Most of us would admit we need help at one time or another. Today I am telling anyone who will listen I NEED HELP identifying adults who want to enrich the lives of a group of kids. I am looking for adult 4-H volunteer leaders.

I answer phone calls or parents' emails each week asking about 4-H activities. After visiting with the family, I often recognize that a new club or project leader might be the best approach, and then I ask the dreaded question, “Would you like to become a volunteer 4-H club leader?”

Our 4-H members are learning leadership techniques and citizenship values. The skills and abilities they gain in communication, negotiation, problem-solving, working together, managing resources, and keeping records are the same skills most employers look for in their workforce.

Parents are very aware of the skills their children can learn by participating in 4-H, so they call me. Do you know folks willing to organize a group of kids around a subject matter? Do you know someone in your neighborhood, your church family, or a relative who wants to make a difference in a child's life? Once we identify a volunteer leader, I work with that leader to orient them to 4-H until everyone feels comfortable. We have curricula written by university experts that we can share and project resources to support club or workshop programs. Volunteer leaders who work with minors are screened and background checked.

4-H is a youth organization for the whole family providing children and their parents with more than 200 projects and activities designed to help parents and children learn and grow together. Parents who want to spend quality time with their children and help them develop their talents, interests, and life skills make super 4-H volunteers!

Active clubs have ten to twenty members, work on projects that interest those enrolled, and meet as needed for the project focus at least six to nine times a year. Some favorite projects here in Lee County are electricity, cooking, poultry, sewing, STEM, community service, leadership, and citizenship.

The Lee County 4-H program is full of young people having fun and learning new skills. Club members go on tours, attend special programs, conduct service projects, and more! Adult volunteers and parents provide leadership and supervision.

4-H members in Lee County participate in our local county fair, livestock show, 4-H entertains show, summer fun days, public speaking contests, embryology school enrichment, and several established and beginning clubs. Adventure camping opportunities are also an integral part of 4-H.

Teen youths in the program are eligible to participate on the Lee County 4-H program support team, The Clover Council, attend State 4-H Congress, Teen Retreat, and other teen enrichment programs at the district and state levels.

Boys and girls together in one club or with elected officers and an agenda filled with opportunities for youth to educate one another, participate in community service projects, and share in fun and fellowship is the perfect recipe for building our next generation of leaders.

Is this you, or do you know anyone who would like to spend time helping children learn new skills or hobbies? Is community service important to you? If you are interested in volunteering with 4-H, come to one of our 2025 4-H volunteer leadership training session in 2025. Call N.C. Cooperative Extension, Lee County Center 4-H office at 919.775.5624. 4-­H is open to girls and boys ages five to nineteen without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.