Indivisible

  Becoming better citizens isn't all that this year's 4-H NC Citizenship Focus was about.  This year's theme of "Indivisible, Connecting Counties, Igniting 4-H Ideas" left youth with the responsibility of making our country and world a better place.  Taleek Harlee with the Spiritual Generations 4-H Club was the Robeson County representative to this year's conference which took place June 12-14 in Raleigh.  What a conference it was.
 Things got started on Monday with teambuilding and workshops.  Tables had to work together to wrap two folks together in a roll of toilet paper.  The goal, once wrapped was for the dynamic duo to go from one end of the ballroom to the other without breaking the paper.  It was a great way to start learning new communication styles, encourage each other, and work as a group.
After the opening luncheon Mike Wiley; an author, playwright, and actor, presented Tired Souls:  The Montgomery Bus Boycott.  The youth were transformed to Montgomery, Alabama in 1955 to relieve a turbulent time in our country's history.  After realizing the courage and impact of folks of all ages in changing laws and attitudes forever the youth took off for afternoon workshops.  Workshop topics included:  "I'm Right!  You're Wrong!  You Jerk!"; "How to Run 101"; "Conflict & Compromise:  The Challenges of Governing at the Local Level"; and "The Supreme Court:  Does it Really resolve Conflicts or Create Them?".  After a brief break the youth then met with Legislative Assistants from the NC Legislature to gain a behind the scenes insight into what goes on at the Capitol.
  Don't get us wrong the entire trip wasn't just work.  Our youth deserve some fun.  So after dinner and our incredible speakers who talked about Government opportunities and a need for youth, it was time for some socialization and fun.  We all enjoyed a dance, playing games, and getting to know the new friends we had made that day.

  Tuesday we were honored to have breakfast with Ms. Nelle Hotchkiss, Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations for North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives.  The electric Cooperatives help make this conference possible and it was an honor to say thank you for their support in person (in case you are wondering we also said it in writing with a thank you note at the end of the conference).  Dr. Mitizi Downing got things rolling after breakfast by asking our youth what they thought of one simple statement, :The United States is the greatest country in the world."  Our youth divided four ways, strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree.  Each side picked a spokesperson to illustrate their opinion.  The ultimate goal was to realize not everyone has the same opinion on any topic and learn how to respectfully be able to disagree.
  After that eye opener our youth headed back to the series of workshops, so they could take part in all of them.  Over lunch we had the chance to hear from Dr. Jim Clark, a NC 4-H Historian who talked about the importance of our youth to making a difference in our state and country.  Youth also got to hear from one of our most noted NC 4-H Alums, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall who talked about what she does, and how they can help her office make a difference.  After completing workshops the youth had the chance to take part in NC SPIN.  For those of you not familiar with this popular PBS show, a panel of experts provide a balanced debate on the issues that face our state.  
After a little down time and dinner we boarded the buses and headed to the NC Museum of History.  There are teens took part in a team scavenger hunt.  The clues were on SnapChat and their answers involved taking photos of themselves when they located the items and putting them on Instagram with a special hashtag.  Our youth had a ball a the museum and might have accidentally learned something along the way.  We couldn't stay at the museum all night, because we had an early morning the next day.
  Wednesday was the day our delegates had been waiting for.  We loaded up on the busses and headed to the legislature.  Imagine about 120 youth and adult walking through the doors representing 4-H.  We had the opportunity to meet with Senator Danny Britt, Jr., Representative Garland Pearce, and Representative Charles Graham.  We were able to visit the House and Senate Chambers and talk about issues that matter to our youth and folks in Robeson County.  While we were there we also ran into Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.  After such successful visits (and a whole lot of walking) we headed back tot he hotel for the final lunch and capnote speaker.  Jeff Sebo talked to our group about how to survive the political conversations with the people you care about, especially when you do not agree.  Important lessons in this time of strong opinion.  Lessons our delegate brought back to share with our 4-H program and folks in the county.