One of my favorite things about my job is that I get to visit local 4-H Community Club meetings. We have seven of these clubs in Harvey County. Two that I visited this month were the Sedgwick Sunflowers 4-H Club and Burrton 4-H Club.
If you have been involved with 4-H, you probably know that most of these meetings start out similarly. A president and secretary sit at the front of a meeting room, youth members filling the seats in front of them. The role is called and usually answered with an answer to a fun question like, “what is your favorite movie?” or “what is your favorite thing about yourself?”. Next the flag salute and 4-H pledge are recited, followed by officer reports, old business- you get the idea.
It sounds like the business meetings you sit in at work and other organizations, right? The difference is that are youth leading these meetings. Making motions, leading discussions and using proper parliamentary procedure. If you have never seen it, it is quite adorable to see a five-year-old make a motion for adjournment. It is also quite impressive to see youth mastering the art of holding effective meetings, something that most adults are not proficient at.
Our local 4-H clubs are holding these meetings monthly. Many times, clubs discuss fundraiser ideas, upcoming activities and service opportunities. That’s right, youth in your community are coming together to discuss how they can make a positive difference in the town you call home. Isn’t that refreshing?
This month at the Sedgwick Sunflowers 4-H Club meeting, each member brought a dozen treats. The 4-H’ers took turns swapping treats and filling baskets, trays and plates with a few of each kind of treat. These treats were not for members to eat, but rather to give away to neighbors, community members and elderly.
At meetings like these, 4-H members are empowered to become informed and engaged in their communities. Youth use their decision-making, communication and leadership skills to make a difference.
