4-H Obedience & Showmanship Committee Overview

A committee of the Minnesota State 4-H Dog Project
Purpose: The purpose of the Obedience & Showmanship Committee is to:
  • provide general education to both 4-H'ers and the general public about 4-H Obedience & Showmanship.
  • maintain uniformity and provide guidance for 4-H obedience & showmanship programs across the state.
  • maintain safety standards for training and equipment.
  • uphold current rules and review concerns as they arise.
  • make rule changes as needed.
  • educate and train county leaders/trainers.
Areas of Authority: The Obedience & Showmanship Committee has the authority to:
  • enforce rules at county, regional, and state levels.
  • resolve conflicts that arise at county, regional, and state levels.
  • submit rule changes to the Minnesota 4-H Dog Project for approval.
Membership: Any 4-H'er, 4-H parent, 4-H leader, or Extension Educator is welcome to attend 4-H Obedience & Showmanship Committee meetings.  The Obedience & Showmanship Committee Membership - those with voting privileges - is made up of the following individuals:
  • two  people (youth or adult) from the Northwest Extension District
  • two people (youth or adult) from the Northeast Extension District
  • two people (youth or adult) from the Central Extension District
  • two people (youth or adult) from the Southwest Extension District
  • two people (youth or adult) from the Southeast Extension District
  • three youth
  • one obedience judge
  • one showmanship judge
  • one representatives of the University of Minnesota Extension Service
From the above listed membership, a Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary will be selected.  The Chair needs to be a member of the Minnesota State 4-H Dog Project Development Committee (PDC).
Selection: The members of the Obedience & Showmanship Committee will be selected by an application process.  Staggered terms will be for three years.  Volunteers will submit an application to the Center for 4-H Youth Development.  Vacancies will be filled by approval of the Minnesota State 4-H Dog Project Development Committee (PDC).
Meetings: The Obedience & Showmanship Committee will meet at least twice a year - more if needed.  Typically, meetings will be in the spring and fall - a few weeks before the meetings of the Minnesota State 4-H Dog Project.  This way we will have proposals and reports prepared for their meetings.
Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the Obedience & Showmanship Committee include:
  • maintain a high quality and safe standards for obedience & showmanship.
  • assist with the coordination of obedience & showmanship at Regional and State 4-H Dog Shows (help make it happen).
To apply to be a member of the Obedience & Showmanship Committee you must complete an application.  The application is two pages and requires the signature of your county Extension Educator if you are a 4-H volunteer or two references if you are not a 4-H volunteer.

View and print the application. 

If you are unable to print an application, send an e-mail to the Center for 4-H Youth Development to request an application.

updated 5/3/2002