ovember is the month to be thankful and in 4-H seems to be the season to celebrate the success our members have had over the past year. Be it the success of that first year member receiving their membership pin or that 11 year member receiving their Key Award. Each is so important to that member that day. It is rewarding to me to watch these kids grow and strive to reach new heights each and every year. This year we also recognized our veterans. We had 15 special guests join us for an evening of great food and great kids. It is also a time to salute or volunteers and this year we had two leaders that celebrated 30 years of service to our members. Volunteers are the glue that holds us all together and I appreciate each and every one of them.
After the awards are given and we say goodnight, to have a young member come to me and ask how they can get their Key award is just about the best thing that can happen at an awards banquet. Keep working I told him and when you are older you will achieve that success. We did have good bags for the veterans left over so we took them out to the local VFW hall and the shared them with members at their monthly dinner. It is nice to see the 4-H kids take so much pride in citizenship. Lucky Horseshoe 4-H club also marched in the veterans day parade.
Leadership also seems to take center stage in November. We started off with district and local officer training. We had a great turn out for the district wide training in Independence and in Wilson county the members that had participated in the district training came and taught the other kids at our local training. Wilson county has always had good participation in the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KYLF) and this year was no different. Four great young leaders attended the conference and took part in many workshops. This is also a chance for the kids to select the new State 4-H council. Members vote on candidates after the candidates go through interviews and give a speech. I am hopeful that a couple of these kids might run in the future. They were excited when we got home.
As I look toward the new year I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and all we can accomplish.
N
4-H/Youth development
Cheri Nelsen
4-H Youth
Development