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COVID-19 Update

With the Provincial Health Order of January 8^th, some in-person 4-H club activities at the local level are able to resume starting January 15^th. Key principles of the PHO are:

• 4-H BC is considered a “program for children or youth” providing structure educational activities that are supervised by adults for persons under 22 years of age, but does not include performance or competition activities.
• Group size must be less than 50 – participating 4-H leaders, screened volunteers, and members only. During an event, a participants who leaves may not be replaced by another participant.
• Spectators (parents/guardians, guests) may not attend unless the presence of the person is necessary in order to provide care to a child or youth who is a participant, i.e. care for special needs participant or providing first aid.
• No person may host an event at a private residence, includes areas both inside and outside. Public, community, or commercial properties can be used for events.
• Physical distancing must be able to be maintained (6 ft or 2 metres between participants)
• Ensure participants practice good hygiene (frequent hand washing with soap and water and use of hand sanitizers; avoid touching one’s face; respiratory etiquette; disinfect frequently touched surfaces)
• Face masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces with the following exemptions:
• People with health conditions or with physical, cognitive or mental impairments who cannot wear one
• People who cannot remove a mask on their own
• Children under the age of 12
• People who need to remove their masks to communicate due to a hearing impairment

Keeping in mind these key principles, 4-H BC club in-person meetings can resume within the following guidelines:

• A COVID-19 safety plan check list has been submitted to the 4-H BC office
• Communications competitions, judging rallies, etc. must be done by video
• Project weigh-ins are to be organized so that only the essential people are in attendance with one project on site at a time
• Husbandry visits must be done by video chat or via email or phone call with accompanying photos 
• District Councils are strongly encourage to meet virtually, however in-person meetings are allowed as long as all COVID-19 protocols are in place
• The meeting organizer must:
  • Collect the first and last names and telephone number, or email address, of every participant who attends
  • Retain this information for thirty days
  • Destroy the information after thirty days

These requirements will be revisited and updated every time there is a change to the provincial requirements.

References:

Provincial Health Order – Gathering and Events https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-gatherings-events.pdf

Social Gatherings Restriction https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

Mask Mandate Order https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/mo/mo/m0425_2020

Enrolment

4-H BC Provincial Council is allowing for flexibility with regards to club size due to COVID-19. Understandably, with the uncertainty of whether a full 4-H program experience is able to be delivered, there is hesitancy to register in 4-H this year. In light of this, existing 4-H clubs may operate with as few as two members for the 2021 enrolment year. New 4-H clubs must follow the 4-H Club requirement of a minimum of six members.

Further to this, the enrolment deadline will remain January 31^st, however only the forms of members that are actively participating in 4-H and have begun their project work need to be approved. The forms of members that are uncertain about participating can be held at the club level until a decision is made by the family. These families should also be encouraged to select the Cash/Cheque payment option rather than paying by credit card. This will simplify the process and they will not incur a refund service fee (see 4-H BC Refund Policy below).

When submitting club assessment fees to the 4-H BC office, only include the fees for members and leaders that are actively participating in 4-H and have begun their project work. Fees for members that are not yet participating or started their project work should be held by the club until it is determined if the member will continue. If the member decides not to continue the fees can be returned by the club. If applicable, once all actively participating members are determined the club should submit the balance of the fees to the 4-H BC office.

4-H BC refund policy (stated on the online application forms: 4-H BC Provincial Council will not issue refunds regarding a member or leader withdrawing from the 4-H program after March 15^th, with the exception of withdrawals for medical reasons. Requests for a refund based on a medical condition preventing the member or leader from participating in the 4-H program must be made in writing, along with a medical note, to the 4-H BC Manager at manager@bc4h.bc.ca. All refunds are subject to a $10.00 administration fee. The 4-H BC Manager has the discretion to approve or deny the refund request. Refunds that are denied may be appealed through the 4-H BC Grievance Policy BC-01-16. 

Please contact Chris at mail@bc4h.bc.ca or Renee at admin@bc4h.bc.ca if you have any questions regarding enrolment.