READ THIS (please)! We are building our 2008 4-H email list. If you want email notices, please send an email message to 4H@co.skamania.wa.us, with “4-H list” as the topic or in the message body and we will add your address to the
INSIDE
· LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP: interrelated skills…
· RE-ENROLLMENTS: Please get ‘em in….
· CALENDAR: Pups & Pals 4-H Club invitation; February 4-H Leadership Council and Livestock Committee….
· CERTERTIFICATE DUE DATES: yet again…
LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP
One of the really neat things about 4-H is that it is based on experiential learning. But, wait a minute, all learning is experiential, right? “Monkey see, monkey do,” as a psychologist friend of mine was wont to say. Well, there is more to it than that. Experiential learning means observing what works when we did something successful, what did not work when we are unsuccessful and then applying the lessons to life.
Leadership has various styles appropriate to different situations. Command leadership is essential in emergency situations where health or property is at risk if people do not obey. For example, commanding is absolutely appropriate when a 4-H participant is getting into a physically or emotionally unsafe situation. “STOP NOW” is a key phrase taught in the 4-H Challenge curriculum.
Instruction is another part of leadership. Our capable leaders have instructed our youth participants on many aspects of animal husbandry, family living, mechanics and much more using lecture, demonstration and other formats. This is a useful way to teach and to learn.
OK, so what about experiential learning? Once safety is established and basic knowledge is imparted, the stage is set for experiential learning. The
Note the shift in leadership style required. In experiential learning, leadership means setting the stage, being an observer and then coaching when necessary. The operative phrase here is “minimal guidance;” interceding only when safety issues arise or the participant is truly stuck and frustrated. Easier said than done, though, because a normal adult tendency is to jump in and “fix” things…to make it work according to our adult standards. This defeats experiential learning. Imperfection and mistakes are ok, when in a safe environment. Livestock, dogs, cats, posters and all other projects do not need to be perfect to be 4-H, they just need to be a good, honest effort on the part of the 4-h participant. And, by letting our youth participants figure things out for themselves, we might even learn new ways of seeing and doing!
Now, how to close the loop after “doing” an activity. Two steps; debrief with your club members to see what worked or did not work for them, let them share. Next ask them what the “take home” is from their activity; that is, how can they apply this knowledge to their everyday lives. And, don’t forget, what is your take home as a leader? That’s experiential learning! For you and your club members.
RE-ENROLLMENTS
Apparently some did not get the re-enrollment material sent with the December clover reporter. To ensure that all have the chance to re-enroll, please check with your club leader and fellow club members to ensure that all got the re-enrollment forms. If you did not receive them, contact the office quickly so that they can be sent to you.
The due date was set for 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 25, 2008, so that enrollments can be entered and tallied in time for the report due early February.
Please also include a check payable to (
· President: Bev Gadbaw
· Vice-president: Kay Day
· Secretary: Sherry Allen
· Treasurer: CharlineWright
Committee Chairs
· Homemaker Committee: Charline Wright
· Horse Committee: Kay Day
· Livestock Committee: Colleen Garwood
· Teen Leadership Committee: Charline Wright
WHAT WHEN & WHERE CONTACT Re-enrollments due January 25, 2008, WSU Extension office WSU Extension office 4-H Leadership Council February 11, 2008, Supers, committees, office update Bev Gadbaw, WSU Extension office Pups & Pals 4-H Club; ALL 4-H’ers invited to bring their dogs to practice obedience and agility Sunday, February 24, 2007 1:30 p.m., new covered arena at Skamania County Fairgrounds; Cynthia Gonser 4-H Livestock Committee February 11, 2008, Colleen Garwood Know Your Government February 16-18, 2008, Marie Dixon 4-H Fundraiser Horse Show (benefits all clubs, please help out) June 28-29, 2008, Skamania County Fairgrounds (tentative) Horse Advisory, Teen Horse Camp (need Director, Charline will mentor) July 10-15, 2008, Charline Wright Youth Horse Camp July 17-20, 2008, Kay Day 2008 Skamania County Fair August 13-17, 2008, You guessed it….. Fair Board JEX ( December, across the Bev Gadbaw, WSU Extension officeCALENDAR