September 7, 2021
Dear 4-H Community,
We would like to thank the youth and adults who volunteered to step up to lead when we launched the Management Board model in 2019. These volunteers have worked in their roles for the last two years and we are so grateful for their contributions:
Management Board:
Brad Cook - Board Parliamentarian
Jennifer Boone - Communications & Outreach Director
Amylynn Robinson - Recognition Director
Christina Bingham - Fair Awards Director
Julie Salomonson* - Fair Liaison
Barbara Coulter* - Fundraising Director
Robin Rose* - Finance Director
County Ambassadors 2019-2020 Emily Santos & Shelby Wright
County Ambassadors 2020-2021 Adler Striegel, Ashly Pyler*, and Livia Vertucci
*currently serving 2021-22
Program Board:
Virginia Reyes* - Animal Science Key Leader
Rachel McClanahan - Youth Leadership Key Leader
Julia Cook* - Archery Key Leader
*currently serving 2021-22
The first Management Committee worked diligently to provide leadership to the Ventura County 4-H program. However, due to an insufficient number of applicants to fill vacancies, support for the Management Committee model is not feasible. Based on feedback, Management Board Directors would prefer working with youth and focusing on their passions rather than doing governance; we want to respect this and free up their time. In other words, the positions will remain, but they will not be required to meet and make decisions for the county. In consultation with the State 4-H Office, we will now have a non-VMO model for Ventura County. Two 4-H YDP personnel and one volunteer finance manager will oversee administrative management of the county program. The 4-H office will take the lead to plan and implement these events and activities:
- Achievement Night
- Qualifying Events: Presentation Day and Fashion Revue
- Youth Leadership: County Ambassador and County Junior Ambassador (new, coming soon!)
- Volunteer Development
- Youth Officer Development
The Program Board (Key Leaders) will plan and deliver quality countywide events, acting as the driving force of our healthy and vibrant Ventura County 4-H Program. The Program Board will have an annual plan and budget. A new youth-led, Youth Volunteer Advisory Committee (YVAC), will have oversight and final review of the program plan and budget. The Program Board and YVAC will work together with 4-H personnel to provide direct opportunities and experiences for youth and adults in the county. County events will only take place if youth and/or adult volunteers step up to take the lead by filling key leader positions and/or volunteering to chair the events.
We are looking forward to a renewed and energetic 4-H year!
Sincerely,
Valerie Zeko, M.Ed., 4-H Community Education Specialist
cc:
Annemiek Schilder, Ph.D., County Director, University of California Cooperative Extension
Susana Bruzzone-Miller, Youth, Families and Communities Education Program Manager
Gemma Miner, M.S., Academic Coordinator for Volunteer Engagement
