May 10, 2022
State 4-H Youth Development Update
Submitted by Rick Peterson and Gregg Hadley
Chris Onstad will be providing an update regarding the search for our next 4-H Youth Development program leader in this Tuesday Letter. We wanted to update you regarding ongoing State 4-H Youth Development office operations and staffing plans.
After conferring with the transitional 4-H leadership team, the State 4-H Youth Development office team, Kansas 4-H Foundation representatives, our regional 4-H Youth Development specialists and others, we have settled on a path forward. All of those mentioned have contributed significantly in one way or another to this plan, and we thank them for the current and future engagement.
First, we believe that all planned state 4-H youth development events and activities scheduled for the remaining program year will be held as planned.
Second, the State 4-H Youth Development office has been and is understaffed. There are also more career transitions on the horizon. Nevertheless, there is a strong belief in the 4-H Youth Development mission that eclipses the transition challenges. Even those of our 4-H Youth Development office colleagues who are departing to new career opportunities have expressed a willingness to help in the transition, and we are extremely grateful for that willingness.
Third, this is how we plan to remedy the understaffed situation. The 4-H Youth Development program leader position and the soon-to-be-vacated positions will be refilled. Also, we plan to hire additional temporary help to better distribute the workload. Former extension professionals -- especially retired specialists -- and experienced state-level project volunteers have been contacted or will be contacted to determine their willingness to temporarily join our state and regional 4-H staff. Our hope is that they will provide additional project leadership and management at least through the Kansas State Fair.
We also plan to hire additional temporary support staff and student workers to help bolster the program, project and regional and state specialist support through the same period. Some of these additional support positions may become permanent, but those decisions will be made in conjunction with our future State 4-H program leader.
What can you do? Please remember that transitions are hard. During transition, it is even more important to practice even greater patience, understanding and collegiality. If there is a call for volunteers to help with a specific task that interests you, please volunteer. If you call and the State 4-H Youth Development office team cannot respond right away, please leave a friendly message. They will get back to you. When they respond to your calls or emails, thank them for the work they do.
Transitions are hard, but we have been through tough times before. We will get through this challenge in a collegial manner, and -- like before -- we will come out better in the end.