Dear 4-H Friend:
Thank you for your willingness to serve the
young people and adults who work together in your community to build
healthy support systems for 4-H Youth Development. From 4-H Youth
Development’s earliest beginnings in Washington State we have
been an organization that relies on the goodwill of volunteers and
staff working in partnership with young people to make the 4-H system
effective, efficient, and relevant to youth and their families. The
development of this handbook is an excellent example of the partnership
of volunteers and staff.
Our 4-H mission of growing competent, capable,
and caring citizens is enhanced by the work of County 4-H Councils.
The Council has a critical role to play in program development, implementation,
and evaluation. The Council works for the good of the total 4-H Program
in your county while honoring and respecting each young person who
participates. Throughout the following chapters of this handbook you
will find many details and specifics to assist you in your decision
and planning processes. Your over arching principle in what ever you
do is to ensure that you are contributing to positive youth development.
Washington State 4-H members, parents and
families, professionals, and volunteers are expected to conduct themselves
in a courteous, ethical and respectful manner, and provide a positive
role model for others. All are expected to respect, adhere to, and
consistently enforce the rules, policies, and guidelines established
by their individual county’s 4-H Program, the Washington State
4-H Youth Development Program, and Washington State University Extension.
Youth, parents, volunteers, professionals, and other adults will exercise
ethical decision-making based upon the values of trustworthiness,
respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship.
The County 4-H Council sets the tone for
your county’s 4-H Program and serves as an essential role model
for effective leadership. I commend you for your commitment to the
County Council process and sincerely thank you for your dedication
to our state’s exceptional young people.
Working together we can make Washington a
better place to live – one young life at a time.
Cordially,
Pat BoyEs
State Program Director – 4-H Youth Development
