Congratulations! You have been selected to represent your county on the county 4-H Youth Council. Your positive attitude and leadership qualities will assist in the current 4-H youth programs in your county.

Role of the 4-H County Youth Council

The county 4-H Youth Council is a committee appointed by the county 4-H team. The youth council consists of active 4-H members between the ages of 10–18 years old who have at least one year of 4-H experience. The county 4-H Youth Council provides members with an opportunity to develop enhanced citizenship and leadership skills, serve as local 4-H ambassadors, function as youth-client advisors, and leverage 4-H programming with their peers.

Functions and Responsibilities

• Serve as a local 4-H ambassador.
• Empower young people to actively get involved in Alabama 4-H.
• Participate in local county 4-H events by taking on leadership opportunities such as leading the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge.
• Promote local 4-H programs and events.
• Assist the 4-H county team by telling your 4-H story to local 4-H clubs and civic organizations.
• Enhance citizenship and leadership skills by attending or participating in the 4-H Youth Leadership Conference, 4-H Midwinter Retreat, State 4-H Ambassador program, and other leadership and citizenship events.
• Help report the successes of the 4-H program to the community.
• Provide advice to the county 4-H team to create the annual county 4-H Plan-of-Work.

Leadership Role Opportunities

• President
• Vice–President
• Secretary
• Reporter
• View the responsibilities of each officer here.

Program Planning and Evaluation

• Evaluate the 4-H program yearly to help plan future programs and determine activities.
• A variety of program opportunities should be available to all youth.
• Share evaluation results with others who influence continuation of the 4-H program.

Public Relations

• Inform people in the community about the benefits of 4-H program participation.
• Serve in an advocacy role with community leaders and encourage their support of the 4-H program.

Membership and Selection

Factors to consider in forming an effective and efficient committee of youth and adults:

• Youth should be between 10 and 18 years of age.
• Youth Council membership should reflect the demographics of the county they are serving.
• Represent all geographic areas of the county.
• Each member should have at least one year of 4-H experience.
• It is beneficial to recruit 4-H members from in-school clubs, volunteer-led clubs, special interest clubs, etc.

Effective 4-H Youth Councils

• Have clearly defined goals and a purpose that supports the mission of Alabama 4-H.
• Actively promote openness to and acceptance of a diverse range of people.
• Enhance the image of the 4-H program by serving as positive youth role models.
• Provides an opportunity for each member to share and provide input.
• Operates in cooperation, collaboration, and partnership with the county 4-H team.
• Sets and follows an agenda for each meeting.
• Capitalizes on the skills, knowledge, talents, and resources of all of its members.
• Promotes the 4-H program to all potential youth and adult clientele, as well as other stakeholders.
• Maintains open and honest communication among the members and staff.
• Keeps the concern for the physical, social, and emotional well-being of 4-H youth at the forefront of all decisions made.