OTTAWA — It’s hoped that a switch to virtual meetings for 4-H Canada’s annual conference in 2018 will cut costs and improve participation.
4-H Canada and the Canadian 4-H Foundation held abbreviated meetings in advance of a four-day Global 4-H Network Summit in Ottawa.
Stan Figley, board member with both 4-H Canada and 4-H Sask-atchewan, said the change will mean shuffling events normally held at the annual conference.
That includes recognizing innovators such as 4-H Canada’s leader of the year, Carolyn Boddy of Alberta, whose busking project is among the unique programs offered by 4-H.
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Those are traditions important to 4-H along with grassroots participation, he said.
“It’s a good decision that makes better use of resources and was an inevitable change,” Figley said.
Valerie Pearson, a former 4-H Canada president, said delegate numbers were down at meetings because of the expense. The switch will allow delegates to participate with just a few taps of the keyboard from wherever they are.
That change, as well as more money going to the provincial 4-H organizations, were among positive announcements for the group.
4-H Canada grew last year by 600 to about 25,000 members and 7,600 volunteer leaders. Shannon Benner, the rural youth group’s chief executive officer, said the new members came from across Canada.
“We look at that as a springboard,” she said. “The numbers are going up and that’s a great sign.”
Benner said 4-H’s focus on healthy living will be especially important in communities where access to resources is often limited.
“We don’t have set program plans, but we recognize there is a critical need today,” she said.
It will also continue its emphasis on sustainable agriculture and food security and enlarge its national science fair and service learning programs.
“Coming out of the summit, we want to make sure youth have a voice and can engage in sustainable development goal conversations and tying it right back to the local community,” she said.
The summit was first held for adult leaders in South Korea three years ago. Pearson said Canadian organizers wanted the Canadian version to also include members.
She noted the 120 Canadian 4-H members in attendance, something she hopes will continue when it moves to Tanzania in 2020.
