Strategies for Creating Belonging in 4-H

1. Warm Welcomes & Introductions

• Greet every member and family by name when they arrive.

• Pair new members with a “buddy” who helps them learn the ropes.

• Start meetings with fun icebreakers so everyone feels included.

2. Inclusive Meeting Practices

• Make sure all voices are heard—use round-robin sharing or small group activities.

• Rotate responsibilities (pledge leaders, snack helpers, activity leads) so everyone contributes.

• Use group norms that value respect, kindness, and listening.

3. Celebrate Individual Strengths

• Recognize both big and small achievements (not just awards, but effort and growth).

• Encourage members to share talents, hobbies, or cultural traditions with the club.

• Spotlight members in newsletters, social media, or during meetings.

4. Family Engagement

• Invite parents and guardians to participate in projects, outings, or as guest speakers.

• Offer flexible volunteer opportunities so all families can contribute.

• Host family nights or potlucks where everyone connects socially.

5. Create Safe & Supportive Spaces

• Set clear expectations for respect and inclusion (no bullying, everyone valued).

• Encourage positive feedback among members.

• Train youth leaders to notice when someone is left out and bring them in.

6. Build Traditions & Memories Together

• Have rituals (e.g., opening with the pledge, closing with a cheer).

• Celebrate milestones—birthdays, project completions, or years in 4-H.

• Create a club scrapbook, banner, or photo board to highlight shared experiences.

Redwood 4-H Club Group Norms

One Mic One Voice - Respect each other, listen when others are talking, no interrupting, and value everyone’s ideas.

Be Inclusive – Encourage and welcome all voices, making sure everyone feels they belong.

Come Prepared & Participate – Bring needed materials, be ready to contribute, and stay engaged.

Share Responsibility – Officers lead the meetings, but all members help with planning, projects, and activities.

Be Accountable – Follow through on commitments and let the group know if you need help.

Positive Attitude – Support one another, celebrate successes, and handle challenges respectfully.

Practice the 4-H Pledge – Lead with head, heart, hands, and health in all we do.

Leader Resources

Positive Youth Development
4-H is designed to support the positive and successful development of all youth. 4-H volunteer leaders are essential partners in creating a positive environment by focusing on the strengths of youth and providing positive ways for youth to meet their basic needs. http://4h.ucanr.edu/About/Mission/

Youth-Adult Partnerships
Youth-adult partnerships are shown to be one of the most effective ways to engage both youth and adults in meaningful activities which contribute to positive youth development. http://4h.ucanr.edu/About/Framework/YAP/

4-H Record Book
Most projects encourage 4-H members to record their learning experiences with the Annual Project Report. http://ucanr.edu/sites/uc4-h/resources/members/recordbook/ 

For Adult 4-H Volunteer Leaders

Project Leaders Digest http://ucanr.edu/sites/uc4-h/resources/volunteers/projectleaders/

Safety

Safety is an important consideration in all 4-H projects. Please review the Clover Safety Fact Sheets. http://safety.ucanr.edu/4-H_Resources/

4-H Curriculum

Curriculum is available at: ANR Publications (http://4h.ucanr.edu/Resources/Curriculum/) and National 4-H Mall (http://www.4-hmall.org/Curriculum.aspx).

4-H Project Sheets

The 4-H project sheets are a guide for 4-H project leaders to develop their projects with meaningful content. 4-H youth and their families may use this list to find projects they might be interested in. For a brief description of each 4-H project, please see the list of California 4-H Projects (PDF).

California 4-H Project Sheets inspired by Iowa State University 4-H Project Hot Sheets.