Recruiting new members is an important responsibility of every 4-H club. New members keep the club active, strong, diverse, and open to new ideas. There are a variety of ways to reach out to the community and attract new members; the guidelines below are helpful but not exhaustive.

Where to Recruit New Members:

• Schools
  • Distribute fliers to be sent home at the beginning of the year
  • School share fair
  • Youth giving demonstrations in classes at school

• Community
  • Exhibits at community library
  • Petting zoos at community events
  • Newspaper articles and advertisements
  • County Fair

• Word of mouth - Talk to families and friends at sports events, church gatherings, etc.

Invite New Recruits to Club Meetings:

• Greet prospective members
• Introduce yourself by name
• Be available to answer questions all night
• Have current members share experiences with them
• Hand out written materials about the 4-H program, including your phone number

Follow up Phone Call:

• Call within 1 week after meeting new recruits have attended
• Ask if they have any questions
• Ask what part of the program they are interested in - Arrange for a club leader in that area to contact them with more information
• Be sure they know the date and time of the next club event to attend