SE District Fall Day

    It's that time of year for our volunteers to get together and enjoy Fall.  The Southeast District 4-H Fall Day will take place November 1, from 10 am-2 pm at the Lenoir County Extension office in Kinston.  On the agenda this year is First Aid, 4-H Club Safety, and Youth Safety.  There will also be a district meeting to elect officers.  Registration for the meeting, which includes lunch is $25.  To register please go to our app or disrctly to the Eventbrite link.

Congratulations and Thank You

  A big thank you to all the 4-H volunteers who made the trip to the NC Volunteer Leaders Conference in Durham this weekend.  From speaking with everyone it sounds like everyone was in agreement that it was one of the best conferences we have had in awhile.
  For those of you wondering what happens at this event.....4-H Volunteers come from around the state to conduct training, and business as well as fundraising for their association.  Workshops range from ACE Master Volunteer trainings to make and take sessions.  A favorite every year is the electric workshop.  This year's theme of "Planting the Seeds of our Legacy" could be seen everywhere.  Our own Shea Ann DeJarnette partnered with New Hanover 4-H Extension Agent Scott Enroughty to teach a workshop entitled 4-H Bee Great.  The workshop focused on various STEM, STEAM, and STREAM activities to engage and teach youth about pollinators.

  Our own Marilyn Merritt finished up her term as State Volunteer Leaders Association Treasurer.  Before she could walk away from her leadership position she had to talley up all the funds that came from the annual basket raffle and country store and auction.  When all was said and done they had raised about $3,000 to support the VLA and its work.
  The event winds down with a fabulous banquet and award presentations.  The next morning the volunteers received a motivational message before installing their new state officers.
  We hope more of our volunteers will consider attending this great training opportunity next year.  For more information please contact one of our Volunteers or staff who attended this year.

Meeting the Parliment

  Tonight was our quarterly 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders' Association meeting.  We did the typical meeting things, catching up on what the clubs are doing, what we have done in the program, what's coming up in the program and important club deadlines.
  Tonight was also the deadline to turn in Electric projects and project records for those wanting to go to Electric Congress this year.  Martae Callahan learned about wiring sockets with his project.  Jalen King learned about different things that conduct or insulate electric current.  D. J. Brown also submitted an electric portfolio for the opportunity to attend this event that will take place in July.

  At the end of the night the County Council officers led an activity involving making trail mix using parliamentary procedure.  Each of the youth had to make specific motions involving placing items in the trail mix and often it created an animated discussion.  Youth quickly learned how to amend motions and call the question so they could get down to business and eat what they had created.
  Our next meeting will be June 4 at the Cooperative Extension office.  For more information please contact Wendy Maynor 4-H Program Associate at (910) 671-3276 or Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu.

Our New Leaders Are....

It was a quick but effective 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders' Association Election tonight.  Alex Evans, current 4-H County Council President lead the elections starting with our 4-H County Council officers.  There was a full slate and each club had the opportunity to cast their ballots.  In the end our 2018 officers will be;  Gia Williams of the Titans 4-H Club, President; Tristan Page, of the Explore NC 4-H Club as President-Elect; Laci Rozier of the Explore NC and Dirty Dozen Shooting Sports 4-H Club as Secretary-Treasurer; D. J. Brown-Rogers of the Titans 4-H Club will serve as the Reporter; and Trey Williams of the Titans 4-H Club serving as Sergeant at Arms.
The Volunteers had a more difficult time.  Only three positions had folks who stepped up to run so the needed to have nominations from the floor.  After phone calls and text messages the following slate of officers were presented:  Larry Russ of the Dirty Dozen Shooting Sports Club for President; Bonnie Canady of the Explore NC 4-H Club President-Elect; Joyce Peay of the Voices as Praise 4-H Club as Secretary; Gina Rozier as Treasurer; Lillian McNeill as Reporter; and Veronica Powell as Parliamentarian.  The volunteers moved to accept the slate of officers by acclamation and the group voted orally to accept the slate of officers as they stand.
Before the meeting was adjourned we discussed the upcoming State Council Conference and the new addition to our 4-H County Council and Volunteer Association meetings of an educational component that will serve as a meeting for our clubs.  The educational component will be lead by the officers.
After the end of the meeting the group sat and enjoyed wings and pizza, as well as each other company.
Congratulations to all our officers.

It Takes A Little Planning

  Our 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders' Association officers met tonight to plan our next Countywide meeting.  As they went through the agenda the group decided we needed to have a little fun at our meeting.  So after we are done conducting business we will move pass go, and head straight for Game Night.
 

We can't tell you exactly what games will be available but it is bound to be a whole lot of fun and you won't want to miss our officers as they lead these games.  Our next County meeting will start at 6 pm at the Extension office on Monday, April 3.  For more information about this program please contact Wendy Maynor, 4-H Program Assistant at (910) 671-3276 or Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu.

4-H Wins!

  A big thank you to our County Council officers and Volunteer Leaders' Association officers for all your hard work on our first membership recruitment event, 4-H Game Night!  The night was planned as a fun event for members to bring friends and their parents and let them see how much fun 4-H can be.
  The games were set out all over the auditorium, lobby and front lawn so there had to be something for everyone.  From corn hole, to horseshoes, even Twister we had something that was fun and different.  Mrs. Wendy even got involved with the games and played Boggle with a volunteer or two.  Good old fashioned games like checkers and scrabble got pulled out, while some new card games like beat the parents made an impact that night.  We had snacks such as pizza, popcorn, and ice cream.  More than 30 people attended and it likes like we might even get some new members to join our fun.  So everyone won, no matter what game they played.
  If you are interested in being a part of 4-H in Robeson County please contact Wendy Maynor at (910) 671-3276 or Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu.

Achieving More

  Tonight marked our second 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders' Association meeting of the year.  What made this one a little different were our two guests; Sgt. Marcotte and Sgt. Patterson.  They came to give a brief talk about careers in the military and teach us a little flag etiquette.  Our youth and parents were so connected to their talk that they stayed for over an hour talking about options and what they need to do now if they are considering a military career.  Many of our youth listened intently and seem to seriously be considering this opportunity.
  Among other business, club reports were read, and discussion came up about various opportunities that lay ahead including District Activity Day and Summer Programs.  We also remembered 4-H benefactor, Robert Wilkes and spoke about the cookbook campaign which we hope will help top off his 4-H endowment.
  After the meeting was adjourned the adults went to the kitchen to have a brief meeting on accountability while the youth stayed in the auditorium and worked on a community service project.  One of our own 4-H members has been very ill lately and all the youth made a variety of get well cards for him.  We hope he will be home soon and able to enjoy their hard work.
  Our next County Council and Volunteer Leaders' Association meeting will be held in June.  For more information about this county program please contact Wendy Maynor at (910) 671-3276 or Wendy_Maynor@ncsu.edu.

From the Dirt Up

  That was the theme for this year's NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Conference.  Our Robeson County delegation to advantage of all the opportunities offered.  This year in attendance were Katherine, Kenneth, and Laura Bethea; Emma Hill, Marilyn Merritt, Aggie Rogers, Larry Russ and our own 4-H Agent, Shea Ann DeJarnette.  Volunteers had the opportunity to attend workshops that includes camps, electric projects, horse programs, legos, leather crafting, Health Rocks!, Parliamentary Procedure, Plant propagation and sooooo much more!  In between all the workshops and learning fun were meetings, fellowship, making new friends, shopping, fundraising and so much more packed into two fun filled days.
 

So many people ask, "Why go to a 2 day conference in Raleigh?  What could be so special?"  Well really it's all about the people who are there.  Everyone in attendance is connected to 4-H as a staff member or volunteer.  That means you have the opportunity to meet folks from around the state who share the same passion for youth and youth programming as you do.  This is a group of people who have a great amount of wisdom, problem solving skills, and are so organized that they have their own association.  That means besides the fact that you can meet new and interesting folks in 4-H you can also learn about great programs and activities, take what you learn home, and even strengthen your own leadership skills.
  Since this is the annual business meeting for the NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders' meetings and elections are also conducted on the district and state levels.  This year in the Southeast District our own Aggie Rogers was elected President, Paula Woodall was elected President-Elect, Page Redmon was also elected as Vice President, Gwindy Stewart will be Treasurer, Rose Lee will be secretary.  Kim Lackey will move into the Past President's role and will serve as our state Vice President.
  While everyone is there it seemed like a good time to do a couple of fundraisers for the association as well.  The South Central District hosted a basket Raffle and the Southeast District was in charge of the Country Store and silent auction.  Together both fundraisers raised about $2,500 for the organization.
 At the end of Saturday night a banquet was held.  Volunteers received awards, were recognized for their achievements, and had the opportunity to hear from the state staff.    Dr. A. Richard Bonanno, who began in his new role on Monday as Director of Extension was on hand to give thanks to the volunteers for all that they do.
We met back at the McKimmon Center on Sunday morning for two more workshops on duct tape crafts and t-shirt quilts.  After all the fun it was time to install the officers and finish the closing meeting.  Dr. Mike Yoder, the 4-H Program Leader talked with the volunteers and expressed how much he appreciates their efforts.  When it was all said and done we headed back to Robeson County with new friends, lots of ideas, and a new appreciation for our North Carolina Clover.
 

County Council Has a Lot to Talk About

       The 4-H County Council and Leaders’ Association Meeting washeld at the O.P. Owens Agriculture Center on February 1, 2016.  Topics covered included 4-H Cookbooks which are currently for sale at $10.00.  These can be purchased at the Ag. Center.   The use of proper Parliamentary Procedures was reviewed through an activity led by Jeshaiah Moore and Amaria Rogers your County Council President and President-Elect.

   Some of the things the Officers brought up at the meeting included: the next election, in order to be eligible to run for a County Council 4-H officer and to have voting privileges, 4-H members must attend a minimum of two County Council and Leadership meetings and must have fifty percent attendance at their 4-H club meetings (at least 4 club meetings). 

   Upcoming events include the County Activity Day on Saturday, March 12^th which will be held at the Cooperative Extension Office.  The deadline to register for presentations or public speaking is March 4^th.  Family game night/membership drive will be held on April 18^th.  4-H members are encouraged to bring friends to this event.  

Respectfully Submitted,

Jill Deems

Reporter, Volunteer Leaders' Association

4-H Volunteers and Membership Elect New Officers

It was an exciting election as members of the 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders’ Association met at Mr. P’s Skateworld to exercise their voting rights and bodies.  The group met and introduced the candidates for office.  This year, both groups had a full slate of nominees.  Running for County Council were: Jeshaiah Moore, Young Leaders 4-H Club, for President; Amaria Rogers and Gia Williams, both with Titans 4-H Club, for President-Elect; Michiko Hill, Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club, for Secretary/Treasurer; Katee Hiller, St. Paul’s 4-H Pony Club, and Reece Rogers, Titans 4-H Club, for Reporter; and Alex Evans and Christian Graham, both with Dirty Dozen 4-H Shooting Sports Club, for Sergeant-at-Arms.  After the ballots were counted, the 2016 4-H County Council officers will be:  Jeshaiah Moore - President, Amaria Rogers - President-Elect, Michiko Hill - Secretary/Treasurer, Katee Hiller - Reporter, and Christian Graham - Sergeant-at-Arms.  We had a tie for the reporter position, and based on the bylaws for the organization, we had to flip a coin to determine the winner of the election.  When the coin landed, Katee Hiller became Reporter.

            On the adult side, we had almost as much excitement.  Running for offices were:  Pam Walton for President, Monica Graham and Aggie Rogers for President-Elect, Gina Rozier for Secretary, Bonnie Canady for Treasurer, Jill Deems for Reporter, and Larry Russ for Parliamentarian.   Joyce Peay, the current President, will move into an advisory role as Past President.  When the votes were counted, the 2016 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Association officers became: Pam Walton - President, Aggie Rogers - President-Elect, Gina Rozier - Secretary, Bonnie Canady - Treasurer, Jill Deems - Reporter, and Larry Russ - Parliamentarian.   All the officers will be officially affirmed into office later this year and will go through orientation before starting in their official capacities next year.

            After the election, it was time for everyone’s favorite part, getting their skates on and hitting the floor.  No doubt, our 4-H members, and even some adults, slept well after the fun and exercise they got roller-skating.  The 4-H County Council and Volunteer Leaders’ Association will begin meeting in January 2016.