The Rural Voice, 1980-04, Page 344.4
Diana Brand
BY DEBBIE RANNEY
Diana Brand of R.R.3. Clinton and Mrs.
Edythe Rock of R.R.3. Monkton were just
two of the 4-H leaders who attended a
recent leader's conference in Toronto
where they learned some new things about
working with young people.
Janet Horner. youth supervisor for -1 H
introduced speakers including Father Toni
McKillop, a priest from Toronto who works
with youth groups and kids in trouble.
"He was telling us what he had learned
about kids during his years as a priest. He
said you should draw out the best in your
club members, so they can carry out their
responsibilities and that you should believe
and trust in the kids because that helps
them." Diana said.
Diana said he also stressed that leaders
should show leadership and set a good
example during leisure time.
During the conference, leaders got to
attend two out of three different session
topics, and Diana attended one called
Different Kids, Different Needs and
another one on effective ,r: , :.
She learned the leader should bring out
the kids, should identify with members and
learn their names. She also learned that
the leader should' set a gond example,
provide a secure environment for the
The
Young Former
Learning
to Iead
4-H conference teaches
how to make clubs
more interesting
members and encourage and reinforce
their belief in themselves.
Other pointers were not to embarrass. or
label members, not to play favorites, or not
to divulge a confidence. Leaders were also
advised not to create a leader island.
In the session on effective meetings,
leaders were asked about some of the
positive aspects and problems in their own
club.
Diana said that some of the positive
aspects in her club are that the members
are keen, there is good parliamentary
procedure and participation. Some of the
negative aspects of her club are that
meetings are dragged out, there isn't
enough variety in club work and there's a
lack of parent support.
"I think that's a really important one
there," Diana said.
Some advice they were offered on how to
improve their meetings were to use
different kinds of resources. more
speakers, panels, debates, demon-
strations.
"A lot of problem lies in the club leaders
themselves. That's why they have these
conferences. In order to have a good
club, you should have a good leader."
Diana said.
Another guest speaker at the meeting,
Ian Lithgow of the Canadian 4-H Council
advised that 4-H has to expand to more
than just the farm aspect.
When leaders split up into different
commodity groups. they also discussed
new ideas for their clubs. In a diary club,
the 4-H members have to keep record
books on a calf and it was suggested that
they have a special meeting where the
members could get together and compare
record books. Older members who have
been keeping record books for years should
be given a special project to work on.
IDEAS
Diana seems to have learned a lot from
the conference. "1 got a lot of ideas about
what other people did in their club to use in
our club and vice versa," she said.
This is the fir t year Diana has been
leader and so it is also the first time she
has attended a leader's conference. She
thinks the conference is important.
She was also planning on using the idea
of giving a special project to the senior club
members to do, rather than just having
then keep record books on calves.
"I would strongly urge anyone that's a
leader to go to one of these, because it is
kind of hard to work with kids just
becoming teenagers. They're always
turning to someone to give them guidance.
I think it's a pretty big responsibility to be
a good. able leader," she said.
Edythe Rock of R.R.2, Monkton was one
of six Perth 4-H leaders to attend the
conference. Perth had the most leaders
there, because it has the most 4-H clubs in
Ontario.
THE RURAL VOICE/APRIL 1980 PG. 35