MSU Extension Gratiot County

Starting a New 4-H Club

All 4-H entities (including clubs, councils, boards, and committees) must go through an authorization process in order to use the 4-H name and emblem and be recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt. The following forms are required to complete this process. Please contact the Extension Office at 989-875-5233 for assistance with starting a new club. 

Required Documents

Request for Official Approval

Tax Exempt Authorization & Charter Request

Club Constitution 

Resources

Becoming an Authorized 4-H Group & Maintaining that Status

Club Development Guide

4-H Club Paperwork

Annual Re-enrollment

Each 4-H club must turn in the following forms each fall in order to maintain their status. Please watch for communication from the 4-H program coordinator regarding the county deadline. 

Club Registration & Civil Rights Compliance Form

Annual Financial Summary Report

Activities & Fundraisers

4-H clubs must request permission from the 4-H program coordinator if they wish to conduct an activity outside of their regular meetings or hold a fundraiser. Please submit the following forms at least 10 days in advance of your proposed event. In the case of fundraisers, a report form is also due no later than 10 days after the completion of the fundraiser. Fundraisers and activities that are not approved are not permitted to operate under the 4-H name and emblem and are not covered under MSU's indemnification policy. 

Activity Request Form

Fundraiser Request Form

Fundraiser Report Form 

4-H Club Finances

4-H is a public organization and all funds are owned by the entire group, not by any one member or leader. It is extremely important that all 4-H groups are transparent and show the source of any money received or disbursed. The following documents will assist 4-H leaders and treasurers with financial reporting expectations. 

Financial Management Toolkit

Financial Manual for 4-H Volunteers 

Financial Manual for 4-H Treasurers

Developing a Budget

Budget Worksheet

Treasurer's Report Form 

4-H Club Resources 

The MSU Extension Office offers a wealth of resources to help 4-H clubs be successful. The following links and documents may be useful as you plan your club meetings and activities. Please contact the Extension Office at 989-875-5233 if you have any questions or are looking for additional resources. 

Club Meeting Wheel - suggested outline of how to structure meeting times

Agenda Template - suggested order for conducting business meetings

Parliamentary Procedure - helps groups make decisions in a fair, effective, and efficient manner 

Club Officer Roles - outlines the responsibilities of each officer to help them be successful in their leadership role 

Michigan 4-H Guiding Principles - positive youth development underlies everything we do in 4-H; learn more about what this means and how to effectively practice it with your club 

Using the 4-H Name & Emblem - the 4-H name and emblem has special protections from Congress; this document will help you understand their proper use

Scholarship Request Form - funds are available through 4-H council to offset the cost of attendance at state and national events 

Contacting 4-H Staff  - outlines when leaders need to be in contact with the 4-H program coordinator 

Injury/Property Damage Report Form - must be submitted to the 4-H program coordinator if an injury or property damage occurs during 4-H activities 

Group Disbanding Checklist - must be submitted to the 4-H program coordinator if you are planning on closing your club

MSU Extension 4-H Curriculum Links (FREE lesson and activity plans)

• Animal Science Anywhere  
• Science Blast Activities 
• Teaching Science When You Don't Know Diddly-Squat 
• Crafts Around the World 
• Heads In, Hearts In: Science Activities 
• Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Science Activities for Young Minds 
• Zoonotic Disease Activities 

Other Helpful Links

• 4-H at Home (download FREE activity guides) 
• National 4-H Curriculum  (curriculum and project guides available for purchase)
• Shop 4-H (site to purchase official 4-H merchandise)

Materials available to check out from the Extension Office (please call to reserve)

• Learning Lab Kits - horse, beef, sheep, swine, dairy, poultry, goat, rabbit
• Code Your World 4-H National Youth Science Day Kit (computer science)
• Game Changers 4-H National Youth Science Day Kit (computer science)
• Curriculum Books
• Sewing Machine
• Lego Mindstorms (robotics)
• Squishy Circuits 
• Promotional Materials - banner, yard signs, brochures, stickers