Policies and procedures

Section 3: 4-H Participation Procedures

• 3.1 4-H Participation Procedures
• 3.2 4-H Participation Program Fee

3.1 4-H Participation Procedures

There are a number of ways that an individual may participate in 4-H in Indiana. Options are outlined on the Indiana 4-H Website: https://extension.purdue.edu/4-H/about/types-of-involvement.html

4-H Online is our enrollment and event registration platform and is the primary method we use to document and address risk management policies and processes. Purdue University has approved the use of 4-H Online to fulfill the university’s requirements for youth protection. 4-H Online is used for event registration (for workshops, camps, conferences, etc.) and for club and mini annual enrollment.

• Annual enrollment begins on October 1st and is open until September 15th of the following year.
• Club and mini member enrollment includes club and project selection and consent acceptance including a liability waiver, photo release and youth behavioral expectations.
  • Liability waiver “I understand that participating in 4-H activities can involve certain risks (some of which I may not fully appreciate) including injury or harm, including, but not limited to, bodily injury, disability, exposure to viruses and other illnesses, and death. I further understand that by participating in 4-H activities, I will be required to release certain personally identifiable information, including but not limited to exhibitor information, to 4-H and/or the Indiana Board of Animal Health. During virtual 4-H activities, I understand that program staff are not providing supervision for me during the online program, and the Released Parties, as defined herein, do not have control over the information available through the internet or other electronic data sources beyond that which is a part of the 4-H activity. I fully assume the inherent risks associated participating in 4-H activities. I, or anybody claiming through me, including, but not limited to, my heirs, devisees and legatees, hereby release and forever discharge Purdue University, The Trustees of Purdue University, the County Commissioners, the County Cooperative Extension Service, and each of their trustees, officers, appointees, agents, employees, and volunteers ("Released Parties") from all claims which I or my might have for any injury, harm, death, data breach or inadvertent release of my information arising out of my participation in any activity related to the 4-H program, even if such injury or harm is caused by the negligence or fault of any of the Released Parties. I do not, however, release these individuals and entities from liability for intentional, willful or wanton acts and this release shall not be construed to include such acts. I further acknowledge and agree that Purdue has exercised reasonable care in (a) warning me that the Workshop and the Activity involve certain risks and dangers and (b) providing me with the disclaimers and the other cautionary statements set forth in this document.”
  • Photo release “By participating in Indiana 4-H, I grant permission to the Indiana 4-H Youth Development Program to use videos or photographs of me (my child) for educational  purposes or promotion of 4-H and/or Purdue Extension programs.”
  • Youth Behavioral Expectations
• Completion of the annual 4-H Online enrollment process allows youth to participate fully in competitive events, activities, and programming offered by the Indiana 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Paper registration may be an accommodation offered for individual programs or family specific needs. County extension offices will ensure that Purdue Youth Protection policies are maintained and captured electronically.

County 4-H programs may not alter Indiana 4-H membership or risk management materials.

• Volunteers and Extension Professionals may not require youth to attend 4-H club meetings or require club attendance to in order to complete 4-H or exhibit their work.
• Club and project fees are considered a fundraising effort and must comply with the Indiana 4-H Fundraising Policy and may not be used to restrict youth participation in a specific show at the county fair or club activities.

Questions regarding the 4-H Online membership process can be directed to the Purdue Extension Office in your county: https://extension.purdue.edu/about/county-office.html.

3.2 4-H Participation Program Fee

Participation in the Indiana 4-H program requires an annual $15 program fee. The fee supports insurance, risk management, club management and other programmatic growth opportunities. Counties may add an additional county 4-H program fee that supports educational resources and programming efforts for the local community. County 4-H program fees cannot be used to subsidize facilities. Counties may not charge a late fee for enrollment at any time.