Past 4-H Ontario Ambassadors

 

From left to right: Kelsey Miller, Julia Smith, Stephanie Neubrand, Lesleigh Elgie, Jaclyn Hutton and Justin Williams

2008 marked the fourth year of the 4-H Ontario Ambassador program. The six successful 4-H Ambassadors spent the year traveling the province as spokespersons for the 4-H program, exemplifying what the 4-H program stands for – head, heart, hands and health. This program was generously sponsored in 2008 by GROWMARK Inc. and UPI Energy LP.

The 2008 Ambassadors were Lesleigh Elgie, Brantford; Jaclyn Hutton, Monkton; Kelsey Miller, Milford; Stephanie Neubrand, Monkton; Julia Smith, Ancaster; and Justin Williams, Picton. Together, they began at an orientation weekend and will continue their reign until the announcement of the 2009 Ambassadors. Throughout the year, these representatives had the opportunity to attend 4-H events such as Discovery Days, Youth Adventure Camps and Awards Nights, promoting 4-H Opportunities to members, volunteers and parents.

Many “non 4-H” events were visited as well, such as local fairs, Women’s Institute Meetings, Tamworth Hay Day, Napanee Scarecrow Festival and the Northumberland Rural Ramble. These events outside of the organization are important in using the Ambassador Program as a marketing and recruitment tool for our organization. For program participants, the program offers opportunities for skill building in the areas of communications, networking, public speaking and other areas of public relations. Participants also create a journal or scrapbook to document their activities and the coordinating staff member compiles a book of their ‘Activity Summaries’ – reports the ambassadors write after each event they attend.

From an organizational perspective, the staff committee working with the ambassador program have been making some changes to the selection process that will be implemented in 2009. In efforts to make members feel more comfortable the interviews will be conducted at the 4-H Office much like a job interview, with the winners being formally announced at CAM 2009.

 

From left to right: Alex Turnbull, Stephynie Sargent, Sarah Wilkins, Jessie Hubbs, Carolyn Booker and Derek Zwambag

2007 marked the third year of the 4-H Ontario Ambassador program. The six selected 4-H Ambassadors spent 2007 traveling the province as spokespersons for the 4-H program, exemplifying what the 4-H program stands for – head, heart, hands and health. Since its inception, this program has been generously sponsored by GROWMARK Inc., UPI Energy LP and Land O Lakes Feed.

The 2007 Ambassadors were Carolyn Booker, Lowbanks; Jessie Hubbs, Bloomfield; Stephynie Sargent, Enniskillen; Alex Turnbull, Canfield; Sarah Wilkins, Jarvis; and Derek Zwambag, Glencoe. Together, they attended an orientation weekend and will be planning sessions for the completion of their Ambassador year at the 2008 Conference and Annual Meeting. Throughout the year, these representatives had the opportunity to attend 4-H events such as Discovery Days, Youth Adventure Camps, Media Masters and Awards Nights, promoting 4-H Opportunities to members, volunteers and parents. “Going to events as a 4-H Ambassador is a completely different experience than attending as a participant; you get to see members making connections, make connections with them yourself and encourage them to take advantage of everything that 4-H has to offer” comments Stephynie Sargent.

Ambassadors also attend non-4-H events, aiming to represent the provincial program, increase awareness of the 4-H program to the general public, and hopefully entice new members and volunteers. In this capacity, ambassadors attended events such as plowing matches, the Rare Breeds Annual General Meeting, GROWMARK Inc. Annual Meeting, fairs and classrooms around the province. For program participants, the program offers opportunities for skill building in the areas of communications, public speaking and other areas of public relations.

Carolyn Booker sums up the program, stating that “I’ve been here and there and done this and that, but I have never experienced 4-H like this! The Ambassador program brought yet another outlook of 4-H for me. The people you meet and the events you go to are amazing. You can go to opportunity after opportunity and meet lots of people, but with many ambassador events I had the opportunity to meet more than just 4-H members. I met a lot of very enthusiastic leaders and volunteers, which keep this amazing program running for us! I walked into many events not knowing what to expect and wondering what I had gotten myself into, but by the time I was heading home I was glad to have had the opportunity to attend that event!”

 

From left to right: Amanda Green, Tammy Fischer, Patrick Oberle, Jessica Burgess, and Erica Murray

2006 marked the second year of the Ontario 4-H Ambassador program. The five selected 4-H
Ambassadors spent 2006 traveling the province as spokespersons for the 4-H program, exemplifying
what the 4-H program stands for – head, heart, hands and health. Since its inception, this program has been generously sponsored by GROWMARK Inc., Land O Lakes Feed, and UPI Energy LP.

“Over the past year I had the privilege of being one of five (5) youth selected to represent Ontario for this unique opportunity. The Ambassador Program was designed to educate, inform, and attract new youth to the 4-H program, inform the public of the importance of building strong youth for tomorrow and to continue to offer new programs for existing 4-H members. My communication skills, knowledge of agriculture, and understanding of the 4-H organization have dramatically increased over the last year. I participated and had several first-hand experiences that I would not have dreamed of before, while meeting some very well-respected and influential people in the agricultural industry. This was made possible by traveling province-wide and promoting, informing, and listening to both youth and the general public regarding concerns and questions about 4-H and agriculture. The Ambassador Program has been an invaluable experience for me and I am enriched by the friendships and memories I have made. Sponsorship support, volunteers, members, friends, and family have all played a pivotal role in supporting me over the last few months and I hope to take what I have learned from both my peers and the public in building a better and stronger future for both the 4-H organization and agriculture in general.

Special thanks to all who have assisted me in some way, a smile, handshake, or information about the program. It will not be forgotten. My reign might be over, but my love and passion for this experience can be utilized in future endeavours and agricultural 4-H opportunities and interactions with youth.”
- Patrick Oberle, 2006 4-H Ontario Ambassador