Florida 4-H
4-H University - Know Before You Go
We know there are a lot of moving pieces and information related to 4-H University. This webpage should provide you a one stop shop for everything you need to know for the event.
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Competitions, Award Ceremonies, & Guests at 4-H University
Awardees and guests are invited to join us for Competitive Events, Share the Fun, Youth Awards Banquet, and Champion's Breakfast.
All guests must register in 4-H Online and check in at the 4-H University Headquarter Desk on the 2nd Floor of the Union.
ATTENDEES, REGISTRATION FEES, & PARKING
- Parking for competitive events and award ceremonies will be in the Reitz Union/Welcome Center Parking Garage at 686 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL.
- Competitive Events, Monday, July 29
- Competitors and guests
- No cost for guests to attend
- $8.00 for parking per vehicle (pay at Kiosk in Parking Garage)
- Share the Fun, Tuesday, July 30
- Competitors and guests
- No cost for guests to attend and watch the show
- No parking fee for arrivals after 4:30pm
- Senior Awards Banquet, Wednesday, July 31
- Scholarship winners, award trip winners, Leader of the Legacy winners, and guests
- $50 per guest, dress is semi-formal
- Kids under 5 are free but must be registered to have a seat.
- No parking fee for arrivals after 4:30pm
- Champion's Breakfast, Thursday, August 1
- State champions, Community Pride winners, and guests
- $25 per guest, dress is professional
- Kids under 5 are free but must be registered to have a seat
- $8.00 for parking per vehicle (pay at Kiosk in Parking Garage)
GUEST REGISTRATION
- Guest Registration in 4-H Online: https://4-HUGuests2024.4honline.com
- We ask that guest registration fees be paid in 4-H Online with an electronic payment by the registration deadline of 7/21/2024. We cannot accommodate walk ins or late registrations.
- Guests may not attend any of the dance activities. Only those 4-H youth members registered for the Full Conference may attend dances.
- Share the Fun, Senior Awards Banquet, and Champion's Breakfast will be live streamed on the Florida 4-H Youth Development (facebook.com). It is a public page and you do not need to have a Facebook account to watch.
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State Event & Share-the-Fun Competitors
GUEST TICKETS
- See Guests at 4-H University above for information.
PARKING
- Parking for one day competitors and award ceremonies will be in the Reitz Union/Welcome Center Parking Garage at 686 Museum Road, Gainesville, FL.
CHECK-IN
- All one day competitors and guests must check in at the 4-H University Headquarters Desk on the 2nd Floor outside the Grand Ballroom.
- You will receive a wristband to be admitted into the Ballroom.
- Guests cannot stay for the social or dances following any events.
MONDAY 7/29 - COMPETITIVE EVENTS
- Check out your assignments at Competitive Events Room, Group, & Times
- You are assigned either:
- Group A from 2:30-4:30pm; be in room by 2:15pm.
- Group B from 4:30-6:00pm; be in room by 4:15pm.
- Check in between 12:00-4:00pm.
- You must check in 30 minutes before your group time.
- You are expected to remain in your competition room for all presentations in your time period.
TUESDAY 7/30 - SHARE-THE-FUN
- Check in between 7:30-9:00am.
- Rehearsal is from 9:30am-12:00pm.
- Dress rehearsal is not required but highly recommended.
- This is where we will practice with any props you bring, confirm placement on stage, review order of go, test lighting and sound.
- We are not able to rehearse in the ballroom outside of this scheduled time.
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Code of Conduct
As you are preparing for the weekend, please keep the Florida 4-H Code of Conduct in mind. All participants will be held responsible for upholding these expectations.
You can access the full participation form, which includes the Code of Conduct and is signed upon registration in 4-H Online, at 4-H Participation Form .
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What to Pack
Check out the following links to get all the information you need for packing:
Additional items for consideration:
- Reusable Water Bottles
- It is very hot in July/August.
- We suggest always carrying a reusable water bottle with you.
- There will be water refill stations available at the Reitz Union.
- Offsite locations will have a water available whenever possible.
- Cell Phones
- Cell phones are allowed at 4-H University.
- They must be used respectfully throughout the event and not be a disruption to activities.
- Disrespectful use of cell phones may result in staff holding the phone at the headquarters desk for a designated time.
Be sure to check the weather for Gainesville, FL to ensure you pack comfortably.
As you are packing, please be aware of what you are packing.
- Florida 4-H is not responsible for any lost items. We will have a designated "Lost and Found" available throughout the weekend to help as much as we can.
- Honors Village does not have fridges, so do not pack items that need to be refrigerated.
- 4-H and the University of Florida do not allow tobacco, vaping products, firearms, or weapons of any kind on campus.
- Reusable Water Bottles
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Bringing Medication
Any prescription or over the counter medication that you will be taking while attending this event must be noted on the Florida 4-H Medication Form.
- There is space for four (4) medications on the document. Please fill out and print as many as necessary.
- Please take note of all requirements for prescription and over the counter medication within the Florida 4-H Medication Form. Any medication not meeting those requirements will not be allowed.
- Please put all medication and the form(s) in a Ziploc bag with the participant's name on it. You will turn this in at drop-off.
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ADA Accommodation Requests
At 4-H we want to do our best to make sure ALL youth enjoy their time at 4-HU and that their needs are met. We understand that all children have different needs, and we want to do our best to give your child the best experience possible.
If you have noted any special accommodations due to a disability or any other reason in your 4-H Online profile or 4-HU registration that you feel needs more information:
- Please complete ADA Accommodation Plan Request Form and return this to 4hevents@ifas.ufl.edu at your earliest convenience.
- This information will help kept confidential amongst staff members.
- While 4-H online registration captures some of this information, it does not provide as much detail.
- Please note this is not required for participation but it is helpful information.
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Drop Off & Schedule for Current Officers, Candidates, Planning Committee, & Emcees
We are looking forward to seeing y'all on Sunday!
Check out Schedule Addendum for Officers, Candidates, Committee & Emcees for specific information related to Sunday drop off and schedule along with specific schedule information for these roles throughout the week.
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Bus Transportation
Based on registration in 4-H Online, the following bus assignments and schedules have been made: Northwest Bus Roster & Schedule | South Bus Roster & Schedule
- Buses will leave PROMPTLY at scheduled time.
- Arrive 15 minutes early to ensure you do not miss the bus.
- Bring money for lunch on both arrival and return trips.
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Drop Off & Pick Up (Take Note of Eastern Times)
TIMES & LOCATION
- Drop off and pick up will take place at Honors Village, 1512 Museum Rd, Gainesville, FL 32612.
- Drop off is from 9:00AM-12:00PM ET on Monday July 29. We are unable to accommodate any times earlier than this.
- Drop off at Honors Village will close promptly at 12:00PM.
- Late check-ins will need to go to the Reitz Union to check in.
- Call Grace Carter at 904-437-9127 if you are going to be late so we can have your check in materials brought to the Reitz Union.
- Pick up will be from 11:45AM-12:30PM on Thursday August 1. If you need accommodations outside of these times, please communicate with us so that we can plan accordingly.
- Please note that we will only allow those designated in your registration to pick you up. If anyone else needs to pick you up, please communicate with us.
PARKING
- You will need to park at Parking Garage 4 for drop off and pick up.
- Parking Garage 4 is at the corner of Museum Rd and Newell Dr.
- To help visualize, you can utilize 4-HU Dorm Parking Map.
- There will be 4-H signage set up to help guide you from the parking garage to our dorm.
- Construction is an ongoing challenge on campus. We have found that Google Maps has the most up to date construction information for directions.
SELF DRIVERS & COUNTY VANS
- For those driving themselves and staying for the week, you will receive a parking pass.
- 4-H'ers will need to turn in their keys after they place their parking pass in their car.
- Do not back into parking spaces. You will get a ticket regardless of your parking pass.
- High top vans will need to park in a flat top lot across the street from Parking Garage 4 in the McCarty parking area or across SW 13th St at Norman Hall/Norman Fields.
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Supervision
UF is an open campus. Maturity and responsibility are expected of each 4-H member attending.
To ensure safety and supervision during the event:
- We adhere to UF's youth protection guidelines, requiring two deep supervision and adequate adult to youth ratios.
- We will call roll at all events to ensure all participants are present.
- All youth participants have an Adult in Charge assigned to them by their county 4-H professional during registration. If you do not know who your Adult in Charge is, you can ask at check in or headquarters.
- Participants and Adults in Charge should have each others' contact information and arrange to check in with each other regularly during the week.
- The Adult in Charge should touch base with the members they are responsible for each day.
- The Adult in Charge will be the first adult contact if a participant is not where they should be, if there is a discipline issue, or a health/safety emergency.
- 4-H Members must advise their Adult in Charge if there are any unexpected changes to where they are supposed to be.
- No one is allowed to leave campus or walk anywhere alone.
- Florida 4-H contracts with the UF Police Department to have additional security during the night outside the dorms.
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Tentative Schedule
For easy schedule referencing, refer to 4-HU Schedule-at-a-Glance.
- Participants will receive a program booklet with a current schedule at check in.
- All times and locations are tentative and can change based on a variety of factors.
- Participants and families will be notified of any notable changes that they need to be aware of.
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Food & Meals
- All meals for 4-HU are provided.
- Participants will need to eat lunch before they arrive on Monday as lunch is not provided that day.
- The Reitz Union has several food outlets if participants want to purchase drinks or snacks.
- Some of the Food outlets are: Panda Express, Starbucks, 352 Burger, Subway, Fat G’s Barbeque, a Pod Market (snacks, shakes, smoothies), and Mi Apa’ (Cuban inspired meals).
- We suggest bringing snacks (not refrigerated) for the dorm if you would like snacks in your room.
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Remind App for Onsite Communication
We will be utilizing the Remind app to help with onsite communication.
- You can join the 4-HU Remind instantly at https://www.remind.com/join/florida4hu.
- If that link gives you any issues, you can also refer to 4-HU Remind Sign Up.
- Any youth with a smart phone and access to apps can utilize the app to receive communication throughout the weekend.
- Participants should not be far from teen leaders or adult chaperones at any time, so those without cell phones will not miss out on anything.
- Families can also signup if they'd like to keep up with updates throughout the week, but this will not be utilized for family communication. We will utilize 4-H Online emails for family communication.
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Graduating Senior Recognition
On Wednesday of 4-HU, we will recognize graduating seniors and present them with their 4-H Alumni Pin.
During the Awards, we will share recorded messages from our graduating seniors.
- These messages will be recorded on Monday of 4-HU.
- There will be a signup at check in.
- This is not required but a very special way to share a message with their friends attending.
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Service Learning & Workshops
You can check out all of this year's opportunities at 2024 4-HU Service & Workshop Descriptions.
Rank your top three choices for each time frame by 11:59PM on 7/25 at 2024 4-HU Service & Workshops Sign Up (forms.office.com).
Based on your rankings, you will receive your assignments at check-in. There will be limited opportunities to adjust your workshops during funshops on Monday.
There are a variety of workshops at 4-H university ranging from animal science to environmental science, to food preparation, and citizenship and leadership. The workshops are 3 or 6 hours and are presented by University of Florida Faculty and Staff.
You explore career opportunities, lead community service activities, interact with youth from all over the state, and have fun while developing critical life skills that will help them become productive and engaged citizens in their communities, their country, and their world! We have the following goals for our 4-H University Workshops:
- The program utilizes "Learning by Doing" with hands on activities for our
- The workshop allows members to explore their “sparks” (areas of interest).
- Provides opportunity for members to consider a variety of career
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Adult Chaperones
4-H University would not be possible without our adult chaperones. We appreciate those that are giving of their time and energy during this week to make it a great week for our 4-H'ers!
- Check out what you're doing for the week at 2024 4-HU Adult Assignments.
- We will have an adult orientation on Monday to go through assignments, answer any questions, and give you all the support you need to be successful during 4-HU.
For those that are Adults in Charge:
- All youth attendees have an Adult in Charge assigned to them during registration.
- You and your participants should have each others' contact information and arrange to check in with each other regularly during the week.
- You should touch base with the participants you are responsible for each day.
- You will be the first adult contact if a participant is not where they should be, if there is a discipline issue, or a health/safety emergency.
- Participants must let you know if there are any unexpected changes to where they are supposed to be.
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Florida 4-H State Council
For those serving as voting delegates for their county, congratulations on being selected to represent your county as a State Council voting delegate. This is an important responsibility that allows representative youth voice to have a positive impact on the direction of the Florida 4-H State Council.
Click on the following link for a full description of your time commitments and responsibilities as a State Council voting delegate, 2024 FL 4-H State Council Voting Delegate Obligations.
Refer to the bottom of this page for information on each of this year's candidates.
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
As a State Council voting delegate, it is important to have access to the documents that provide the framework for the Florida 4-H State Council. As such, you can click on the links below to access the Constitution and Bylaws:
QUORUM & MAJORITY
According to the Florida 4-H Constitution:
- Two-thirds of the officially seated delegates or alternates shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Council provided that at least one-half of the counties with organized 4-H programs are represented (FL 4-H Const. art.III, § 3).
- A state officer candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected to office (FL 4-H Const. art. IV, § 2, cl. b.)
- A proposed amendment becomes Constitutional upon vote of two-thirds majority of the votes cast by the officially seated voting delegates (FL 4-H Const. art.VII, § 1)
- A proposed amendment to the Bylaws of the Constitution becomes bylaw upon a majority of the votes cast by the officially seated voting delegates. (FL 4-H Const. art.VII, § 3)
If we end up in a scenario where quorum is not possible, the Council will entertain a motion to suspend the rule of quorum.
A motion to suspend the rules requires a vote of two-thirds of the present voting delegates to pass.
PREFERENTIAL VOTING
To ensure an efficient, representative, and fair election, the Florida 4-H State Council will be implementing instant runoff voting, aka “preferential voting”, for officer elections.
- The procedure for preferential voting will be as follows:
- Voting delegates will receive a Qualtrics link to submit their ballot.
- On their ballot, they will be asked to indicate the order in which they prefer the candidates.
- This will be done by selecting a number underneath each available candidate for that particular position.
- (1) representing their first choice, (2) representing their second choice, and continuing for the number of candidates running for that particular position.
- For example –
- This voting delegate’s first choice is Sally, second choice is Joe, and third choice is Bob.
- Ballot Allocation
- Candidates are allocated ballots based on the voting delegate’s first preference (those in which they received a (1))
- If a candidate receives a majority of the votes (half of present voting delegates plus one), then they win that election.
- If a majority is not reached, then a preference distribution will take place.
- Preference Distribution
- Preference distribution takes place when no candidate has received a simple majority of the votes.
- This process starts by excluding the candidate with the lowest number of ballots.
- The excluded candidate’s ballots will be inspected and allocated to the next preferred candidate (those who received a (2) on the excluded candidate’s ballots)
- If a candidate now has a majority of the votes, then they win that election.
- Preference distribution will continue to exclude candidate ballots until a simple majority is reached.
- If the next preference on a ballot has already been excluded then the ballot is redistributed to the next available candidate.
- Video Explanation
- This scenario is specific to Australian government, but the general idea is illustrated well.
State Officer Candidates
Click Position to View Candidates
President
Presidential Candidate Motivations
| Name | County | Campaign Graphic | 4-H Resume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vera Howe | Martin | Vera's Graphic | Vera's Resume |
| Sophia Massey | St. Johns | Sophia's Graphic | Sophia's Resume |
| Helena Peterson | St. Johns | Helena's Graphic | Helena's Resume |
| Lane Taylor | Marion | Lane's Graphic | Lane's Resume |