February 21, 2002

4-H Members Heading to Washington for Youth Conversations

Five North Dakota 4-H members will be heading to Washington D.C. Feb. 28-March 3 to participate in the "National Conversation on Youth Development in the 21st Century" program.

They are Rodney Bischof Jr., Lisbon, Jennifer Larson, Hillsboro, Nicole Rodacker, Dickinson, Phillip Fox, Mandaree and Angela Klubberud of Fargo. The five will join more than 1,200 representatives from each state, territory and the District of Columbia.

The "National Conversation on Youth Development in the 21st Century" program is being held in conjunction with 4-H’s centennial celebration this year. Youth, parents, teachers, clergy and government leaders held local conversations earlier to discuss steps that could be taken to improve youth development.

The local discussions focused on five themes: power of youth; access, equity and opportunity; extraordinary places to live and learn; exceptional people, innovative practices; and effective organizational systems.

Results of the local conversations were discussed by 4-H youth and adults at a statewide meeting in Bismarck last month. "The results showed that the young people of our state believe in the importance of community," according to Nels Peterson, coordinator, North Dakota 4-H centennial and a North Dakota State University extension agent in Nelson county. "They have indicated that youth and adults need to work together to continue to make our communities and state a good place to live."

The group came up with specific needs and solutions for positive youth development in North Dakota.

• Communities need to be made more aware of the positive activities of 4-H and youth programs.
• Communities and organizations need to develop programs that promote cooperation between business, schools, communities and youth groups.
• Youth organizations need to explore mentoring programs that develop partnerships between individuals because they build trust, respect and tolerance.
• Extra curricular activities such as 4-H, scouts, special interest clubs, etc. need to be embraced by schools to provide the best opportunity for youth success.
• Communities need to develop programs that involve youth in the decision making processes. By doing that, young people will begin to take more pride and responsibility in their communities.
• Volunteers are the backbone of many youth serving organizations and should be openly and publicly valued for their contributions to their communities and world.

They also identified how the state and federal government could participate in facilitating solutions.

• Providing scholarships for youth, volunteers and professional staff to learn more about youth.
• Provide funding to educate youth about positives of communities
• Promote full membership of a youth representative on any public board or organization that serves youth.
• Establish a state-wide volunteer day.
• Develop a volunteer Hall of Fame at the North Dakota Heritage center.
• Provide opportunities for business to be involved in youth career education.
• Develop a statewide directory of youth organizations and leaders.
• Provide tax incentives for businesses to hire and train young people.
• Encourage family friendly work places.
• Enact legislation to enable parents, guardians, etc. time to leave work to be involved in their children’s activities as volunteers.

The North Dakota recommendations, as well as those from around the country, will be discussed in Washington. The information will be compiled in a national report and presented to President Bush and Congress.

Peterson as well as Sylvia Hansen of Hillsboro will accompany the five 4-H members to Washington as adult chaperones.

North Dakota has 38,680 4-H members and 5,495 volunteers.

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Source: Nels Peterson, (701) 247-2521, npeterso@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, Richard.Mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu