Volunteer Update

There were several 4-H volunteers recognized at the 78th Tennessee 4-H Congress, March 9-12 in Murfreesboro. They are:

Lisa is a dedicated 4-H volunteer in Smith County. She embodies what it means to pledge her hands to larger service through the volunteer work that she does at the local, regional, and state level for Tennessee 4-H. Lisa is a cheerleader and an advocate for 4-H in the local community, encouraging youth and parents alike to become more engaged and involved. She is a member of the State 4-H VOLS Committee; and her passion, poise, sincerity, and willingness to lend a hand is evident in everything that she does. There is no doubt that Smith County and Tennessee 4-H is better thanks to her involvement and influence.

Wayne has dedicated the last 20 years to the Jefferson County 4-H Patriot Shootings Sports team. He excels at teaching youth, fund raising, and advocating for the 4-H program with leaders in Jefferson County. Wayne has demonstrated time and time again the ability to work with young people. He can teach any youth of any age the skills they need to be able to achieve their goals in shooting sports. Wayne is also a great resource for the adults involved with 4-H. Wayne was a 4-H member in Pickett County, and attended 4-H Camp at Clyde M. York 4-H Center in Crossville each summer; and worked there on camp staff for 6 years.

The Brown / Gilliam 4-H Legacy Award was established by George and June Brown of Coffee County to recognize outstanding 4-H families that have demonstrated consistent leadership, service and involvement with the Tennessee 4-H Program over several generations.

For over 80 years, the Carmichael/Spurlin/Prince/DeBusk family has made an immeasurable impact on the McMinn County 4-H program. Their journey began in the mid 1940s with the matriarch of the family Mildred Carmichael, the 1957 State and National Dairy Foods project winner. Mildred married Jerry Prince and raised all three of their daughters in 4-H. They are Jennifer, 1982 State Public Speaking winner, Sarah, 1985 State Photography winner, and Kerri, 1989 State Dairy Foods winner. Today, both Isaac, Level I and II Dairy project winner, and Grace, Level I Dairy Project winner, and grandchildren of Mildred, are active 4-H members. One would be hard pressed to find a family with more National and State awards. The entire family is always willing to help when asked, whether it is with organizing events, serving on committees or advocating for 4-H. The family is also involved in many church and community activities in McMinn County. The family includes great-grandparents Grace and Curtis Carmichael and Ralph and Virginia Spurlin, and Jason Debusk, the father of Isaac and Grace.

Thank you to our 4-H Volunteers! This April we celebrate YOU, and all you do to "make the best better" for the youth of Tennessee.

For more information on Global Volunteer Month, see the Points of Light Foundation. The Points of Light Foundation was founded by President George H. W. Bush.

"Our nation faces a wide variety of challenges. But the solution to each problem that confronts us begins with an individual who steps forward, and who says, 'I can help.' Government can only do so much, and should only attempt so much. But no limits can hold back people determined to make a difference." - President George H. W. Bush

Leadership is the ability to influence and support others positively toward a common goal. Young people are more likely to become competent leaders when volunteers intentionally take the time to create an atmosphere that includes the skills and characteristics necessary for leadership roles. Leadership is something you learn, develop, and put into action. It requires a person to have the character, habits, actions, skills, and mindset to cultivate positive change in the community.

Volunteers should encourage participation in leadership roles that align with the interests of the youth, and then provide support for them along their learning journey. Youth in 4-H practice leadership through assuming roles as club officers, committee chairs, and other significant positions. Through teamwork, teens collaborate to put on conferences, tackle community issues, and conduct research projects. The options are limitless, but their involvement should include careful planning, mentoring, and empowering strategies from the volunteer for the best outcome.

See here for more information on teaching leadership to youth.

The 2026 Tennessee 4-H Congress officers are Kaylin Osterhaus, Lincoln County, Speaker of the Senate; Harrison Crenshaw, Franklin County, Governor; and Mehak Patel, Franklin County, Speaker of the House. Click here to hear a news report from Tennessee Farm Bureau. A big "Thank You" goes out to the State 4-H VOLS Committee for taking the lead in operating the elections at Congress.

Summer 4-H Camp will be here before you know it. Now is the time to make that final push to recruit your quota of 4-H campers. You will also need adult volunteers at camp. Check with your County 4-H Office on the official "adult to camper" ratios.

For all deadline dates, County Offices may establish earlier deadlines:

• Senior 4-H Project Portfolios Due - April 1 - State Office
• State 4-H Archery Jamboree - April 11-12 - Cookeville
• State 4-H Sheep Conference - April 26 - Crossville
• 4-H College Scholarship Applications Due - May 1 - State 4-H Office
• Knoxville Spring Junior Cattle Show - May 2-3 - Gray, TN
  
• State 4-H Shotgun Jamboree - May 3 - Nashville
• 4-H Target Smart Camp - May 26-30 - York 4-H Center, Crossville
• State 4-H All Star Camp - May 31-June 1 - York 4-H Center, Crossville
• State 4-H Meats Judging - June 3 - Knoxville
• State 4-H Livestock Judging - June 4 - Knoxville
• State 4-H Wildlife Judging - June 4-5 - Location TBD
• 4-H Academic Conference - June 10-13 - Knoxville
• National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships - June 22-27 - Grand Island, NE
• 4-H Electric Camp - June 24-27 - Knoxville
• State 4-H Horse Show - June 24-28 - Shelbyville
• Daisy National BB Gun Championships - June 29-July 3 - Rogers, AR
• State 4-H Beef Expo - July 10-12 - Lebanon
• Tennessee 4-H Roundup - July 21-25 - Knoxville
• Southern Region 4-H Horse Championships - July 30-Aug 3 - Perry, GA
• State 4-H Meat Goat Show - August 16 - Lebanon
• State 4-H Dairy Judging - August 21 - Lebanon
• State 4-H Fashion Revue - August 23 - Lebanon

Email: dsarver@utk.edu
Website: https://4h.tennessee.edu/volunteers/
Location: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
Phone: 865-974-2128
Facebook: facebook.com/Tennessee4H

Volunteer Update is a publication of Tennessee 4-H for 4-H Volunteers. Managing editor is Daniel Sarver, Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee. If you are receiving this newsletter via direct email (not forwarded to you), you have a subscription. Subscriptions are free! To subscribe, click on the "Subscribe" button below.