Starting a New 4-H Club in Maricopa County

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https://4-h.org/

4-H Members leading a business meeting.

So you want to start a 4-H Club...

We are thrilled about your interest in starting a 4-H club! To start a 4-H club in Arizona, you must have at least one Certified 4-H Volunteer. The Certified 4-H Volunteer(s) must always have direct line of sight with youth members during 4 H Club meetings, so more volunteers may be needed for larger groups.

To find out how to become a Certified 4-H Volunteer, please visit the Become A Part of Maricopa County 4-H page under the Become a 4-H Volunteer heading.

Once you have at least one Certified 4-H Volunteer, your club may start meeting as a 4-H club. The requirements for 4-H clubs is at least 5 members from 3 families.

Please fill out and return this form to the 4-H Office right away for club name approval: New 4-H Club Request Form.

What is the next step?

The next step is to make your club official! This is by obtaining an Arizona 4-H Charter Certificate. Clubs are required to do this so they may raise funds, use the national emblem, and participate in county/state/regional/national events.

Please submit the following requirements to the county 4-H Office to obtain your 4-H club's Arizona 4-H Charter Certificate:

Arizona 4-H Charter Application
Annual 4-H Club Program Plan for your club (click here for sample program plan)
4-H Club Constitution and By-Laws for your club (click here for sample Constitution and By-Laws)

Enrollment

Clubs enroll annually at the beginning of the 4-H Year, or when they start a new club. Members and Leaders must complete an enrollment online each year to have official membership along with an annual enrollment fee for each youth member in the club. This is a two part process:

1. Annual Club Enrollment

2. Annual Member Enrollment

Please click here to find out more about enrollment.

Banking/EIN

Clubs handling funds are required to obtain a checking account. The 4-H Program has a financial training that is required for new leaders. Please contact the 4-H Office at 602-827-8275 to make an appointment for training.

EIN numbers are requested on your behalf by the 4-H Office as part of New Club start-up procedures. Please contact the 4-H Office for more information on this.

Insurance

Annual member insurance is purchase by the 4-H Office for all active members and leaders. Please contact the 4-H Office for information on this insurance.

Liability Insurance coverage for third party meeting locations is extended by the University of Arizona to locations where 4-H Activities are being held. To apply for a certificate of insurance for a residence or other location, please have the third party location fill out the Certificate of Insurance Request form and send it to the 4-H Office as outlined on the form.

Resources

Here are a few helpful resources for Certified 4-H Volunteers.

More information

Return to Maricopa County 4-H Home Page