Grievance Policy
Grievances will be accepted on rule infractions only. ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL!
Grievances are made by completing the Indiana 4-H Grievance/Appeal form with the burden of proof being the responsibility of the individual filing the grievance.
The completed grievance/appeal form and supporting documentation shall be presented to the president of the 4-H policy-making body (e.g., 4-H Council) or the Purdue Extension Educator who works with the 4-H Program. (NOTE: concerns regarding staff or volunteers are not issues for which a grievance may be filed. 4-H volunteers are assigned by the 4-H Extension Educator. Concerns regarding 4-H volunteers or other individuals should be addressed directly with the Purdue 4-H Extension Educator.)
Grievances pertaining to 4-H activities, programs or projects shall be filed within 14 days of an incident or occurrence. Grievances pertaining to county fair related issues are often time-sensitive and must be filed within 24 hours of the incident.
The grievance process occurs in the county where the issue or concern arises and offers two opportunities for a concern to be heard and reviewed.
The grievance is initially heard by an unbiased, representative grievance sub-committee of approved 4-H Volunteers. It is the Purdue Extension Educator(s) assigned to 4-H Programming who shall annually work with the chair of the county 4-H Council to determine this committee’s membership to include a combination of 3-6 of the following individuals: one representative of the 4-H Council; two 4-H volunteers serving as a 4-H club organizational leader; one member of the County Extension Board; one 4-H volunteer knowledgeable in the subject matter (project) of concern (this individual will vary dependent on the issue raised with the grievance); one youth representative; and up to three community leaders. The Purdue Extension Educator(s) assigned to 4-H shall convene the group.
The person filing a grievance may appeal a decision of the 4-H Grievance Committee to the State 4-H Program Leader or The Program Leader or designee will review the facts in evidence and render a decision. This is the second and final level in the appeal process.
To maintain the confidentiality of the parties involved, the grievance hearings at each level will be closed to the public. Only the individuals who have filed the grievance, the members of the grievance committee, and the Purdue Extension Educators will be present during each level of the grievance process, ***The grievance process is internal to the Indiana 4-H Youth Development Program and meetings of the grievance committees are not subject to Indiana’s Open Door Policy.
The Purdue Extension Educator assigned to work with the 4-H Program has the obligation to inform all parties that there is a grievance procedure if there are disagreements with policies.
The practice of charging fees from those filing grievances shall be eliminated and all counties will utilize the Indiana 4-H Grievance/Appeal Form as part of the grievance process.