Georgia 4-H’ers and their parents/guardians sign the Georgia 4-H Code of Conduct prior to participating in 4-H Activities and Events off the 4- H’ers school campus. This document is valid for one year and includes the minimum standard for behavior. As outlined in the Code, 4- H’ers are expected to exhibit positive character and behavior including (but not limited to) trustworthiness, responsibility, respectfulness, caring, citizenship and fairness.

The 4-H Code of Conduct should be reviewed for the entire group prior to the beginning of a 4-H activity or event. This includes not only consequences of misbehavior but also expected behavior.

Violations of the Code of Conduct

If a 4-H’er is suspected of being in violation of the 4-H Code of Conduct, the 4-H event coordinator should be contacted to assist the leaders with the review process. Leaders must insure throughout the process that the rights of the young person are observed. Leaders are not to invade a 4-H’ers right to privacy or due process in determining offenses.

A 4-H Review Board may be called when an infraction has been noted. The review board serves to:
1. Determine whether a violation has occurred
2.  If there is a violation, what disciplinary action should be taken

The 4-H event coordinator or Program Development Coordinator will call the review board as necessary or at the request of a 4-H’er. In the case of a county 4-H activity, the county Extension agent or Extension individual coordinating the event may call the board. A review board will consist of one Extension faculty or staff member, two volunteers and three 4-H members. The Extension faculty member coordinating the event will serve as or appoint a Coordinator of the Review Board.

Orienting & Conducting the Review Board

The Review Board Coordinator will:

• Inform the Board and those in question of the purpose of the Review Board called
• Direct everyone participating in the process to treat the matter as confidential
• Appoint a recorder to document the Review Board Proceedings and the discussion of the Board following the proceedings
• Advise members of the suspected infraction
• Provide opportunity for each person involved to present his/her recollection of the events and allow for additional individuals to be included to the process as needed
• Permit Board members to ask questions and call for additional information
• Insure that persons not essential are excluded from the review. Witnesses may only be present in the review board room during their own testimony
• Complete any necessary paperwork relative to the conclusion of the board

Reaching a Determination

When all parties have provided their recollection of the events and the Board has no further questions, the Board will work together to determine whether the 4-H’ers are in violation of the Code of Conduct and what disciplinary action, in keeping with the guidelines for the Code of Conduct, should be taken.
Once a determination has been reached through discussion and vote, the Review Board Coordinator and one member of the Board should present to each of the 4-H’ers found in violation the findings of the board as well as any consequences for the actions. Additionally, the Coordinator should discuss the appeal procedures.
Following the review process, the Review Board coordinator will make a written record of the event prior to the proceedings, the proceedings as well as the consequences recommended. The record should be kept on file with the event information and a copy sent to the local staff member coordinating 4-H.

The Appeal Process

If a 4-H’er wishes to appeal the decision of the review board, the 4-H’er must appeal in writing through the County Extension office. Appeals must be filed within 10 days of notification of the disciplinary action from the 4-H Review Board. The appeal is sent to the Program Development Coordinator of the 4-H member and the State 4-H Leader. If the district and state 4-H staff cannot resolve the matter, an appeal board will meet within 30 days of the 4-H’ers request. The appeal board will consist of one Extension worker, two volunteers and three 4-H members. Following any disciplinary action from a 4-H Review Board, the person coordinating the activity must provide written notification concerning the action to the 4-H’ers parent/guardian, the county Extension faculty and the 4-H Program Development Coordinator.

 

 

Determine the Purpose

• Set criteria for the scholarship. Will it be a need-based scholarship or a merit-based scholarship or a combination or both?  A request for financial information is appropriate only on a need-based scholarship. Subjective terms such as “active 4-H’er” should be defined so that the applicants are aware of the scholarship’s requirements.

• Write the criteria and ask others to review it. Does it make sense?  Is it objective and not subjective?  Does it accomplish what the donors of the scholarship money want it to accomplish?

• Write the application. Does the application reflect the information you need to collect based on the criteria?

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• Scholarships must be advertised to everyone who is eligible to apply for that scholarship. Examples could include:

1. A scholarship for graduating seniors who have been active 4-H’ers. This should be advertised to all graduating seniors in 4-H.  Active should be defined in the criteria prior to advertising the scholarship.

2. A camp scholarship for 5^th In your newsletter or camp promotional materials that are given to everyone eligible for camp, you could state “There is limited number of camp scholarships available.  If you would like more information on a camp scholarship, please (call the office, come by the 4-H office) before (deadline).”

• Make sure you determine a deadline so you can award money. If a person registers late for camp, or is not part of your usual marketing efforts for camp (example is they attend a school you do not have 4-H meetings because of limited staff), it is OK that the deadline to request information has passed.

• You do not have to give everyone a scholarship application.  You must advertise the availability of scholarship money to everyone that is eligible.

Awarding the Scholarship

• There should be a scholarship selection committee named before scholarships are advertised. This committee should be as diverse as your community and schools. 3-5 people would be appropriate.  You could use members from your Program Development Team, school teachers, or 4-H volunteers.  Do not use parents of students applying for scholarships or parents/coaches who are close to a lot of 4-H’ers in order to avoid conflicts of interests and any appearance of bias.

• Each member of the committee should have an independent vote so they are not persuaded by other members on the team.

• Members should be provided the criteria, be able to spend time reading the applications, and then submit their scores.

Dual Enrollment offers current 4‐H members additional SAFE and Horse Club opportunities that are not available in their home county. In most situations, 4-H youth should compete as members in the county where they attend school or live full time (referred to as home county). In situations where 4‐H’ers would like to enroll in 4‐H in a county other than the home county, a Change of Membership request may be made for positive youth development principles and not for competitive advantage. However, there are situations in which a currently enrolled member of one county may desire to participate in a SAFE (Shooting Awareness Fun Education) or Horse program that is not offered in their primary county of membership.

Policy Points

• Requests for Dual Enrollment Membership are submitted to the state 4‐H office using the Dual Enrollment Membership request form. Please contact your current County Extension Office to access and complete the form. Submit to: ga4hrequest@uga.edu.

• The Georgia 4‐H Membership Review Committee will meet and communicate the decision to both the home county and the county for proposed membership. Dual Enrollment requests should be submitted four weeks prior to a 4‐H’er registering for dual county membership or participating with new county program.

• County 4‐H programs with SAFE and/or Horse clubs are not required to offer Dual Enrollment. Each county 4‐H program will determine if they have space, volunteers and other necessary resources to offer 4‐H members from surrounding counties the opportunity to apply for Dual Enrollment.

• If Dual Enrollment is approved, the 4‐H’er will be required to meet all program rules, requirements and expectations of the additional county program including fees, forms and other participation expectations.

• County Extension staff (Agents, Educators, Program Assistants) from the home county and requested county to be added will sign the form along with the parent/guardian(s) and 4‐H’er. Signatures designate acknowledgement of request. An additional statement may be submitted in regards the request of change.

• When a 4‐H’er is granted dual enrollment, the change is in effect for the duration of the 4‐H’ers career or until a change in circumstances occurs. A change in circumstances occurs when a 4‐H’er moves to a different county or if the home county starts the program for which dual membership was requested. If a 4‐H’er moves to a residence in a different county and that county offers the 4‐H program for which the youth was dually enrolled, the dual enrollment may be terminated. Or, an additional Dual Membership request form may be filed or a “deactivation“ form may be filed, and the 4‐H’er will no longer have dual enrollment.

• Failure to complete (and receive approval for) Dual Enrollment requirements may result in disqualification from participation and/or removal for any and all individual and team awards received while competing without proper approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

If a young person is not a current member of 4‐H in their home county, can the youth apply for Dual Enrollment? No. The young person must first be currently enrolled as a member of 4‐H in their home county before applying for Dual Enrollment.

If a 4‐H’ers home county has a SAFE archery or Horse program, is it ok for the 4‐H’er to apply for Dual Enrollment to join a SAFE archery program in a neighboring county? No. If a 4‐H’ers home county offers the program for which the member is interested, then s/he should follow the procedures required of the home county in order to participate.

If a 4‐H’ers home county does not have a Horse Club but takes care of registration for 4‐H’ers to compete in the State 4‐H Horse Show, is the 4‐H’er still required to have dual enrollment in a county with a Horse Club? No, if the 4‐H’er can participate in horse activities in their home county, there is no need to apply for dual enrollment.

If a 4‐H’er is involved in forestry and project achievement in their home county but joins a Horse Club in a neighboring county, what paperwork does each county need? The 4‐H’er must be enrolled in both counties. Both counties (home county and county where dually enrolled) need all forms required for any activity/contest/competition for which they register the 4‐H’er.

Who is on the Dual Enrollment or Change in Membership Committee? The committees are selected to include a 4‐H Program Development Coordinator and two members of state 4‐H staff with at least one having an expertise in an area the 4‐H’er has interest in participating. In the case of the change being across district lines, both 4‐H PDC’s serve and one state staff member.

I moved in the middle of the 4‐H year. Do I need a change in membership to finish out the year in my former counties where I was dually enrolled? 4‐H’ers who have begun competing in their county of residence and then move or change schools may remain in the former county for the duration of that 4‐H year without a form on file. However, if s/he would like to remain in the former county after August 1, a change in membership is needed first, then dual enrollment may be considered.

I competed in a 4‐H contest in August with my home county. The county where I go to school has a SAFE Team or Horse Club I want to compete with now. Can I do both? Yes, but only if the Dual Enrollment request has been approved.

If my county 4‐H program starts a SAFE program or Horse Club, will the 4‐H’ers who are dually enrolled be required to deactivate membership from the second county of membership? Deactivation from the second county and participating in the home county’s SAFE or Horse program is preferred. County staff members in those counties will consult with PDCs and state 4‐H staff for guidance.

Is it ok for a parent to become a SAFE or Horse program volunteer in the county their child is dually enrolled? Yes. An adult’s volunteer certification can be shared with any county 4‐H program in Georgia. However, it is highly encouraged that the parent serves as a volunteer in both counties. County 4‐H staff in both counties should agree on their expectations for youth and volunteers.

I have never had a Change in Membership form and have always competed in “Clover” County even though I don’t live there now or go to school there. I don’t do any other 4‐H activities. Why do I need to do a new form?
Change in membership forms have been required for several years and from the situation described, you should have completed a Change in Membership prior to participation after you moved. In order to continue to participate in “Clover” County you will need to complete a Change of Membership request.

What if I am a Florida (or South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama) 4‐H’er in a county that neighbors a Georgia County, can I enroll in Georgia 4‐H? If you attend school in Georgia, it is like any other 4‐H’er who lives in one county and attends school in one county. You can pick the county to compete in. If you do not live or go to school in a Georgia county, you will follow the Change in Membership and Dual Enrollment guidelines like any other 4‐H’er.

What if I have a SAFE and/or Horse program in my county, but my head coach(es) and I do not wish to take on 4‐H’ers from other counties. Is my county required to offer Dual Enrollment? No. Each county with SAFE and Horse programs will choose whether or not they have space to add 4‐H’ers from surrounding counties.

Georgia 4-H assigns youth as members of 4‐H in the county where they attend school or live full time (referred to as home county). In situations where 4‐H’ers would like to enroll in 4‐H in a county other than the home county, the request should be made for positive youth development principles and not for competitive advantage.

Policy Points

• Requests for Change in Membership are submitted to the Georgia State 4‐H Office using the Change in 4‐H Membership form. Please contact your current County Extension Office to access and complete the form. Submit fully completed forms to ga4hrequest@uga.edu.

• The Georgia 4‐H Membership Review Committee will meet and communicate the decision to both the home county and the county for proposed membership. Change in membership should be submitted four weeks prior to a 4‐H’er registering for competition with the county of proposed change. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

• County Extension staff (Agents, Educators, Program Assistants) from the home county and requested change county are required to sign the form along with the parent/guardian(s) and 4‐H’er. Signatures designate acknowledgement of request. An additional statement may be submitted in regards the request of change.

• When a 4‐H’er is granted a change in membership, the change is in effect for the duration of the 4‐H’ers career or until a change in circumstances occurs. A change in circumstances occurs when a 4‐ H’er moves to a residence or school in a different county. If a 4‐H’er moves to a residence or school in a different county, an additional Change in Membership form may be filed or a “deactivation“ form may be filed and the 4‐H’er will be a member of their new home county.

• Failure to complete (and receive approval for) Change in Membership requirements may result in disqualification from participation and/or removal for any and all individual and team awards received while competing without proper approval.

• 4‐H’ers may not request a change in membership during the 4‐H year if the 4‐H’er has already competed with the home county. Change in membership in a 4‐H year once competition has taken place can only occur if a 4‐H’er changes residence or school during that year.

• Keep in Mind: A change of membership approval does not guarantee space is available in the specialty club you would like to participate. Also, registration may have already occurred and will preclude you from participating that year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Change in Membership Committee? The committee is selected to include a 4‐H Program Development Coordinator and two members of state 4‐H staff with at least one having an expertise in an area the 4‐H’er has been participating in. In the case of the change being across district lines, both 4‐H PDC’s serve and one state staff member.

I moved in the middle of the 4‐H year. Do I need a change in membership to finish out the year in my former home county? 4‐H’ers who have begun competing in their county of residence and then move residence (or schools) may remain in the former county for the duration of that 4‐H year without a form on file. However, if s/he would like to remain in the former county after August 1, a change in membership is needed.

I competed in a 4‐H contest in August with my home county. The county where I go to school has a judging team I want to compete on now. Can I do both? No. Once you have competed with a county, you are required to finish the 4‐H year with that county unless you change county of residence or county of school enrollment. The other judging team may let you practice with them but you will have to enter as your home county where you have already competed.

I won state with my 4‐H Pizza making team in May and we are going to a National Contest in October. I wanted to apply to change my membership to another county for the next year but does that mean I can’t do the national contest? Since the national event is an extension of an award in May, you can apply to change your membership effective August 1st without penalty.

I am a homeschool student. I attend home school programs in a neighboring county. Can the neighboring county be a home county? If your home school program is an organized school that meets regularly at a location and operates continually at the location (not just for the purpose of 4‐H meetings) it may qualify as your school county.

I have never had a Change in Membership form and have always competed in Cupid County even though I don’t live there now or go to school there. Why do I need to do a new form? Change in membership forms have been required for several years and from the situation described you should have completed a Change in Membership form each year of participation. In order to continue to participate in Cupid County you will need a change in membership form.

What if I am a Florida (or South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama) 4‐H’er in a county that neighbors a Georgia County, can I enroll in Georgia 4‐H? If you attend school in Georgia, it is like any other 4‐H’er who lives in one county and attends school in one county. You can pick the county to compete in. If youdo not live or go to school in a Georgia county, you will follow the Change in Membership guidelines like any other 4‐H’er.

What is Wildlife Judging?

Wildlife Judging is a 4-H contest that challenges youth in grades 4-12 to learn about Georgia wildlife species and habitat management practices for conservation success. Youth participating in the Georgia 4-H Wildlife Judging contest will be able to identify and describe characteristics of common wildlife species of Georgia and select best management practices for given scenarios and sites. Georgia is one of the most biologically rich states in the nation, ranking 2nd in amphibian species, 3rd in freshwater fish species, and 7th in reptile species.

Overview of a Wildlife Judging Contest

The contest is divided into 3 activities. All activities (except 3-A) are completed and scored individually.

Activity 1-A: Written Knowledge Test: Youth will be given a multiple choice test about wildlife material (vocabulary words, terms, concepts, etc.)

Activity 1-B: Specimen Identification: Youth will be provided wildlife specimens (furs, skulls, tracks, feathers, etc.) and will identify the species.

Activity 2: Wildlife Management Practices: Youth will survey an outdoor site and provide different wildlife management practices for different species based on a scenario.

Activity 3-A: Wildlife Management Plan: Youth will work in teams to develop a management plan for 1 or 2 wildlife species after surveying an outdoor site and learning about the land use goals.

Activity 3-B*: Oral Defense of Wildlife Management Plan: After creating their plan, youth will individually answer broad, pre-determined questions about the plan they developed to a judge panel. *Only occurs at the state contest

A pre-determined list of species is outlined in the Georgia 4-H Wildlife Judging Contest Guidelines.

Junior competitors learn information about 10 wildlife species. Senior competitors learn information about 22 wildlife species.

The contest is divided into a Junior Division for grades 4-8 and a Senior Division for grade 9-12.

Youth will be trained in wildlife-related content under the direction of a Certified Wildlife Judging Coach.

The current version of the Georgia 4-H Wildlife Judging Contest Guidelines provides information for the contest procedures and rules.

Considerations for 4-H Staff

A team is comprised of a minimum of 3 youth from the same county in the same division.

Counties can designate up to 5 teams per division. This is important because one activity during the contest is a team-based activity where youth work together to create a written management plan.

Counties cannot mix grade divisions to comprise a team. Counties with fewer than 3 youth per division will have these youth assigned to an at-large wild card team. These youth will compete as individuals and eligible for all individual awards.

For the Georgia 4-H Wildlife Judging contest, only the Southeast Mixed and Outer Coastal Plain Forest ecoregion (as defined in the national Wildlife Habitat Education Program manual) is used. The Wetlands and Urban descriptions are not applicable to the Georgia 4-H contest.

Preparation Ideas for Coaches

Each coach can determine the number of practices held during the judging season. Ideal practices last 1-2 hours. Some teams choose to practice multiple times a week for a few months prior to the contest while other teams meet year-round. It’s important to remember that weather and seasonal changes (i.e. deciduous trees without leaves) can affect outdoor learning spaces.

Practices should include outdoor sites (for Activity 2 and 3) and classroom lessons. Many concepts that are included in Activity 1-A can be viewed in outdoor settings. Students learn best through active experiences – consider including outdoor recreation activities like hiking, fishing, etc., as part of a practice session.

Teams are encouraged to gather wildlife specimens and use supplemental photographs as needed. 3-D printed replicas are also viable and inexpensive options. Georgia law prohibits keeping most native wildlife species as pets. The law also generally prohibits possessing parts of protected non-game wildlife, such as tortoise shells. For information about the special permits needed to exhibit wildlife for educational purposes, contact the Georgia DNR Special Permits Unit.

Senior youth may feel intimidated when learning to present their oral defense of the management plan for evaluation. Have youth first practice answering the questions to a peer before sharing responses with an adult.

A great way for older, experienced youth to assist at practices is to have them co-develop the scenarios for Activity 2 and 3.

Remember to infuse fun into this experience! Not every practice has to directly relate to the content that is part of the contest. For example, consider building bird feeders and bee hotels or creating wildlife art during a practice.

There are many state agencies and resources that would likely be willing to assist with coaching, serve as a speaker, offer tours, etc. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Georgia Forestry Commission have employees who assist with public education and outreach efforts. Additionally, DNR Wildlife Management Areas, Public Fishing Areas, Hatcheries, Education Centers, and State Parks and Historic Sites are all places that would be great for site evaluation.

Recommended Resources

National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP): https://www.whep.org/

Georgia 4-H Wildlife Judging: https://georgia4h.org/wildlife

Georgia 4-H Wildlife Resources: https://georgia4h.org/wildliferesources

Contact

Kasey Bozeman, State 4-H Science Specialist

Dr. Michael Kohl, Associate Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist