UGA Extension Office

4-H Service & Leadership

Building community service to become a learning opportunity is an important part of youth development and also complements leadership development to as it demonstrates not only lead by example, but also lead by doing.  Leadership should also encourages public speaking and parliamentary skills. build teamwork, promote group/club spirit and fun. and fellowship with members from other clubs.


4-H meeting

Here is some general information about Paulding County 4-H Clubs: 

I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service. my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world

5th Grade Cloverleaf Classroom Clubs:

  • Meet once a month at each Paulding County elementary school during the school day.
  • About 5th grade 4-H - Slide Show
  • 5th grade classroom club officers are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Reporter, and Community Service Chair, more about the positions

Junior 4-H Clubs (Middle School):

  • Meet once a month during at each Paulding County middle school during MBI time (usually in the morning).
  • The Middle School officers are: President, Vice President, Secretary, Reporter, Community Service Chair
  • 4-H District Officer - NW District Junior Board election is for 7th graders competing in DPA, the term of service is the 8th grade year. It is highly encouraged that 4-H'ers attend other JR events prior to running to meet other 4-H'ers outside of their county (see events and conference page for opportunities as they become available).
  • Southern Leadership Conference - Information about this annual event in Tennessee (8th-12th grade 4-H'ers)
  • Leadership in Action - Georgia 4-H info
    Recognize the work of Junior 4-H'er (7-8) as leaders in their communities. 4-H'ers will identify an issue or need in the community or an issue related to agriculture or the environment. Once this issue or need has been selected, the 4-H'er will determine ways to make a difference and then enact his/her plan. The process focuses on leadership engagement by the 4-H'er.

Senior 4-H Club (High School):

  • Meet once a month, usually the 2nd Wednesday from 4-6pm at the Paulding County Extension Office.
  • Senior Officer Elections: Elections are held each April for the following county positions - president, vice president. secretary, reporter, and community service chair. Each 4-H'er running must fill out and application and agreement prior to running. They must also have taken Teen Leader training prior to running. For information about Senior officer or Teen Leader training, please contact the office. 
  • Cloverleaf Camp Teen Leader: Each summer we take at least 140 4-H'ers in the 4-6 grades to Cloverleaf Camp at Rock Eagle for 5 days. In order to make this happen not only does staff and screened adult volunteers go, but about a dozen trained SR Teen Leaders (must have completed the 9th grade). This is another great leadership opportunity. Applications are usually available at the February Senior Club Meeting!  
  • 4-H District & State Officer - NW District Senior Board election is for 9th-11th graders competing in DPA in March, the term of service is the following year. It is highly encouraged that 4-H'ers attend other SR events prior to running to meet other 4-H'ers outside of their county. This is also highly encouraged experience for those wanted to run for State 4-H board each May during State Council. (see events and conference page for opportunities as they become available). The ability to compete at State Congress in Project Achievement in a specific project area is also a great way to hone additional leadership skills, but this means working hard for a win at DPA. Those Mastering in other areas during the year are also invited to the 4-H Banquet at Congress.
  • Southern Leadership Conference - Information about this annual event in Tennessee (8th-12th grade 4-H'ers)
  • Leadership in Action - Georgia 4-H info
    Recognizes the work of Senior 4-H'ers (9-12) as leaders in their communities. 4-H'ers will identify an issue/need in the community, or an issue related to agriculture or the environment. Once this issue or need has been selected, the 4-H'er will determine ways to make a difference and then enact his/her plan. The process focuses on leadership engagement by the 4-H'er.

This information on leadership pathways and opportunities is offered on this site to help Paulding County 4-H families know about these options through 4-H in our county and beyond! These are ways to help build a 4-H story and possibly earn scholarship money through the Georgia 4-H Foundation and other organizations that support the great work in 4-H.


4-H logo with hands shaking below it and text reading 'our hands to larger service'

Community Service is how 4-H pledges “our hands to larger service.”  

We want this to be a part of 4-H'ers everyday life, not just something you do for special occasions.  To encourage participation in community service, we give 4-H’ers points towards classroom clubs (5th grade) and county 4-H awards. It also helps with project achievement, leadership, and service learning programs.


There is a monthly outreach, but also ongoing collection of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities and used printer cartridges for recycling that benefits our 4-H program.

Some of the ways we have helped support Paulding County through Community Service include: 

  • Food for CAYA
  • Cleaning items for Shepherd’s Rest
  • Toiletries for Veterans care boxes
  • Food for Helping Hands
  • Pet collars, leashes, and food for Paulding County Animal Shelter
  • School supplies for the Paulding County Backpack Program

The PC Senior Club also has a variety of hands-on projects that they are planning or continuing throughout the year. 

 

                                                      4-H... the POWER of YOUth