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Powder River County

Youth Development

Published: 2019
By Mary Rumph
4-H Officer Workshop Running meetings effectively was one of the goals of a 4-H officer training workshop where 14 members had the opportunity to lead a meeting and practice making a motion. Members learn how to work as officers and members of boards, practicing skills for 4-H and their future. 4-H Council President Missy Billing taught a session to 4-H club treasurers, explaining how to correctly handle the club’s finances. Powder River County Commissioner and board chairman Lee Randall met with current and aspiring 4-H presidents and vice presidents to explain the role they play in properly conducting a meeting. MSU Extension agent Julie Riley challenged the members with a team-building activity, helping them reflect on the importance of communication and involvement of all members. Members worked through a mock meeting under the guidance of MSU Extension agent Mary Rumph, practicing making motions, giving reports and taking turns presiding…and discovering it’s not easy being the president. Demonstration Workshop MSU Extension partnered with teen 4-H member Karena Appleman to facilitate a 4-H Demonstration Workshop. Eleven young members attended for the opportunity to learn how to give a demonstration before practicing an impromptu, team demonstration. As a result, 22 4-H members gained public speaking experience while sharing knowledge at the annual County 4-H Demonstration Day. Appleman, a past participant of National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, and a state award winner in the quilting project, explained how giving effective demonstrations helped her to earn a trip to National 4-H Congress. After School Program – 20th Anniversary A literacy-based after school program wrapped up with a total of 400 books read by 40 students in Kindergarten through fourth grade. Forty-five volunteers served as reading partners and/or site coordinators and traveling instructors. The “Wild About Reading” five-week program included educational workshops on area wildlife. Rumph taught the second and third grade group how to identify tracks with a tracking kit provided by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. They also learned about “scat,” another piece of evidence that wildlife is present. When asked to evaluate the program, several respondents said, “thank you for helping me read.” Others requested the program last longer. Meghan Phillippi, a former Extension agent and one of the original initiators of the after school program as part of the Governor’s Summit on Youth as a High School Senior in 1999, returned to the community this year and read with students, shared site coordinator responsibilities and taught a group activity. The program's longevity and positive returns illustrate the program's long-term success and sustainability.