Understanding 4-H Congress

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Understanding 4-H Congress

• Wendy R. Herdman
• 4-H Extension Agent
• Northumberland and Lancaster Counties

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ObjectivesFrom this presentation, you will

• gain an understanding of 4-H.
• learn the history of Virginia State 4-H Congress.
• understand who can participate.
• find out what goes on there.
• learn about the National 4-H Congress.

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4-H is

• a community of young people across America who
  are learning leadership, citizenship and life
  skills.

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4-H is

• the youth development program of Virginia
  Cooperative Extension.
• an informal educational program which is an
  service of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
  State University. It is supported by USDA, state
  and local governments as well.

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4-H

• helps all youth ages 5-19 to gain life skills and
  knowledge to achieve their greatest potential!

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So, what is State 4-H Congress?

• It is the premier, annual, statewide 4-H event
  which provides competitive and non-competitive
  educational experiences for outstanding 4-H teens
  and adult volunteers.

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A Brief History of VA State 4-H Congress (Short
Course)
1915
First Girls Short Course white only
1918
First Boys Short Course white only
1919
First Boys Girls Short Course white only
First Boys Girls Short Course African
American
1923
First Boys Girls Short Course - integrated
1966
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Todays Mission

• Is to provide competitive and non-competitive
  educational experiences to teens and to the
  adults who work with them. Teens are taught life
  skills and leadership abilities to help them
  become contributing citizens in their
  communities.

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Goals of State Congress

1. Provide a high quality educational experience
for 4-H youth ages 14-18.
2. Promote 4-H as a major statewide educational
youth program.
3. Provide educational, recreational and social
experiences normally unavailable at a county or
district level.
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More Goals of Congress
4. Enhance life skill development through all
activities.
5. Provide recognition for all competition area
winners.
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Even More Goals of Congress
6. Recognize the support of volunteer adult 4-H
leaders.
7. Promote an understanding of the value of
diversity.
8. Foster delegates sense of personal and
social responsibility.
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Life Skills Targeted at 4-H Congress
HEAD - decision making, learning to learn,
critical thinking
HEART - sharing, social skills, communication
HANDS - community service, volunteering,
leadership
HEALTH - self-responsibility, personal safety
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Life Skill Outcomes of VA State 4-H Congress

• According to delegates, the following life skills
  were improved while at congress
• Identifying needs in their community then work to
  meet those needs.
• Thinking critically about their futures and set
  goals for their futures.
• Making friendships with people who are different
  from them.
• Choosing activities to promote health and
  well-being.

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What goes on at Congress?

• Youth Issues Forum
• Dances
• Great Summer Showcase
• Congressional Games
• Competitions
• Leadership Institute
• Community Service
• Dynamic Speakers
• All Star Tapping
• Awards Banquet
• Share the Fun Show

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Details of Activities
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Details of Activities
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Details of Activities
Great Summer Showcase Provides delegates with
learning opportunities that are hands-on inte
ractive intensive
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Details of Activities
District Meetings cabinet members (delegates)
conduct meetings group activity sign-up cabinet
elections
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Details of Activities
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Details of Activities
Formal Banquet Semi-formal recognition event for
donors and competition winners
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Who can participate?

• Delegates
• Teens ages 14-18
• Preferably current 4-H members

• Adult Volunteers
• Screened and enrolled adult volunteers from all
  units

Extension Agents and Staff Members
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Registration

• In Virginia, registration is completed On-line
  at the unit level.
• Agent can accept any interested teen.
• It is preferred that delegates and volunteers are
  currently enrolled in 4-H.
• The 2005 registration fee was 135.
• Scholarships are available.

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Delegate Orientation

• Takes place in each unit
• Review of mission, schedule, code of conduct and
  Character Counts!
• Tell participants expectations
• Review activities so delegates can pack
  appropriately
• Select Unit flag bearer
• Review campaign speeches
• Answer questions

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So, what next?
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National 4-H Congress

• Flagship event of the 4-H program
• Built on belief that young people can be
  significant partners in addressing national youth
  issues
• First national congress held in 1922
• Exceeds what any state independently provides
• Guests include outstanding community leaders,
  speakers, and educators
• Takes place annually on Thanksgiving weekend
• More than 1200 delegates from the U.S. and its
  territories attend

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Who is eligible to attendNational 4-H Congress?

• Candidates for selection must be
• senior 4-H members in the current 4-H year.
• able to demonstrate outstanding achievement as a
  4-H member in the areas of leadership,
  citizenship, and personal development.

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National 4-H Congress Application Process

• Two Step Formal Process
• The submission of a written personal resume.
• Interview and presentation of personal portfolio.

Finalists are invited an interview while at
State 4-H Congress.
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Registration for National 4-H Congress

• Timeline
• April 15 Personal resume deadline
• April 30 Finalists selected
• State Congress Week Interviews
• Announcement of
  VA Delegation
• Thanksgiving Weekend National 4-H Congress
• Virginia State Contact
• State 4-H Office
• 107 Hutcheson Hall, Virginia Tech
• Blacksburg, VA 24061-0149

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State and National 4-H Congress are
opportunities to
Please encourage this opportunity to
Learn by Doing! Talk to your local
4-H Extension Agent.
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Resources

• Websites
• www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/natcong.html
• www.national4-hcongress.com
• www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/congress/
• http//www.ext.vt.edu/vce/4h/04congressevaluationr
  eport.pdf
• Personal Contacts
• Bob Meadows, Associate Director Virginia 4-H
  Program
• Joe Hunnings, 4-H Extension Specialist
• Barry Garst, 4-H Extension Specialist
• Leonard Elam, 4-H Extension Agent, Mecklenburg
  County
• Jackie Jefferis, 4-H Program Technician,
  Gloucester County