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Youth
and adults came from four Wiregrass counties: Coffee, Covington, Dale,
Geneva and Houston; participants were divided into 5 groups. Each group
participated in a round-robin format of Outdoor Sporting activities.
Sessions included rifle, skeet shooting, archery, sport fishing and
frisbee golf. 4-H Agents, 4-H volunteers and 4-H Shooting Sports
volunteers, along with Department of Conservation and Natural Resource
Agents, served as instructors for the one-day program.
The
program is designed to give youth not already involved in Natural
Resource and Environmental Education or the Shooting Sports program a
taste of what 4-H has to offer in these fields. All youth were able to
have a hands-on experience at each session. Participants had a picnic
lunch and were able to view some of the new Alabama Motorized Outdoor
Adventures displays. Each participant received a t-shirt and snack.
Amazingly we can report that this year’s participation more than
doubled from last year’s 40 youth and 16 adults! The Wiregrass Region
plans on having this event again next year, November 12, 2007. Mark your
calendars!
Effective
4-H Club Meetings
Effective
4-H Club meetings are very important, and over the last two months I
have given you a few suggestions on how to get more out of your
meetings.
Club
or group meetings are the cornerstone of the 4-H experience for boys and
girls. Ask beginning members or participants what they like about 4-H,
and they will tell you about their club, their new friends, new
experiences, and fun activities. Well-planned meetings allow youth to:
•
Acquire new knowledge and share ideas
•
Develop self-confidence and leadership
•
Participate in decision making
•
Develop responsibility and commitment
•
Make new friends
•
Enjoy recreational activities
What
Happens at 4-H
Club Meetings?
Meetings
offer a variety of experiences for youth. Meetings include business,
project work, educational programs, community service, recreation, and
social activities. All of these may not be a part of every meeting, but
each should be included during the year for a well-balanced program.
With the assistance of the 4-H volunteer leader, participants decide
what to include and when. A meeting outline can provide structure for
conducting a meeting.
Sample
Meeting Outline
Business: 15 to 20
minutes
The
business section should demonstrate democracy in action. Members learn
how to express themselves in a group, listen to the views of others,
come to consensus, reach a decision, and abide by majority rule. It is
important to keep meetings interesting and educational. Unless it is an
annual business meeting, please don’t let the business component
become the heart of the 4-H club meeting.
The
following is a typical business agenda:
1.
Call to order
2.
Pledge of Allegiance and
4-H
Pledge
3.
Roll call with members answering in any way the group decides
4.
Minutes of the previous meeting
5.
Treasurer’s report
6.
Committee reports
7.
Old business
8.
New business
9.
Adjournment
Education
and Project Work: 30 to 45 minutes
Learning
by doing is one of the 4-H program’s unique strengths. This is the
place for members to give demonstrations, work on project books, or
participate in tours, community service, and other activities. Use a
variety of activities to involve members in program planning,
self-esteem development, and decision making. Ingenuity and creativity
can make this section interesting and active. Providing space during
project work makes learning easier.
Recreation
and Social Activities: 15 to 25 minutes
A
variety of fun activities add enthusiasm and enjoyment to the meetings.
Some clubs have a different recreation committee for each meeting, while
others elect recreation officers for the year. A few ideas include
games, charades, relays, sports, puzzles, parties for parents, picnics,
and hikes. Refreshments can be a part of recreation, with different
members responsible for them throughout the year.
Tips For
Effective Meetings
•
Start and stop on time.
•
Limit meeting time to 1 or 2 hours of well planned activities that will
hold interest, help reach goals, and be fun. The club officers and
advisors set the standard for the group.
•
Let the officers fulfill their responsibilities.
•
Let the president call the meeting to order and be in charge. Let other
officers and committee chairpersons do their assigned jobs.
•
Allow volunteers to help officers develop confidence in their abilities
by providing guidance, while remaining in the background.
•
Encourage the use of parliamentary procedure.
•
Support democratic participation by allowing all members to have a
chance to express themselves. Basic parliamentary procedure is an
orderly way of making this possible.
•
Communicate upcoming events, dates, and responsibilities. Use a variety
of methods including telephone calls, personal visits, media reports,
written notes, newsletters, and telephone chains to convey the message
to members and parents. Repeat important dates and events at several
meetings. Distribute county and club calendars, constitution, project
requirements, and copies of assignments to each family. Communicate with
parents about club meeting locations and beginning and ending times.
Set
Behavior Standards
Youth
need to know what is expected of them. Youth and volunteers should come
to consensus about behavioral expectations early in the year. Meetings
are excellent places to learn and practice good citizenship and respect
for people and property.
Plan
Meetings With Variety
Remember
this formula to plan meetings: one-fourth business, one-half education,
and one-fourth recreation. Mix it up with lots of variety to keep
interest, encourage learning, and have fun. Keep the business section
effective and to the point.
Conclusion
Know
what needs to be accomplished at each meeting. Make sure each member has
a chance to do and learn something at every meeting. Keep youth involved
and include lots of variety to help them learn and grow through club
work. Unless you have a guest speaker, the adults should not be the
center of the meeting. It’s all about young people learning by doing.
Support
4-H
It’s
the income tax season once again, and Alabama 4-H is part of a great
program that brings in donations to support 4-H programs and activities.
The
state of Alabama’s Income Tax Check-Off program allows all state
residents to give a portion of their tax return when filing their
individual income tax returns. Those wishing to make a donation to
Alabama 4-H simply have to check line 31K and indicate the amount they
want to give.
In
the three years Alabama 4-H has participated in the program, $27,938 has
been donated to Alabama 4-H. Money is used to supplement local,
regional, state and national programs through resources, training, and
financial assistance to 4-H members who represent Alabama on national
4-H delegations.
To
find out how you can support 4-H, talk to your tax preparer, contact
your local Extension office, or call Beth Lawrence in ACES Development
at 334/844-2247 (batkins@aces.edu).
Until
next time, God Bless!
James Shropshire
shropja@aces.edu
James
Shropshire is the Alabama 4-H Regional Extension Agent for the Central
Alabama Region. Email him at shropja@auburn.edu.
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