2003 Year in Review

Sherrie Dirks and Barb Benson attend NCRVF in Peoria

Donna Young (Sterling), Sherrie Dirks, and Barb Benson (Morrison) enjoying dinner at the Wildlife Prairie Park, Peoria during the North Central Region Volunteer Forum.

These are some of the 164 delegate from Illinois to go to NCRVF.

Motivational speaker Sam Glenn spoke about keeping a healthy attitude at the conference. He also drew this chalk drawing for the audience of 475 4-H leaders.

475 adult volunteer leaders and teen leaders form 13 mid-western states and Canada gathered in Peoria, Illinois, for the North Central Region Volunteer Forum (NCRVF) on November 14-16. The forum promotes learning and sharing on all aspects of 4-H, leadership development, youth and adult partnerships, keeping teens involved, international opportunities, character education, Positive Youth Development (PYD), involving parents and more.

“I got a lot of new ideas that I can bring back to my club,” said Sherrie Dirks, leader of the Genesee Hillbillies 4-H Club in Whiteside County. “I’m looking forward to the next conference in Indianapolis.”

Keynote speaker, Laura Cornille-Cannady, owner of the training firm, Learning Alliances Company, inspired participants to confront change and chaos by staying positive and focused. Motivational Coach Keith Patterson, University of Illinois 4-H Alumni Award winner, spoke about teamwork, motivation and leadership. Capnote speaker, Sam Glenn, shared principles that can have a dramatic impact on others.

“Volunteer leaders are so important to youth in the 4-H program. These individuals give so much time and effort to teach and nurture 4-H members everywhere,” said Darlene Curry, a Tazewell County 4-H volunteer and chair of the NCRVF Planning Committee for Illinois. “This forum was an exciting opportunity for adults to share new and creative ideas that they can use to help youth learn skills for living. The commitment of these individuals to give of their time “To Make the Best Better” is a real inspiration for 4-H youth.”

A special equine program was also offered at Central Illinois Riding Therapy (CIRT) in East Peoria, where riding therapy lessons are provided for children and adults with varying levels of disability.

University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development and the Illinois 4-H Foundation hosted NCRVF.

4-H is the largest out-of-school educational program for youth in the United States. 4-H seeks to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, forming attitudes, and developing life skills that will enable them to become caring, competent, and contributing members of society. In Illinois 383,654 youth participate in 4-H and the other youth programs of University of Illinois Extension. Nearly 26,000 teen and adult volunteers assist in the programming. For more information about 4-H, please contact your local Extension office.
Visit Illinois 4-H at: www.4-H.uiuc.edu
Visit Sam Glenn at: www.samglenn.com

by  Editor, theCity1.com
November 17, 2003