4-H Volunteer Leaders Participate in Multistate Forum

Twenty-six Alabama volunteer leaders, regional agents and state 4-H staffers recently attended the 38th annual Southern Regional Volunteer Forum at the 4-H Rock Eagle Center in Eatonton, Ga. The Alabama delegation joined more than 650 4-H volunteer leaders from 13 Southeastern states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands at the forum.

Attending from Alabama were Nancy Alexander, Patricia Bryant, Donald and Kathey Claborn, Karen Engelman, Candie Glover, Kim Good, Betty Gottler, Addie Green, Harriett Hall, Walter Harris, Cheryl Holbrook, Lindsay Kimbro, Cynthia Knowlton, Natasha Marable, Joy Maxwell, Jan Mims, Nekia Moore, Carolyn Moseley, David Perry, Christyn Sells, James Shropshire, Debra Stabler, Shirley Walker, Dorothy Washington and Kristen Wilson.

Volunteers attended workshops and fun shops and listened to motivational speakers who gave them opportunities to use and apply their youth development knowledge. Upon returning to Alabama, they will be sharing their newly acquired knowledge, skills and revived excitement with other volunteers as they serve youth and families in their communities.

“The Rock Eagle forum is always a wonderful learning opportunity for 4-H volunteers, Extension 4-H agents and state staff,” said Nancy Alexander, Extension specialist for
4-H volunteerism. “It also provides our Alabama delegation a chance to get to know other volunteers and learn what other states are doing. The Alabama delegation was awesome! We all enjoyed the moments shared, the stories told and the things learned during the week.”

Kentucky was this year’s host state and used the theme “Simply the Best.”
The four-day forum also featured a Kentucky showcase evening, highlighting commodities, tourist attractions and cultural aspects unique to Kentucky.

“This is ‘Simply the Best’ learning opportunity for volunteers and a way to further develop leadership as participants go back to their county with other volunteers to expand efforts and opportunities for youth,” said Ray Durbin, Kentucky volunteer chair of the event this year.

The forum is conducted by the Cooperative Extension Services of the state land-grant universities in the Southern states, the National 4-H Council and the Cooperative State, Research, Education, and Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. Some of the funding this year came from businesses and sponsors in Kentucky.

Volunteers from Louisiana, next year’s host, are already discussing plans for 2008, “4-H: A Flavor for All Seasons.” Alabama will be the host in 2009.

4-H Youth Development is the largest nonformal U.S. youth program that ties both public and private resources to the single purpose of supporting the positive and successful development of youth. 4-H volunteers use the Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development – Mastery, Belonging, Independence and Generosity – to develop life skills. More than 7 million youth, ages 5 to 19, participate in 4-H youth development experiences in all 50 states, U.S. territories and U.S. Army installations worldwide.

Posted by dreynold at October 11, 2007 08:49 AM | TrackBack