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In
Alabama 4-H, it is an especially exciting period. We are constantly
seeking to respond to the changing needs and interests of Alabama’s
young people, to provide them with the skills they will need to lead a
world that is different from the world into which we adults were raised.
We are
introducing a number of innovative projects and activities to help
"Make the Best Better." These include exciting projects that
teach rural and urban kids to think creatively and to adapt modern
technology to traditional problems.
Through
our new "Present It with Power" activity, young people will
use PowerPoint to commemorate The Four Freedoms. "eXtreme
Birdhouse" and "Blocks Rock!" will teach design and
construction, and "Chef 4-H" will let Alabama kids present
their culinary skills just like Emeril does. And there are Science,
Technology and many other fine, new programs.
As you
start your new year, please consider how you can help young people
through 4-H, aiding with your time and your resources. Whether you want
to establish a 4-H scholarship or just help send a young person to a
national or regional event, your financial support is needed and valued.
If you
have an interest in assisting young people, please consider getting
involved as a 4-H volunteer. Perhaps you have a passion such as
computers, cooking, or raising hunting dogs. Dozens of special interests
can be linked directly to 4-H youth development. Steers, skateboards, or
community gardens can each teach responsibility, communications, and
planning.
Perhaps
next year you could even join us for our annual regional volunteer
conference at Rock Eagle in Georgia. This year we had the largest group
ever – and we hope to have even more in 2006.
Caring
Over the
past several columns, we have been talking about Leading With Character,
our Alabama approach to character education. We have focused on the six
pillars of character cited by the CHARACTER COUNTS!™ Coalition. These
values, which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and
wealth, are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness,
Caring and Citizenship. Given the season of the
year, it is especially timely to think about Caring.
Caring
means showing concern for the welfare of others. It means being kind,
compassionate, and doing things to show you care. Caring people express
thanks to others; they forgive others for mistakes; and they help others
in need. Caring people consider how their decisions, words and actions
might affect everyone around them. They treat others as they would like
to be treated themselves.
If you
are a 4-H livestock or small animal exhibitor, you have many
opportunities to show that you are a caring person. First, you can show
caring behavior with the other exhibitors, club members and family
members with whom you work. Second, you can show caring behavior toward
the animals themselves.
We must
consider both the needs and feelings of other people. An example of
another exhibitor’s need would be the need of a first time exhibitor
to learn proper showmanship skills. An example of their feelings would
be their sadness if they asked people for tips on showmanship, and no
one would tell them anything. As for the animals, while they don’t
have feelings, we still must consider their needs, such as the need for
daily feeding and watering.
Caring
exhibitors will show caring behavior to other people by:
•
Showing kindness and under-standing to ALL people;
•
Sharing resources and equipment with other exhibitors;
•
Including first time exhibitors in their circle of friends;
•
Encouraging exhibitors who seem to be struggling and offering to assist
or coach them;
•
Helping exhibitors with handicaps or special needs;
•
Saying "thank you" to people for even the small things they
do;
•
Congratulating other exhibitors who have worked hard and achieved
success;
•
Working unselfishly to improve the lives of other people by sharing time
and resources without expecting anything in return;
•
Avoiding being mean or cruel, or disregarding others’ feelings.
Caring
exhibitors will show caring behavior with their animals by:
•
Staying alert to the needs of the animals;
•
Carrying through on responsibilities, such as daily feeding and
watering;
• Using
grooming and training methods that do not cause any physical stress to
the animals.
Now let’s
take a test. Can you identify whether they are examples of caring or
uncaring behavior?
1.
Offering tips on fitting to first time exhibitors.
2.
Teasing another exhibitor whose animal got loose in the show ring.
3.
Providing clean, cool water for your animals at all times.
4.
Practicing showmanship with another exhibitor who has asked you for
help.
5. Doing
ALL the grooming and fitting on your little brother’s calves.
6.
Offering to share your fitting equipment with another exhibitor who
doesn’t have any.
7. Taking
a sick animal to a show.
8. Piling
manure in an unused stall in the barn, rather than taking it to where
you know it should go.
9. Saying
"thank you" to the volunteers and extension staff who
organized the show.
You
should recognize numbers 1, 3, 4, 6, and 9 as examples of caring
behavior; and numbers 2, 5, 7 and 8 are examples of uncaring behavior.
What
could you do to turn the examples of uncaring behavior into examples of
caring behavior? Aren’t these some great opportunities for us adults
to lead by the examples we set?
2) Do you
enjoy being teased? Rather than teasing, you should try to encourage
that exhibitor to try again. If you have had similar experiences,
perhaps you can offer suggestions.
5) Why
isn’t doing grooming for your brother showing that you care? Simply
doing everything for him does not show caring. If you care, help
him develop his own skills. You should offer to help and give advice.
Then he will develop his own skills.
7) Taking
a sick animal to a show is showing uncaring behavior, both to the animal
and to other exhibitors. The animal should be allowed to stay in
familiar surroundings and recover. Other exhibitors should not have to
risk their animals getting sick because they were exposed to a sick
animal.
8) Who is
going to clean up that unused stall? Someone will have to do it! By
dumping the manure, you are ignoring the feelings of the person who will
have to clean up after you.
Caring
Be kind
• Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive
others • Help people in need
Until
next time, God Bless!
James
Shropshire is the Alabama 4-H Regional Extension Agent for the Central
Alabama Region. |
