statewide Teen Summit
Each July, State 4-H Congress draws 4-H’ers from across the state to a week of activities at N.C. State University. This year, there were some new faces in the crowd — attending the N.C. Teen Summit.
The state’s first Teen Summit drew 4-H’ers, as well as other youth, from across the state to discuss issues related to youth programming in North Carolina. The young participants ended the summit by presenting state leaders with a strategic plan for statewide youth programming.
The summit grew out of last year’s centennial conversations about youth programming that were held across the country in celebration of 4-H’s national 100th birthday. At last year’s 4-H Congress, 4-H’ers presented state legislators with a plan for youth programming that grew out of conversations all over the country.
Then, at a youth leaders’ conference in February, Dr. Dale Safrit,
associate professor in the Department of
4-H and Youth Development, presented the idea for a youth summit.
Summit delegates would continue discussing the ideas generated
through last
year’s centennial conversations. Two organizations — Communities
in Schools and the N.C.
Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service — expressed
interest in joining the effort.
The plan was to include 4-H youth, as well as those involved in CIS and Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service programs across the state. A total of 170 youths and 26 adult leaders participated in the Teen Summit during 4-H Congress week.
“It went better than we ever expected,” Safrit said.
Mary Merrill of Ohio, a strategic planning consultant, helped train summit leaders on how to develop a strategic plan. In May, she conducted a workshop for the leadership team of 10 youths and seven adults.
At the July summit, the delegates developed mission and vision statements and shared values. Then the plan, including strategic priority action areas, was presented to a town hall meeting of 4-H’ers and to state leaders.
Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue commended their efforts and told them their plan was, “the strongest, most concise document” on youth programming that she had seen.
Staffers representing N.C. House of Representatives
and Senate leaders also attended the summit presentation.
— Natalie
Hampton
