General Resources

Code of Ethics

Georgia 4-H Code of Ethics for Adults Working with Youth

A successful Georgia 4-H program must promote life skills development and be presented in a safe, intellectually competent way while instilling 4-H values through instruction and mentorship. Adult leaders, paid or unpaid, provide high-quality opportunities for youth to thrive by offering programming that allows challenge and discovery, growth mindset, hopeful purpose, pro-social orientation, transcendent awareness, positive emotionality, and self-regulation through goal setting and management (read more about 4-H Thriving Model here: https://helping-youth/thrive.extension.org/home/).

As an adult leader working with 4-H youth:
• I will respect the participants, other leaders, and property associated with the 4-H program.
• I will set a good example as a mentor and role model for 4-H youth and other leaders.
• I will provide ethical and supportive assistance to youth as they prepare and complete their projects, promoting 4-H’er independence to complete their own work.
The 4-H’er will do their own work on projects including, but not limited to: portfolios, speeches, competitive events, and show animals.
Any materials shared with the youth is for reference and resource purposes only.
• I will prepare youth to properly cite source materials when appropriate, avoid plagiarism, uphold academic integrity, and conduct original work.
• I will teach 4-H’ers to make their own decisions.
• I will promote good sportsmanship, honesty, integrity, responsibility, and fairness.
• I will put the physical, mental, and emotional safety of youth under my supervision at the forefront of my decisions.
• I will respect the dignity of each participant in the 4-H program regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status.

As an adult leader, I will strive to express care, challenge growth, provide support, share power, and expand opportunities for youth.


Revised April 2024. Adapted from the 1999 Georgia 4-H Code of Ethics,
National 4-H Shooting Sports Code of Ethics, and 4-H Thriving Model

Chartering a Club

County 4-H programs receive a charter for the county program. This charter enables counties to use the 4-H Name and Emblem and is a key operational document in the collection of funds. For those programs within a county that are not led and directed by a county Extension staff member, the 4-H club should receive an auxiliary charter indicating that the club is approved and supported by the county Extension program and operating in full compliance with all UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Extension 4-H guidelines.

Chartering is a joint effort of the 4-H club leader and the Extension staff member working with or serving as liaison with the club. Each club with the county Extension office will complete the charter checklist and submit application and supporting documentation in 4-H Enrollment prior to the first club meeting. Clubs should renew charters each year in 4-H Enrollment.