I pledge my hands to larger service.

By: Jami Lyn Medley

Georgia 4-H

• The mission of Georgia 4-H is to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society.

• http://www.georgia4h.org/

Community Service is importantto me and to 4-H

• Community Service is very important to me. I have seen the difference that it can make in someone’s life.

• Growing up as a member of 4-H, I have participated in various community service projects. 4-H places a great deal of emphasis on community service.

• It is fourth “H” in the 4-H Pledge. I place my Hands to larger service.

• From teaching kids how to properly wash their hands, to collecting drink tabs for Ronald McDonald House families, to picking up trash on the side of the road, 4-H does it all.

• This is why I really respect this organization and have grown to feel the need to be of service to others.

What is D.P.A.?• D.P.A. stands for District Project

Achievement. • All 4-H’ers from fourth grade to

seniors in high school can participate.

• Junior and Senior 4-H’ers must prepare a portfolio of a year’s worth of work and present a demonstration on the topic of their choice.

• There are numerous categories for students to choose from.

• Over 2000 4-H’ers compete each year.

• Georgia 4-H holds their Junior/ Senior D.P.A. at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center.

As a 4-H Volunteer Leader…

• I helped the Southwest Program Development Coordinator, Dr. Laura Perry Johnson, with a variety of jobs at these events.

• I have assisted with planning and implementing:

Jr. Conference, Cotton Bowl and Consumer Judging, Portfolio Workshops, and Southwest Jr./Sr. DPA.

• I worked closely with the Jr. Board of Directors throughout their term as an adult volunteer.

• The Jr. Board Officers are elected by their peers to plan and direct the events that take place during their year of service.

• I was responsible for a lot of behind the scene work.

• I opened and closed the curtains during all of the assemblies.

• I set up the chairs for the officers on the stage before assemblies.

• I helped to decorate the stage and auditorium before the event started.

• I began my responsibilities by organizing the 10 different buildings and 40 different rooms that were to be used for the competition.

• I also sold Southwest District t-shirts throughout the weekend.

• I assisted with setting up all the sound systems for the evening recreation and I also acted as the DJ for the dances.

• I spent a lot of the time making sure the Jr. Board officers were prepared for their assemblies by proofing their scripts and making last minute changes and minor adjustments.

• Here I am reading over the script before I practice with the board.

• I was also in charge of compiling, organizing, and presenting all of the slide shows that were presented at three assemblies.

• This is the sound booth where I presented the slide shows.

• I was responsible for preparing the awards to be presented.

• Also, I had to have them in order to be presented so the programs would run quickly and smoothly.

• Here I am placing certificates for State Congress delegates into the award folders.

What I thought…

• I love being a volunteer leader. • It was entirely different serving as a volunteer

leader than it use to be as an actual 4-H’er.• I never really knew how much took place behind

the scenes, but I enjoyed every minute of it!• I felt honored to serve and help the organization

that has done so much for me.

Why I did it…• 4-H is an amazing organization. • It helps prepare the youth of Georgia to achieve

their goals and become outstanding citizens.• While I was a 4-H’er, many adult leaders helped

me with my projects.• 4-H has contributed to making me the person

that I am today. • I felt that it was necessary for me to show my

support for the organization that has played a major role in my personal development.

Would I do it again?

• I will definitely be volunteering my time to the Georgia 4-H program again.

• I love being able to work with the youth in Georgia.

• You never know what that one act of kindness and caring can do for an individual. I may never see the outcome of my actions, but I know in my heart that through 4-H I can help make the world a better place.

Making the Best Better.