This Summary defines some of the University of California 4-H policies and Santa Barbara County 4-H Council policies that govern the 4-H Program in Santa Barbara County. All 4-H Clubs/Units are expected to comply with these policies. The following is a summary of these policies:
Each club/unit shall be chartered as a club/unit by the Santa Barbara County 4-H Council and Cooperative Extension.
Each club/unit is expected to develop and maintain club/unit bylaws and provide the Santa Barbara County 4-H Council and the Santa Barbara County 4-H Office each with a copy of the current approved bylaws.
Membership is limited to youth members. Adults are not members of 4-H; they may be volunteer leaders, such as community leaders, project leaders, resource leaders, etc.
The club/unit belongs to the youth members. Only the members can vote on club issues. Adults cannot vote on club matters.
4-H in the state of California is administered by the University of California. There can be no discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, medical condition, ancestry, or citizenship.
Clubs/units cannot limit enrollment to specify interest groups, such as groups defined by race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, ancestry, or citizenship. Enrollment may be limited to size if proper procedures are followed.
The youth members approve all financial obligations and disbursement, either in an approved budget or by separate vote. The only exceptions to the membership approval are the 4-H Office and/or 4-H Council charges to the 4-H members and volunteers for fees to recover costs such as insurance, 4-H publications, the cost of hiring program management staff, and newsletter subscriptions.
In order for a club/unit to be in Good-Standing status, the club/unit shall comply with the following:
| Attend 5 of the 4-H Council meetings between September and August |
| Turn into Council the club/unit's Secretary Book, Treasurer Book, and End-of-the-Year Report by the due date |
| Forward club/unit Treasurer's Report to the 4-H Council monthly |
Acceptance of these policies is mandatory by all 4-H Clubs/Units in Santa Barbara County in order to be chartered for the current 4-H year. Adherence is mandatory, and failure to abide by these policies can result in the club's/unit's charter being revoked, community leader status being revoked, or other consequences as appropriate.
