October 1, 2024
Shout Out: Youth Development Program Focus Team Leadership
This week the Shout Out is from Nora Rhoades, Post Rock District Director; and is sent for the leadership of the Youth Development Program Focus Team. Nora writes:
"I want to extend a well-deserved shout-out to Jill Martinson, Karen Nelson, Anne Pitts, Karla Hightower, Beth Hinshaw, Michelle Beran, and Sarah Maass for their incredible leadership on the Youth Development Program Focus Team. This team used current research and best practices to build new core and signature plans to advance our program planning, reporting, and impact sharing. They have studied the literature, pursued professional development, and worked to prepare professionals for this transition to action plans incorporating the 4-H Thriving Model for over a year. Recently, they hosted a virtual meeting to help agents understand how to utilize these action plans for the upcoming program year, and they have committed time to have virtual office hours to assist everyone during the reporting season. The new core and signature action plans were strategically developed to support 4-H agents as well as agents focused on other program areas, yet they may have some 4-H and youth responsibilities. So much of this work was done during the peak 4-H season, and their enthusiasm for the effort never wavered. I am so appreciative of their leadership and passion for positive youth development. Thanks for being great!"
Jill, Karen, Anne, Karla, Beth, Michelle and Sarah -- thanks for all you do for the people of Kansas, our colleagues and K-State Research and Extension.
If you know of a colleague or team of colleagues who deserve recognition for a job well done, why not nominate them for a Shout Out. Simply send their name(s) and the reason for the Shout Out to ksreshoutout@ksu.edu.
Shout Out submissions are published in the order they are received.