Leadership - Board of Directors

The Lincoln County 4-H Leaders’ Association, Inc. is composed of all enrolled adult leaders and older youth (8th grade and older). The county 4-H Leader organization supports the county 4-H program in the following roles:

Conducts supplemental county level programs for youth
Supports volunteer education
Raise funds and manage a budget to support 4-H Youth Development work
Coordinates county level recognition
Represents 4-H Youth Development to the community
Advocates for 4-H Youth Development
Provides input on new 4-H Youth Development opportunities and youth and volunteer needs

Each year the membership of the Association elects a Board of Directors at their annual meeting held in November. The Board of Directors consists of no less than seven and no more than eleven adult directors and an equal number of youth directors, who are in 8th grade or older in the year of their election. Adult directors serve for two year terms and youth directors serve for one year terms. Members of the Board of Directors make a commitment to the county leaders and 4-H families to serve as a liaison, and act on their behalf in decision-making policies. They usually meet once a month and assist in planning and making decisions for carrying out the 4-H program in Lincoln County.

UW-Extension staff serve as advisor to the Board of Directors, as well as the entire 4-H program. They shall not be a member of the Board of Directors and shall have no voting rights.

Position Description

Purpose:

As a Board of Directors member, you have made a commitment to the county members, leaders and families to serve as a liaison, and act on their behalf in decision-making policies
To advise 4-H Youth Development Agent of the interests and needs of people at the local level and to assist in conducting programs to meet those interests and need

Time Required:

Adult directors hold a two year elective term (approximately four hours per month)
Youth directors hold a one year elective term (approximately four hours per month)

Responsibilities:

Attend each board meeting (usually 11 per year). Youth and adult board members are expected to attend a minimum 6 meetings to be a member of good standing
Assume responsibility to stay informed about current 4-H programs at area club level, county level and district level
Seek ideas from others involved in the 4-H program about their interests and ideas for future directions of those programs
Report to area clubs of the activities for the 4-H program and offer assistance to area clubs when needed
Help 4-H Youth Development Agent and Program Advisor to plan timely, effective program directions that are relevant to the needs of all people within the county
Recruit volunteers from clubs for committees as needed
Advocate 4-H to public and private sector
Set annual budget and calendar for approval at Annual Association meeting
Serve as a member of the 4-H Youth Expansion and Review Committee
Participate in Long-Range Planning and Development
Represent the organization to the public and to private industry

Advisor:

UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent and Program Advisor

Resources:

Guidance from 4-H Youth Development Agent and Program Advisor, other County Extension Agents, and District Leaders
UW-Extension office and materials in 4-H program files
Leaders' Association, Inc. minutes
Club leaders, parents and members
4-H Newsletter (bi-monthly)
Personal skills
Roberts Rules of Order
Former Board members

Qualifications:

Certified 4-H leader for adult directors and enrolled 4-H member in 8th grade or over for youth directors
Knowledge of Community Extension programs
Sensitivity to 4-H member, family and club needs
Ability to set priorities and assume responsibilities
Sensitivity to current needs of youth and families