The gathering, which was attended by more than 140 teen and adult members of 4-H, as well Cooperative Extension staff, provided a forum for those in the organization to share their stories and volunteer goals with the two visiting politicians.
Carper and Castle learned about the diverse programming 4-H provides to youth throughout the state, and Castle applauded the volunteers and emphasized the importance of mentoring.
Carper then spoke, offering five successful leadership rules, which were: Figure out what you want to do and do it; treat others the way you want to be treated; never abandon what you believe in; surround yourself with good people; and share credit when things go well and accept blame when they don't.
“Do those things consistently and people will notice,” Carper said.
Ernesto Lopez, 4-H extension specialist and volunteer forum coordinator, expressed his gratitude for the visit and said that he was honored by the show of support.
“We could not have been more pleased to have Sen. Carper and Rep. Castle kick off our leader forum,” he said. “We knew we had a great day planned, but to have them surprise us with their presence was a tremendous testimony to their support of our organization.”
The 4-H volunteer forum reinforces curriculum skills with existing 4-H volunteers and provides initial training to new adult volunteers entering the 4-H community in Delaware. This year, 23 workshops were offered in areas ranging from science and technology and textiles and clothing to animal science and arts and crafts.
Another highlight of the forum was the presentation of the “Salute to Excellence” awards, honors that recognize individual volunteer service. Joy Sparks, Delaware 4-H program leader, presented five awards to long-term volunteers and three awards to “lifetime” volunteers.
Brenda Shaffer and Sandy Reynolds were the selected statewide winners from each category and will represent Delaware in the national Salute to Excellence awards program later this year.
Additionally, each Salute to Excellence honoree received the “Starfish Award,” an honor established by Janice Seitz, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and director of UD's Cooperative Extension Service, for dedicated mentors.
“If ever there was a time when our youth need heroes, it is now,” Seitz said.
In 2006, more than 63,000 youth in Delaware were positively impacted by 4-H programming through after-school and weekend activities.
Photo by Kevin Quinlan