Tom puts the facts on the table and asks for ideas, and also for an explanation of the 2009 data.
After anawkward silence, the debate begins.
The 2009 data arewrong, of course. Apologies, we just did not pick that up. We’ll change it. Tom responds, “I want every single report that has been submitted in the last tenyears double and triple checked. We cannot figure out a plan if we have no idea what the data actually are. Oh, and by the way, I looked at the numbers last night. We now have 80% of our 4-H contacts through the schools; only 20% in clubs. What does that mean? Do these kids even know they are being touched by 4-H? Let’s do a top - to- bottom analysis of what this means.”
Another awkward silence.
Finally, Jane Smallwood speaks up. Jane has been with 4-H in this state andat this LGUher entire career. She is a stalwart at the LGU, one of its biggest boosters. Just hold on, Janie says, we could destroy4-H by changing too fast. Sure, there is change in Oakwood. Sure, we are seeing more minorities. But there are tons of people serving them, tons of other organizations who are focused on that group and that mission. 4-H is special. We have volunteers who have been with us for decades. They were 4-Hers. Their children were 4-H; so are their nieces and nephews. 4-H represents a valued community of people and leaders embedded in our own communities. We need to be careful here, go slow, take our time.
Heads around the table nod.
And, Jane continues, it is not like we have not tried. Three years ago, we went over to some of the new Mexican restaurants inOakwood and a couple of other towns. Jim and Dan and I divided them up. We brought some brochures and sign-up sheets and talked to the owners about how to reachout to the families they might know. They said they would spread the word. We even went to a couple of the churches to talk to the pastors. Left somematerials. Urged themtohave their people give us a call. It is not like we are blind to the changes around us. But from what we can see, no one is interested. We have not had a single person want to start a club and not a single person has come forward as a volunteer. To be absolutely blunt, we are not even sure the owners understood what we were talking about. No one knew what 4-Hwas in these communities. They are not wherewe have built our reputation.
Tom interjects. Anybody at this table speak Spanish? Another awkward silence.
Dan jumps in. You know, Tom, Janie’s right. We see the change. Of course, we do. We are neither stupid nor blind. But 4-H has a purpose, and it is to bring science-basedpositive youth development through adult role models. It has rules and processes. Kids succeedwhen they engage, andwhen their parents engage, in the long-term process. That is how kids learn to be productive adults. That is the advantage of 4-H, that is its asset. Always has been. I know the pressure is to grow. Heck, we have all been pressured to grow for the last five years. Let me tell you, if one more person fromWashington comes here to lectureme about growthand change, I am actually going to saywhat I think. Dan pauses…well probably not. I’ve g ot to worry about my job here. I know I’ll never make tenure but still it is a great place to work. But still, I wonder if Washington
9 | P a g e
Powered by FlippingBook