Persons who have a goal (using a 4-H term) of learning what’s new and exciting in 4-H or how to enhance their 4-H experience and club may want to attend a regional 4-H forum.
That is what Linda and Randy Hedges of Greenbrier Township did when they attended the 2014 Western Regional Leadership Forum in Billings, MT, March 27-30. In attendance were 350 4-H leaders and youth from 15 states and Alberta, Canada. The theme of the conference was “Past, Present, Possibilities,” exploring what has happened in 4-H’s past, what is happening now, and what the possibilities are for 4-H in the future.
This conference provided time to network with peers from across the western and central regions of the United States and engage in learning. It was time to share ideas, build relationships, actively engage in competency building workshops, gain insight from invited speakers, and look for opportunities that would help advance the 4-H program and carry 4-H into the future, Linda Hedges said.
Dr Richard Lerner was the keynote speaker. Professor Lerner is known for his Relational Developmental Systems theory of positive youth development. More recently he directed the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, a recently completed 10-year longitudinal study of over 7000 youth across the U.S. His findings were that 4-H youth across the board are contributing more to their schools and are more actively engaged in their communities.
In summary he stated, “We need to invest more money in 4-H because it incorporates the values of our American democracy.” He further commented, “What youth are learning in 4-H will enhance our way of life in the United States.” This once again confirms the 4-H motto, “To make the best better.”
The 2015 Western Region Leadership Forum, “Connecting for Youth” will be hosted by Oregon, and the following year will head north to Alaska for the “Northern Delights” conference.
