4-H Policies

1. The policies of Wyoming 4-H are established and supported by the University of Wyoming Extension. There are no policies established at the national 4-H level.
2. Wyoming 4-H is open to all residents of Wyoming without regard to the participant’s race, religion, color, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age, veteran’s status, medical condition, or citizenship.
3. The 4-H educator is responsible for ensuring that all efforts bearing the 4-H name and emblem are consistent with the mission, goals, and policies of the Wyoming 4-H Program and the National 4-H Program.

Wyoming 4-H Club Philosophy

1. Enrollment
   1. The Wyoming 4-H membership year is defined as October 1 – September 30.
   2. The Wyoming 4-H Youth Development Program has a policy of open enrollment. Eligible youth may enroll in Wyoming 4-H Youth Development Programs at any time of the year. Counties may establish reasonable deadlines for participation when those deadlines are needed to ensure educational integrity and/or safety.
   3. Youth ages 5-18 as of January 1 of the current 4-H are eligible to enroll in the Wyoming 4-H Youth Development Program. Youth 5-7 can participate in 4-H as Cloverbuds and can only enroll in the Cloverbud project. Youth 8-18 will participate as 4-H members in any project offered by Wyoming 4-H.
   4. Youth with differing developmental abilities may enroll in 4-H after the age of 18 with approval of the 4-H educator in consultation with the State 4-H Office.
2. Participation
   1. Youth may not hold 4-H membership in more than one county or state at the same time.
   2. The parent/legal guardian of youth members must agree to the Wyoming 4-H Code of Conduct, General Authorization, Statement of Assumed Risk, Publicity and Communications Release, Transportation Release, and the Authorization of Care. This is done through the 4-H online enrollment process.

1. The University of Wyoming Extension grants 4-H Club Charters, which formally recognize a club’s affiliation with 4-H and grant that club the permission to use the 4-H name and emblem. To be a 4-H club, the following requirements must be met and maintained:
   1. Authorized club name.
   2. Five or more youth from at least two families.
   3. Adult leadership that has been approved through the volunteer certification process.
   4. Youth involvement in leadership and decision-making
   5. A calendar of planned educational activities. For positive youth development to occur, it is recommended that a club meet at least 6 time per year.
   6. Educational plan which meets the mission and values of the 4-H program.
   7. Adopt and adhere to the information in the document Writing Club Operating Guidelines 
      and use the Club Operating Guidelines Template
       
2. Clubs may set a maximum number for membership under the guidance of the UW 4-H Educator.

1. If a 4-H entity sponsors a public event, 4-H safety requirements apply for all participants.
2. All enrolled 4-H members and volunteers receive accident/illness insurance through a limited group policy.
3. Youth participating in activities that could be considered high-risk as part of the Wyoming 4-H program are encouraged to wear approved helmets and other safety equipment. Per the W.S. 1-1-121 (1994)- Recreation Safety Act, youth and adults choose to participate in these activities at their own risk.

1. Name and Emblem Protection
   1. It is the responsibility of the University of Wyoming Extension director and state 4-H program leader to authorize use of the 4-H name and emblem in partnership with the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture. These responsibilities include:
      1. Keeping records of all 4-H clubs/groups that have authority to use the 4-H name and emblem, including club/group name, EIN, and associated bank accounts.
      2. Granting permission to use the 4-H name and emblem. This responsibility is typically given to UW 4-H educators under the direction of the State 4-H Program leader.
      3. Reviewing each 4-H club/group activities to determine that it meets the particular 4-H objective for which it was established
      4. Providing a charter certificate or letter of authorizing the club/group to carry out a program of youth activities using the 4-H name and emblem.
2. 4-H Program Financial Oversight
   1. The UW 4-H Educator has oversight authority on all 4-H financial accounts.
   2. An annual county 4-H program budget will be prepared by the UW 4-H Educator in conjunction with 4-H committee chairs, coaches, and/or group leaders with a county-wide programmatic focus.
   3. The UW 4-H Educator will share the county 4-H budget with the State 4-H Office for review and file.
3. Management of 4-H Clubs and Groups (Teams, Groups, or Councils, Committees) Bank Accounts
   1. All accounts associated with the 4-H program must have a unique employer identification number (EIN) linked to the University of Wyoming’s Group Exemption Number (GEN).
      1. Request for EINs should be made through the UW 4-H educator (Use form SS-4 from the IRS to obtain an EIN for 4-H accounts).
      2. All accounts and the associated EIN must be filed with the county 4-H extension office.
      3. Social Security numbers should never be used on 4-H accounts.
   2. All 4-H accounts need to have a minimum of 4 active signers, with two being UW Extension employees (signatory authorities) and 2+ active members and/or volunteers of the club/group. If a bank will not allow a 4-H member to be a signer on the account, another screened volunteer in the club should serve as the second signature.
   3. 4-H clubs/group are to notify the bank immediately of any changes to accounts signers or person authorized to withdraw money from the account.

4-H is a single program of the University of Wyoming Extension. As such, counties may only have policies regarding the following:

1. County recognition – creation, selection, and distribution of awards and scholarships.
2. Activities and events – participation, parameters, and deadlines.
3. Distribution of monies – establish and communicate criteria.
4. County representation at state and national 4-H events – establish and communicate selection criteria.
5. Fees for membership – to cover costs associated with membership including but not limited to accident/illness insurance, programming fees, and curriculum costs.

To read the complete Wyoming 4-H Policy Manual please follow this link: Wyoming 4-H Policy Manual

• Member Code of Conduct
• Volunteer Code of Conduct