Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development

The volunteer leaders have done an outstanding job in 2007-2008 year.

Several club leaders volunterred their time this past spring to assist the 4-H agent in counducting project workshops. Workshops were conducted for Braiding, Leathercraft, Scrapebooking, Cake Decorating, Consumer Decision Making, Livestock and Horticulture judging.Over 75 4-H members attended the workshops.

A beginning volunteer leaders training was conducted by the 4-H agent. This workshop provided a more indepth look at the overall 4-H program. 13 new leaders attended.

Several have conducted project meetings which resulted in over 80 indoor project articles exhibited at the Torrance County Fair and over 60 articles exhibited at the New Mexico State fair. Many of the 4-Hers received 1st place awards at the State Fair.

The leaders meeting will be held in October 2008. The volunteer leaders and the 4-H Agent will be planning the 2008-2009 4-H year events and activities.

The leaders assisted with county wide workshops, county contest, pie auction and county fair BBQ.

Three communities in Quay County are seeing a rapid decline in population, thus affecting the membership in their local 4-H clubs. This agent has worked with leaders of these clubs throughout the year to revitalize and offer more for the younger 4-Hers in these clubs. However, the agent has not abandoned other clubs, but the leadership in those clubs has remained strong enough to focus on other clubs. A Leaders Meeting was held to discuss the 4-H year,and to plan for the year. Also, concerns and comments were brought forward in order to further understand what the needs of the county are. A Quay County Leader's Handbook was developed to give leaders information and materials regarding club programming, and to assist the leaders with understanding the policies of the Quay County 4-H Program. 100% of the leaders received a handbook, and as one leader quoted, "I do know how I've led for this long without this reference by my side. Thank you very much!"
This agent has also worked hard to pormote the Leader Screening Process to adults wishing to become volunteers and has achieved more and more success since its inception. To date 90% of volunteers have participated in the process.

2008 Bernalillo County 4-H Fairboard: The 4-H Fairboard had six meetings this year and held its evaluation meeting on September 29, 2008. Under new management, EXPO New Mexico had everything ready for 4-H when we moved in for the fair & rodeo. This was a first in many years. Likewise, the Rodeo only had 78 entries and was a non-sanctioned 4-H Open Youth Rodeo with notarized waivers for participation. It was anticipated that we would have 200 local youth participate and not have all the ridiculous fees involved with a sanctioned 4-H Rodeo. There were only 78 entrants, but that was still 56% higher than the sanctioned rodeos.

2008 Bernalillo County 4-H Fair & Rodeo: The major part of this Agent’s time was spent working with the Bernalillo County 4-H Rodeo Committee and financial sponsors throughout the year. That year was a leap of faith for the committee, because the rodeo was non-sanctioned. The anticipation was that we would have a larger rodeo and serve more youth if the contestants did not have to be 4-H members. The result was that Bernalillo County’s Open Youth Rodeo had 50% more contestants than the sanctioned rodeos. There was “added money” for the rough stock events and in Chute Doggin’. The economy and price of fuel was attributed to a loss of participation from last year, but the rodeo was successful and received many compliments. The “committee” is committed to continue the non-sanctioned rodeos for a three year period. There were monthly progress meetings and a new rule book written. All the information was posted on the website bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu. August was the most intense time and several last minute large activities had to be orchestrated in order for the program to go well and make a profit for the local 4-H Council. Sixty-six percent of the profits help support the Bernalillo County 4-H Center. Important coordination was the Rodeo Draw, getting new banners and signs made for sponsors, meeting with EXPO NM event coordinator, and having a Rodeo Judges meeting before we actually move to the fairgrounds. During the week, the committee had to haul all equipment to Tingley Coliseum, insure the earth work is done right in the arena, hang the banners from the ceiling, help with the Rodeo Dance, bury markers, conduct three performances and work with the photographer for sponsor tickets. This agent worked 97 hours between August 4 – 10, 2008 to accomplish these tasks. The Rodeo was well attended with about 2,000 people and 78 contestants State wide.
The final impact was 31.5% fewer contestants than in 2007, but 56% more participation than the sanctioned rodeos. The result was favorable with the economic situation and the committee will continue the non-sanctioned rodeos for the next two years.

Networking with civic clubs in Bernalillo County:
Albuuquerque Breakfast Lions Club: The Albuquerque Breakfast Lions Club was a $400.00 4-H Rodeo Sponsor each year and requested a program from the Cooperative Extension Service each year and presentd a check to the County Agent to be applied to the 4-H Rodeo. The Program this year was about the Bernalillo County 4-H Program and 4-H Rodeo. Their Support of the 4-H Program was appreciated very much.
Sandia Kiwanis Club: The Sandia Kiwanis Club sponsored six trophy buckles for the 4-H Rodeo for a total of $750. They requested the County Agent and one Youth attend a meeting, presented a program about the 4-H Rodeo and received the sponsorship check in person. This agent took novice 4-H Member, Mitchell Johnson and his grandmother to the lunch meeting, co-presented the program and received the check.
The finiancial support and impact from thes two organizaions was $1,150.00.