Volunteer to Help Grow True Leaders!

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Throughout the United States, over 500,000 volunteers provide caring and supportive mentoring to six million 4-H'ers, helping them grow into true leaders.  Garland County 4-H has approximately 250 members. These members come from all areas of the county--the communities of Fountain Lake, Lake Hamilton, Lakeside, Jessieville, Mountain Pine, and within the city limits of Hot Springs.  Garland County 4-H needs more adult volunteer leaders to help us serve even more youth of this county.  

4-H adult volunteer leaders are the core of every successful 4-H program!  A 4-H volunteer leader plays a key role in helping young people grow as individuals, acquire new knowledge and skills, and become active members of their communities.  A 4-H adult volunteer gains personal satisfaction and pride in knowing they have contributed significantly to the personal development of youth.  4-H volunteers help 4-H members to:  

• Learn by doing
• Develop leadership and life skills
• Make new friends
• Give back to the community
• Build connections with others
• Prepare, do, and share

Research shows that 4‑H helps young people excel beyond their peers. The 4‑H Study of Positive Youth Development, conducted by Tufts University, explores the impact that participation in 4‑H has on youth.  For more than 10 years, 4‑H has partnered with Tufts University to study the effectiveness of its youth development programs.  This research study found that the 4‑H program’s unique hands-on approach gives kids the opportunity to learn by doing and build life skills.  Compared to their peers, the findings show that youth involved in 4-H programs excel in several areas.

When compared to youth in other out-of-school activities, 4-H'ers are nearly four times more likely to make contributions to their communities.  4-H'ers are two times more likely to be civically active.  They are nearly two times more likely to participate in Science, Engineering, and Computer Technology programs during out-of-school time.  4-H youth are nearly two times more likely to make healthy choices.  4-H girls are two times more likely to take part in science programs.

People volunteer with 4-H for many reasons. One obvious benefit is to help guide and mentor our country’s future citizens and leaders. Volunteers also develop new leadership skills, meet new friends, and have great adventures.

Adult volunteers play an important role in 4-H youth education programs. They coordinate local community clubs and help to plan and conduct local, regional, state, and national 4-H events.  A club can be established with as few as six kids from at least two different families and an adult who will lead the club.  Clubs meet at least six times per year but most clubs meet each month.  Club meetings consist of having an "official" business meeting, a program which could be a guest speaker, a training workshop, or even a talk from one of the youth members.  A game or activity usually follows and most of the time a snack is provided by one of the members.  

If you are interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer leader and possibly establishing a club in your neighborhood, contact Linda Bates, 501-623-6841, or email lbates@uada.edu at the Extension Office for more facts about 4-H and for information about getting a club started.  We need you!!! 

Additional information is available at our website:  www.uaex.uada.edu/garland. 

Master Gardener Information

Master Gardener meetings are held on the 3^rd Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge.  They’re open to the public and guests are always welcome. For more information call the Extension Office at 623-6841 or 922-4703 or email Allen Bates at abates@uada.edu. 

 EHC Information

Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC contact Jessica Vincent on 623-6841 or 922-4703 or email her at jvincent@uada.edu.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.

By Linda Bates
County Extension Agent - 4-H
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Linda Bates
County Extension Agent - 4-H
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
236 Woodbine Hot Springs AR 71901
(501) 623-6841
lbates@uada.edu

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.