By Greg Owen
I wanted to use my column this week to discuss a relatively new program we have in Southeast District 4-H. About three years ago we started a group called the Southeast District Action Team. Its role was developed due to the large number of kids we have that run for a district office. There were more kids running than available offices. This told our district educators that we had a number of kids that wanted to serve at the district 4-H level, which includes all counties south of I-40 and east of I-35. We developed the team with a number of goals in mind for what they would be doing to serve our district.
The team’s initial goal was to teach members what they needed to know about how to prepare to serve in roles as District and State 4-H Officers or Ambassadors. We taught them how to apply for these respective roles, how to run for the offices and how to fill out the applications. In addition, they were given an opportunity to fund-raise in an effort to establish a district wide 4-H scholarship for 4-H members that have completed state record books. The members of the team also are expected to report on a quarterly basis to their county 4-H volunteer leader’s council about their activities on the team and where necessary to ask for assistance from clubs in their respective counties. Finally, the action team members shadow the current district officer team each year and assist at one district 4-H event that they are able to attend. Often, the action team will assist with awards presentations, organization and set up for events, cleanup after events and from time to time assist with emceeing events.
Since the Southeast District Action Team was started just a few years back, our team has had an average of 10 members. The team has helped raise enough money through members’ efforts to present seven scholarships for a total amount of $3,500 to 4-H members. In addition to that we have almost raised enough money to endow a scholarship with our state 4-H Foundation.
Many of our past members are currently or have previously been selected as district or state officers or state ambassadors. This program has made a positive impact on the Southeast District 4-H program and is a program we hope to continue for many years to come. The current members of our team from Pittsburg County include Caitlin Scott of MHS and Avery Lomon of Haileyville It is important to note that if an action team member becomes a district of state officer or ambassador they are no longer eligible to serve on the district action team. Our past members from Pittsburg County include Rebekah and Elisabeth Willis of Canadian, who are both current State 4-H Ambassadors.
Greg Owen is an Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, for the Pittsburg County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Contact him at 423-4120 or by e-mail at greg.owen@okstate.edu.
