Ringing in the Holidays the Clover Way

It's a tradition. You can not ring in the holidays in Lumberton without Robeson County 4-H. Thanks to the organizational and decorating skills of 4-H volunteers Libby Burney and Marilyn Merritt 4-H had the shiniest, most glamorous youth float in the annual Lumberton Holiday Parade. More than 40 youth and volunteers clamored aboard the flat bed truck that was decorated with traditional holiday decorations and 4-H clovers. A half dozen clubs were represented including; Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardeners, Horsin' Around, Lightening Electric Club, Spiritual Generations, Voices in Praise, and Young Leaders. Everyone aboard the float helped to decorate and enjoyed their ride down the parade route waving and smiling to all those along the way. It might have been cold this year, but our group stayed warm spreading all their 4-H holiday spirit, and huddling under blankets. According to Libby Burney she has a whole hosts of ideas to make it even better for next year so go ahead and set the date aside on your calendar for next year as 4-H, and our float, will be bigger and better then ever.

State Council Conference is a Whirlwind!

What a week it has been! After leaving our incredible volunteers Friday night Yazmin Washington, Cierra Buckman and I headed to Raleigh early Saturday morning for 4-H State Council Conference. The two day event offers workshops in leadership areas and is also a chance for youth from around the state to get together to make decisions concerning the 4-H program state wide. There is also a battle for the state spirit stick which involves, skits, chants, and a whole lot of mystery points. Before we could even look at our schedules Yazmin, Cierra and DeAngelo Byrd from Scotland County, video taped a shout out for our Military troops stationed abroad and wrote messages on a banner that will be sent to them.
Cierra jumped into the swing of things first. She signed up for the Ambassador track of this conference. What that means is that she was learning about the 4-H Ambassador program and taking workshops to obtain her bronze level. 4-H Ambassadors are highly trained 4-H leaders. They teach workshops, recruit members and volunteers, and help make a difference in their community. By Sunday afternoon she had attended all the classes she needed to obtain her first level and now she is working on her portfolio and community service hours so she can move on to the silver level. There are four levels to the ambassador program, bronze, silver, gold, and emerald.

Yazmin was signed up for the straight track. What that means is she had the opportunity to attend workshops on a variety of topics including using play dough and Lego's to teach groups life skills, how to make thank you notes, media relations, public speaking, Geo caching and much more.
As part of the event the youth attend a state recognition banquet Saturday night. Yazmin was presented with the South Central District Volunteer Award for all of the work she does in her community thru 4-H, Girl Scouts, her church and school. It was a big shock for her but she seemed tickled pink (or should we say green) about it.
Please don't think I was kicked back and relaxing. While they were attending workshops and meetings I was teaching two workshops for silver and gold level ambassadors. This is a photo of the youth in the media one workshop they learned about doing interviews and writing press releases as well as how the media works. I charged them with downloading the photo and writing a press release for their county 4-H Agents to promote what 4-H is doing in our state. The second workshop involved youth learning about how to meet and greet lawmakers, donors and other important folks to 4-H. They had the opportunity to learn everything from how to dress for a meeting to how to make an appointment and how to make the most of their time with them. They were incredibly fun groups and I am looking forward to seeing everything they accomplish, as well as all that Cierra and Yazmin do with all that they learned over the weekend. As you can see from the photos we had a really great time in Raleigh, as well as the opportunity to learn.

Thank You

We say it too infrequently and they deserve so much more than just a mere thank you. I am talking about our incredible Robeson County 4-H volunteers. Nearly 75 of these special people joined us for our annual 4-H Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.

The room was decorated in black and silver to help kick off the upcoming State 4-H Centennial Celebration. Our volunteers were dressed to kill as they came to enjoy dinner, fellowship with other volunteers, and receive small tokens of our appreciation. Cierra Buckman and Yazmin Washington, both County Council officers, served as hostesses greeting our volunteers and pinning them with centennial pins while making sure they were armed with a ticket for some incredible door prizes. Everett Davis, the Robeson County Extension Director, welcomed everyone and served as our moderator for the evening. Bobby Rogers, a long time 4-H volunteer, gave the benediction and we all enjoyed an incredible dinner from Village Station. After dinner, the fun really began as we welcomed special guests including members of our specialized committee, County Commissioner (and 4-H volunteer) Hubert Sealey, and our North Carolina Cooperative Extension District Extension Director, Dr. Donald Cobb.

Valerie Humphrey provided incredible entertainment during the night singing some Broadway songs that took our breath away. Lt. Brian Duckworth of the Robeson County Sheriff's office was our speaker for the evening and reminded us about the special nature of volunteers and how our 4-H volunteers really are making a difference for the youth in our county. After all the formalities (and a few breaks for door prizes) it was time for what we all came for, time to recognize our volunteers for their service. We called them up by their years of service and gave them a small memento of our appreciation. The volunteers whose names are in bold were present to receive their gift and you can see them in our photos, grouped by year.
First Year Volunteers: Janet Calvin, Gwen Colvin, Jessica Drake, Margaret Crites, Pat McRae, Hubert Sealey, Linda Sealey and Tanya Underwood.
Second Year: Tony Bullard, Sandra Cox, Staci Kinlaw, Carolyn Lewis, Connie Locklear, Millard Locklear, Jane McMillan, Gail Rogers, Sonny Sampson and Arlene Smith.
Third Year: Sarah Baker, Joan Britt, Libby Burney, Retha Ekwunoh, Melissa Hoggard, Kusum Jahala, Vicky Pipkins and Larry Russ.
Fourth Year: Debra McBride
Sixth Year: Leonard Bullard, Sharon Bullard, Bessie Jones, Carolyn McMillan, Lillian McNeill, Gwen Rogers and Esther Wood.
Seventh Year: Renee Blue, Jane Hurst, Hattie Troy and Erica Willams.
Eighth Year: Sharon Byrd, Addie Mae Caple and Mary Grissett.
Ninth Year: Beverly Chambers, Sara Hunter and Debra Rogers.
Eleventh Year: Aletha Mebane and Cynthia Shipmon.
Twelfth Year: Laura Betha, Patrica Andrew-Ford and Sallie McCallum.
Thirteenth Year: Lorraine Chandler, Joyce Peay, Louise Ratley, Lula Ratley and Juanita Smith.

Fourteenth Year: Marilyn Merritt
Sixteenth Year: Kenneth Bethea and Hazel Sumner
Seventeenth Year: Linda Brown and Bobby Rogers
Nineteenth Year: Katherine Bethea and Roberta Grissett

Three volunteers received special recognition for their years of service. Ervin Ratlely was recognized for 10 years of service in 4-H. He is one of our long time Animal Science supporters and has worked with not only his children, but grandchildren completing 4-H projects. Deborah Mitchell was recognized for 15 years of service to 4-H. Joyce Jones, who was unable to attend, was also recognized for 25 years of service to 4-H serving in roles from club leader to Volunteer Leaders' Association officer and so much more in her 4-H career.

Before our evening was over the volunteers were treated to a slide show of all their exploits and learning activities of the year. In a special treat Libby Burney, 4-H volunteer with the Horsin' Around Horse Club, took the podium and recognized the 4-H staff with special gifts and also recognized volunteer Larry Russ, who has cooked for several events, with a special gift.

We hope our volunteers felt that this was a special night just for them and enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed putting it together for them. Most of all we just want to say thank you for all that you do for your communities, our youth, and 4-H.

Winter Comes Early

Traditionally the South Central District Winter Enrichment takes place in late January or Early February. This year it came a few months early thanks to a very special celebration. In 2009 North Carolina 4-H will be celebrating its centennial. To get ready the District officers decided it would be best to start preparing before the beginning of the year to celebrate. So this year they moved winter enrichment up and turned it into 4-H Centennial Enrichment.

Two Robeson County 4-H members, Cierra Buckman and James Hurst attended this teen event. They took part in workshops that included learning about solar energy, finding their beat during a music workshop, and learning about centennial activities and planning 100 ways to celebrate in 2009. The day also included a business meeting where county reports were given, an update from the 4-H state council planning meeting, and getting prepared for next weekends 4-H State Council Conference.

The two delegates from Robeson County were among 75 youth in attendance from 15 counties. Everyone had a good time, and offered suggestions for teen retreat, a two day meeting that will take place in March or April. Stay tuned for more details.

November Means Elections

Twas the night before voting and all through the county there were creatures stirring, practicing their voting. Well, in all honesty they weren't really practicing, they were actually officially voting. Not the the country's highest office but for our county 4-H program's highest honors, the officers of the county council and leaders association. Five clubs were on hand to cast their ballots and make sure they were signed by the proper youth and adults for each club.
When the votes were tallied the county council officers elected are: Cierra Buckman, President; Aljaquwan Nixon, President-Elect; Yazmin Washington, Secretary; Kristen Sealey, Treasurer; Jaboya Mouzon, Reporter; Laquawnda Banks, Sergeant-at-Arms.
The Leaders' Association officers include: Renee Blue, President; Hazel Sumner, President-Elect; Sandra Cox, Secretary; Melissa Hoggard, treasurer; Kenneth Bethea, Reporter; Past President/Advisor is Jane Hurst. Marilyn Merritt, the South Central District Leaders' Association president is also serving as the district advisor to the association.
The officers were inducted into their offices during a traditional candlelight ceremony. their first official act of office will come on January 12 when they go through an orientation and learn about the responsibilities of office and about parliamentary procedure.
If you would like to know more about the county council or leaders' association and how you can become an officer contact Aggie Rogers, 4-H Program Associate, at (910) 671-3276 or Aggie_Rogers@ncsu.edu.

Fall Back into Fall Day

They drove to Robeson County in car loads and vans full to enjoy, learn, and work. What is it all about? The South Central District 4-H Annual Volunteer Fall Day. More than 50 people from 10 counties arrived Saturday morning to see old friends, attend workshops, and conduct business. After a brief welcome from district president Jim Hancock, the group broke down to attend two of four workshops for the day.

Bobby Rogers, a Robeson County 4-H volunteer created a woodworking project for the group. The shelves, which could be used as a spice rack or whatever the imagination can muster, were put together by each individual to take home. As part of the lesson they learned about different types of hammers, different sized nails, and how woodworking can be a great stress reliever.

Christy Strickland, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent in Robeson County offered some great ways to recycle and create money saving projects that will be especially handy during the holidays. Taking old magazines and catalogs, she cut strips and showed the crowd how to make bows for holidays packages, as well as jewelry beads, and even an eye glasses case. Many of the volunteers said they plan to take the projects back to teach other volunteers, youth in the clubs, and even church members how to do.

Mom, also known as Eleanore Getz, a Cumberland County Volunteer, told a packed room about the ACE Master Volunteer Program and how to get involved. The course which offers various levels of training and volunteer work is a state program that allows volunteers to create a portfolio and earn different levels of volunteer achievement.

As part of the ACE program Shea Ann DeJarnette, the Robeson County 4-H Extension Agent, offered a workshop on Jim Collins book "From Good to Great." The workshop explains the theories and principles in the book and allows volunteers to apply them to their 4-H volunteer work. The course can also be as part of the training used by volunteers who are trying to achieve their emerald level in the ACE program.

After the workshops, the group went into their business meeting to approve by-law changes due to redistricting and elect new officers for the upcoming year. Incoming officers include: Past President, Jim Hancock from Cumberland County; President, Marilyn Merritt from Robeson County; President-elect, Karen Cole from Moore County; Vice President, Hannah Dunlap from Anson County; Secretary, Jo Ann Lowder from Cabarrus County; Treasurer, William Byrd from Scotland County; Reporter, Aggie Rogers from Robeson County; Parliamentarian, Walter Brown from Scotland County. Mable Murray from Cumberland County and Alisha Brown from Scotland County are being nominated to run for the state reporter position.

Lunch which was prepared by the Robeson County staff and volunteers was served during a break in the business meeting. After the business meeting, just after 2 the meeting was adjourned and Fall Day was over, so that everyone could go home and set their clocks back awaiting the next meeting, which will be held as part of State 4-H Volunteer Leaders Conference in 2009.

4-H Members Making the Grade for College

They are making history and planning their futures all at the same time. These 4-H members are part of our first Robeson County 4-H intensive college prep program that began on October 31st. 12 youth were selected through a nomination process from club leaders, volunteers, parents and 4-H staff. To be part of the program they had to be in the ninth through eleventh grades, be an active 4-H member, and have the commitment they will need to be a part of the program. Letters and contracts were sent to each possibly participant and when all was said and done nine dedicated members decided to take part in the program that will help them be prepared and competitive for college. Our first workshops took place on a teachers workday. the youth arrived at the 4-H office and worked on exercises to help them follow directions filled out surveys, and we had a conversation to help shape future programs. April Mowery, with CFNC (the College Foundation of North Carolina), stopped by and walked them through the resources their organization offers, and how they can start using it to be better prepared for their futures. Janice Fields, our Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent worked with them on how to make healthy eating decisions when away from home and they even got a chance to do some dorm cooking (cooking from a microwave) they each prepared a dish for everyone to share at lunch and all I can tell you is it looked good and smelled even better. After lunch they had a chance to work with Christy Strickland, another Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent with our Robeson County Extension Office. Christy worked with the youth on note taking techniques, time management and organizational issues. She also gave them an opportunity to be creative as they turned simple cookie sheets into colorful and inventive memo boards that they can use now and in college. Each of the youth enjoyed the program and seem to be getting excited about the possibilities that this program will offer them. Stay tuned for their future classes, lessons, and 4-H student life as part of this program.