Adult Volunteer Leader Development

This agent has worked with leaders throughout the year to start two 4-H clubs. The first club has been around for many years, with younger groups starting 4-H and seniors graduating out of the program, this club needed new leaders. The family that has taken on the task has spent at least 2 hours a month working on club policy, attendance requirements-enforcement, and general 4-H policy and procedure here at the extension office. The club has reached out to new audiences and is no longer strictly a livestock club. This agent expects for membership in this club to double from its nearly 20 members in 2007.
Due to extensive programming in their school, the Calvary Christian Academy has asked to start a 4-H club in their school. The school is pre-k through 12th grade and does not offer any vocational or agricultural education. Teachers in the school wish to participate as club and project leaders. This agent is working to identify adults in the school with skills that could help them become project leaders. Many teachers/parents will be collaborating in order for this club to reach all areas of 4-H programming. With the addition of these two clubs the county has a total of 11 traditional 4-H clubs.

The Native American Community Academy began operation in September of 2006.
This innovative charter school is geared for Native American mid-high students living in the Albuquerque area offering a strong academic opportunity while at the same time learning more of their native culture, languages and customs. One of the main components for NACA is an afterschool program which offers the children tutoring, mentoring and a variety of experiential learning opportunities. During the 2006-2007 school year I helped train the afterschool staff of NACA in Positive Youth Development, and behavior management as well as 4-H project opportunities. At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year I am again working closely with NACA’s afterschool staff. We plan on bringing in the ICAN educators for nutrition and cooking classes.
The school served 70+ student the first year and has increased to 100 this school year.

In early June a three day training took place for the 180+ older teens, college students and adults working in the 28 Albuquerque Community Centers which run summer programs for the children in their neighborhoods. One day of the training I did 4 sessions on "managing challenging behaviors" and another day I did repeat sessions "fun, quick and easy activities to do with a group of kids".
Through out the school year I train and assist Albuquerque community center directors with new staff training and program idea for their afterschool programs. These centers have been very open to 4-H curriculum and programs.

In June of 2006 New Mexico was the 45th state to join the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The Mission of Jump$tart of New Mexico is stated; “to be a non-profit organization that seeks to educate and empower youth and adults with the information and resources necessary to make informed financial decisions”. Representatives from Cooperative Extension, NMSU College of Business, and the Stock Market Game have been involved since the beginning sharing programs, resources and expertise in the area of financial education.
On April 30th Jump$tart along with the NM Coalition for Financial Education sponsored The Lt. Governor’s Summit on Financial Education. The event was a day of workshops on financial education and its importance for all ages. Through out the day over 400 people came through the summit including 135 classroom teachers from around the state.
During the 2006 legislative session House Bill 1205 was passed requiring all high schools in New Mexico to offer at least an elective class on Financial Education.
Extension has many resources that will be helpful in this endeavor, particularly the NEFE (National Endowment for Financial Education) High School Financial Planning Program.
Connie Kratzer, Extensions’ Family Resource Management Specialist presented a workshop for teachers explaining this free high school financial program. There was much interest particularly among the high school teachers who attended the workshop, stopped by our display or have called since the event with questions about the NEFE program and 4-H curriculum on being a Savvy Consumer.
With the passing of House Bill 1205 we anticipate Extension being a huge resource in the area of financial education throughout the state.

Sunday December 10th, 2006 the National Guard Family Support Services hosted a holiday party for National Guard families from around the state. Families who currently have a family member deployed and other Guard families attended this festive event.
Urban 4-H provided a cookie decorating activity and set up an information table showcasing 4-H and other Cooperative Extension programs available throughout the state of New Mexico. Several New Mexico businesses donated toys and food for these families who have given so much for all of us.