Celebrate our Volunteers!

We Are 4-H. That is our state centennial theme and the theme of this year's State 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Conference held in Raleigh, NC. The annual event allows 4-H volunteers from across the state to come together to receive training, hold a state 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association Meeting, and raise money for their volunteer organization.
This year 12 Robeson County volunteers attended this event. They received training in a variety of areas including electricity, poultry science, public speaking, advanced junior master gardeners curriculum, leadership, crafts for 5-8 year olds, etiquette, recycling, and so much more. Two staff members even conducted workshops this year, Aggie Rogers worked with members of the state 4-H staff to conduct a project record and presentation training, while Shea Ann DeJarnette worked with four other 4-H Extension Agents to present taking Green from Good to Great based on the theories of Jim Collin's book, "From Good to Great." The volunteers will bring back what they learned from the conference and teach other 4-H volunteers and parents as well as offer workshops for our youth with their new found skills.
The members of the 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association also conduct several fundraisers for this event which include a basket raffle, auction, and country store. Many of our county volunteers bring and make things for the auction and country store. We are especially grateful to Kayser Roth for donating a box of hosiery items that were sold at the store as well as being included in the auction to help this group raise funds. The items from Robeson County alone helped raise close to $300 for the association. The money is used to help with the costs of officer training, scholarships, and this annual conference.
The evening banquet was full of celebration. After singing Happy Birthday to 4-H and cutting the cake, we were graced with the presence of six 4-H state leaders who talked about the changes in 4-H during their tenure as state leader and helped us all understand a bigger historic picture of our state 4-H program. During the evening banquet, the incoming state and district officers are inducted during a candlelight ceremony. Our own Aggie Rogers became the Reporter for the South Central District during this ceremony. Go Aggie!
On Sunday, we enjoyed a very nice breakfast and listened to author Jones Loflin as he spoke about balancing our work, relationships, and time for self. Loflin is a 4-H parent and co-author of the book "Juggling Elephants; An easier Way to Get Your Most Important Things Done-Now!" Thanks to Monsanto, which helped sponsor this conference, each volunteer left with a copy of Loflin's book. He even stayed and personally autographed the book for every volunteer.
According to those in attendance, it was an incredible event and they urge all 4-H volunteers to take the opportunity and attend this conference. As one volunteer said, "I can use this in 4-H, at home, church, and even in my job. I never expected this much from one training, and I certainly didn't think I would have this much fun!"