Constitution & By-Laws of the Georgia 4-H Council
ARTICLE I – NAME AND DEFINITIONS
Section 1
The name of the organization shall be THE GEORGIA 4-H COUNCIL.
Section 2
The Georgia 4-H Council shall be supported by the District 4-H Councils, one in each of the Extension Districts. Each shall bear the name of the district in which it is located, such as “Southwest District 4-H Council.”
Section 3
The Georgia 4-H Council shall also be supported by County 4-H Councils, one in each of 159 counties, each bearing the name of the County in which it is organized, such as “Clarke County 4-H Council.”
Section 4
The following terms shall have the meaning stated with such term:
- State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H shall mean the administrator and program leader of The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Service 4-H/Youth.
- 4-H Staff shall mean the professional staff persons of The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences/Cooperative Extension Service whose responsibility it is to direct the 4-H Club activities at the County level
- Program Development Coordinator shall mean the professional staff person of The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Service 4-H/Youth whose responsibility it is to direct the 4-H Club activities at the District level.
- Executive Committees at the county, district, and state levels ensure youth voice informs decisions regarding 4-H programming.
- Executive Committees consist of:
State: State Board, the District Presidents, the State Board Volunteer Advisor(s) and the State 4-H Leader/Director, and State 4-H Faculty/Staff Advisor(s) of State Board.
District: District Board members, District Adult Volunteer Advisors, the Program Development Coordinator, and the State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H.
County: County Board, County 4-H Staff Member(s), and County Adult Volunteer Advisors if applicable.
- Senior 4-H’ers shall mean a 4-H Club member in the 9th – 12th grade as defined in the Georgia 4-H Eligibility Guidelines.
- Junior 4-H’ers shall mean a 4-H Club member in the 7th and 8th grade as defined in the Georgia 4-H Eligibility Guidelines.
- Voting Delegate shall mean a 4-H Club member attending a Council meeting at any level that has been selected to vote for the officers and directors.
- Non-Voting Delegate shall mean a 4-H Club member attending a Council meeting at any level that has not been selected to be a Voting Delegate.
- State Board shall mean the officers and directors elected by the Georgia 4-H Council.
- State Board Volunteer Advisors shall mean any volunteer leader(s) appointed by the State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H to advise the State Board.
- District Board shall mean the officers and directors elected by the District 4-H Council.
- 4-H District(s) shall mean the multiple County areas as defined by the State 4-H Faculty and 4-H Staff.
- District Adult Volunteer Advisors shall mean the volunteer leaders appointed by the Program Development Coordinator to advise the District Board.
- District Project Achievement shall mean the annual meeting of 4-H Club members in their respective District for 4-H project competition.
- Local 4-H Club shall mean the various 4-H Clubs within the counties.
- County Board shall mean the officers/directors selected to govern the County 4-H Council.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE AND POLICY
Section 1
The purpose of the Georgia 4-H Council is to promote 4-H work in all of its phases in the State of Georgia and to assist the 4-H Staff in developing plans for 4- H work and the execution of these plans in the State, Districts, and Counties.
Section 2
The Georgia 4-H Council, the several subordinate Councils, and the University of Georgia are committed to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. Membership shall be available in accordance with the latest version of the NonDiscrimination Statement used by UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
State
Section 1
Each 4-H District will have a maximum number of voting delegates at the annual Georgia 4-H Council business meeting. The maximum number will be determined by the district with the largest number of counties times 4 votes. For example, if the largest district has 40 counties, the maximum number of votes for all districts if 160 votes. Counties are encouraged to have four (4) Voting Delegates representing the County 4-H Council. The Voting Delegates shall automatically become members of the Georgia 4-H Council. Voting Delegates must be full- time State 4-H Council delegates and currently enrolled in 4-H. Certification of the maximum Voting Delegates shall be the responsibility of the Program Development Coordinator for the 4- H District. To fill the Voting Delegate allocation for the 4-H District, a County 4-H Council may have up to six (6) Non-Voting Delegates who may become Voting Delegates in addition to the four (4) predetermined Voting Delegates. Such additional Voting Delegates must be approved by the Program Development Coordinator for the 4-H district.
Section 2
Members of the State Board and District Boards are members of the Georgia 4-H Council.
Section 3
State Board members and District Board members may be Voting Delegates at the annual Georgia 4- H Council business meeting as representatives of their County 4-H Council.
District
Section 1
Each County shall have a maximum of six Voting Delegates representing the County 4-H Council at the District 4-H Council business meeting held at the Senior District Project Achievement meeting. The Voting Delegates must be Senior 4-H’ers as defined in the Georgia 4-H Eligibility Guidelines, and currently enrolled in 4-H.
Section 2
Members of the District Board shall become members of the Georgia 4-H Council following their election to office and installation to the District Board.
County
Section 1
4-H members serving in any office in a Local 4-H Club may be members of the County 4-H Council.
Section 2
Other 4-H’ers may be eligible to become members of the County 4-H Council as approved by the County Executive Committee as defined in Article IV, County.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
State
Section 1
The Georgia 4-H Council shall be governed by nine-member State Board. The person receiving the highest number of votes will be the President of the Georgia 4-H Council. The person receiving the second most votes will be the Vice President; Each of the 4-H Districts shall elect an individual to represent their 4-H District on the State Board. A State Board member must be a high school 4-H’er as defined by the Georgia 4-H Eligibility Guidelines, is currently enrolled in 4- H and will not graduate during the current calendar year.
Section 2
The State Board members’ term shall follow the Georgia 4-H program year, beginning on August 1 of the current calendar year and ending July 31 of the following calendar year.
Section 3
The State Board members are eligible to serve only one term.
Section 4
The Georgia 4-H Council shall have a State Executive Committee consisting of the State Board, the District Board presidents, the State Board Volunteer Advisors and the State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H.
Section 5
A State Board member is not eligible to be a District Board member while serving as a State Board member.
District
Section 1
The District 4-H Council shall be governed by an eight member District Board. The person receiving the highest number of votes will be the President of the District 4- H Council; the second highest number of votes will be the Vice President. A District Board member must be a Senior 4-H’er as defined by the Georgia 4-H Eligibility Guidelines, is currently enrolled in 4-H and will not graduate during the current calendar year. Other officers of the District Board may be elected from within the District Board as needed.
Section 2
The District Board members’ term shall be from the annual District Board member installation meeting to the next District Board member installation meeting.
Section 3
The District Board members are eligible to serve only one term.
Section 4
The District 4-H Council shall have a District Executive Committee consisting of the District Board members, District Adult Volunteer Advisors, the Program Development Coordinator and the State 4- H Leader/Director of 4-H.
Section 5
Junior 4-H’ers may be elected at the discretion of the Program Development Coordinator to serve on a Junior 4-H District Board.
County
Section 1
The County 4-H Council shall be governed by a County Board, consisting of officers/directors selected with advice and consent from 4-H staff.
Section 2
While typical County Boards consist of the President, two Vice Presidents, Secretary, Reporter, Parliamentarian, and 4-H Staff, the exact structure of a County Board and manner of selection shall be determined with advice and consent from 4-H Staff.
Section 3
Project or committee chairpersons should be appointed by the County Board as needed.
Section 4
The County 4-H Council members shall serve a one-year term immediately following their selection. Term limits, if any, shall be determined with advice and consent from 4-H Staff.
ARTICLE V – ELECTION OF BOARDS OF DIRECTORS MEMBERS
State
Section 1
The State Board shall be elected at the regular annual business meeting of the Georgia 4-H Council.
Section 2
Only Voting Delegates may vote.
Section 3
The State Executive Committee shall nominate persons for election to the next State Board.
Section 4
All applicants who meet qualifications outlined in Article IV, State, Section 1, above, qualifications as outlined by the State Executive Committee in the officer candidate application form and are approved by their 4-H Staff will be nominated.
Section 5
Only candidates who have submitted their application by the selected deadline are eligible to seek election to the Georgia 4-H State Board of Directors. Nominations from the floor will not be recognized.
Section 6
Election shall be by secret ballot. All candidates shall run in the state-wide officer election. The five candidates receiving the largest number of votes in the state-wide officer election shall be the State Board officers. A subsequent 4-H District election shall be held in each of the 4-H Districts. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes from within the 4-H District election shall be the State Board member for that 4-H District. Candidates in the 4-H District election must have qualified and run in the state-wide officer election and may only run in the 4-H District in which they are a 4-H member. Run-off elections shall be held as necessary to break a tie.
District
Section 1
The District Board shall be elected at the annual District 4-H Project Achievement meeting.
Section 2
Only Voting Delegates may vote.
Section 3
The District Executive Committee shall nominate persons for election to the next District Board.
Section 4
All qualified persons are eligible for nomination and will be nominated by the District Board.
Section 5
Only candidates who have submitted their application by the selected deadline are eligible to seek election to the Georgia 4-H District Board of Directors. Nominations from the floor will not be recognized.
Section 6
Election shall be by secret ballot. The eight candidates receiving the largest number of votes will be the District Board. Run-off elections shall be held as necessary to break a tie.
Section 7
All applicants who meet the qualifications outlined in Article IV, District, Section 1 above, qualifications as outlined by the District Executive Committee in the candidate application form and are approved by their 4-H Staff will be nominated.
County
Section 1
Officers/Directors of the County 4-H Council shall be selected annually at a time designated with advice and consent from 4-H Staff.
Section 2
The structure of the County Board, requisite qualifications, and manner of selection shall be determined with advice and consent from 4-H Staff.
ARTICLE VI – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
State
Section 1
The President shall preside at all Georgia 4-H Council business meetings, State Executive Committee meetings, appoint committees, and perform usual duties of a presiding officer.
Section 2
The Vice President shall act in the capacity of the President in the absence of the latter or when called to occupy the chair by the President.
Section 3
The members of the State Board shall share the duties of presiding at nonbusiness meetings on a rotating basis.
District
Section 1
The President shall preside at all District 4-H Council business meetings, District Executive Committee meetings, appoint committees and perform usual duties of a presiding officer.
Section 2
The Vice President shall act in the capacity of the President in the absence of the latter or when called to occupy the chair by the President.
Section 3
The members of the District Board shall share the duties of presiding at nonbusiness meetings on a rotating basis.
County
Section 1
While typical County Boards will consist of the President, two Vice Presidents, Secretary, Reporter, Parliamentarian, and 4-H Staff, the exact structure of a County Board and its operation shall be determined with advice and consent from 4-H Staff.
Section 2
If applicable, the President should preside at all County 4-H Council business meetings and County Board meetings, appoint committees and chairpersons, and perform usual duties of a presiding officer.
Section 3
If applicable, the Vice President should act in the capacity of the President in the absence of the latter or when called to occupy the chair of the President.
Section 4
If applicable, the Secretary should keep the minutes of all county meetings, County Executive Committee meetings, reports of various committees, a record of all motions, whether adopted or defeated, and attend to all correspondence.
Section 5
If applicable, the Reporter, with the help and guidance of the 4-H Staff, should regularly contribute news articles of interest from the County 4-H Council to Georgia 4-H Council publications, and contribute regularly to the local county newspaper on county wide events.
Section 6
If applicable, the Parliamentarian should serve in an advisory capacity to the President, hold the assemblage to the order of business and settle all questions concerning Parliamentary Procedure.
Section 7
Additional duties may be assigned, as needed, with advice and consent from 4-H Staff.
ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS
State
Section 1
There shall be one annual Georgia 4-H Council business meeting during the year at a time and place designated by the State Executive Committee.
Section 2
Call meetings may be held on call of the State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H.
Section 3
The program for the annual meeting shall be planned by the State Executive Committee and State 4-H Faculty.
District
Section 1
There shall be at least one annual District 4-H Council business meeting during the year at the time and place of the Senior District 4-H Project Achievement Meeting.
Section 2
Call meetings may be held on the call of the Program Development Coordinator.
Section 3
The program for the annual District 4-H Council business meeting shall be planned by the District Executive Committee. There shall be one leadership training meeting for the District Board members following their election. The time and place shall be determined by the Program Development Coordinator and State 4-H Faculty.
County
Section 1
There should be at least one County 4-H Council business meeting during the year at a time and place designated by the County Board with advice and consent from 4-H Staff.
Section 2
Call meetings may be held on the call of the County Board and 4-H Staff.
Section 3
Programs for regular meetings should be planned by the County Board and 4-H Staff.
ARTICLE VIII – REPORTS
State
The annual report of the President shall be given at the annual Georgia 4-H Council business meeting. This report shall cover the activities of the Georgia 4-H Council.
District
The annual report of the President shall be given at the annual District 4-H Council business meeting. This report shall cover the activities of the District 4-H Councils.
County
The annual report of the County Board shall be given at the annual County 4-H recognition meeting and/or distributed to membership in electronic or printed format. This report should cover the activities of the County 4-H Council.
ARTICLE IX – BY-LAWS
Section 1
The official motto for the several 4-H Councils shall be the National 4-H motto- “To make the best better.”
Section 2
The official colors for the several 4-H Councils shall be green and white.
Section 3
The official emblem for the several 4-H Councils shall be the National 4-H emblem, the green four-leaf clover bearing a white “H” on each leaf and should be used in accordance with policies and regulations set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Section 4
The official pledge for the several 4-H Councils shall be the National 4-H Pledge: I Pledge: My Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living For my Club, my Community, my Country and my World.”
ARTICLE X – RATIFICATION
Section 1
The ratification of a new Constitution and By-laws shall be by a two-thirds majority vote of the Voting Delegates at the annual business meeting of the Georgia 4-H Council, subject to the approval of the State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H.
Section 2
This Constitution and By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Voting Delegates at the annual business meeting of the Georgia 4-H Council, subject to the approval of the State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H.
Section 3
This Constitution and these By-laws shall be effective immediately upon adoption by the voting delegates at the annual business meeting of the Georgia 4-H Council and signature of the Georgia 4-H Council President and the State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H.
Section 4
Conduct and Order of Business: The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised latest edition, shall govern all meetings of the members in all cases to which they are applicable.
This Constitution and these By-laws were duly amended by the Georgia 4-H Council on June 21, 2024, at the Georgia 4-H Council Meeting held at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Eatonton, Georgia.
Signed by:
Melanie Biersmith, State 4-H Leader/Director of 4-H
Thomas Holt, Georgia 4-H Board of Directors President
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (working cooperatively with Fort Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the counties of Georgia) offers its educational programs, assistance, and materials to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action organization.