Leadership Is...

Monday at 4-H Congress kicked off with quite a start as we headed back into leadership workshops.  Lead by the leadershape group, our youth took hold of leadership, tried to define it, and once again learned how 4-H offers our youth the chance to be leaders and make an imprint on the world.  Our youth took time to define leadership and share it with the world via instagram.  Then they had the chance to see leadership in a variety of forms via video.  Our youth also took the time to say thank you to the leaders in their lives writing notes that they would give to those who meant a great deal to them.  Lots of discussion was offered and opinions went around the room to help them form what would ultimately be their leadership goal.
Lunch was from Moe's and offered our youth lots of options (just like leadership).  On the program for the lunch speaker was the 4-H secretary who gave his farewell speech and mentioned the people who meant a great deal to him and helped shape his life and leadership vision.
After lunch it was time for more workshops before taking a break to get ready for the biggest night of 4-H Congress.  This year they did things a little different with an awards dinner which honored our 4-H Scholarship winners, Hall of Fame inductees, and State 4-H Officers.  After the expedited event it was time to get down to what everyone was waiting for; the election and dance.  Our delegates turned in our official county ballot and watched on televisions in the dance while the results were tabulated.  It did not take long to decide the positions of reporter and secretary but Vice President and President were too close, with a simple majority of votes not being received by any candidate so the it was time for a run off in both races.  The top two candidates (those with the highest number of votes) were voted on again by each county.  The race for Vice President was more defined but the race for President came down to the wire with a slim number of votes separating the two front runners.  When all was said and done the officers were announced by our current state officers and they are:  O'She Pittman, President; Drue Stinnett, Vice President; Brandon Hatman, Secretary/Tresurer; and Madaline Jones, Reporter.  The announcement is just the beginning of what happens after the election as you will see.
As we left the McKinnon center it was time to head to Dorton Arena for the most traditional part of North Carolina 4-H Congress, the candle light clover ceremony.  As we headed in there was a chalk outline of the 4-H clover on the floor.  The newly elected officers were announced and then the limo with the current state officers drove in.  As each was announced they got out of the car and waved one last time to the 4-H members and then took their seats at the top of the arena to watch what comes next.  The members in attendance were lead out on the floor to stand in a formation that would make up the clover.  As the lights were turned out the only light came from a barrel fire in the center of the clover.  Each officer took the oath of office after lighting their candle from the barrel.  After the state officer was inducted they passed the flame to their district counterparts and in turn they passed the flame to the members.  At the end of the ceremony the 4-H clover was outlined in candlelight as each member held their candle high and sang the words to the "Gleen."
It was after midnight when the festivities ended and we made it make to the dorm.  After making plans to pack up and head out the next morning our delegation enjoyed their last night together, and might have even gotten a couple of hours of sleep.  One last day of 4-H Congress...what will our last day hold?