by Heather Kent | Feb 20, 2015
Gary Clark, Sure Shots 4-H Club Leader
In Washington County, the name Gary Clark is synonymous with the 4-H Shooting Sports program. Gary decided to start a club because he wanted to do something that would benefit the next generation of hunters, conservationists, and shooting sports enthusiasts. When asked what he most enjoys about being a 4-H volunteer, he replied “It is a way to give back to a community that has always supported me.’
Gary takes his role as a mentor and role model very seriously. “There are young people watching and listening to your every word, not so much for guidance and inspiration, but to see if you are walking the talk. Working with young people today is not so much about passing along knowledge and teaching life skills as it is about making investments in their lives. Showing the same care and concern for every youth you are working with, no matter what skill level or potential, is critical to that young person viewing themselves as successful.” Relationships with caring adult volunteers is one of the Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development that 4-H is built upon.
I believe that we all have not only an opportunity, but an obligation to help to make our communities a better place to live. I think back on the people who gave their time and resources to coach and mentor me when I was young and I am thankful for the generosity. No amount of time spent investing in the lives our youth is ever wasted!
Seeing kids succeed is what keeps Gary motivated to continue his volunteer service. “Our teams have been extremely successful, but most of that success is measured on the personal level. When you see a student achieve a new personal best or overcome an obstacle that has held them back and you see that little light go off inside their brains, you can’t help but be inspired and so proud of their achievements.” Gary also finds motivation when his 4-H Alumni return to the program as volunteers. “Two former students are also now certified coaches in the program and help out on a regular basis. Seth Pemberton is one of those youth. Seth shares, “Gary has positively impacted my life through 4-H shooting sports by making me strive for excellence, work hard, and give my best.”
Gary shares what inspires him most about being a volunteer is working with youth who would otherwise not have the opportunity to be part of a team. “Unlike so many other sports, shooting is a pretty level playing field- it isn’t only for the most athletic, the smartest, the most popular or the kid that can afford the best equipment. Every member comes into the program with an equal opportunity for success. It is all based on their commitment, focus, and [goals they set for themselves].”
Gary is very modest about his impact his club has on youth, but Julie Dillard, the Washington County Extension Director says, “Gary’s dedication to his community and his 4-H’ers is inspiring and has been the key to the success of Sure Shots 4-H Club. He encourages, praises, corrects and motivates each individual to be his or her best.”
When asked what he feels youth get out of the 4-H Shooting Sports program, he says “They learn about respect for others, commitment, teamwork, goal setting, cooperation and even how to handle disappointment [sportsmanship]. All of these traits come from being part of a program like 4-H. I do not know of any other organization that offers so many different ways for youth to be involved in their community in a structured, safe and nurturing environment that is built on the values and principles that we all hold so dear. I also believe that these skills will follow them throughout their adult lives as well.” Gary’s experience with 4-H is backed by research. The Tufts Study of Positive Youth Development found that compared to other youth, 4-H members are:
- Four times more likely to contribute to their communities
- Two times more likely to be civically active
- Two times more likely to participate in science, engineering, and technology programs during out of school time; and
- Two times more likely to make healthier choices.
Would you consider making the investment of a lifetime by becoming a 4-H volunteer? 4-H offers a variety of volunteer roles based on your interests and schedule. To find out more about being a volunteer, contact your local Extension Office or visit http://florida4h.org.
by Prudence Caskey | Jan 23, 2015
How Will You Make a Difference in 2015?
Let’s all take a big, deep breath…2014 is now a thing of the past! At this moment, we all have to decide what we are going to do in 2015. What will you resolve to do in the New Year? Will you finally use your elliptical for more than just a towel rack? Will you finally finish the book you were reading or that scrapbooking project? There are no limits to what you can accomplish in 2015 and in years to come.
I work with volunteers as the Santa Rosa County 4-H Agent. I know how much time it takes to volunteer and I understand the importance of my volunteers. As a very busy wife, mother, professional, graduate student, Children’s Church director and volunteer, I am often asked how I do it all. The easy answer is prioritize. The long answer is: I make lists, lots of lists! I have shopping lists, to do lists, countdown lists and lists of when my bills are due. Lists for birthdays and anniversaries. My most important list is my goal list. I write down my daily, weekly, monthly and annual goals. I break down my larger goals into smaller goals. I am a firm believer that if we can see it, we can do it!
Whatever you decide to set as a goal for 2015, I encourage you to make a difference. We all have something to offer. At the Extension Office, I meet people every day with something to offer the youth of our county. From those who have a passion for rabbits to those who love to cook and sew. On occasion, men will not offer their expertise, because they think they may not have much to offer. Believe me, showing the young people of our community how to check the oil in their cars, rotate their tires or even build a bookcase, are great life skills to pass on to our youth.
4-H volunteers are essential to help youth make the most of a wide variety of learning experiences. As a volunteer, you can share your personal interests and expertise in a variety of subjects including gardening, shooting sports, robotics, animal science, sewing/crafting, public speaking, foods and nutrition, and much more. In 4-H, you can leverage your experience and skills to help a young person find their own passions and interests.
You decide your level of involvement to fit your schedule:
- Lead youth in a community or project club, afterschool program, camp, or school group
- Serve as a chaperone, board member, judge, or camp counselor
- Develop and support service opportunities for youth to learn caring and compassion in your community
- Work with other volunteers to create fun and exciting programs to help youth in your community reach their full potential
4-H is an opportunity we wish every young person could have because research shows it is a step forward. More than 60 million of our nation’s most successful statesmen, business leaders, and scientists credit 4-H with setting them on a positive, productive path. When you share your experiences with 4-Hers, you make a difference by helping youth become caring and competent citizens. As you make goals for 2015, consider becoming a 4-H volunteer and inspire the next generation.
by Niki Crawson | Jan 16, 2015
Jim Forman receives the honor of 2013-2014 Holmes County 4-H Male Volunteer of the Year, voted on by the Holmes County 4-H youth members.
It’s no doubt that Jim Forman, a local Holmes County resident and 4-H volunteer, loves working with children. He has been instrumental in expanding the Holmes County 4-H Dead Centers Archery Club since 2013. With an increase of youth membership in the shooting sports club and new equipment received from a grant through the NRA, the program is highly successful in teaching youth safe shooting practices, positive sportsmanship, and critical thinking skills. Jim’s countless hours of volunteering with 4-H youth even earned him the 2013-2014 Holmes County 4-H Male Volunteer of the Year. So, what does a fantastic volunteer do when he gets an opportunity? Learn more, be more and do more to help 4-Hers be the best they can be!
Research shows that the continuous presence of caring adults is critical to achieving positive youth development. Thus, because of Jim’s profound impacts as a 4-H volunteer already, he was specifically selected to travel to North Carolina in November of 2014 to become a National 4-H Level 2 Archery Instructor. After successful completion of the week-long certification program, he now assists Florida 4-H in conducting trainings to provide 4-H volunteers the opportunity to obtain Level 1 certifications in the shooting sports discipline of archery.
Anyone that meets Jim can see that he truly values his role as a 4-H volunteer. Jim tells others that “it’s great to watch the youth start out and then work so hard to improve.” After his recent national training, Jim informed his 4-H Agent that she will have a hard time getting rid of him one day as he truly enjoys volunteering and teaching the kids something he has a passion for. He further stated that he loves being part of the 4-H family, now on a larger scale due to the national training he recently participated in. Jim not only met 4-H volunteers from across Florida, he was able to meet new 4-H contacts across the entire U.S. which has led to frequent contact via social media to share 4-H programming ideas. In fact, because of Jim’s volunteerism with 4-H and participation at the National 4-H Level II Archery Certification this past November, he was unexpectedly brought back in contact with a friend and former military veteran after 40+ years.
4-H is a community of young people ages 5-18 across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H programs are available to young people ages 5-18 in all 50 states, U.S. territories and U.S. military installations worldwide, regardless of gender, race, creed, color, religion, or disability. Volunteer opportunities with a wide variety of roles and focus areas such as shooting sports, livestock, arts, and STEM programming, are available for youth and adults. For more information about how you can make a difference in your community through 4-H, contact your local University of Florida/IFAS Extension 4-H Agent today.
by Niki Crawson | Mar 29, 2013
Spring and summer seasons can seem like a busier time than normal for 4-H volunteers. Between 4-H/Tropicana, shooting sports matches, volunteer trainings and upcoming summer day camps, 4-H becomes a world of its own with wonderful youth development opportunities to teach needed life skills to our youth. However, with the busy season approaching, concern of the dreaded VOLUNTEER BURNOUT is real. It typically rears its ugly head starting in April and really takes a hold by June. By July, it has claimed more volunteer victims than we like to admit. It is dark, ugly, and heavy. It preys on the unsuspecting, the tired, the unselfish.
Do you feel the burn?
What causes volunteer burnout, and how does one recognize it before it attacks? Volunteer burnout can be a result of one or more factors such as over commitment, lack of sufficient breaks and rest, excessive responsibilities, an inability to say “no” and so on. Volunteer burnout will typically prey on the loyal, unselfish, dedicated volunteer who wants to make a difference but may do so too much, too fast, and/or too often. The only way to avoid volunteer burnout is to…take time for YOU.
“Wait, what? Take time for myself? But what about the youth I am positively impacting through 4-H?” you may ask. Well, the old saying “you cannot help others if you are not taking care of yourself first” applies here. In order for this to occur, you have to tend to yourself and have a healthy balance established between your needs, your family, work, etc.
If you are concerned that you are starting to feel the effects of volunteer burnout, talk to your 4-H Agent immediately. Find out what can be done to help you ease the burden you are feeling. Sometimes, it is a simple solution of talking through your concerns and frustrations regarding your schedule and setting priorities and new boundaries. Other times it may mean getting more sleep, exercise, or starting a hobby that relaxes you. Then again, sometimes it may require that more drastic measures be implemented such as giving up a task, learning to say “no” more often or even taking a few weeks off from your volunteer duties to tend to your own needs by enjoying the beautiful weather and working in your garden.
So, before you let the nasty volunteer burnout monster bite and send you running from the wonderful 4-H program you are involved in, we urge you to maintain a healthy balance between dedicated and delirious. Take time for yourself. Eat healthy. Exercise regularly. Spend quality time with family and friends. Enjoy the spring days. Visit the UF IFAS EDIS website (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/) for fantastic gardening tips. Remember that you have the 4-H family in your corner supporting you 100% in your need for a little “you” time!
