National 4-H Council reports that over 500,000 volunteers give of their time and share their interests with nearly six million youth across the United States and around the globe (4-H.org). In South Carolina, we boast close to 3500 volunteers who provide 4-H connection, caring, and club leadership to over 80,000 youth across the state. Earlier this month, I got to see some of our South Carolina 4-H (SC 4-H) volunteer leaders in action. The Volunteer Conference of Southern States (VCOSS), held annually at Camp Rock Eagle in Eatonton, Georgia, is jointly directed by volunteer specialists at land-grant universities in the southern region and the associated Volunteer Advisory Team. This conference is THE national volunteer conference and welcomes volunteers as far away as Puerto Rico, Alaska, Canada, and Hawaii. This year’s conference theme was all about “Ignite Your Passion” through “Spark, Ignite, Thrive” workshops, sessions, activities, and keynotes. South Carolina 4-H had six volunteer leaders, six county 4-H agents, and two state staff members attend the conference and contribute to eight different workshops or sessions provided at the conference.
Back: Dr.Ashley Burns, State 4-H Director; Patricia Whitener, State 4-H Natural Resources leader; Julia Cox, Aiken County
The conference allows volunteers, agents, and specialists to interact and engage in meaningful dialog and provides a beautiful space at Rock Eagle to showcase that spirit of community. It empowers volunteers to understand their worth and the contribution they make to the positive youth developmental context. Volunteers help teach me how to be a better Extension professional, how to communicate effectively, and how to better provide quality programs. The comradery and identification I see at VCOSS is infectious and delights me to witness. The low-cost and all-inclusive nature of the conference is a worthwhile investment in helping our volunteers be essential workers of youth development. This conference reignites my own passion for this work and helps ground and reconnect me with my WHY: to educate, connect, and inspire people with nature through love and integrity. The support and teamwork are so much fun and the meaningful cabin conversations on the front porch or just walking around beautiful camp Rock Eagle are a few of the experiences that helped me get to know volunteers on a deeper level and connect with folks from other states. Greenville County volunteer, Jill Kreiman, and I were able to share a first-time canoe trip with a 4-H military partnership leader from Guantanamo Bay!
Want to ignite your passion and help 4-H youth find their spark? Become a 4-H volunteer today by reaching out to your county agent and visit our web page to register.
What I love about our SC 4-H volunteers is their enthusiasm for developing their own spark; the generous spirit with which they share, explore, and learn by doing what brings them joy. Volunteers guide 4-H’ers by helping to deliver quality programs that utilize research-based principles of youth development. 4-H agents work closely with volunteers to build relationships that support the integration of family, school, and community (Eccles. & Gootman, J.,2002). The positive relationships between 4-H members and 4-H volunteer leaders foster inclusion, care, growth, and support so that our youth can meet the ever- expanding possibilities and opportunities for them. 4-H Volunteers are the mentors that provide safe spaces for youth to explore their sparks and develop into responsible, productive, and caring members of society.
Eccles, J., & Gootman, J. (Eds.). (2002). Community programs to promote youth development. Washington DC: National Academy Press.
