New Leader Email Series from Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange
New Leader Email Series
Issue Number Two
In This Issue Welcome Involve Parents Submit your answer for credit for Session Two
WELCOME to 4-H Session 2 - Involve Parents Everyone benefits when parents are involved in the 4-H club program, parents should assist at club meetings on a rotating basis: 4-H members need their own parents' support and encouragement to attend meetings, complete projects and fulfill responsibilities to the club. Parents have an opportunity to spend time with their child(ren), and enjoy activities together. In many ways, 4-H is a "partner in parenting". 4-H leaders have a lot to juggle. Being able to delegate some of those responsibilities, even the smallest ones, can be a huge help. The community benefits when families support community-minded organizations like 4-H. Involved families are more knowledgeable about community issues and therefore more likely to support community efforts as well.
WELCOME to 4-H Session 2 - Involve Parents Continued Keep these benefits in mind when you invite parents to attend events or to lend a hand - it is in their own best interest to say "YES!" But, how, when and who do you as k? Here are some suggestions: 1. Meet with parents at the beginning of each year. This parent meeting may take place before, after, or as part of the club's planning meeting. While members should make the final decisions about their projects and activities, it is important to know early in the year the ways in which parents can support the club program. Consider using an interest survey and/or activity sign-up sheet to encourage commitment and to keep track of everyone's interests and availability. (See Parent’s Participation Survey and Parents Can Help in Our 4-H Club Program at end of this newsletter). 2. Maintain good communication. In order for parents to feel like part of the group, and that they share responsibility for its success, they must be kept informed about the "when, where, and whys" of both the club's activities and the 4-H club program in general. Communicate to parents by updating them at the meetings as well as by emails and phone calls. 3. When you need help: a. Ask an individual, basing your request on that person's interests, skills and abilities. Generic calls for help don't work! b. Be honest and specific about the time commitment and time frame. c. Ask well in advance of when the job needs to be done 4. Express your appreciation appropriately. Regardless of how much or how little a parent does s/he deserves a "thank-you". Whether that is delivered in the form of a phone call, a hand-written note, or public recognition, that may include a certificate or small gift, will depend on what was done and the person's personality - one size does not fit all! And remember - A simple thank-you goes a long way.
These are just a few suggestions to use to get the parents more involved in the club. If you need additional help with parent participation in your club, please contact your 4-H Staff Rep (Ellen, Kathy or Sue) or Marika Rywak at the 4-H office at 344-1234 to arrange a visit with your club.
Please answer the following question and submit for Session 2 credit. Do you feel you have great, good, or poor parent participation in your club currently?
Please email your response to [email protected]
Contact Us
CCE 4-H 18 Seward Avenue, Third Floor Middletown, New York 10940 845.344.1234 Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact our office if you have any special needs.
...
Tool L-15
4-H Parent Participation Survey Parents are very important to the success of our 4-H club. In addition to the support and encouragement you give to your own child, each of you has special skills and talents that can benefit the whole group. We would like to involve you in ways that best fit your interests and schedules. Please help us by completing this survey. One of the leaders will call you to schedule your participation.
4-H member’s name______________________________________________________________ Name of parent/guardian_________________________________ Phone___________________
In what way(s) might you be able to help our 4-H club? Please check all possibilities. _____ Teach a project. What type of subject matter?__________________________________________ _____ Teach a Cloverbud activity. _____ Coordinate our club members’ participation in a county 4-H activity. Which one?_____________ _____ Assist with a club community service activity. _____ Help members (one or more) prepare their public presentations. _____ Assist with fundraising. _____ Provide transportation to one or more 4-H activities. _____ Chaperone a 4-H trip. _____ Provide general assistance at one or more club or project meetings. _____ Provide refreshments for one or more club meetings.
In which 4-H program area(s) do you have the greatest interest? _____ Citizenship & Civic Education
_____ Healthy Lifestyles
_____ Communications & Expressive Arts
_____ Personal Development & Leadership
_____ Consumer & Family Science
_____ Plants & Animals
_____ Environment & Earth Science
_____ Science & Technology
(over)
Tool L-15 What personal interests or hobbies would you be willing to share with 4-H members? _____________________________________________________________________________________
When are you most available to help? Season: _____ Summer Day :
____ Mon.
Time:
_____ Morning
_____ Fall
____ Tues.
_____ Winter
____ Wed.
_____ Afternoon
_____ Spring
____ Thurs. _____Evening
____ Fr.
____Sat. ____ Sun.
Parents Can Help in Our 4-H Club Program TO GAIN PARENTS’ COOPERATION:
Visit the parents of all your members. Ask parents to help. Praise and give thanks freely. Help members to entertain parents. Talk with the parents about 4-H work.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO:
Hold meetings in their homes. Help with project work. Serve on committees to help plan and conduct events. Share special talents and skills. Encourage record keeping. Help members get to meetings and events. Help members select, finance, and manage projects. Help secure other qualified adults to assist with products and activities. Attend 4-H meetings and events.
PARENTS CAN RECEIVE SATISFACTION AS THEY:
See children grow from 4-H experiences. Learn new skills and knowledge. Meet new friends and families. Contribute to the growth of others.
METHODS TO RECOGNIZE PARENTS:
Give praise and say thank you. Provide public recognition of parents’ efforts. Have a special event for parents. Encourage members to recognize parents’ efforts. Include parents in 4-H news stories.
USING PARENT’S SKILLS:
Supplements your abilities. Provides varied and enriching activities. Gives parents an opportunity to help in all phases of the program. Gives parents an opportunity to learn about 4-H.
LEADERS NEED TO KNOW:
Physical and mental limitations and capabilities. Social or religious habits which might influence programs. Special abilities and interests. Family situation. Other demands on the members’ time.
INFORM PARENTS + ASK PARENTS = PARENT COOPERATION
Issue Number Two
In This Issue Welcome Involve Parents Submit your answer for credit for Session Two
WELCOME to 4-H Session 2 - Involve Parents Everyone benefits when parents are involved in the 4-H club program, parents should assist at club meetings on a rotating basis: 4-H members need their own parents' support and encouragement to attend meetings, complete projects and fulfill responsibilities to the club. Parents have an opportunity to spend time with their child(ren), and enjoy activities together. In many ways, 4-H is a "partner in parenting". 4-H leaders have a lot to juggle. Being able to delegate some of those responsibilities, even the smallest ones, can be a huge help. The community benefits when families support community-minded organizations like 4-H. Involved families are more knowledgeable about community issues and therefore more likely to support community efforts as well.
WELCOME to 4-H Session 2 - Involve Parents Continued Keep these benefits in mind when you invite parents to attend events or to lend a hand - it is in their own best interest to say "YES!" But, how, when and who do you as k? Here are some suggestions: 1. Meet with parents at the beginning of each year. This parent meeting may take place before, after, or as part of the club's planning meeting. While members should make the final decisions about their projects and activities, it is important to know early in the year the ways in which parents can support the club program. Consider using an interest survey and/or activity sign-up sheet to encourage commitment and to keep track of everyone's interests and availability. (See Parent’s Participation Survey and Parents Can Help in Our 4-H Club Program at end of this newsletter). 2. Maintain good communication. In order for parents to feel like part of the group, and that they share responsibility for its success, they must be kept informed about the "when, where, and whys" of both the club's activities and the 4-H club program in general. Communicate to parents by updating them at the meetings as well as by emails and phone calls. 3. When you need help: a. Ask an individual, basing your request on that person's interests, skills and abilities. Generic calls for help don't work! b. Be honest and specific about the time commitment and time frame. c. Ask well in advance of when the job needs to be done 4. Express your appreciation appropriately. Regardless of how much or how little a parent does s/he deserves a "thank-you". Whether that is delivered in the form of a phone call, a hand-written note, or public recognition, that may include a certificate or small gift, will depend on what was done and the person's personality - one size does not fit all! And remember - A simple thank-you goes a long way.
These are just a few suggestions to use to get the parents more involved in the club. If you need additional help with parent participation in your club, please contact your 4-H Staff Rep (Ellen, Kathy or Sue) or Marika Rywak at the 4-H office at 344-1234 to arrange a visit with your club.
Please answer the following question and submit for Session 2 credit. Do you feel you have great, good, or poor parent participation in your club currently?
Please email your response to [email protected]
Contact Us
CCE 4-H 18 Seward Avenue, Third Floor Middletown, New York 10940 845.344.1234 Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please contact our office if you have any special needs.
...
Tool L-15
4-H Parent Participation Survey Parents are very important to the success of our 4-H club. In addition to the support and encouragement you give to your own child, each of you has special skills and talents that can benefit the whole group. We would like to involve you in ways that best fit your interests and schedules. Please help us by completing this survey. One of the leaders will call you to schedule your participation.
4-H member’s name______________________________________________________________ Name of parent/guardian_________________________________ Phone___________________
In what way(s) might you be able to help our 4-H club? Please check all possibilities. _____ Teach a project. What type of subject matter?__________________________________________ _____ Teach a Cloverbud activity. _____ Coordinate our club members’ participation in a county 4-H activity. Which one?_____________ _____ Assist with a club community service activity. _____ Help members (one or more) prepare their public presentations. _____ Assist with fundraising. _____ Provide transportation to one or more 4-H activities. _____ Chaperone a 4-H trip. _____ Provide general assistance at one or more club or project meetings. _____ Provide refreshments for one or more club meetings.
In which 4-H program area(s) do you have the greatest interest? _____ Citizenship & Civic Education
_____ Healthy Lifestyles
_____ Communications & Expressive Arts
_____ Personal Development & Leadership
_____ Consumer & Family Science
_____ Plants & Animals
_____ Environment & Earth Science
_____ Science & Technology
(over)
Tool L-15 What personal interests or hobbies would you be willing to share with 4-H members? _____________________________________________________________________________________
When are you most available to help? Season: _____ Summer Day :
____ Mon.
Time:
_____ Morning
_____ Fall
____ Tues.
_____ Winter
____ Wed.
_____ Afternoon
_____ Spring
____ Thurs. _____Evening
____ Fr.
____Sat. ____ Sun.
Parents Can Help in Our 4-H Club Program TO GAIN PARENTS’ COOPERATION:
Visit the parents of all your members. Ask parents to help. Praise and give thanks freely. Help members to entertain parents. Talk with the parents about 4-H work.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO:
Hold meetings in their homes. Help with project work. Serve on committees to help plan and conduct events. Share special talents and skills. Encourage record keeping. Help members get to meetings and events. Help members select, finance, and manage projects. Help secure other qualified adults to assist with products and activities. Attend 4-H meetings and events.
PARENTS CAN RECEIVE SATISFACTION AS THEY:
See children grow from 4-H experiences. Learn new skills and knowledge. Meet new friends and families. Contribute to the growth of others.
METHODS TO RECOGNIZE PARENTS:
Give praise and say thank you. Provide public recognition of parents’ efforts. Have a special event for parents. Encourage members to recognize parents’ efforts. Include parents in 4-H news stories.
USING PARENT’S SKILLS:
Supplements your abilities. Provides varied and enriching activities. Gives parents an opportunity to help in all phases of the program. Gives parents an opportunity to learn about 4-H.
LEADERS NEED TO KNOW:
Physical and mental limitations and capabilities. Social or religious habits which might influence programs. Special abilities and interests. Family situation. Other demands on the members’ time.
INFORM PARENTS + ASK PARENTS = PARENT COOPERATION
