4-H Name & Emblem

The 4-H Name and Emblem are protected under federal statute (Title 18, U.S.C. 707) This statute protects other federal emblems, like the Seal of the President of the United States.

Log In In this section of the 4-H Youth Development web site, you will find some educator resources that are only available for UW-Extension staff with a NetID and password. Please use your NetID and password to log in. Netid: Password: More information about your NetID 4-H Charters - A 4-H charter indicates the club or group is organized in accordance with objectives of the 4-H program. It authorizes the club or group to use the 4-H emblem for educational purposes in accordance with laws and regulations established by Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the 4-H charter is education, communication and accountability. A charter is given to a new 4-H club or group as they are formed and meeting the requirements. 4-H clubs and groups must renew their charter annually through completion of the Charter Renewal Process. Wisconsin 4-H Charter Review Checklist Tool (104 KB) This checklist is a guide for county and state 4- Youth Development Educators as they review the 4-H Charter Applications and Renewals. This tool is not uploaded to the 4-H Club and Group Data Collection SharePoint site. It can be converted to an Excel Spreadsheet or other format based on individual choice. It can be used for documentation of education, communication and accountability. 4-H Charter Review Checklist Tool in Word format. Dates and Deadlines for 4-H Charter Documents and Reports (77 KB) This chart outlines the dates and deadlines for 4-H Charters and reports. Updated 6.2012 Determing Tax Exempt Non Foundation Status Worksheet 1 and Worksheet 0 (60 KB) These worksheets are used by Educators to determine the non foundation status of each 4-H Club and Chartered Group/Committee as required by the IRS and reported in Appendix A. Use one worksheet for each 4-H club and chartered group. This worksheet must be completed annually. Copies are to be uploaded in the Wisconsin 4-H Clubs and Groups Data Collection Site. Originals are to be kept in the County in the official 4-H Club or Group file. Instructions for Completing Wisconsin 4-H Clubs and Groups Data Collection (8 pgs, 182 KB) This document provides detailed instructions and the SharePoint link to enter/edit information and upload documents for all 4-H clubs and chartered groups and affiliates. The 4-H Clubs and Groups Data Collection SharePoint site requires net ID and password. Collection site update must be completed by November 15. (Updated 11.2012) 4-H Charter Letter Template - Letter template for granting the initial charter to 4-H clubs and other 4-H committee, group or units. This letter is sent when a new 4-H club or group is formed and meets all the requirements of the charter process. A 4-H Charter Certificate can be included or presented at another appropriate time. 4-H Charter Certificates - For new 4-H clubs and groups, a charter certificate will be developed for counties by Lori Murphy. Send Lori an e-mail with the club name, date of chartering and staff person's name and title. A charter certificate will be mailed to the county. E-mail Lori at lori.murphy@ces.uwex.edu. Charter Renewal Letter - Annual Renewal Letter template. This is to be sent to 4-H clubs and groups annually as they complete the Charter Renewal Process. Provisional 4-H Charter Letter Template (1 page, 27.5 KB) Letter template for provisional annual renewal charter to a 4-H club or other 4-H committee, group or unit. 4-H Name and Emblem Use and Federal Tax-Exempt Status Annual Report (46 KB)- 4-H Name and Emblem Use and Federal Tax- Exempt Status Report form, due annually on November 15 to the State 4-H Youth Development Program Director and posted on the Wisconsin 4-H Clubs and Groups SharePoint Collection Site in the County Library. Word document of same form: 4-H Name and Emblem Report (84 KB) Dissolution Non Renewal Charter Form (1 page, 44KB) This tool is for 4-H Youth Development Educators as they work with 4-H Clubs and Groups that choose to dissolve or there is a need for non renewal of the 4-H Charter. Updated 4.2012. Transfer of Appointment As Agent(1 page, 25 KB) This is a legal document that is required when there is any change in 4-H Youth Development Educator position. It must be signed by the outgoing and incoming 4-H Youth Development Educator at the time of any staff vacancy or leave. It is posted on the 4-H Clubs and Groups Data Collection SharePoint site under Libraries for Counties and Organizations. The original must be stored in a secure location in the UW-Extension office. Updated 4.2012.

• 4-H Clover Emblem - The first 4-H emblem was a three-leaf clover, introduced sometime between 1907 and 1908. The three "H's" represented head, heart and hands. In 1911, at a meeting of club leaders in Washington, a fourth "H" representing health was added and the current 4-H four-leaf clover emblem was approved. It is protected by the U.S. Congress.
• 4-H Name and Emblem Regulations (1 page, 68 KB) - A summary of the federal mandates for the use of the 4-H name and emblem, prepared by Greg Hutchins, 4-H Youth Development Program Leader.
• The Relationship between UW-Extension Cooperative Extension and 4-H Groups and Organizations in Wisconsin (2 pages, 35 KB) - Paper that describes the unique relationship between 4-H groups and Cooperative Extension in Wisconsin.
• Relationship of Cooperative Extension and 4-H Youth Development (3 pages, 45 KB) - The key document that outlines the specific relationship between Cooperative Extension and 4-H Youth Development including 4-H Name and Emblem authority, program requirements, charter requirements, youth protection, financial accountability, risk management, and county 4-H program structures. Dated 8-2010.
• Wisconsin 4-H Name and Emblem Authorization Continuum Chart (3 pages., 114 KB) The Authorization Continuum describes how and to whom the use of the 4-H Name and Emblem is granted. Descriptions outline authorization types, parameters, recognition by 4-H National Headquarters/NIFA and Cooperative Extension, authority granting authorization, federal tax exempt status and required documentation for Chartered and Affiliate Groups and Commercial Vendors. Dated 8-2010
• 4-H Charters - A 4-H charter indicates the club or group is organized in accordance with objectives of the 4-H program. It authorizes the club or group to use the 4-H emblem for educational purposes in accordance with laws and regulations established by Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the 4-H Charter is education, communication and accountability. A charter is given to a new 4-H club or group as they are formed and meeting the requirements. 4-H clubs and groups must renew their charter annually through completion of the Charter Renewal Process.
  • 4-H Charter Application and 4-H Charter Annual Renewal documents are available in PDF and writable PDF formats and are located in 4-H publications. The 4-H Charter Completion Guide (115 KB) provides volunteers assistance in completing the Charter Application and Charter Renewal Packets. The Word document can be edited to add additional evaluative questions to gather additional information from 4-H clubs. Updated 4.2012. 4-H Charter Completion Guide in Word format (111KB)
  • Articles of Organization is a legal document signed by a the 4-H Club or Group for the purpose of forming a 4-H Club/Group as an Unincorporated Nonprofit Association under Chapter 184 of the Wisconsin Statutes. One document is required for each 4-H Club or Group. The Articles of Organization are located in the 4-H Charter Application for a new 4-H Club or Group. Instructions Articles of Organization (1 page. 15KB) provide important information for volunteers and the 4-H Youth Development Educator.
  • Financial Accountability and Reporting: All 4-H 4-H Clubs and Groups must use the standard Annual Financial Reportfound in the 4-H Charter Application and 4-H Charter Annual Renewal Packets. The Annual Financial Report and Annual Accounting Form FAQ (4 pages, 178 KB) will assist volunteers in accurately completing this part of the Charter Renewal Packet. (updated 9.23.2011) Other Financial Management Issues are located on the Financial Management Web site.
  • 4-H Charter Annual Renewal packets are due to the 4-H Youth Development Educator by November 1. 4-H Youth Development Educators can determine an earlier deadline for the county. New 4-H Charter Applications are due at the time of 4-H Club or Group formation. The 4-H Charter Renewal Year is November 1 through October 31.
  • Those 4-H clubs and groups that have paid a volunteer beyond reimbursable expenses must be aware of the updated required procedures that must be in place. See Paying Volunteers FAQ located with the Agreement for Personal Service template located on the Risk Management Web Page.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Instructions and Template (6 pages, 176 KB) This informational and instructional guide provides the tools and understanding for developing a Memorandum of Understanding between partners. It is the required document for all Affiliates. The document provides hyper links to assist in MOU development. A This sample template in a Microsoft Word format (17 KB) to be used with the instructions document is provided for staff use.
• National 4-H Name and Emblem Regulations - The 4-H Name and Emblem are protected under federal statute Title 18, U.S. Code 707. This statute protects other federal emblems, like the Seal of the President of the United States. A number of publications and fact sheets related to the use of the 4-H and emblem are located on this National 4-H Headquarters site.
• Using the 4-H Name and Emblem - This quick reference guide located on the4-H National Headquarters web site that discusses many of the important guidelines about appropriate and legal use of the 4-H Name and Emblem. The guide is appropriate for distribution to 4-H volunteers.
• Official 4-H Emblem Graphics - Downloadable color and black and white 4-H emblem graphics, located on the 4-H National Headquarters web site.
• Granting Authorization to Use the 4-H Name and Emblem - 4-H National Headquarters Fact sheet describing authorization policies and procedures.
• Religion and 4-H Youth Development Programs - 4-H National Headquarters Fact sheet outlining USDA non-discrimination standards. As an outreach program of USDA, 4-H programs must have secular purposes focused on education and must not advance religion.
• Appropriate Use of the 4-H Name and Emblem in Regards to Livestock Sales, Auctions and Similar Events - 4-H National Headquarters Fact sheet that describes the appropriate use of the 4-H Name and Emblem at these events.

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