Progression of The National Youth Advisory Committee

National 4-H Youth Advisory Committee just had another meeting to discuss our progress so far and to determine where we will be heading in the future. Members have been busy working on their cohort committees, traveling and representing 4-H across the nation, learning about success and how it is generated, to working on their individual projects to give back to their communities.

The Alumni Acquisition Committee has been hard at work collecting preliminary research for a project that is still in the development stage. Hopefully, in the near future, I will be able to share with you the new and exciting plans that this cohort has been working to develop!

The Fundraising Committee has been working to develop our financial goals for the year, as well. The accepted amount by the committee is $100,000 a year. This amount will be raised through corporate donations, product sales, individual fundraising, and individual donations. National 4-H has also shifted their fiscal year to now begin in March, instead of July. The main reason for this change is due to the funding cycle. It is much easier to start out with the first quarter being the strongest, so that it is known how many more dollars must be raised to reach the overlying goal.

The entire group has also been invited to participate in a book club with Steve Barr, co-owner of Osborn & Barr, which assists with marketing, advertising, public relations, amongst a multitude of other things. The first book we will be reading is Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcom Gladwell. This book discusses how success is not gained alone, and there are so many factors that are uncontrolled that contribute to that success. With the knowledge of these factors, however, one should be able to better create their own success and understand the science behind it.

Our meeting was concluded with a member, Gaby Valentin, sharing a new project she has been working on; Clover Care. This member is a native of Puerto Rico and with the current devastation that is widespread, due to the hurricane, she is taking action. Clover Care is a program working to help 4-Hers who are affected by natural disasters. They are purchasing backpacks and filling them full of basic supplies such as hygiene products, food, and water. She hopes that this is a program that can be continued in the future when disaster strikes, and potentially be incorporated into National 4-H. Ms. Valentin embodies the emotion and meaning behind the 4-H Family and is pledging her hands to larger service.