CA State 4-H Futures Task Force: Initial Outcomes and Next Steps

CA State 4-H Futures Task Force:Initial Outcomes and Next Steps

Facilitator: Keeley Mooneyhan, HR Matters Inc.November 21, 2013

• Review Expectations and Goals• Why Are We Here• Where Are We• I Love 4-H, but summary of findings• Roadmap to the Future• Now Let’s Go . . . Recommendation Template• Next Steps• Adjournment

Agenda

Today’s Goals• Review areas of interest to “Make The Best Better” • Reconfirm Interests and Priorities• Prep for December Meeting

Shared Expectations

• Partner, share, and build trusting relationships

• Be the voice of innovation, change and opportunity

• Help 4-H evolve • Make 4-H relevant and important • Speak of aspirations• Lead by example

Guiding PrinciplesTaskforce Goals

– Strengthen program delivery: Connect People, Resources, Programs, Tools, and Technology

– Accelerate distribution of information, education, and learning– Honor and respect the past while leading 4-H’s next evolution – Identify “Best Practices” to grow, develop, and support 4-H across CA

Outcomes– Be committed to the mission, vision, and pillars of 4-H – Appreciate different perspectives of 4-H – Create a future where 4-H is considered a cornerstone of Youth

Development– Identify areas of shared interest and value to the organization and

commit to preserve what’s great and to evolve what can be betterOverall Experience Goals

– Minimize “Negativity”– Establish Trust and Grow Partnerships– Build Excitement & Maintain Momentum– Create Interest– Gain/Retain Youth, Volunteer, and Community Engagement and

Participation– Empower Youth– Drive Commitment– Set the Stage for Success (Expectation Setting)– Recognize Uniqueness

Why are We Here?

Highlight of Key Points Impacting 4-H

• Membership decline– 59% decrease over the past 40 years in the community club program– If this trend continues another 40 years, the 4-H community club program

will be nearly non-existent

• Need to build capacity for growth – More formalized connections, integration, and synergy across the state to

free up resources, reduce missed opportunities, and be more effective and efficient in our work

• Need for improved communication– Communication doesn’t flow freely across the organization to reach all

families– Communication needs to flow down, across, and up the organization to

ensure the program’s success

• Sparse resources– There has been reduction in Staff and Adult Volunteers– Decreased government funding and an increased need of funding from

other sources

Where Are We?

Where Are We Going?

Current Conversation

I 4-H, but . . .

Organization:The CA 4-H organization is complex and has multiple areas which have become unintentionally siloed. If the organization is able to reorganize to best meet the growing and changing needs of the members, volunteers, families and supporters; the organization may be in a better position to help 4-H grow for the next 100+ years.

Funding: Continue to build a stronger case for support; reduce costs for youth participation; and increase resources.

4-H Public Relations:4-H is more than agriculture, it’s more than cows and cooking. There is a desire to increase awareness, visibility, outreach and participation in the program. Development of a 4-H PR plan and associated marketing materials is needed.

Engagement: Build and improve relationships with members, potential members and volunteers, and external advocates; increase knowledge of programs/opportunities; recruit and retain more members and volunteers; and increase diversity of youth and volunteer participants.

Communication:Increase communication across the 4-H organization, share opportunities across sections, and improve the flow of information.

*The Top 5 Areas of Discussion by Level of Interest:

*See Appendix for full summary of findings and detail

Chart the Course

The Roadmap to the Future

Priorities

Objectives1. Make the Best Better2. Learn by Doing

Organization

• Define a consistent 4-H organizational management framework, tools and resource library

• Advance organizational alignment, synergy and funding capture capabilities to increase funding, reduce costs, and increase resources

Engagement• Enhance alignment of the various 4-H stakeholders

through intentional relationship building, training, sharing, and communications

• Ensure staff, volunteer, and member capabilities continually evolve to make the best better

• Build cross-organization training, cultural sensitivity (generational, rural/urban, ethnic), communications, and change management processes

• Share learning and continuously increase the competence of all volunteers, staff, and members

Communications• Develop, define, and implement robust communication

strategies and best practices to reach each individual member/volunteer

• Determine multiple methods for information delivery; especially for areas without access to internet

Organize 4-H to best meet the growing and changing needs of the members, volunteers, and supporters to better position growth for the next 100+ years

FTF StrategyVision, Mission,and Objectives

Build and improve relationships with members, potential members, leaders, and external advocates; increase knowledge of programs/opportunities; recruit more members to participate; increase delivery modes of 4-H; and increase diversity by reaching more people in our communities

Increase communication across the 4-H organization, share opportunities across sections, and improve the flow of information.

Vision

Healthy, happy, thriving people who make a positive difference in their communities

MissionThe University of California 4-H Youth Development Program engages youth in reaching their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development

Increase awareness, visibility, outreach and participation in the program.

Public Relations

• Develop a 4-H PR plan and associated marketing materials

• Build Public Relations efforts in coordination with public values initiative to increase public awareness to the positive impact 4-H offers as a youth development organization

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Now Let’s Go . . .

Task Force Recommendation Template1. Individual or Group Name:

2. Describe the Recommendation:

3. To which priority does the recommendation apply (underline all those that apply)?

a. Organization

b. 4-H Public Relations

c. Engagement

d. Communication

4. Which guiding principle/task force goal(s) does this recommendation support (underline all those that apply)?

a. Strengthen program delivery: Connect People, Resources, Programs, Tools, and Technology

b. Accelerate distribution of information, education, and learning

c. Honor and respect the past while leading 4-H’s next evolution

d. Identify “Best Practices” to grow, develop, and support 4-H across CA

5. What issue or issues does your recommendation resolve? (Please identify the issues)

6. Please describe why this recommendation is necessary and important?

7. Is there a dissent about this recommendation? If yes, please provide a summary of the dissenting opinion about this recommendation.

Next Steps

Next Steps• Continue to share information from CA 4-H Future

Task Force broadly with the youth, adult volunteers, and staff

• Solicit ideas and recommendations using the template

• Attend our next task force meeting on December 20th in Davis, to further define recommendations for the future of 4-H

• Pull forward relevant discussion items/comments for our December meeting

Discussion Notes from November 21• PR Visibility, Public image and partnerships in combination with the State Ambassadors.• People are afraid of change, but would like to see some improvements. There is interest in

improving communications and consistency.• YAP- youth are not servants, we've lost the partnership.• The issues from the state to local level are the same and are not isolated (funding, training,

leadership, engagement).• Let's not forget to look at what's working and replicate it.• We need to be careful to not have "cookie cutter" answers b/c we need to look at how counties are

different.• Some structure and guidance to follow would be useful for both the program and county

governance.• Curriculum and handbook or "how to" to help ease people into the program; more an outline.• How do we "reinvent" or change once there is a handbook? How do we stay current? It gets

confusing for members. (some of this is nomenclature not programmatic changes- how do we talk about it.)

• The 4-H Framework exists to demonstrate the programs are connected and promote the outcomes outlined in the framework - to bring it all together.

• We need a basic program guide for families; "what's 4-H." 4-H hasn't changed, the language changes but the program stays the same.

• Administration or philosophy for engaging new members/volunteers are 2 conversations and we sometimes get stuck because they’re not separated.

• The funding specific conversation needs to be set aside until we figure out organization, engagement, PR, and communication, but we need to include the funding impact in all these conversations as it impacts everything.

Appendix

Mission

4-H History

4-H’sHEAD, HEART, HANDS & HEALTH

Public Partnership

USDA UC ANR California 4-H Science Youth Science

LiteracyScience, Engineering & Technology (SET)

Healthy Living Promoting Healthy Behaviors for

Childhood Obesity Prevention

Healthy Living

Citizenship Citizenship Revolution of Responsibility

Leadership

Promoting Positive Youth Development

Thrive

Emerging

Workforce Prep & Development

Global Food Security Global Food Security and Hunger

Mandates “California’s youth will need new and enhanced opportunities for engagement.” – UC ANR Strategic Vision

Vision

“Healthy, happy, thriving

people who make a positive

difference in their

communities”

I 4-H!

• Identify on an individual level what makes 4-H great, for you.

• What Makes You Proud to be Associated with 4-H?

Discussion Summary: What’s working in CA 4-H*

*See appendix for full discussion points

4-H Public Relations: •Rich 100 year heritage and history rooted in agriculture with new participation opportunities•Unique and different than other programs•Pride and commitment for 4-H symbols from clover to CA uniforms to even the old clipart•Family oriented, strong ethical base, legacies

Development: •Opportunities to develop youth and adult volunteers to grow and progress over time•Skills, responsibility, public speaking, autonomy, improvement, positivity, competition, & evaluation•Varied projects, committees, conferences, training, events, and vast resources available•Connection to university’s research and evaluation•Teaching youth how to learn•Great hands-on education for the money

Engagement: •Sense of belonging, lasting relationships, camaraderie, and being part of a family community•Networks and connections for life•Outreach, community involvement, open to all •Passionate participants- members and volunteers

Leadership: •Conferences, club/project governance, and mentoring•Ability to adapt and change•Knowledge and experiences shared from adult volunteers and staff•Youth leading projects, clubs, committees, conferences

Youth Adult Partnerships (YAP): •Empowering youth to lead with the support and partnership of adults•Dedicated volunteers

Summary of Discussions from I Love 4-H . . .

I 4-H, but . . .

• Identify on an individual level what could make 4-H better, for you.

• What are your pain points with 4-H?

Discussion Summary: What’s Not working in CA 4-H*

*See appendix for full discussion points

Communication: •There isn’t enough communication•Information doesn’t flow easily through the 4-H organization in any direction •Information does not get to the members and individual volunteers•There is no formal process to inform volunteers or members of state-wide opportunities•There are conflicts with parents at fair and events•No good tool exists to communicate with everyone•There is no easy way to share experiences, learnings, or resources •More open dialogue between the staff, volunteers and youth required•There is inconsistency in messages around programs, opportunities, and requirements•No one knows what the different 4-H bodies do and why

Organization: •Some decisions seem arbitrary, and it’s not clear who does what, and how funding & policy decisions are made•The State creates too much bureaucracy and makes it difficult; too much paperwork•How 4-H is organized in CA impacts communication, what we do, and access to resources•The current organization is not efficient and leads to lots of redundancies•Inconsistencies across the organization

Record Books: •The online record book is challenging, complex and a deterrent to participation in 4-H although if used properly would build great skills•The record book doesn’t measure and track growth easily

Partnership: •Lack of external partnerships can limit opportunities, programs, support, and growth

Funding: •The program is too expensive for some families; where does the money go?•Everything requires money from clubs to conferences, and it is expensive•There is a lack of funding to support growth in the program, staff, or resources

Summary of Discussions from I Love 4-H, but . . .

4-H Public Relations: •4-H does not have a well known public image, it’s the best kept secret•It’s difficult to grow when no one knows about 4-H•There are no national, state or local public relations campaigns to increase outreach •The website and other public information tools are not user friendly•4-H is more than agriculture

Development: •More leader/volunteer development is needed•Sharing/increasing resources across the state•Need opportunities and curriculum for teen members to continue to develop and learn•The programs, mandates and initiatives need more flexibility in implementation•Need a better connection between initiatives and programs•Need more for “transition” from high school to young adult (19-25)

Leadership: •More leadership training, programs, and opportunities needed •Youth are not always leading or being heard•Lack of conflict management skills and training for youth and adults

Engagement: •4-H isn’t available to every youth in CA •Relationships are strained in clubs, counties, sections, state, and across volunteer to staff•Learning curve for 4-H is hard, when/how to join, paperwork, “how to”, record book•Volunteering can feel like a life sentence and many people seem burned out

Youth Adult Partnerships (YAP): •Some areas of 4-H have become less youth led and more adult directed•Youth don’t feel empowered in all parts of 4-H•Being a youth leader feels like being a baby-sitter at times


4-H Public Relations: 4-H has been historically rooted in agriculture, and is much more than that today. 4-H is different than any other youth development organization. 4-H could benefit from a new public image campaign. Perhaps more public service advertising could help build awareness, recruit new members and adult volunteers, and increase support of the programs offered.

Communication: Information doesn’t flow easily through the 4-H organization in any direction. Despite efforts to push information down from the State to the local levels, information doesn’t get to every individual and locally information doesn’t always flow back up to the State so that information becomes 2-way.

Development: 4-H offers amazing opportunities to develop youth and adult volunteers and allow them to grow and progress. There are also areas of improvement such as offering more leader/volunteer development, sharing/increasing resources, and opportunities for older members to continue to develop and learn.

Engagement: Engagement is how we interact, recruit and retain youth and adults in the program. Relationships and being part of a community are real tangible benefits from being part of 4-H. We want to increase outreach and participation in the program, particularly among underserved and underrepresented populations. 4-H needs to represent the diversity of the communities we serve and provide rich and diverse programs.

Funding: Everything requires money. Funding is a challenge at every level and dictates programs, delivery, opportunity to participate, and at times ability to support growth. Developing a comprehensive fund development plan based on identified needs of the program will help 4-H secure additional funding.


Leadership: Conferences, club/project governance, and mentoring are some of the ways youth grow their leadership capabilities. Growing leadership opportunities across the organization will enrich the programs 4-H delivers in meaningful ways.

Organization: How 4-H is organized in CA may impact communication, what we do, and access to resources. Reorganizing to address administration, management, program development and delivery, and funding challenges may help create additional opportunities for efficiency and combined synergies for shared success and growth.

Partnership: Working with each other and increasing external partnerships and supporters will allow 4-H to grow and advance to reach more youth and offer more programs.

Record Books: The Online Record Book (ORB) was created to support the development of 21st century technology skills in youth. It also allows the State to collect information necessary for reporting requirements to USDA, and to see where youth and adults are putting their energy and time to best support these efforts in the future. Some 4-Her’s find the record book challenging, and some even find it a deterrent to participation in 4-H. Ongoing assessment of the Record Book, its complexity and any requirements for completion tied to participation is warranted.

Youth Adult Partnerships (YAP): 4-H empowers youth to lead with the support and partnership of adults. Some areas of 4-H have become less youth led and more adult directed, and it would be beneficial to look at these areas and ensure youth are represented and provided opportunities to lead and drive the success of 4-H programs.


I 4-H!1. Identify on an individual level what makes 4-H great, for you.

2. What Makes You Proud to be Associated with 4-H?

Why I love 4-H, why it’s great, and what makes me proud

Topic Focus Area

Quality of individual growth for youth and adult DevelopmentLife skill development with hands on learning DevelopmentAbility to adapt and change LeadershipAbility to create friendships, connections, networks EngagementCreating a 4-H Family EngagementOpportunities for citizenship and leadership; that are different than school programs or girl/boy scouts LeadershipHeritage of the program; 100 years and history of family participation 4-H PRCommittee Work which allows youth to learn life skills and accomplish goals DevelopmentLife skills development and responsibility Development

Opportunities for citizenship, leadership, and community service LeadershipYouth and Adult partnerships Youth/AdultEthics/values of the program 4-H PR

Passion of the youth, adults, and staff for 4-H Engagement

Wealth of knowledge volunteers provide for youth LeadershipAll the conferences at the sectional and state levels are fun and educational DevelopmentOpportunities for youth to meet more people Engagement

Safe and encouraging environment for youth Engagement


Topic Focus Area

The resources available through 4-H DevelopmentWe love the clover 4-H PRWe love the color green- it reminds us of 4-H 4-H PRThe connection to the university DevelopmentSense of belonging- “relationships” EngagementIt’s a positive youth development program DevelopmentYou can start very young; as early as age 5 DevelopmentYouth are engaged in meaningful ways; particularly in the governance of the program

Youth/AdultLeadership/Dev

Like to watch youth grow DevelopmentCamaraderie EngagementLife experiences DevelopmentOpportunities; meeting new people, attending conferences, and developing meaningful life skills

LeadershipDevelopment

History and legacy 4-H PRFamily involvement EngagementEducation Development

Clip art 4-H PR

Knowing you can make a difference Leadership


Topic Focus Area

Availability of outreach/outreach in generalEngagement/Communication

Emphasis on leadership developmentLeadershipDevelopment

opportunities DevelopmentSense of connection EngagementAg and livestock DevelopmentDiversity of opportunities EngagementCreates responsible adults DevelopmentLeadership LeadershipProgression of learning through the years the way the program is structured DevelopmentYouth and adults share leadership YAPYouth get to lead Leadership

Public speaking skillsLeadershipDevelopment

Networking Engagement

Developing citizens

Leadership/Dev/Engagement

Learning to learn Development


Topic Focus Area

Generational and family involvement4-H PREngagement

Traveling locally or nationally; experiencing other cultures

Development/4-H PR/Engagement

Pride in being associated with the symbols that represent 4-H (logo and uniform) 4-H PRCamp opportunities to go to unfamiliar landscapes and step outside ones comfort zone DevelopmentProjects and project leaders who allow diverse personalities “diverse experiences created”

EngagementDevelopment

Opportunity for all youth and adults DevelopmentProvides opportunity for growth Development

4-H is nationally recognized and has resources4-H PRDevelopment

Youth are mentored by others than their parents to develop youth/adult relationships YAPEducation based Development

Wide variety of projects and activities4-H PRDevelopment

4-H participation is affordable Engagement


Topic Focus Area

Teaching aspects; adults, teen/junior leaders can also teachLeadershipDevelopment

4-H allows you to be part of your community EngagementCamaraderie; making new friends throughout the state EngagementWide range of information one is able to learn Development

Learning what’s new and being “in the know”DevelopmentEngagement

Youth Adult Partnership (YAP) YAPWe promote good ole fashioned American Values 4-H PRWe meet the local needs EngagementCounties have the freedom to be independent and innovative from each other Development

Community service opportunities; service learning and knowing what you’re doing to help

LeadershipEngagement4-H PRDevelopmentYAP

The research and evaluation Development

Professionalism Leadership

Level of excellence youth achieve Development


Topic Focus Area

Community clubs that are local and not associated with schools and available to homeschoolers EngagementWe’re different from other groups like girl/boy scouts 4-H PR

Dedicated volunteersEngagementLeadership

4-H teaches life skills which are applicable; financial, public speaking, leadership

DevelopmentLeadership

I 4-H, but . . .1. Identify on an individual level what could make 4-H better, for you.

2. What are your pain points with 4-H?

Group Directions:• Break into groups of 3-4 • Each group should have at least 1 youth and 1 adult • No group can have more than 2 members from the same Section• Capture the individual and group thoughts, and be prepared to share with the group

Share findings with the Group

What I would change about 4-H, how it can be better, my pain points

Topic Focus Area

Reinforce the connection to the UC system, and we hope the different levels realize their part of a bigger system and know where they fall in the system OrganizationWe’d like to strengthen the relationships between the volunteers and staff

EngagementOrganization

Integration of delivery modes on the county levelOrganizationEngagement

We want to be on TV; national campaign or at least CA (PSA)4-H PRPartnership

Increase diversity of members but volunteers as well Engagement

We’d like more k-3 curriculum possibly partnering with Ag in the classroom

DevelopmentEngagementPartnership

We’d like to spend less time on administrative paperwork for staff and volunteers OrganizationBetter communication through the levels; state, counties, club Communication

More opportunities for youth leadership in all the levels Leadership

More user friendly website for both state and countiesCommunication4-H PR

More affordable conferences (SLC as example) Funding


Topic Focus Area

More training opportunities for volunteers DevelopmentOnline record book- challenges Record Book

Flexibility in implementing mission mandates and thriveOrganizationDevelopment

Different application process for state ambassadors that includes the record keeping OrganizationConnection between state, sectional and county field days (consistency) Organization

More leadership roles for youth

LeadershipEngagementOrganization

Restructure county councils Organization

Most of the power lies with adults and disseminate the power to the youth

YAPLeadershipEngagementOrganization

More educational resources for animal sciences DevelopmentProcess to replace “sticky volunteers” EngagementMore advanced projects for older members Development

More progression of learning from year-to-year in projects Development


Topic Focus Area

Better training for county council officersDevelopmentLeadership

New people at sectional levels

OrganizationYAPLeadershipEngagement

Better ways to keep people informed; newsletters Communication

Involve more youth 4-H PR

Process to inform and engage people as volunteers;

4-H PREngagementCommunicationOrganization

Formalize and simplify enrollment Organization

Conflict with parents and volunteers especially at fair

CommunicationDevelopmentLeadership

I’d like members to join any club they like regardless of county linesOrganizationEngagement

Increase retention, so they don’t leave after 1-2 years Engagement


Topic Focus Area

ORB Record book

Structure for coordination across 4-HOrganizationCommunication

Process to identify more growth in the project Record bookLots of conversation around the record book to track/measure growth Record book

Utilize the state initiatives betterOrganizationDevelopment

Balance resource allocation to ensure more economically disadvantaged youth can participate without affecting current participation Funding

Better connection between initiatives (example of healthy living is by itself) and what we do as 4-H

4-H PRDevelopmentOrganization

More planning so we can raise bigger funds; but we need to figure out where the money goes before we get it Funding

Greater communication Communication

Too much emphasis in winning/earning vs. personal development

Development4-H PRLeadership

Cost of participation is high Funding


Topic Focus Area

Communication network from state down to individual membersCommunicationOrganization

Increase diversityEngagement4-H PR

Recruitment/publicizing and recruiting older membersEngagement4-H PR

Record Book (complexity/time) means it’s a barrier. Families leave and clubs close enrollment b/c it is too complicated to explain requirements. Keeps people from taking positions b/c of requirements. We could make them optional and incentivize b/c they have value Record Book

Increase volunteers (recruitment of volunteers)- there is burnoutEngagementOrganization

There is burnout in staff b/c of too much responsibilityEngagementOrganization

Term limits for volunteers so it’s not a life sentence Organization

Parents getting way too involved and not letting youth learn from their mistakes

DevelopmentEngagementCommunication4-H PRYAP


Topic Focus Area

Increase enrollment in general

Engagement4-H PRFunding

Greater synergy and consistence across the stateOrganization4-H PR

Engaging the newer alumni (19-25) “transition” age more

DevelopmentEngagementOrganization

Greater youth voice in governance (example advisory groups, sectional/state councils)

YAPLeadershipEngagementOrganizationDevelopment

Encouraging community programs- other delivery modes

OrganizationDevelopmentEngagement

Counties implementing current priorities (thrive, National Youth Science Day)

DevelopmentOrganization4-H PR

People don’t know what State Council does- more effective communication Communication


Topic Focus Area

Increase participation in animal and citizenship projects4-H PREngagement

More money- increase fund development FundingCreating safe and inclusive environment for volunteers (small progressive roles and opportunities where they they feel included) Engagement

Inadequate staff support in counties- we want more staffFundingOrganization

Lack of outreach, media and visibility of 4-H (PSA during normal hours)

4-H PRFunding

Need to do more outreach and be more open to new audiences (some events happen on Saturday which is Sabbath for some, so why can’t we switch off for some Sunday events)

Funding4-H PREngagement

Need to look at other 4-H delivery modes like project clubs (horse club)

EngagementOrganization

Realization of changes to CA demographics, family structures, volunteerism, and UC staffing

EngagementCommunication

Increase internal awareness of other models, programs, and processes

CommunicationEngagement

Lower the 4-H enrollment fee- make more $$ Funding

Promote non-livestock projects 4-H PR


Topic Focus Area

Provide new challenges to 4-H teens; especially those not interested in teaching other youth

DevelopmentYAP

Communication; access to information ,making it more easily available CommunicationHaving multiple methods available for information distribution CommunicationConsistency, especially policy from county to county (reward and recognition)

OrganizationCommunication

More Funding for counties, especially for staff FundingMarketing; not just cows and cookies- what is it? 4-H PR

Better volunteer/staff training, particularly in conflict resolution and make it convenient so they don’t have to travel far

DevelopmentLeadershipFunding

Easier transitions from HS to college in 4-H

EngagementOrganizationLeadership

Transitions within the program with volunteers/staff so they don’t get burned out and volunteers aren’t expected to recreate or run it forever

EngagementOrganizationDevelopmentLeadership

More enthusiasm at the county level so there is more engagement at the sectional/state levels

EngagementCommunication4-H PR


Topic Focus Area

More funding for local clubs and county programs Funding

Maintain Ag as part of the 4-H identity4-H PRDevelopment

Keep the rural part of 4-H engaged as we increase urban reach/involvement EngagementReorganize the state newsletter based on the audience CommunicationMore open dialogue between the staff, volunteers and youth Communication

More outside partnerships between 4-H and other groupsPartnerships4-H PR

Participate in additional National 4-H events, i.e. 4-H Congress

DevelopmentOrganizationFundingCommunication

Better communication between counties and sectionsCommunicationOrganization

Change the non-official 4-H uniformEngagementCommunication

Help improve the 4-H State council’s relevancy to teens

EngagementCommunicationYAP

Additional Feedback/CommentsENGAGEMENT

•4-H learning curve is so steep. If it takes 7 years to learn 4-H, that is too long! The complexity of National, State, Sectional, Regional, Local and Club Level AND Different opportunities at each level.

•Need 4-H user manual that explains what 4-H is

•The lack of a user friendly 'how to get started' or 'this is how 4H works'

•To increase enrollment, need to lower age requirements (4 years old)

•4-H can stick with agriculture (and having declining membership) or expand and adapt to needs of new audiences – with responses about how both are possibilities

•It is a mistake to move away from the agricultural focus of 4-H

•Difficulty in being new to 4-H (record book)

•Need to do better informing people how and when to join.

•I need suggestions to get our county motivated with Primary Member projects.

•We need to allow youth to design their projects to tap their passions.

•The challenge of retaining older youth

•Schedule of events often conflicts with other things in the life of a child

•Geography: One issue I see internally in the statewide program is the location distribution of many state wide events/opportunities. It is understandable to have many of the events/opportunities housed at Davis since that is location of the state office, but it is becoming way too expensive to travel. The 4-H members who really want to participate at state events that are down in southern California or extremely northern California just can't seem to make it.

Additional Feedback/CommentsORGANIZATION

•Bureaucratic, paper-filled, programs “eclipsed by obscure policies, guides, and rules known to only a few.”

•Streamline the simply the whole thing

•California has an inordinate amount of rules

•My biggest problem (and frustration) is that those learning, hands-on activities are drowned out by the never-ending administrative (aka chapter) meetings, paperwork, and ever-changing rules.

•Edicts from on high should require feedback/discussion loops from 4-Hers and their parents BEFORE implementation and also training sessions, if needed, before implementation.

•Clubs and counties are bogged down in minuscule details and re-writing rules

•Decrease on the paper work increase on a uniform 4-H.

•Disheartening how bureaucratic, paper-filling 4-H is becoming. Can we work towards streamlining and simplifying the whole thing?

•So much inconsistency from club to club

•Outreach documentation for the club, we are being asked to keep a phone log of contact conversations.

•Many volunteers have "the responsibility to help implement this direction" but feel that their role in helping to develop policies and programs has been minimized in recent years

•Minimize the amount of requirements

•Lack of consistency from county to county

Additional Feedback/CommentsORGANIZATION (Continued)

•Are Sectional Councils still necessary?– Provide the support for the sectional events and activities– Stay connected, network about new ideas, and provide feedback– Provide leadership roles for 4-H members– Maybe we need to regroup as a state program and see if these volunteers can better serve elsewhere– A fear that the volunteers will lose their voice in the program towards making it better– We need to have some system for the volunteers to keep doing what they do best, along with changing the

program for the better

•California has an inordinate amount of rules

•My biggest problem (and frustration) is that those learning, hands-on activities are drowned out by the never-ending administrative (aka chapter) meetings, paperwork, and ever-changing rules.

•My favorite thing about 4-H "learn by doing" gets blurred or simply eclipsed by obscure policies, guides, and rules known to only a few.

•be more timely in getting new clubs chartered.

•I would really like my old 4H back, THRIVE has worked wonderfully to drive leaders and kids away, ORB is a joke.

Additional Feedback/CommentsDEVELOPMENT

•Lack of curriculum for older members

•Discussion around 4-H enrollment fees

•What is the cost of 4-H participation worth?

•$51 registration fee is prohibitive

•$51 for a full year of otherwise virtually free training in a wide variety of subjects is not too much to ask.

•The projects, when they work out, provide an education not available anywhere else for such a minimal fee.

•Is there a breakdown somewhere of what the enrollment fee goes to pay for?

•[Discussion about how some clubs and counties add on a fee, so the specific $51 is not representative of all counties.]

•Make state wide project proficiencies

•Have user friendly curriculum packets

•Why doesn't 4-H have a member handbook?

•Make state wide project proficiencies (adult)

•Have user friendly curriculum packets (adult)

•Why doesn't 4-H have a member handbook?

Additional Feedback/CommentsRECORD BOOK & UNIFORM

•Desire for traditionalist influence.

•Nostalgic reasons

•Need Aussie style hat

•Completing a detailed project report or record book teaches many valuable skills

•The record book process needs to be overhauled

•Record book submissions have declined sharply from last year to this year partly because ORB is so overwhelming

4-H PR

•Need to do better informing people how and when to join.

•Need to do a better job of networking & marketing

•Parents aren't aware of this great program

Funding

•Fees are out of control; costs for enrollments; some members aren't signing back up because the fees went up

YAP

•vicious, old-school leaders who will destroy entire programs for the sake of their pet projects or who have significant bias against specific projects.

Documents

CA State 4-H Futures Task Force: Initial Outcomes and Next Steps