Volunteer Learning Modules: Introduction to Michigan 4-H Part 1
DOWNLOADMay 15, 2025 - Michigan State University Extension
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EmailThis module provides volunteers with an overview of Michigan 4-H and the different roles a volunteer can play.
Section 1: Welcome to 4-H
Volunteers are the core of Michigan 4-H, providing healthy adult role models to youth. These caring adults give their time and expertise to grow the future and empower young people with important skills. These volunteers serve throughout Michigan in many ways to help enhance the lives of thousands of youth. With real-world experience, Michigan 4-H volunteers also offer young people another crucially important element: a healthy adult role model who helps to grow their confidence and ignite their dreams for the future.
4-H Clover Name & Emblem: The official 4-H emblem is a four-leaf clover with a letter H on each leaf. The 4-H clover is protected under federal law and its use is regulated by the 4-H Youth Development Program under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Anyone wishing to use the 4-H clover must obtain permission to do so.
Resources:
Section 2: 4-H Thrive Model & Essential Elements
They are seven guiding principles for positive youth development that Michigan 4-H has adopted. When 4-H volunteers follow these guiding principles in planning and carrying out programs it helps ensure that the programs are safe and effective, that everyone (including 4-H paid and volunteer staff and parents) understands the educational underpinnings of 4-H programming, and that youth are active learners.
Resources
- Michigan 4-H Youth Development: Guiding Principles for Positive Youth Development: https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/236/67146/4-HGuidingPrinciples.pdf This PDF handout lists the seven guiding principles and offers three or four elements of effective practice for each.
- Introduction to the Social Change Model for Leadership Development: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/introduction_to_the_social_change_model_for_leadership_development This article introduces a series that connects the seven C’s of leadership for social change to the seven guiding principles of Michigan 4-H Youth Development.
Section 3: The 4-H Pledge
Each of the four H’s on the leaves of the 4-H clover stands for a word that starts with the letter H. Those words are the building blocks of the 4-H pledge, which is traditionally recited at the start of every 4-H club, group meeting or event to remind everyone of our focus.
To find out more about the 4-H pledge, visit these web pages:
