Volunteers: The Heart of the 4-H Program - October 9, 2023 - Debra Walnofer - Extension 4-H Assistant
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- [0:00] Hi, this is Debra Walnofer 4-H Extension Assistant
- [0:04] for Holt and Boyd Counties.
- [0:06] As the new 4-H year has begun, if you didn’t know, the 4-H year
- [0:10] runs from October 1st through September 30th,
- [0:14] I can’t help but stop and think about our 4-H volunteers.
- [0:19] Volunteers: The Heart of the 4-H Program
- [0:24] The American volunteer rates are among the highest in the world.
- [0:28] It’s true that fire departments, libraries, museums, schools, and
- [0:33] many other organizations could not function without volunteer support.
- [0:38] But no volunteer role has more impact
- [0:41] on the future than educating and mentoring youth.
- [0:45] Youth in the 4-H youth development program
- [0:47] of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, are two times more likely to
- [0:51] get better grades in school, nearly five times more likely
- [0:55] to graduate from college, and four times more likely to
- [0:59] positively contribute to their families and communities
- [1:03] compared to youth who do not participate in 4-H.
- [1:07] Adults who do not have an agricultural background often
- [1:11] assume that they have little to offer the 4-H program as a volunteer.
- [1:16] While agricultural programs are traditional 4-H projects,
- [1:20] 4-H offers over 150 projects ranging from
- [1:24] photography to rocketry, foods and nutrition to robotics.
- [1:30] Outdoor related projects including camping, hiking,
- [1:35] fishing, shooting sports and conservation and wildlife.
- [1:40] 4-H youth perform better in science, engineering, technology,
- [1:45] and applied math subjects and are more interested in pursuing
- [1:49] science careers than youth who do not participate in 4-H.
- [1:53] When it comes to volunteerism, the 4-H program has the flexibility
- [1:58] to adapt to your schedule.
- [2:00] Project volunteers can lead an activity once, once a week
- [2:05] for a series of weeks to once a month for a year and everything in between.
- [2:11] Traditional 4-H club leaders usually hold club meetings once per month
- [2:15] or every other month and assist youth with organizational communication,
- [2:20] community service, projects, and teambuilding skills.
- [2:25] All it takes is the willingness of an adult to share their time and talents
- [2:29] with youth as a mentor to make a positive influence.
- [2:33] A relationship with a caring adult is one of the essential elements
- [2:38] of the 4-H program and the rewards are endless.
- [2:42] Upon successful completion of the volunteer enrollment
- [2:47] through 4-Honline, a background check,
- [2:50] and volunteer training to familiarize you with the
- [2:54] policies and procedures of the 4-H program,
- [2:56] you can make a lifelong difference in the life of a youth.
- [3:02] For more information about becoming a volunteer go to
- [3:05] 4h.unl.edu/volunteer or contact the extension office at 402-336-2760.
- [3:18] Again, the Heart of the 4-H Program are our Volunteers.