Dear 4-H families,
We have started off the 4-H year with a super surge of
families excited about what 4-H has to offer and the many opportunities that
lie ahead. This means many people are
interested in some of our strength programs and others are interested in
starting new projects.
Please know that 4-H programming is successful because of
volunteers. Volunteers like YOU. Yes you.
This program is the success it is because of planning by volunteer
adults and youth, because of leadership of adults and youth, because of
interests of adults and youth.
If you are new to the program or have been involved for
several years, but have not stepped up with the commitment to help or
lead, please see this as your invitation
to help. 4-H is only as successful as
volunteers make it to be.
Volunteers
take on different roles. Some of
these are organizational leaders - club managers. Club managers oversee the club coordination
and club work with other team members of volunteers and club officers. Club managers meet with the supervising
Extension Agent for training, and receiving updates during the year. Club managers work together so the work load
can be shared. Other volunteers include
Project leaders
Project
leaders are adult volunteers who have an interested in a certain area or
have a child with a certain interest. The purpose of the 4-H Project Leader:
Provide structured learning experiences, guidance for 4-H
members enrolled in the project.
Benefits of serving as a 4-H Project Leader:
•Gain and/or enhance knowledge and skills in the subject
matter area.
•Be a significant part of the educational and developmental process
for youth.
•Foster the development and growth of successful youth-adult
partnerships.
•See the impact the 4-H and Youth Development Program has in
the county.
•Experience personal growth from serving as a project
leader.
Qualifications
and Special Skills:
•Reside in the county.
•Registered as a direct volunteer for the county 4-H
program, by completing a Texas 4-H Volunteer Application for the
current 4-H year.
•Passed a criminal background check through the Youth
Protection Standards Program within the past three years.
•Participate in Volunteer Orientation.
•Value the development of positive life skills in youth.
•Value diversity among youth and other adults involved in
the 4-H program, creating and maintaining a 4-H project
experience where all children feel welcome and opportunities
are made available
I know we all want to help our young people develop into
productive members of our society. And
that is what 4-H does through the project work.
4-H is very family focused. This
is one major area that we differ from most other programs. There may be times when the project leader
works with the young people and allows the parent or guardian to watch as in
vet science, but a main focus is the family learning together. Things discussed and taught during a subject
matter training or clinic should be reinforced at home by parents when the
young person is working on the project.
For expample in the photography
project a discussion of lighting may make a huge difference in the 4-Hers
ability to take better pictures. As a
parent you can help at home when pictures are being taken to think about the
lighting and help you young person through the process.
Being a leader, is
being one step ahead of the project group.
You do not have to know all of the answers. We do have resources at the Extension office
for many projects. On others there may
be a cost factor.
Consider strongly being a volunteer leader in your club if
you are not already. It is true that you
only get out of the project and 4-H what you put into it. Don't sit on the sidelines and then wonder at
the end of the year how you could have made a positive difference.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call. I realize that we have busy schedules.
Help your child choose and make priorities in their life. I hope you choose to make your family a
priority as you grow together.
