University of California (530) 628-5495

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION NOVEMBER 2006 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (530) 628-5495 P.O. Box 490, Fairgrounds, Hayfork, CA 96041

TRINITY COUNTY PUBLICATION 4H06

RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR ELECTION OF 4-H CLUB OFFICERS

OBJECTIVES:

● To have 4-H members as officers who take their responsibility seriously and who will attempt to do their very best.

● To give youth the opportunity to learn how to function as a club officer so that they may develop leadership skills and serve their communities well in later years.

ROLE OF OFFICER ADVISOR/CLUB LEADER

● It is very important that they talk to the club membership before the election and point out the importance of learning and taking the democratic process seriously. They should set the time aside for this important process.

● They should outline to the members the duties, responsibilities and expectations for each office.

CLUB OFFICER

● Each club should have: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter and Song Leader.

● Additional optional officers could be: Recreation Leader, Sgt. at Arms, Corresponding Secretary, and Historian.

In accordance with applicable State and Federal laws and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate in any of its policies, procedures, or practices on the basis or race, religion, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, medical condition, or handicap. Inquiries regarding this policy may be addressed to the Affirmative Action Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Drive, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-3560. (510)839-2363.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Director of Cooperative Extension, University of California. 4H06 PROCEDURE 1. The President should open the nominations from the floor. The President and/or Club Advisor should inform the members of the seriousness of a nomination and of the importance that the process be taken seriously. Only persons who are interested in the position should be nominated.

2. Each candidate should be asked to comment before the membership on their interest in the office.

3. It is recommended that officers be nominated and elected one at a time. This gives those members not elected an opportunity to be nominated for another office. This does take longer, but gives a better outcome. Learning the process is important, even if it takes a major portion of a meeting.

4. A secret ballot should be used.

5. The President should appoint a committee of three (3) to count the ballots.

6. An officer should be elected by a majority of those voting. If a majority vote is not received on the first ballot, then the second vote should be held between the top two candidates.

7. In case of a tie, some possible solutions are: ● Re-vote ● Split the office ~ one member hold office for ½ year, and the other member for the other ½ year.

8. For other officers such as Song Leader, Recreation leader, Historian or Sgt. at Arms, a club may choose not to elect, but have the other officers serve as an executive committee and appoint members to carry out these additional offices.

Prepared by the County of Trinity

Audra Lane Pam Coffey 4-H Program Representative 4-H Administrative Clerk II 4-H Office Phone: (530) 628-5495