Job description of a 4-H president – Part 2
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EmailExploring the roles and responsibilities of a 4-H club president and how they are similar from that of the President of the United States.
Presidents have very demanding roles and responsibilities, from the President of the United States to presidents of local 4-H clubs. Individuals that take on the role of president have the responsibility to make sure their “group” is functioning the best it can.
“Job description of the President of the United States – Part 1” examined the responsibilities of the President of the United States and how the President is held accountable by the Constitution. Much like the President of the United States, 4-H youth are elected by their peers as president of their 4-H club. Presidents of 4-H clubs may or may not be held accountable by a club constitution.
If a club does not have job descriptions included in their bylaws, “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 11th Edition” by Henry M. Robert III et al., is a good reference to understand the responsibility of a president.
According to “Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 11th Edition,” the presider, also known as the chairman and the president, is responsible for the following:
- Calls the meeting to order.
- Announces business and keeps to the agenda.
- Recognizes members who are entitled to the floor.
- Handles all motions that come before the group.
- Protects the assembly and the members by enforcing the rules.
- Expedites business.
- Decides all questions and may submit questions to the group.
- Declares the meeting adjourned.
Additionally, Michigan State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development encourages 4-H club presidents to:
- Work with adult club leaders to make the agenda for the meeting.
- Have a balanced meeting with education, business and fun within each meeting.
- Make the members and guests feel comfortable and welcomed.
- Encourage everyone to participate in meetings by getting to know the members.
- Delegate responsibilities in order to involve everyone.
- Be an ambassador for their club and all of 4-H within their community.
“Helping You Help Officers and Committees” by MSU Extension is an additional reference material for club officers and leaders that outlines all officer roles and responsibilities.
The Michigan 4-H Youth Development Guiding Principles believe it is important youth be participants in their growth and development—not just recipient—as well as youth develop skills that help them to succeed. Offering youth an opportunity to take leadership within their 4-H clubs allows them to feel as if they have ownership, commitment and dedication to their own growth and development.
To learn about the positive impact of Michigan 4-H youth leadership, citizenship and service and global and cultural education programs, read our 2016 Impact Report: “Developing Civically Engaged Leaders.”
Additional impact reports, highlighting even more ways Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H have positively impacted individuals and communities in 2016, can be downloaded from the MSU Extension website.
