N4HC Delegate Update

Since receiving the National 4-H Conference delegate's names and information a little over two week ago, we have hit the ground running!

I have asked them to research the Department of Education and programs that are currently in existance to hopefully spark interest or engage their creativity. I have sent them multiple resources to get them started, and my hope is that they will run with it. I have already had multiple delegate's email me about possible ideas and about their background/perspective. It is a very diverse roundtable!

I also asked them to send me a short biography about themselves. I then worked to make a connection with each of them and respond. When taking personality tests (I will use True Colors in this example), I have always been low blue. Therefore, I am working to extend a hand to the delegates and be cognizant of how others work. With bullying being our topic, it is important that each delegate feels they are in a safe place and can express themselves when they wish.

I then asked them to send me a question that they may have about Conference. I then compilled them and answered them all. These were their questions and my response...

Thank you for all these great questions! I have answered them all below, because many of you may have similar questions. Please keep in mind that I am a facilitator and my role is to assist you and guide you. This is YOUR roundtable. Therefore, some of these questions were hard to answer because these are things that you will have to decide together.

1. Are we expected to have proposals for our question prepared before Conference or will be working as a round table to develop proposals?

We will be working as a roundtable to develop proposals. Please bring general ideas and we can work together to develop and implement them! This is why doing research before you arrive is so important.

2. How much time will we spend in our round tables, and what is the general picture of what we will be doing within said round table​?

You can view the schedule to see how much time we will have each day to spend with the roundtable. Typically, they will be spent brainstorming, working to develop a proposal, creating a presentation, practicing the presentation, playing games, and getting to know each other.

3. Would it behoove me to bring in past experience with conflict resolution?

Of course! Everyone has different backgrounds and experiences, which will help us in creating a presentation that engages a variety of people. If you are open to sharing, you are more than welcome to. If not, that is totally okay too. You will not be forced to do anything.

4. I understand we will be briefing someone as a culmination to our research; who will this be?

At the end of Conference, we will have a practice opportunity where we will present to other roundtables and to chaperones. Then, in conclusion, we will be presenting to employees of our federal agency. We will not know how many people will be in attendance until we arrive.

5. Would I be able to leave my laptop somewhere when we aren’t working?

Absolutely! You are able to store your laptop in your room when we aren’t working. For those that have never been to the Conference Center before, it used to be a University campus. Therefore, you will be staying in dormitories. While it will be shared with other delegates, you can place your laptop in your room.

6. Is our goal to provide a solution to our issue, provide insight from a student perspective, or something else?

Yes. LOL. Our goal is to create a solution to our challenge question from a student perspective.

7. Will we be discussing this in one large group or will we be split up into smaller groups?

Due to our challenge question having so many layers, we will be splitting into smaller groups (committee styled). Everyone will still get to share ideas and contribute to all committees work through various techniques, including World Café, for those that are familiar with that.

8. Will this be the sole topic we will be assigned for the conference?

This is the only roundtable and federal agency that you will be presenting to and working with. However, throughout National 4-H Conference, you will be learning and sharing about a variety of topics to strengthen your leadership skills.

9. What kind of presentation will we be giving, is it like a powerpoint or a video or some other kind of media?

This will be decided by you, the roundtable, as a whole! The options are endless.

10. How in depth will our presentation on our agency's challenge be? Are we looking to suggest national policies, introduce coalitions in communities, make recommendations for actions to encourage individual schools to take, all of the above or something else entirely?

This is something that you all will have to decide the direction on. I, personally, believe that the challenge question does not specify. Therefore, it could be interpreted anyway and the Department of Education works with all of these different levels.

11. When our state delegations have meetings with legislators, what are the exact goals of the meetings? I know we are supposed to talk about our 4-H experience to gain support from them, but what kind of support should we be looking for?

You will want to ask your chaperone the specifics because it may be different for everyone. Typically, it is to give the legislators a face, name, and story to put with the program. You all are very impressive and this gives them the opportunity to see the product of 4-H. Be sure to thank them for their continued support of the 4-H and Extension programs!

12. Is the roundtable going to be solely dedicated to the challenge question in public schools, or will the perspective of homeschool and private school students be taken into account as well?

All perspectives should be taken into account. I know we have a very diverse group of delegates on our roundtable, so if you study what you are involved in, then all of our bases should be covered.

13. What is expected of us in working on ideas from National 4-H Conference afterwards?

This is something else that you all will have to decide together!

14. Is the great state exchange like the pin exchange at National 4-H Congress or something else? If it's something else, is there anything we need to bring for that?

This is a pin exchange very similar to the one at National 4-H Congress, for those that attended. Bring lots of pins or tradeable items!

15. What is your favorite part of National 4-H Conference?

Good question, tough to answer. I am a little biased… I LOVE roundtables… When I was a delegate, this was my favorite part and it still is today. I really enjoy listening to different perspectives and the professionalism that is put into the presentation. Plus, how cool is it to present to a federal agency?!

We will be discussing all of this in more detail at National 4-H Conference. If you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

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Three days until I leave and five until I meet the delegates!