behavioral Expectations forms with enrollment forms. Please spend some time at a club meeting helping members and parents understand the behavior expected at 4-H activities including club meetings. What do you believe is the most important pillar of Character Counts!

Online Learning Community

Please share your thoughts with other volunteers by posting a message on the Online Learning Community discussion board. You can respond to one of the Learning Check questions or ask your own question. You must post a message to complete this lesson. Password: 4-H Vol

Next Lesson

Click on Club Meetings to go to the next lesson after you've posted a message to the Online Learning Community in response to one of the above Learning Check question/comments. Thanks!

For more information, contact Lisa Dennis

Last updated: 06/14/2009