CLARK COUNTY 4-H DEALING WITH CHANGES
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 -- 12:15 PM
2008 will be a "year of transitions" for the Clark County 4-H, according to one longtime leader.Joan Bucholz is the treasurer of the Leaders Federation Executive Board, which held their annual meeting last night. She's been involved in the 4-H for decades, and admits 2007 was a difficult time for the youth organization.
4-H Youth Development Agent Karen Sipple was let go by the county.
Because of the changes, Bucholz said there was more interest in last night's annual meeting.
"It went very well. We've revamped how we're running the program," Bucholz notes, "I think the leaders were interested just to see the new concept and how we want to run things."
In short, the parents and junior leaders of the county 4-H will take more "ownership" of club activities with guidance from interim agent Tim Bandli.
"Before, we had a wonderful leader in that she basically took over and did a lot of it," Bucholz explains, "But, we need to get back to the leaders having ownership and running the program."
One big step toward taking more ownership is the development of a Finance Committee.
"We started in November. It takes a little more burden off the treasurer. It makes everybody more accountable to the finances in the county," Bucholz says.
Officials hope to name a permanent development agent by early summer.
Clark County has over 20 clubs and over 1,000 members ranging in age from 1st-graders to 19 year olds.
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