Masters Theses

Date of Award

6-1979

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Robert S. Dotson

Committee Members

Cecil E. Carter, Ben Powell

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to investigate use of the State 4-H Enrollment Cards for Senior, Junior High, Junior, and Explorer 4-H Members used in Tennessee and to analyze current enrollment procedures used by county 4-H staffs during Fy 1977. Ninety-four Tennessee County Staffs responded to a mail-type questionnaire. Counties were grouped by Enrollment per Full-time Staff Equivalents (i.e.. High Grouping 1,003-2,143 members per F.S.E.; Medium Grouping 727-1,001 members per F.S.E.; and Low Grouping 315-720 members per F.S.E.) for major comparisons. Findings indicated that: 1. Nearly all, 98 percent, of Tennessee Counties were using the State 4-H Enrollment Card during FY 1977. 2. Most county staffs were using all portions of the State 4-H Enrollment Card except the Address Aperture. Only 35 percent of the counties were using the aperture. The High Enrollment Grouping made more use of "all portions" of the State 4-H Enrollment Cards than did the Low Grouping. 3. Nearly one-half of the county staffs, 45 percent, reported the current Enrollment System to be "good" or adequate. 4. Majorities of county staffs were following recommended procedures in the use of the Enrollment Cards. a. Fifty-eight percent of county staffs reportedly used the Keysort Feature. b. Secretaries were used to a greater extent in the Low Enrollment Grouping to punch cards than in the High Grouping. The High Grouping used Agents more frequently to punch cards than the Low Grouping. Secretaries, however, punched Enrollment Cards in the largest percent of counties using the punch system. c. A majority of counties were filing cards by club and school. d. A vast majority of counties were distributing material using information on the Enrollment Card. e. Agents and Secretaries in the Low Enrollment Grouping made corrections more often than in the High Enrollment Grouping. Low counties reportedly made corrections more often than did counties in the High Grouping. 5. Other enrollment procedures used by most counties included: a. Agents and Teachers assisted members in filling out Enrollment Cards. The Low Enrollment Group tended to involve Teachers more in helping members than did the High Grouping. b. A majority of county staffs enrolled 4-H Members during the Fall. Consequentially more of the High Enrollment Grouping than the Low Grouping enrolled Seniors in the Fall. c. County staffs distributed Enrollment Cards or Forms at club meetings by the Agent. A higher percent of the High Enrollment Grouping than the Low Grouping used this method. d. Senior 4-H Members were allowed more freedom in selecting the number of projects and activities taken than either Junior High or Junior Members. However, a consequentially higher percent of the High Enrollment Group than the Low gave Seniors such freedom. e. Agents provided the leadership for 4-H enrollment and used the most time enrolling members. Enrollment required consequentially more staff time in the High Enrollment Grouping than the Low Grouping, as might be expected. 6. Only one-third of county staffs reported having any 4-H Members at Large. A consequentially higher percent of High Enrollment Counties than Low reported Explorer Members at Large. Since a majority of county staffs were following recommended enrollment procedures the present procedures appear to be well accepted by the 4-H Staff. Implications were drawn and recommendations made for use of findings and further research.

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