[Image: clover]Union Parish 4-H Teen Advisory
Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 5, 2009
Extension Auditorium
The Union Parish Teen Advisory Council met Monday, January 5, 2009, at 6 p.m. in the Extension Auditorium.
Youth attending included: Blair Bennett, Dana Bennett, Brittany Branning, Conrad Cable, Kaden Cable, Reva Carpenter, Cole Griffin, Kade Hicks, Kyle Hicks, Bethany Rhodes, and Joseph Sanders. Adults attending were: Jason Holmes, County Agent and Carol Remy, Extension Agent/Parish Chair.
The room had four tables set up. At one table the youth wrote on gingerbread people “What would make youth feel they belonged to 4-H?” The comments left at that table were:
- Have a large variety of activities so all the kids feel they excel at something.
- Have people in 4-H come up and talk to you and make you feel welcome.
- Join with a friend.
- Have a friend or buddy to show you around.
- Have time at most activities where kids have time to talk.
- Make activities that teens would enjoy to come to & learn more about.
- Include more team building activities at events so people interact together.
At another table using K-Nex building toys, youth created an invention and made suggestions on: “How can 4-H enhance the program with Science, Engineering and Technology?” Their responses included:
- Teach youth about conserving energy/natural resources
- Teach older teens about conserving gas in their vehicles & help with gas mileage.
- Each month hold a k-nex type contest.
- Conduct SET activities and projects that were done at 4-H camp.
- Build model boats/planes, etc and have races.
- Have a team 4-H project or competition where 4-H’ers conduct a science project or build something.
At the third table, youth wrote on soccer balls ideas they would like to “kick-around” as possibilities for the 4-H program to do. They included:
- Do activities with other parish 4-H members
- Conduct more get-acquainted type activities
- Do more activities that help the community and improve the environment.
- Conduct more contests.
- Conduct child development activities.
- Have a fishing clinic.
- Go to the food bank to work.
- Have a meeting to just talk about 4-H University.
- Have more cooking contests where you turn it in at your own school.
- Have more college related programs.
- Have parishes work together to accomplish state goals.
- Help with Special Olympics.
- Have a 4-H trail ride, play day, etc. (where you don’t have to be a major horse person to participate)
- Have a 4-H Sports Day – 4-Hers compete in sporting events.
And last the youth made a goal or a 4-H New Year’s Resolution they would like to achieve for themselves. Their personal goals were:
- To win a belt buckle at the parish livestock show.
- To be an awesome counselor at 4-H camp.
- To receive camp counselor training.
- To win Ag Demo at 4-H U.
- To be a better Jr. Leader and Officer.
- To become more involved in 4-H.
- To encourage more people to join 4-H.
- To learn more about helping people and my community.
- To have new experiences and meet new people.
- To balance work and 4-H better.
- To be re-elected to the State Executive Board.
- To encourage and promote tri-parish activities.
- To do my best and win district and state livestock showmanship.
- To go to the National Shooting Sports competition.
- To be a better leader and volunteer in Shooting Sports and Jr. Leaders.
Summarization and reflection was done at the conclusion of the table discussions.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. after the students volunteered to assist with Ag Expo and other Junior Leader activities.