Constitution 2
By-Laws:
Article I Election of Officers 3
Article II Duties of Officers 3
Article III Duties of Community Club Leader and
Assistant Community Club Leader(s) 4
Article IV Duties of Project Leader 5
Article V Executive Board 5
Article VI Committees and Chairmen 6
Article VII Meetings 6
Article VIII Length of meetings 6
Article IX Attendance 6
Article X Program of Work 7
Article XI Finances 7
Article XII Record Books 7
Article XIII Scholarships 8
Article XIV Amendments 8

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this group shall be Ferndale 4-H Club.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of this club is to aid in the development of its 4-H members through project work, meetings, demonstrations, judging, community service and events.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Any boy or girl may join on their ninth birthday or when entering the fourth grade and may remain a member until the end of the calendar year in which they become nineteen; and upon agreement to follow the requirements of 4-H membership.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
The officers of this group shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Song/Recreation Leaders (2), Historian, Photographer, Sergeants-at-Arms (2), and Quartermaster.

ARTICLE V - EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall consist of leaders, officers, and Junior and Teen Leaders.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS
There shall be at least ten 4-H Community Club meetings held each 4-H year, September through June, specifically the months from September through June.

This Constitution was Adopted

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I - ELECTION OF OFFICERS

1.1_ Members may sign up for no more than one office candidacy at the April meeting.
1.2_ Members may not hold the same office two concurrent years.
1.3_ Voting will occur at the May meeting by written ballot. Enrolled members and project leaders shall be eligible to vote. Should a tie occur, the community club leader shall be empowered to vote.
1.4_ Candidates are required to give a speech, before vote polling occurs, at the May meeting.
1.5_ New officers shall be announced at the June meeting and will assume their duties at the end of the June meeting.
1.6_ New officers shall be installed at the Achievement Night Banquet.

ARTICLE II – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

2.1 PRESIDENT shall preside at all meetings and have in mind at all times the best interest of the 4-H members. The President may call special meetings with the consent of the local leader. The President shall prepare a monthly agenda with the executive board.
2.2 VICE-PRESIDENT shall perform the duties of the President in his/her absence, and shall preside at at least one meeting during the 4-H year. The Vice-President shall serve as chairperson of the yearly program committee and serve as master-of-ceremonies at the annual Achievement Night Banquet.
2.3 SECRETARY shall keep minutes of all 4-H meetings, act as the group’s correspondent, and keep a correct attendance record of 4-H members. At the end of the 4-H year, the Secretary and organization leader shall complete and submit the Secretary’s Book to the County 4-H Extension Office.
2.4 TREASURER shall receive and keep all money belonging to the group, and shall pay it out only upon order of the President and local leader after the approval of the 4-H members. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all money received and paid out and keep an up-to-date report. A Treasurer’s report shall be given at each monthly meeting, and an annual report shall be completed in June of each 4-H year for inclusion in the Secretary’s Book.
2.5 HISTORIAN shall keep a scrapbook of all printed materials, programs, news clippings, and pictures of club activities, and present it to the local leader at May’s meeting.
2.6 PHOTOGRAPHER shall take pictures of all 4-H events in which the club is active, and shall give the pictures to the Historian to be used in the 4-H scrapbook before the May meeting.
2.7 SERGEANTS-AT-ARMS shall keep order during meetings, take care of flags, conduct flag salutes, post the 4-H Pledge, and arrange seating before and after each meeting, and station themselves near the officer table and flags.
2.8 REPORTER shall write a news report of each local 4-H meeting/event and place it in the local newspaper, and give a copy of each article written to the club Secretary at each monthly meeting.

2.9 SONG/RECREATION LEADERS shall be in charge of the singing/recreation period at each 4-H meeting, and will present a program plan to the Executive Board for advance approval.
2.10 QUARTERMASTER shall order and have available for sale 4-H materials relating to 4-H needs, keep a written record of transactions, and turn over funds received to the treasurer at each meeting.

ARTICLE III - COMMUNITY CLUB LEADER AND ASSISTANT COMMUNITY CLUB LEADER(S)

3.1 Community Club Leader responsibilities will be shared between at least two, and no more than four people.
3.2 One person will have the title of Community Club Leader. The other three will have titles such as Assistant Community Club Leader, Finances; Assistant Community Club Leader, Enrollment; and Assistant Community Club Leader, Organization (or other similar titles).
3.3 The specific titles and distribution of responsibilities will be determined by the Club Officers and Project Leaders. Any particular distribution of duties will remain in effect until explicitly changed by the Club Officers and Project Leaders. The current distribution of duties and titles will be distributed annually for member reference.
3.4 Recommended duties of the Community Leader are:
3.4.1 Attend all Club Executive Committee meetings.
3.4.2 Attend all County Council meetings per year as the official club delegate, or obtain a substitute.
3.4.3 Be the liaison between the County 4-H office and the club (receive mailings, etc.)
3.4.4 Conduct an organizing meeting of the Officers and Leaders prior to the September club meeting.
3.4.5 Conduct one other adult volunteer (leader) meeting annually.
3.4.6 Coordinate new leader recruitment.
3.4.7 Arrange for storage of past secretary, treasurer, quartermaster and scrapbook records of the club for future reference.
3.4.8 Organize discussion of policy review and by-law changes.
3.4.9 Chair the committee of leaders for reviewing scholarship applications.

3.5 Recommended duties of the Assistant Community Leader, Finances are:
3.5.1 Attend all Club Executive Committee meetings.
3.5.2 Coordinate the collection of dues with the club treasurer, and transmit insurance and fair share contributions to the County Office as required.
3.5.3 Arrange for and maintain building contracts and insurance (Community Hall, Turf Room for pancake breakfast, etc.)
3.5.4 Work with the club treasurer throughout the year.
3.5.5 Organize the audit.
3.5.6 Work with the Quartermaster to order supplies and maintain inventory records.
3.5.7 Order and stock forms for record books.
3.5.8 Order pins and awards as requested by the Assistant Leader, Enrollment.

3.6 Recommended duties of the Assistant Community Leader, Enrollment are:
3.6.1 Attend all Club Executive Committee meetings.
3.6.2 Obtain enrollment forms from the County Office and distribute to members and leaders at the first meeting of the year, check forms for compliance, and return completed forms to the County Office.
3.6.3 Maintain a current membership list.

3.6.4 Maintain a file of 4-H insurance forms for members.
3.6.5 Work with the secretary and leaders to determine year-end awards (year pin & stripe, 100% attendance, rank stars, proficiencies, etc.) and provide the Assistant Community Leader, Finances with a list of pins and awards to be ordered.

3.7 Recommended duties of the Assistant Community Leader, Organization are:
3.7.1 Attend all Club Executive Committee meetings.
3.7.2 Coordinate new member orientation and follow-up.
3.7.3 Arrange the location for monthly club meetings and Executive Committee meetings.
3.7.4 Be the Committee Advisor: committee sign-ups, hand out committee forms, update the forms.
3.7.5 Be the Officer Advisor: hold monthly Executive Committee meetings to prepare the monthly meeting agenda, etc.
3.7.6 Be the spokesperson for the Executive Committee at club meetings.
3.7.7 Arrange for notification of members as needed (newsletter, phone committee).
3.7.8 Assist the Reporter in publicity for club events.
3.7.9 Answer questions for new members.
3.7.10 Distribute 4-H literature to members and project leaders as appropriate.

ARTICLE IV – DUTIES OF PROJECT LEADERS

4.1 Shall make a program plan of work for the year which shall include a minimum of five project meetings.
4.2 Shall instruct and assist members in filling out project report forms.
4.3 Shall determine whether the member has completed the project by attendance and participation.
4.4 Shall sign the project report form if members have met requirements.
4.5 Shall attend record book meetings at the end of the 4-H year to grade books.
4.6 Shall work with the Junior and Teen Leader, if available, to establish and carry out the goals and objectives of the project throughout the year.

ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD

5.1 Shall consist of the officers of the club, community club, assistant community club, project, Junior, and Teen Leaders.
5.2 Shall develop a yearly activities program for the club prior to the September meeting.
5.3 Shall meet one week prior to monthly meeting to discuss and write monthly agenda.
5.4 Shall comprise the phone committee, and call members to remind them of upcoming activities.

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES AND CHAIRPERSONS

6.1 Committees will be appointed by the President with special effort to place all members on at least one committee during the 4-H year.
6.2 The phone committee shall consist of the year’s officers, and will call assigned members before special events.
6.3 Committee chairperson of each committee is responsible for calling and organizing committee meetings, following through on assignments, informing the President and Leader of committee progress, and making a final oral and written report to the club at the monthly meeting following the special event.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS (MONTHLY CLUB)

7.1 The regular meeting of the club shall take place on the second Thursday of each month unless otherwise announced.
7.2 Meetings shall be held at the Ferndale Community Center
7.3 The 4-H year will run from September through June.
7.4 There will be no July or August meetings.
7.5 Other meetings may be held for the Achievement Night Banquet and/or a year-end picnic.
7.6 Special meetings may be called by the President with the consent of the local leader.

ARTICLE VIII – LENGTH OF MEETINGS

8.1 Meetings shall start at 7:30 p.m.
8.2 Regular meetings shall be planned to no more than approximately one hour in length.
8.3 Meetings at which there is a special program or presentation by a guest may be extended to at least 9:00 p.m.

ARTICLE IX- ATTENDANCE

9.1 Members shall attend at least 50% of the Ferndale 4-H Club monthly meetings as well as project meetings to be eligible to participate in a fair or show and receive credit for the 4-H year.
9.2 An “excused absence” shall be recorded if the member is unable to attend a meeting for one of the following: illness, injury, out of town with family, school function, 4-H event, death in family, AND the member has called the CLUB LEADER IN ADVANCE to request an excuse. An exception to an advance excuse shall be made ONLY in the event of an emergency (eg., hospitalization, death on family).
9.3 100% ATTENDANCE PIN shall be awarded to those who attend by their presence ALL Ferndale 4-H Club monthly meetings.

9.4 ATTENDANCE FOR STAR RANK ADVANCEMENT. To advance from one star rank to the next, the member shall attend at least 80% of the monthly club meetings and 80% of the project meetings.

ARTICLE X – PROGRAM OF WORK

10.1 A written plan of work for the year shall be constructed by the Executive Board.
10.2 The written plan of work shall be adopted by the club no later than the October meeting of each year.

ARTICLE XI – FINANCES

11.1 Dues shall be used to pay county 4-H insurance fees and meet some of the club’s expenses.
11.2 The club shall pay for its County Fair Share assessments.
11.3 The amount of membership dues shall be determined by an annual vote of the club.
11.4 Dues are to be paid to the club treasurer by the November meeting. Enrollment cards will not be sent to the County 4-H office unless dues are paid in advance.
11.5 The club may elect, annually, to pay for Project Leaders’ insurance fees.
11.6 The club may elect, annually to hold fund raisers for community service projects, conferences, and scholarship program.

ARTICLE XII – RECORDBOOKS

12.1 Project report forms are to be kept at each project meeting.
12.2 Books shall be due at the May meeting. On request, at leader option, an extension may be given until May 31.
12.3 Books must be completed and approved by leaders to receive a year pin and stripe.
12.4 Books are to be APPROVED by June 15 at the local level in order for members to complete the 4-H year.
12.5 All records from previous years are to be kept in the record book.
12.6 Members desiring to enter record books for county competition shall be responsible for record book revision/completion and delivery of record book to County 4-H Office by the due date.

ARTICLE XIII – SCHOLARSHIPS

13.1 A scholarship fund shall be established and maintained.
13.2 A scholarship shall be presented to a Ferndale 4-H graduating senior who meets the following requirements:
Level I
7. Is currently enrolled in Ferndale 4-H.
8. Has a minimum of 4 years in 4-H.
9. Plans to attend a vocational post-secondary school, Jr. College or 4-year College.
10. Turns in the completed Scholarship Application Form to the Community Club Leader by April 1.
Level II
11. Meets Level I requirements.
12. Has held a club office, or holds a Level 2 Proficiency in one project, or has a bronze or silver star.
13. Has demonstrated a major leadership role in a project group.
Level III
1. Meets Level I requirements.
2. Has completed two years of Jr. or Teen Leadership.
3. Holds a gold star rank.
4. Has held at least one major club office (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, quartermaster, historian), or demonstrated a major club leadership role.as chairperson of a major club event or fundraiser (such as chairperson of the pancake breakfast, pancake breakfast tickets, or any other club event approved in advance by the executive committee).
13.3 Scholarship award shall be Level I $100.00, Level II $250.00, Level III $500.00 subject to change if funds are unavailable as determined by the Executive Board.
13.4 Scholarship shall be paid to recipient after award by applying in writing to Community Club Leader and sending verification of enrollment at a post-secondary school.
13.5 Scholarship recipients will receive a certificate of award at the Annual Achievement night banquet.

ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS

14.1 These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote at any regular meeting
14.2 Proposed by-law changes must be presented at a regularly convened meeting one month prior to the vote.
14.3 Changes/additions, as adopted are as follows:
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These By-laws were:
Revised September 13, 2001