2011 Our Goals
Misson
To provide a “Learn To Do By Doing” experience.
Vision
To share the value of a clear Head, loyal Heart, serving Hands and better Health with youth, volunteers and communities across Ontario.
Values
The 4-H Pledge:
I pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service and
my Health to better living
for my club, my community and my country.
Member Experience
The core of 4-H activities happens at the “local” or “club” level. 4-H Ontario strategic focus is on resource development, support for regional activities, creating and delivering inclusive and diverse provincial programming, allowing the 4-H experience to organically allow Members to have emotional connections to learning, along with building and sustaining friendships. Programs run should have recognition and be held in high esteem locally, provincially and nationally. Member experiences through their life cycle with 4-H Ontario should allow them to retain a sense of pride in 4-H, and create word of mouth engagement above all other marketing efforts the organization could possibly develop.
Community Engagement
4-H Ontario can look to the next three years in terms of the “big picture” as well as each and every Volunteer’s experience – from their first encounter with 4-H to their 40th year of service award. Volunteer training, recognition, support and new resources fuel a vibrant 4-H community. Future efforts can focus on creating family volunteer opportunities. Creating opportunities for communities (i.e. neighbourhoods, schools, municipalities, post-secondary institutions) as a whole to embrace 4-H Ontario in new ways will allow an expansion of awareness, engagement and participation.
Financial Security
4-H Ontario recognizes the fundamental truth of not-for-profit sustainability: along with growth of a contingency fund, is the need for diversification of support. Best practices prove over time revenue should be divided essentially in thirds. The current budget of approximately half of 4-H Ontario’s revenue stream from one source is a cause for action. Should one source become unstable, the organization does not fall.
Communications
4-H Ontario currently markets opportunities for engagement to those who are most likely individuals or populations who are already familiar with 4-H. Ensuring all communications are accessible to the “outsider” – the youth or potential Volunteer whom knows nothing about 4-H, will allow 4-H to be visible and accessible when compared to competitors. This strategy will allow the public to see clearly the 4-H difference. Within the 4-H “family”, those already aware and connected, a commitment to transparency and inclusivity, while showcasing their own accomplishments and mirroring 4-H values will ensure current Members and Volunteers “see themselves? in all provincial communications.