Officers are the key to the success of a 4-H club
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EmailExplore the characteristics of effective officers. Understanding the characteristics of a good officers and doing a self-assessment prior to running for an officer position is key to successful organizations.
Officers are a key component to the success of any club, group or organization, and are an important part of that organization’s leadership team. Officers represent their group both during a meeting as well as outside of meeting when interfacing with the general public. Representing the organization and its membership is one of an officer’s most important responsibilities. Serving as an officer is a great way for individuals to build leadership skills. An individual interested in being an officer must also be willing to develop skills necessary to help the club, group or organization be successful.
Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development has a publication, Helping You Help Officers and Committees that describes the characteristics of good 4-H club officers. These skills are applicable to officers of many other organizations as well. Good officers should be:
- Dependable
- Work with members and give everyone a chance to participate
- Work well with other officers, committee members and leaders
- Share leadership by giving others an opportunity to accept responsibility and develop their leadership ability
- Help plan a program for the year that is in the best interest of all members of the group
- Make meetings worthwhile and interesting
When an individual is interested in developing their leadership skills and running for an officer position, they first should look at their own characteristics and do an assessment to see if they are willing to learn the officer position, but also ready to see the bigger picture of the club. MSU Extension offers trainings that focus on the roles and responsibilities of individual 4-H club officer positions. These trainings can also help individual through an assessment process for individuals to check themselves and their readiness to take on an officer position.
Sample questions a potential officer can ask themselves may include:
- I know that being a good leader means I need to understand myself, but how get to know and understand the people with whom I am working?
- Am I willing to learn more in order to be a better officer?
- I accept responsibilities willingly and enjoy doing more than just what is required of me.
- Am I willing to give credit to others?
- Do I listen to ideas and suggestions from others?
- Am I ready to try new ideas?
- Will I feel good enough about myself that I can admit that I don’t know everything?
- Can I suggest constructive ideas and alternatives without criticizing other members personally?
Being an officer of a club, group or organization is a role that an individual needs to take seriously. The success of the club lies in the hands of the leaders. The specific roles of each officer position are certainly important to the success of a group, but real leadership for organizations often rests within the collective officer team.
