The Caddo 4-H Advisory Leadership Council met Tuesday, August 11 at 6 pm in the Caddo Extension Office. Members enjoyed a dinner at the meeting which was called to discuss old business, recap of summer activities, marketing efforts and new business.
The meeting minutes are below.
Minutes - August 11, 2009
Present: Gloria Hays, volunteer; Larine Pullen, Caddo Parish School Board; Levi Brown, 4-H member; Harmony Brown, 4-H member; Carla Brown, parent; Mary Walker, retired extension agent; Phyllis McCown, community leader; Lonnie McCray, 4-H alumnus; Patti Bornaman, parent; Kristy Koch, parent; Maegan Koch, 4-H member; Cleo Edwards, volunteer; Bart Riggins, parent; Mike Woolbert, 4-H alumnus; Jill Kolodzey, parent; William Kolodzey, 4-H member; Katherine Rashall, 4-H member; Sherry Rashall, parent; Lola Shuttleworth, 4-H agent; Katherine Pace, 4-H agent; Karen Martin, regional 4-H coordinator; Kalem Dartez, 4-H agent and Elizabeth Jordan, Administrative Coordinator and recorder.
Lonnie McCray called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. Maegan Koch led the American pledge and Keith Brown led the 4-H pledge. After Lonnie led a prayer of blessing, committee members ate supper.
The meeting was reconvened at 6:30 p.m. Lonnie asked members to introduce themselves and their experience with 4-H. Copies of the previous meetings’ minutes were passed out prior to the meeting for members to review while eating. Mike Woolbert made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 3 meeting with a correction in the fifth paragraph from “2009-2001” to “2009-2010”. The motion was seconded by Bart Riggins.
Old business was opened by Kalem Dartez who reported nine delegates attended 4-H University in June. Two delegates were Blue Ribbon winners. Daniel McFarland was selected regional representative and Hannah Crnkovic was appointed to the State Fashion Board. Kalem also reported fifty-two girls and 29 boys attended 4-H camp in July. Chesapeake Energy and Master Gardeners and some individuals provided scholarships for 25 of the campers.
Lola Shuttleworth reported seven youth and one adult submitted portfolios in eleven contest areas for the “State Records Only” Competition in July. Maegan Koch was recognized as a savings bond winner and Katherine Rashall, William Kolodzey and Daniel McFarland were recognized as blue ribbon winners. Other winners were Isaac McFarland and Lynn Farrar and Alex Nygaard was a participant. Lola recognized Elizabeth Jordan and expressed appreciation for her supervising the portfolio entries.
New business began with Katherine Pace as she updated the advisory committee members on several items regarding the promotion of the Caddo 4-H program. Mrs. Wanda Gunn, Assistant Superintendent of Caddo Parish School Board, signed the letter to school principals promoting the 4-H program and asking for schools to consider having a club this year. The annual 4-H Principals’ Breakfast at the University Club will be held on September 30. The 2009-2010 Caddo 4-H Activity Calendar is also available. The “Shreveport Drop out Prevention Summit” was held at Southern University-Shreveport and Caddo 4-H set up a booth to promote 4-H to parents of Caddo youth. In the spring, the Caddo 4-H Foundation will sponsor a Legislative Breakfast similar to the Principals’ Breakfast for area legislators to promote 4-H. Katherine then asked the members for suggestions and ideas on how 4-H can be marketed to increase awareness and encourage membership growth.
Suggestions for marketing/promoting 4-H from the committee:
- Promotion exhibits to be manned by youth and volunteers wearing parish T-shirts at area stores especially around the opening of school when parents are buying school supplies.
- Essay contest about the benefits of 4-H participation and the prize could be tickets to the state fair.
- Submitting articles to newspaper about accomplishments.
Continuing in new business, Lonnie reviewed the programming topic that was selected at the February meeting. The ’09-’10 program topic is leadership. Kalem reviewed the lessons to be presented at club meetings and to conclude at the parish Extravaganza.
Committee members were divided into three groups for further discussion of ways to achieve and promote leadership in 2009-2010 to youth and adults of Caddo Parish. The following question was given and results of their discussions were:
What opportunities can we provide to enhance the leadership development of both youth and adults?
- Financial support (opportunities to raise money for specific 4-H activities)
- Mentoring programs – older 4-H’ers talking to younger 4-H’ers about opportunities as they get older
- 4-H Debate Team
- Involvement in public speaking opportunities (i.e.: AgMagic at the State Fair, Church/Sunday School)
- Rewards for leadership experiences (clover ribbons)
- 4-H Petition- present 4-H members create a petition for other youth to sign that want to be a part of 4-H - the development of the petition and the getting signatures would develop leadership
- Participate in “Real life answers on Real Life Issues” Forum
- Youth testimony at principal’s breakfast
- All day 4-H camp for new members
- Leadership retreat
- Parish t-shirt to show ownership and belonging
- Adult trainings for school 4-H leaders (guidelines for clubs)
- Officer selection process
- Open enrollment
- 4-H shadowing program
- Involve 4-H members in creating promotional signs for the beginning of school or back to school night
- Motivational speaker for school meetings
- Jr. leaders teaching summer programs
- Improve computer skills
- New 4-H image- write a new sales pitch- new materials
- Develop brochures using the word “leadership”
- A “Come See What 4-H Is” day at Betty Virginia Park, table displays and projects
- Develop social skills class
The meeting was adjourned after the groups completed their list of suggestions at 7:40 pm.
Submitted by,
Elizabeth Jordan
Recorder