Committee Reports and Club Action

Committee reports are necessary to keep the entire club informed as to the progress of the committee. The report is usually given verbally at the 4-H club meeting. Sometimes it may be a written report. It is important that the report be reviewed by all members of the committee before it is finalized and shared with the club.

Often clubs treat all committee reports in the same way. Many times the person giving the report automatically moves that it be accepted or approved. Actually a club has several options in handling a report based on the nature of the committee.
  • Accepted or filed. When no action is required, the chair can accept the report without a vote.

  • Approved or adopted. This means that the club binds itself to all the recommendations of the report. Before doing this, the club should be certain it agrees with the entire report and the suggestions of the committee.

  • Rejected. The club may reject any or all of the report.

  • Postponed. A decision on the report can be postponed.

  • Returned to the committee. If additional clarification is needed, the report can be sent back to the committee. Be certain to give clear instructions as to what needs clarification.

  • Referred. Reports can be referred to another committee or officer instead of being accepted.

4-H clubs need to handle reports in the best way for their members, which usually means keeping it simple.