4-H Club Forms & Resources
Starting a New 4-H Club
All 4-H entities (including clubs, councils, boards, and committees) must go through an authorization process in order to use the 4-H name and emblem and be recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt. The following forms are required to complete this process. Please contact the Extension Office at 989-875-5233 for assistance with starting a new club.
Required Documents
Tax Exempt Authorization & Charter Request
Resources
Becoming an Authorized 4-H Group & Maintaining that Status
4-H Club Paperwork
Annual Re-enrollment
Each 4-H club must turn in the following forms each fall in order to maintain their status. Please watch for communication from the 4-H program coordinator regarding the county deadline.
Club Registration & Civil Rights Compliance Form
Annual Financial Summary Report
Activities & Fundraisers
4-H clubs must request permission from the 4-H program coordinator if they wish to conduct an activity outside of their regular meetings or hold a fundraiser. Please submit the following forms at least 10 days in advance of your proposed event. In the case of fundraisers, a report form is also due no later than 10 days after the completion of the fundraiser. Fundraisers and activities that are not approved are not permitted to operate under the 4-H name and emblem and are not covered under MSU's indemnification policy.
4-H Club Finances
4-H is a public organization and all funds are owned by the entire group, not by any one member or leader. It is extremely important that all 4-H groups are transparent and show the source of any money received or disbursed. The following documents will assist 4-H leaders and treasurers with financial reporting expectations.
Financial Manual for 4-H Volunteers
Financial Manual for 4-H Treasurers
4-H Club Resources
The MSU Extension Office offers a wealth of resources to help 4-H clubs be successful. The following links and documents may be useful as you plan your club meetings and activities. Please contact the Extension Office at 989-875-5233 if you have any questions or are looking for additional resources.
Club Meeting Wheel - suggested outline of how to structure meeting times
Agenda Template - suggested order for conducting business meetings
Parliamentary Procedure - helps groups make decisions in a fair, effective, and efficient manner
Club Officer Roles - outlines the responsibilities of each officer to help them be successful in their leadership role
Michigan 4-H Guiding Principles - positive youth development underlies everything we do in 4-H; learn more about what this means and how to effectively practice it with your club
Using the 4-H Name & Emblem - the 4-H name and emblem has special protections from Congress; this document will help you understand their proper use
Scholarship Request Form - funds are available through 4-H council to offset the cost of attendance at state and national events
Contacting 4-H Staff - outlines when leaders need to be in contact with the 4-H program coordinator
Injury/Property Damage Report Form - must be submitted to the 4-H program coordinator if an injury or property damage occurs during 4-H activities
Group Disbanding Checklist - must be submitted to the 4-H program coordinator if you are planning on closing your club
MSU Extension 4-H Curriculum Links (FREE lesson and activity plans)
- Animal Science Anywhere
- Science Blast Activities
- Teaching Science When You Don't Know Diddly-Squat
- Crafts Around the World
- Heads In, Hearts In: Science Activities
- Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Science Activities for Young Minds
- Zoonotic Disease Activities
Other Helpful Links
- 4-H at Home (download FREE activity guides)
- National 4-H Curriculum (curriculum and project guides available for purchase)
- Shop 4-H (site to purchase official 4-H merchandise)
Materials available to check out from the Extension Office (please call to reserve)
- Learning Lab Kits - horse, beef, sheep, swine, dairy, poultry, goat, rabbit
- Code Your World 4-H National Youth Science Day Kit (computer science)
- Game Changers 4-H National Youth Science Day Kit (computer science)
- Curriculum Books
- Sewing Machine
- Lego Mindstorms (robotics)
- Squishy Circuits
- Promotional Materials - banner, yard signs, brochures, stickers