Delaware 4-H Leaders lauded at January forum

On Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, more than 100 4-H leaders and staff woke up early, traveled to Georgetown on  fresh, snow covered roads to learn 4-H curriculum, topical issues, skills and crafts; discover resources, meet new friends and enjoy the fellowship of leaders and staff from New Castle, Kent and Sussex counties. All in an effort to become better 4-H volunteer educators for Delaware 4-H youth- reaching children in traditional club settings, afterschool programs, in-school events, day camps and extended overnight camping.

Delaware’s annual forum , hosted this year by Sussex, is also an opportunity to recognize extraordinary volunteers. The Salute to Excellence acknowledges volunteer service in two categories from each county- Volunteer of the Year (for service 10 years or under) and Lifetime Volunteer (for more than 10 years).   Sussex County winners were: Heather Smith, (Milford 4-H) as the 2013 Volunteer of the Year and Debbie Vanderwende, (county leader) as the 2013 Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer. Read from their nominations on the next page!  Heather Smith was also chosen to represent Delaware for consideration in the Northeast Regional Salute to Excellence program. Good luck Heather and congratulations to both ladies for your selfless dedication to Delaware youth.

At the day-long training, adult volunteers chose from various topics taught across three workshop sessions. This year topics include building interpersonal skills, health, science, two topics on bullying, CPR, crafts, bicycling, conducting business meetings, Internet safety,  butterflies, livestock, videography, and in general how to be better volunteers when working with children.

Guest speakers included State of Delaware Auditor Tom Wagner, National 4-H Council Executive Jennifer Sirangelo, our lead sponsor, Monsanto Company’s Heather Witten, University of Delaware’s Cooperative Extension Director Michelle Rodgers, who all spoke from the heart, recognizing the unique dedication and time investment of the 4-H volunteer, without whom, the largest youth development program in the United States would not be possible.

Workshop presenters from Sussex County included Lindsay Hughes, Jill Jackson, Ernie Lopez, Mike Love, Dan Tabler, Debbie Vanderwende, and Michele Walfred.

And this from Ernie Lopez:

“What a joy it was see over 100 members of our Delaware 4-H family learning and sharing together in fellowship at the 2013 Delaware 4-H State Leader Forum in Georgetown!  Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers for all of their hard work over the course of the year!  From seeing our own Tammy LeCates being recognized for her quiet work behind the scenes making the best better here in Sussex to the recognition given to Heather Smith and Debbie Vanderwende as Salute to Excellence winners!”

“We are so blessed to have such caring and capable leaders here in Sussex County and throughout the Delaware 4-H program.  The annual leader forum is always a meaningful day that brings the best and the brightest together to be reinvigorated and learn from one another!   As the State Volunteer Coordinator, I thank all of our terrific leaders for the great work they do with our 4-H youth day in a day out!”

Teen 4-H delegates from the 2012 National Congress spoke directly to leaders about their impact as mentors and the wonderful experience extended to them as youth delegates for 4-H National Conference. Thank you also to Delaware 4-H Foundation’s Ted Kittila, a former 4-H’er and Link (alumni) for his expert advice on  official, legal and organizational efforts for Delaware 4-H. Thank you to all our guests for the time and  contributions to make this event a great success.

Thanks also to the terrific DTCC-Owens Campus staff for helping us with room directions and IT and for the friendly, smiling Lighthouse Catering staff! View all the pictures of the entire event on our Flickr website or see the sideshow below!  Read the full article on the Delaware 4-H website for all Delaware 4-H winners and speakers.