Are you interested in starting a new 4-H Club in Stark County? Community Clubs are an
important part of the Stark County 4-H Program, involving more than 1,200 youth each year.
A well run 4-H club has the potential to make a life-long positive impact on youth. Through 4-H youth
have the opportunity to meet new people, build new skills, and discover more about their own
interests and abilities.
All successful clubs have a few things in common.
1. Clubs are led by caring adult volunteers, who are there to help the youth accomplish their own
goals (and not just the goals of the leaders).
2. Club advisors provide organized leadership, ensuring that all families have the information they
need to fully participate and benefit from club, county, and state opportunities.
3. Members have a key role in making all club decisions, including those about learning activities,
community service projects, and club structure.

Stark County 4-H Packet for Forming a New Club

Please review the information carefully, paying special attention to the deadlines listed on the back page. You are
not expected to navigate this entire process on your own, and as a matter of fact, you cannot. You will
need the help of Extension staff with many of the steps. This packet serves merely as a guide and not
as a do-it-yourself kit. The staff members at the OSU Extension Office are committed to helping our
volunteers succeed and provide assistance with the process of beginning new clubs. Please always
feel free to call with questions or concerns.
Please note that the very first step in beginning a new club is being approved as a 4-H volunteer.
Maintaining the integrity of our program and the safety of our youth are our highest priorities. Please
help us to do so by refraining from working with youth until after this screening and approval process
has been completed.
If a volunteer is interested in starting a new 4-H club, the club needs to obtain an EIN number from the IRS. As 4-H is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization we have a duty to be transparent with our collection and use of funds.

Click here for Step by Step Completion to obtain a new club's EIN Number.