Club programme guide 

A good club programme details all the club’s planned activities over the next few months.  It should meet the interests and needs of the club membership and reflect the club's values and purpose. It’s one of the main building blocks of any YFC.

We have created a sample Club Programme for YFCs to download and use to help you get started.

See below for ideas on how to put together a varied club programme. 

A good club programme will:-

• be interesting to club members (when planning the programme ask members for the topics that interest them)
• cater for members’ needs and interests with a variety of activities and topics
• give opportunities to learn about new subjects and develop fresh skills
• keep the club alive and interesting
• keep members connected with YFC activities outside your own club – updates from the county federation for example
• inform members about what is happening in the club as well as where and when
• inform members about county, area, national and other clubs’ events
• help with the organisation and structure of the meetings
• get to know the local area and people
• let parents know what’s going on and get consent forms in on time.

Design the programme with a balance of formal, social, learning and fun activities. During the Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions the programme should be planned with a varied mix of online activities – some may be speakers on a topic of interest to members of the club, others may be simply chatting and keeping in touch. Consider a panel discussion on local topics of interest or agriculture. You could challenge neighbouring YFCs to a debate or discussion. See a whole range of activity ideas here.  

The key to good, stable attendance is to aim for variety and balance. Remember that YFC is not only an educational and social organisation, but also has a commitment to community work, current and rural affairs, international and food, farming and environment issues – so your programme can reflect these too.

Planning in advance will make your YFC less stressful rather than planning week by week.  A good tip is for the outgoing officers to plan the first term of the next YFC year to give the new officers time to settle into the club.

It’s important that a club programme is published online or in hard copy to let everyone know what’s happening when and where, and at what time it starts and finishes.