DONIPHAN — As the new season begins Oct. 1 for 4-H clubs, the greatest need in Ripley County will be the recruitment of leaders, according to Tony Merkel, the county’s youth program associate for the University of Missouri Extension.
As he addressed a group recently at an organizational meeting, Merkel said, “We [at the extension] will do our best to help support the 4-H club, but we’ve found it’s always better when 4-H leaders are people who live within the local community. You know your young people better than we do,” Merkel stated.
He added, “We have the whole university to back us up in helping you.”
Emily Doosing, Extension Specialist for 4-H youth development was also present at the July 20 meeting.
She stated the responsibilities of leadership need not fall on the shoulders of one person.
Doosing said, “Many people think if they work a job and have other responsibilities, they just don’t have time to be a 4-H leader,” not realizing how many different ways it can be done.
“If you have even a little time, come talk to us. It could be we can find other people willing to share that role with you,” said Doosing.
She said any group which shares a particular interest can meet. It only takes finding a leader who has that skill and a little time to help kids with their projects.
Doosing said, it takes everyone working together. “We can’t be the jack of all trades. I know nothing about crocheting, but I can work with a group of kids and show them how to weld.”
4-H members with a specific need may want to form a SPIN (special interest) group to get help with a particular project. That might involve teaching at only a few meetings, and not something requiring a long-term commitment.
Doosing’s appeal to potential leaders is, “We will do our best to make it convenient for you, and won’t try to rope you into a huge commitment.”
Merkel explained that leaders of any group would be asked to host meetings and track the progress of whatever projects the group is working on.
He said about any type of interest or skill can qualify for a 4-H club.
Doosing interjected, “We have clubs where kids learn spa type activities such as nail painting. We also have a club which meets during deer season. They skin deer and make chili.”
Merkel said, “Our main goal right now is to see two or three clubs start up, and to develop those clubs into five to 10 members.”
An example is “if you have two families with six members, that is a club.”
4-H clubs are open to youths age 8-18. Children age 5-8 can participate in Clover Kids.
Recruitment for both leaders and potential 4-H members is ongoing, but the official sign-up is on or before Oct. 1.
Anyone interested in becoming a leader, or learning more about 4-H programs is invited to stop by the extension office in the Ripley County courthouse, or they can call Merkel at 996-2921.
Membership dues are $20 for the entire year, but there is no cost to sign up as a leader. The process is done online and takes about 20 minutes. Naturally a background check is involved, as is always the case when you are working with children.”
Merkel said, “4-H is an excellent opportunity for young people to learn and grow as well as interact with other young people who share an area of interest.”
He urged, the rewards of 4-H participation more than make up for “what little time and energy must be invested” to make the club active and successful.