Training our Hearts

Now a days when you think about 4-H you think about kids and clubs. Our 4-H clubs are the cornerstone of our youth program and they would not exist if it weren't for some wonderful adults that we call 4-H volunteers. It is easy to say they are the heart of our program because without their constant flow of help, caring, and knowledge we would not have a program.
Our club volunteers came out for the first of our quarterly trainings this year. The first topic, clubs of course. The training was set up for everyone first timers who are thinking about starting a club to our seasoned veterans who have been in club work for more than a decade. They had the opportunity to lead pledges, learn how to obtain EIN numbers and ask every question under the sun concerning clubs. Some of the volunteers felt like we had unloaded a dump truck of information on, others said they are ready to go out and start 4-H clubs on every corner.
The next volunteer training will be "4-H 101: Everything you ever wanted to know about 4-H but did not know to ask." the training will be held April 24, at the O. P. Owens Agricultural Center. For more information about 4-H or the Volunteer trainings please contact Shea Ann DeJarnettte, Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development at (910) 671-3276 or Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu.

Family Values

We hear talk all the time about family values and what families really hold near and dear to them, especially during election years. Have you ever sat down as a family and stated what your values as a family are? Our families who attended this week's Strengthening Families Program had the opportunity to illustrate their values and much more.

The youth started their session learning about rules and consequences. Each youth had the opportunity to earn their Strengthening Families drivers license, a really cool car, and the opportunity to drive around the town we developed. At each stop they received a car that told them about their driving habits. If they were following driving rules they were allowed to go to the next stop. If they had broken a driving law they missed a turn. At the end they were trying to see who would make it to our final stop, the pizza shop, first. Most importantly they walked away learning that breaking rules have consequences. They also worked through activities to show why it is important for adults to follow rules and the severe consequences that can occur if they do not.

Families came together to talk about the values that are important to them. The families made collage shields that show what is important to them and what they hold dear as they make decisions and set goals. Many of the families listed religion, trust, and helping others as goals. Other values included environment, helping the elderly, working with others, health and fitness as values as well.

This was week four of our six week program. If you would like more information about the Strengthening Families Program, please contact Christy Strickland, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent, at (910) 671-3276 or Christy_Strickland@ncsu.edu.

Treasure Map of Life

Have you ever mapped out your life, your future? That's what 15 active youth did as part of Red Springs Middle School's, Community In Schools (CIS) After School Program this week. The youth made a collage treasure map that included four sections; family & friends, health & fitness, hobbies & leisure, and jobs & careers. Each worked hard at creating a piece that suited them. The careers ranged from police officer and bartender to television star and super solider. The pieces they created were colorful and fun and showed each youth's personality.
When they were done with their treasure map they received two cards. One was for them to take home to their parents to initiate a conversation about their goals and dreams and how they can work together to make this happen in the future (actually mapping out the course as a family). The second card was filled with questions for the youth to ask the parent. Things like, "What did you want to be when you were my age?" Questions to open a conversation and let parents remember what it was like to be that age and kids know that their parents were once like them.
For more information about 4-H and after school activities, please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development at (910) 671-3276 or Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu.

Encouraging Good Behavior

Do you know what is stressful for your child? Do you know how to promote good behavior without stressing yourself? These were topics that were addressed in this weeks Strengthening Families program. During the two hour session, parents met to talk about techniques that help promote good behavior. Things like recognizing and complimenting good behavior, using a reward system for good behavior, developing a point system to teach good behavior, and building positive relationships.
The youth met separately from the adults to talk about stress and how it affects their behavior. They identified the things that are stressful in their life and how it makes them feel. They learned the difference between positive and negative behaviors when dealing with stress and how to handle stressful situations with healthy alternatives.
Together the families learned about the importance of family meetings and even conducted one before leaving. They also designed a privileges and reward chart and started planning some fun family activities. At the end, the parents and children were able to identify things that the youth wanted to work towards by showing good behavior and gave the parents some tools to use to promote good behavior and discourage negative behavior.
The Strengthening Families Program is a 6 week program that promotes family communication and addresses tough issues like behavior, substance abuse, and self esteem. The program is joint effort between North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Centers' Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development Programs. It is being funded thanks to funds received from United Way. For more information about this program, please contact Christy Strickland, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent, at (910) 671-3276 or by E-mail at Christy_Strickland@ncsu.edu.

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!"

Turning Family Stress into a Positive Mess

Ever had a bad day at work only to find when you get home the house is a mess, no one started dinner, and you have a pile of laundry that "has" to be done before morning or someones life might be ruined if they can't wear their favorite purple shirt? It is the stressful life of a parent. The signs and symptoms almost any adult would recognize and sympathize with but most children don't understand. So when you say, "pick up your room, do your chores, and you can live without that shirt"...a child hears, "do this, do that, because I said so and tough luck life isn't fair so get used to it." How do you bridge the gap and communicate so both parents and children can understand? That translation tool was just one of the things parents and youth learned about in this week's strengthening families program.
The parents worked with Christy Strickland and Janice Fields, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agents, on age appropriate communication, and how to communicate their feelings in a calm manner so that their children can understand why it is important to follow rules. The youth worked through several exercises with Aggie Rogers and Shea Ann DeJarnette to help them understand parent stresses and how they can help alleviate and express some of those stresses instead of internalizing them and shutting down communication.
After an hour the two groups came together and worked on sharing their feelings, and putting together a very special family tree. This tree shows how important every member of a family is. The grandparents are the roots and children and parents make up the limbs. The leaves for the tree came from the different positive roles and attributes each family member has, which makes the tree very full.
The Strengthening Families Program is a 7 week course. This is the first time it has been offered in Robeson County. Please check back each week to learn more about the course and what our participants think about it. If you would like more information, please contact Christy Strickland at (910) 671-3276.

It's Fair Time Again

It is true that the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair is not until October (October 1-10, if you would like to go ahead an mark your calendar) but the members of the Junior Fair Board began meeting and planning this week. The Junior Fair Board represent the youth in our county and advise the Fair Board members on things that youth would like to see at the fair. These youth, many who are 4-H members, also help plan events and have a great deal of responsibilities during the fair. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to helping with youth and adult events, running the information booth and taking care of lost children.
The junior fair board members are hand selected by Aggie Rogers, who is a Fair Board member and the Coordinator of the Junior Fair Board. This years members include Cierra Buckman, Kelsey Bullard, Sebastian Bullard, Triton Bullard, Brennen Hardin, James Hurst, Jaboya Mouzon, Aljaquan Nixon, Korina Pittman, Kristen Sealey and Yazmin Washington. Members elected Cierra Buckman as chairperson for the board and Yazmin Washington as vice chair.
During the first meeting, the board members learned about their responsibilities, attendance policy, and made plans for their future monthly meetings. For more information about the Junior Fair Board, please contact Aggie Rogers at (910) 671-3276.

Madam President....

Madam President was repeated over and over as we conducted our first County Council and Leaders' Association Meeting for 2009. The meeting was productive as the group used parliamentary procedure to make some decisions. That included that the high attendance award will allow the winning club to chose from two rewards. The group voted that bowling and a centennial ice cream party (using the soon to be announced 4-H centennial ice cream flavor) will the two rewards to chose from.
Roll call was tight with 5 clubs being represented. Spiritual Generations won the high attendance award with 9 members present. They will get to chose their prize as determined by the membership voting. We also had two special guest, one from the Boys and Girls Club and the other from Palmer Drug Prevention. Our newest speciality club, the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club was introduced to the rest of the membership.
Those in attendance learned about the committees that they can serve on and about upcoming activities. At the end of the meeting we enjoyed snacks (pizza, cake, and drinks) provided by the "Dirty Rascals" Junior Master Gardener 4-H club. Then everyone took a little time to work on a community service project for United Way.
It was a great night and those in attendance want to encourage all 4-H club members, parents, and volunteers to join us for our next meeting April 6, 2009.