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DAWSON COUNTY 4-H POLICY

2003-04

MEMBERSHIP & AGES - Any boy or girl may enroll in 4-H if they reach their 9th birthday during the 4-H year which begins October 1 and ends September 30 of the following year. (up to age of 19) Membership enrollment forms are due December 1^st with a final deadline of January 1^st of each year.

CLOVER BUDS -For members younger than 9 years. Cloverbuds are encouraged to be 1st and 2nd graders or 6 years old turning 7 during the 4-H year.(1991)

The Dawson County 4-H Council encourages 4-H'ers to join an organized club. However, member at large status may be granted for the older high school 4-H’ers with the agents and executive committee approval. Members at large are encouraged to give a talk or demonstration at other club meetings and/or county demonstration day. It is also suggested that they attend at least two county functions. (Dec,1989) Members at large are not eligible for the DC 4-H scholarship as this specifies they be in a club.

4-H members applying for out-of-county trips such as Congress and Citizenship Seminar in Helena should be 14 years or older by October 1st of that 4-H year. 4-H members applying for Washington D.C. Focus should be 15 by October 1st of the 4-H year. It is recommended that 4-H’ers applying for junior ambassador should be incoming 10 or 11 graders. (4/17/01)

4-H’ers applying for the livestock or horse judging team for Congress must be 4-H members of clubs within the county they are judging for. Members at large are not eligible to judge. (State rule, 2000)

The junior division includes 4-H'ers younger than 14 and the senior division includes

4-H'ers 14 or older by October 1^st .(fair, demonstration contest, judging contests, etc.)

PROJECTS

June 1st is the deadline for dropping or adding projects for the year.

Record books are expected to be turned in at the end of each 4-H year in order to get credit for completing the year. 4-H members who do not turn in a completed record book will be ineligible to apply for state awards, leadership positions, or any out of county trip or camp. If a record book is not turned in the 4-H’er cannot enroll in that project the following year.

Before a member applies for an award, the journal must be checked by your club leader as to project completeness. An award application sheet should be in the record book listing what award the member is applying for.

FUND RAISING - Dawson County fund raising events for the year shall be our spring fruit sale and the 4-H foodstand at the fair.

Each fruit credit is worth $2 towards camp, clinics, congress, livestock sale expenses, shooting sports, etc. (1996)

DUES - There are no county dues assessed Dawson County 4-H members. The state asks for $5 per member, however the 4-H Council pays this with fruit and foodstand money. Clubs may have dues on their own level. Leader dues are due in January and the 4-H Council usually pays the dues for current leaders which was increased to $5 in 2001.

LITERATURE COSTS - Because of the skyrocketing costs of 4-H literature, each 4-H family will be responsible for paying for their own literature necessary for the year.(2001)

TRANSPORTATION - The Dawson County 4-H Council will pay 35 cents per mile for 4-H related trips on a county basis. Three or more 4-H’ers or leaders must be involved. (April, 2002) If only one or two go, then the 1/3 and 2/3 state policy will apply.

Mileage memo: Mileage reimbursement will be paid for two trips for project clinics, workshops or contests per year. (on a county basis) Only one trip over 200 miles will be paid for. Congress is not included in the two trips. (More trips may be taken, but county funds will not be involved)

TRIPS - Because there is usually a cost involved in an out of county trip or camp and because some of the people are not able to fullfill their obligation of going, there will be a deposit required for some trips and if the member attends the trip, the deposit will be returned. If no deposit is requested and if for some reason they are unable to go and there is a cost involved, the individual will be responsible for whatever fee is not refunded.(1997)

Participants are expected to follow guidelines and codes of conducts for all trips. Failure to comply may result in being sent home at their own expense and the member may not be eligible for future trips.

MISCELLANEOUS - The 4-H Council will pay $10 to each club for a window display for 4-H week or other promotion and $10 per club for 4-H floats in parades throughout the year.(1991)

Demonstration and public speaking prizes (if no sponsors) will be $10-blue, $8-red, $5-white.(1992)

As long as the project records are complete, the project will be counted as completed. It is not necessary to show projects at the fair. Indoor projects may be brought to the fair by someone else if the member is unable to attend for some good reason.

Reviewed & revised 11/03

4-H Code of Ethics

All 4-H members and their families are expected to conduct themselves in a positive, honest, sportsmanlike manner during all 4-H shows and activities. Losing gracefully is just as important as winning humbly. The following practices are prohibited:

1.) Unsportsmanlike conduct such as abusive language to show officials, other exhibitors or spectators is prohibited.

2.) Criticizing or interfering with judges, show officials, other exhibitors or spectators while at the fair or any 4-H activity may result in an individual or group being asked to leave and/or being prohibited from further participation in the 4-H activity or fair.

VIOLATIONS:

Any violation of 4-H rules and regulations may result in forfeiture of participation in county 4-H activities up to and including expulsion from or probation from Dawson County 4-H Activities. Probation, disqualification, expulsion or other disciplinary action will require application for readmission under such terms as the 4-H Council may prescribe before the individual is allowed to participate in future 4-H activities. The Dawson County 4-H Council reserves the right to interpret rules and regulations and arbitrarily settle all differences and questions.