How Do Your 4-H Meetings Score?

• Is it possible to judge objectively the effectiveness of 4-H Club meetings?

• What criteria can be used to assess 4-H Club meetings?

• How can we make our 4-H Club meetings better?

To make the best better and to learn to do by doing imply the need for continual evaluation. Evaluation and change are facilitated when objective criteria guide the process. To help judge the quality of 4-H Club meetings, we've developed, validated, and found to be reliable the 4-H Club Meeting Scorecard.

4-H Club Meeting Scorecard

Club Name ______________________________________ Date_____________________

1. OPENING CEREMONY:
   (Total = 15 points)
   1. Meeting promptly opened (possible score of 2)
   2. Flag set displayed (possible score of 2)
   3. Pledge of Allegiance to American flag led (possible score of 3)
   4. 4-H Motto and Pledge led (possible score of 3)
   5. Inspiration given (possible score of 2)
   6. Attendance taken (possible score of 3)

      SUBTOTAL __________

2. BUSINESS SESSION:
   (Total = 25 points)
   1. Minutes read (possible score of 3)
   2. Treasurer's report given (possible score of 3)
   3. County council delegate report given (possible score of 3)
   4. Different members involved (possible score of 4)
   5. Parliamentary procedure used (possible score of 5)
   6. Organization leader's report given (possible score of 4)
   7. County newsletter or other announcement given (possible score of 3)

      SUBTOTAL __________

3. PROGRAM:
   (Total = 35 points)
   1. Introduction given (possible score of 4)
   2. Club members appeared interested (possible score of 6)
   3. Educational ideas/skills presented (possible score of 12)
   4. Information presented on members' level (possible score of 9)
   5. Summary, question and/or thanks given (possible score of 4)

      SUBTOTAL __________

4. RECREATION AND REFRESHMENTS:
   (Total = 25 points)
   1. Activity leader(s) prepared (possible score of 5)
   2. Everyone given chance to participate (possible score of 5)
   3. Sportsmanship exhibited (possible score of 5)
   4. Members appeared to enjoy (possible score of 5)
   5. Refreshments provided (possible score of 5)

      SUBTOTAL __________

       

      TOTAL __________ JUDGES'S INITIALS _________

The scorecard provides a standard against which officers, leaders, and members can judge their present effectiveness in implementing 4-H meetings. It can be used to check that all parts of each meeting have been planned. Training meetings for leaders and officers can be built around the dimensions of the scorecard. Training meeting participants might be asked to indicate the items on the scorecard with which they need the most help, and their input can be incorporated into training session agendas.

Volunteer leaders who bring little or no 4-H and Extension experience to their new roles can use the scorecard as a guide in assimilating program expectations. Extension agents working with 4-H programs will find it a helpful tool in getting new clubs started. Contests can be organized using the scorecard on county, district, and state levels, which should motivate youth to excel in implementing 4-H meetings.