2016-17 Mandatory 4-H Club/Group Training and Club Officer Training

For 4-H Groups, Club Officers, Club Leaders and New Volunteer Leaders

Insuring that 4-H members have a quality experience is Priority No. 1 for Wisconsin. 4-H Volunteers are the backbone of the 4-H experience. It is critical that volunteers have the support, tools and training to be able to fulfill their role. The purpose of the annual trainings being developed, adopted and required by the Wisconsin 4-H are to reach that goal.  One volunteer adult leader from each chartered 4-H club/group is required to attend each year but all leaders are encouraged to come to network, learn what is new and to get some tips on improving 4-H.

During the 2016-17 club/group training, we will be sharing the new Volunteer in Preparation Training that is being implemented.  We are again combining this year’s training with our annual club officer training. Due to the National Weather Service issuing a Winter Storm Watch with the potential for heavy snow fall, we decided to cancel Saturday’s Annual Club/Group, New Volunteer and Club Officer Training.  The training has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 7, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Lincoln County Service Center at 801 N. Sales Street in Merrill.  If you are able to attend this new training date and have already registered, you do not need to do anything additional.  If you are unable to attend on the 7th, please let email Cherie at chafeman@co.lincoln.wi.us  know so we can notify you of future training opportunities.  If you are now able to attend on January 7th, please use the new registration form found below or email this information to Cherie at chafeman@co.lincoln.wi.us.

2016-17 Training Registration flyer for rescheduled date of January 7th

2015-16 Annual Club, Group and Club Officer Training

Thank you to all of you who attended one or more of the 2015 North Central Region 4-H Volunteer e-Forums.  The e-Forums are now archived and available for you to view/refer to at your convenience.

• The heart of Belonging:  During this program, participants learned how to guide youth in developing a list of club or group expectations that accommodates all members, to support youth with special needs, and discovered resources to help them in their role as a caring adult.  Participants left with activities that will help them foster positive behavior, belonging and inclusion in their club or group.
• The heart of Community: Volunteers in this session were prepared to help youth find their voices as they become actively engaged in their communities.  The session included resources and models to incorporate mastery, belonging, generosity, and independence as they include citizenship activities in 4-H settings.

• Encouraging the heart of Leadership: Young people do not magically become leaders at age 13!  Leadership is nurtured from their first 4-H experience.  During this session, participants received tools to help inspire youth of all ages to discover and develop independence and mastery.

2013-14 Annual Club and Group Training – Archives and Resources Available

The Annual Leadership Training had a different look in 2013-14! The State of Wisconsin utilized the North Central Regional Volunteer e-Forum trainings. There were four on-line trainings offered through this venue and each chartered club/group was required to have at least one adult attend one of the trainings as part of the charter and renewal process.

One of the benefits of these on-line trainings is there availability after the session.  You can find a recording of each session and access resources presented at North Central e-Forum 2013-14 website materials page.  The four sessions are listed below for your reference.

Topic: You’ve Got 4-H Parents! Now What??

Presented by: Pat McGlaughlin, University of Illinois; Steve McKinley, Purdue University; Mary Jo Williams, University of Missouri

Parents play a critical role in deciding the organizations in which their children will participate. The experience the family has in 4-H during their first year is important for long-term participation. This session will help volunteers explore a variety of strategies to increase positive parental support of local 4-H programs. As a result, parents will stay connected with their own children, recognize mutual expectations and responsibilities between parents and volunteers, and become caring adults for other youth.

Topic: Engaging Teens & Older Youth

Presented by: Becky Harrington, University of Minnesota; Kandi O’Neill, University of Wisconsin; Brenda Shafer, University of Minnesota; Rachelle Vettern, North Dakota State University

Research has clearly shown that quality youth programs, those proven most effective and rated highly by young people themselves, are masterful at engaging youth at the highest level in planning, making choices, and reflecting on their learning. Attention to making youth programs fun, interesting, welcoming and encouraging to young people in our 4-H Youth Development programs is important but not enough. This session, co-developed and delivered by youth, will provide insight, tools and resources volunteers can use to more effectively engage and meet the needs of teen members, a common challenge in youth programs.

Topic: Using Technology to Enhance Your 4-H Experience

Presented by: Rod Buchele, Kansas State University; Molly Frendo, Michigan State University; Mark Light, The Ohio State University; Kari Robideau, University of Minnesota

Technology can be a great tool to support better communication and learning with 4-H participants. However, keeping up with the latest trends and changes can be challenging and overwhelming. This session will share some easy ways that technology can help 4-H leaders be better connected with youth participants. It will also briefly explore ideas on integrating technology into 4-H projects to enhance the life skill development and 21st century skills of young people.

Topic: Exploring the Science of 4-H Project

Presented by: Cathy Johnston, University of Nebraska; Bonnie Malone, The Ohio State University; Dixie Sandborn, Michigan State University; Vicki Schwartz, The Ohio State University

Does the idea of emphasizing science in 4-H make you sweat? It doesn’t have to be scary. Discover methods to reinforce simple science concepts using traditional 4-H projects. You will take home ready-to-go activities that incorporate science concepts across the curriculum areas.