There is one disappointed teenager and a set of angry parents in the Maidstone, Sask., area.
The 14-year-old girl was kicked out of her 4-H club last month because of a rule on attendance. Her parents say the rule is too strict but provincial 4-H officials say they cannot interfere with club autonomy.
Whitney Weston isn’t interested in going back to 4-H because of her experience, says her dad Wendall. She has been a member since 1996 and this year was in a beef project, as well as the general club. She missed six of 15 meetings due to busy times on the farm and a family vacation in January.
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Her dad said most of the missed meetings were general ones, not for her beef project.
“It happens. We’re busy with kids’ swimming lessons and calving and family.”
He said 4-H should be fun and educational, not like the military.
Valerie Smith, on her second day as executive director of the Saskat-chewan 4-H Council, said local clubs have the right to set their own attendance policy. The policy at this club is a verbal warning and potential expulsion for members who miss more than two consecutive meetings. Smith said the club has had the rule for 35 years and the provincial council couldn’t overrule it.
“As an organization we teach leadership (and skills) people learn as they get out in the world,” said Smith.
Local autonomy for clubs is also the policy of the Manitoba 4-H Council, says provincial program leader Joan Clement.
“Some clubs say kids have to be at three-quarters of the general business meetings; some have no attendance rules.”
Clement said attendance is more of an issue than it was in the past, especially for members 14 and older, because of sporting events or off-farm jobs coinciding with club meetings. She said members have to make choices but the council encourages leaders to talk with the teens.
“We try to encourage, not discourage kids.”
