understands how difficult it actually is to reach these groups, and how littlewe have to work with to get the job done.
More nods around the table.
But in fact, Jerry takes the lead, you recited the numbers yourself. I’ve been with 4 -H my entire life. Founded clubs, now have 15 clubs in Smith and River counties. But to grow, I amalso now shoehorning into my day the need to give experiential learning units in schools. I got to tell you, that is a tough demand. We are being asked to do more and more with the same resources we had 15 years ago. But I do it; I make the time because I love 4-H. But there are only 24 hours in a day, and the time I am spending talking about birds to second graders in town once a month is time I am not spending on our most loyal clubs. And the volunteers see it. In fact, I got a call just last week from the leader of one of our largest andmost successful clubs, Joyce Smithers, you know her right? Tomshakes his head. Jerry frowns, well at least Wallie does. She’s the one who complained to the President of this very university last month about her county not getting enough Extensionmoney. She wanted to know why I missed the volunteer orientation meeting. Reallyupset. Threatened to call the County Commissioner and say we are not working for this county anymore. But, OK, Jerry says, forget about me. It is not about me. It is about 4-H. if we grow in all these new directions withall these new people who don’t even know us, who are not actually choosing 4 -H but having 4- H lectures because the school itself can’t seemto get its education right. And if we do that and growbut losewho we are, thenwhat have we grown into?
The dam bursts.
After anhour of heatedand impassioned discussionabout the past and the future, Tom draws the meeting to a close. Look, he says, I get it. But facts are facts. So, here’s what we do. Dan, Jane, Jerry in sixweeks I want a plan for starting a Hispanic club in Oakville. I want to know what people want, who our partners will be, how we will get volunteers, and what the content will be. And I want a budget; what do we need to spend and on what kind of capacity? Oh, and by theway, Tom continues. I noticed that the Spanish department here is offering evening conversational classes. Wemight all look into that. Let’s take advantage of being part of this LGU and look for resources here that canhelp us. But I just got a text fromWallie. Hewants to talk. So, let’s break here and get going. I need to report to him on what we are doing.
Six Months Later
In the interim, the fact that 4-H is talking to a varietyof groups has been making the conversation circuit among county Extension Directors. There is discomfort over this new 4-H Director (not from here, sniffed a county Director) assuming a new role and striking out into new areas. What happens to resources? If he succeeds, does themoney come out of our hide? Worse, one agent notes under her breath, what if all these new kids start winning all the county awards?
10 | P a g e
Powered by FlippingBook