Lee County has had many leadership development opportunities for the youth of this county, but one program stands out from the rest. The 4-H Middle School Club was extraordinary. There is a club day at the end of each month and the students pick a club to attend at the beginning of the year. The Middle School Club started out as being more of a crafting club that shouldn’t really have been called a club at all. They didn’t have any officers, or agendas, and they would do some sort of craft and eat a snack. The youth were still gathering around and getting to know one another, but it did not fit the definition of a club. 

The volunteers of the club and the Extension agents got together to try a new route for the club. Before club sign ups, they planned a schedule of hands on activities, community service projects, and an incorporation of elected officers. Due to the club description being changed, low numbers were a main concern. To the surprise of everyone involved, the clubs member limit was maxed out.

A special meeting was held to elect officers for the club. The officers will start leading the meetings, rather than the agent and volunteer. The first club day was a bit rocky, but everything was still new to the officers and members of the club. The officers lead the pledge with some nervousness. The minutes were read aloud from the previous election meeting with hesitation on the proper parliamentary procedures on accepting minutes. The agent and volunteer decided to take this opportunity to practice each step with them. The next meeting went much more smoothly with the officers doing more activities by themselves and even coming up with trivia games from the lessons they learned from curing hams at the Extension Office.  The Middle School Club has come a long way in a year, and looking forward to see what members accomplish in the future. 

Club in 2018-2019

-Only office held was the president’s

-Pledge wasn’t recited in every meeting

-Unhealthy snacks were given 

-No community service projects

-No student led activities

Club in 2019-2020

-Offices held were: President, President Elect, Secretary, Reporter, and Recreation Chair 

-Pledge is recited every meeting 

-Plate it up and healthier recipes were made as snacks

-Community service project 

-Student led games and activities

Skills obtained:

-Developed confidence in their leadership potential and their own sense of identity.

-Improved their self-esteem.

-Enhanced their communication skill is sharing, reflecting and discussion.

-Understood the importance of diversity and improves their ability to relate to others.

-Learned effective decision making methods and experience problem-solving situations.

-Learned group social skills.