Remember all the great times you had in 4-H? We’d like you to come back and help us pass on the 4-H experiences to a whole new generation. Or perhaps you were never in 4-H, but your child has benefited from the program. Or maybe you’ve never had a chance to get involved in 4-H and now you want to find out what you’ve been missing. Whatever the reasons, 4-H thrives on committed volunteers, just like you.
Want to help guide a 4-H club throughout the year? Become a General Leader. Do you really love cooking, photography or some other life skill and want to help teach those abilities to youth? Join as a Project Leader. Want to share your agricultural skills? Help out by offering a showmanship or judging clinic or welcoming members for a farm tour. Looking for some adventure? Chaperone a provincial or national activity.
Contact office@quebec4-h.com to find out more about volunteer opportunities.
All volunteer leaders and chaperones complete a volunteer screening process.
New volunteers leaders complete an online interactive training program. Volunteer Leader Conferences are offered throughout the year in various provinces. Contact Quebec 4-H for more information.
2018 4-H Canada Leadership Summit
On February 22nd, 2018, a delegation from Quebec headed up to Ottawa for the beginning of a dynamic and fun-filled few days of interactive learning. Lauren Gruer – a relatively new Leader from Howick 4-H was one of the 5 attendees from Quebec.
“My involvement in 4-H started two years ago when my sister, Lindsay, told me that the Howick 4-H Club was looking for a new Handicraft Project leader. Their leader at the time was ‘’retiring’’ from 4-H, and my sister hoped they would find someone to continue the project since it was one of her favorite clubs to participate in as a 4-H member. Eventually, Lindsay was able to convince me that I would make a good leader and that I should volunteer for the position.
Having never been a member myself, I knew very little about 4-H, and I was a little hesitant to take on the task. However, thanks to the support of the other amazing leaders in our club, I quickly learned the ropes and was welcomed into the 4-H family with open arms.
The Leadership Summit in Ottawa was a wonderful opportunity for me to really learn more about how other clubs operate, as well as the roles of 4-H Quebec and 4-H Canada.
The speaker I was most inspired by was Doug Griffiths, with his presentation 13 Ways to Kill Your Community. This presentation is a satirical look at why rural communities are struggling to thrive in the modern and ever-changing Canada. His presentation really pointed out the fact that youth engagement is critical, and through organizations such as 4-H, we as leaders play an active role in this aspect of community success.
Something that was very interesting to learn about was Community Service Learning. At each meeting, we pledge to give our hands to larger service, but rarely do we incorporate learning opportunities into our community service endeavours. Instead of focusing on the fact that we have done something to help our community, we should shift the focus and learn about the struggles and issues in our community, and how our 4-H service projects help combat those issues.
Finally, I got to learn about all of the amazing projects that 4-H Canada has taken on to support 4-H members and their leaders! In particular, I learned about 4-H Learns, which is an online archive with over 1000 resources for leaders, and Club 1913, which is an online platform where the 350,000+ Canadian 4-H Alumni can (re)connect!
I am grateful to have had this opportunity, and look forward to bringing all my new ideas back to my club in Howick.”
Kenna Turner, Leader Allumette Island 4-H, Charlie Rossignol, Executive Director 4-H Quebec, Morgan Passmore, Chair of Finance Committee 4-H Quebec, Lauren Gruer, Leader Howick 4-H
Annual General Meeting Volunteer Celebrations
At AGM 2017, 4-H Quebec recognized Maria Enright and Tim Keenan for their years of dedication to the Richmond 4-H Club over the last 10 years.
Maria and Tim’s 4 children are all highly active in their club, with their eldest son, Devin, being a member of the 4-H Board of Directors and the 4-H Finance Committee.
Thank you so much for all your hard work, Maria and Tim!
2018 Volunteer Leader of the Year Award
In 2018, Phyllis Danforth of the Howick 4-H club was nominated by 6 members of the club. Here is their nomination letter to 4-H Canada.
“We would like to nominate our clubs’ leader for the Provincial and National volunteer leader of the year award. Her name is Phyllis Danforth(Rouleau) and is the garden and square dance leader for the Howick 4-H Club in Quebec.
The thing is, she goes way above and beyond those titles. She is the glue that keeps our club together and running smoothly. In her 17 years as a leader in our club, she tirelessly gives her time to help, guide, and nurture our clubs’ members.
Phyllis became implicated when her first son (Mathieu) found the interest of showing a calf in the pee wee division and has followed threw with her three other kids (Samual, Jessica and Jacob). She has been a supportive figure for her children and has been a guiding force for the members and our club to grow towards a greater 4-H movement.
She has a way to bring out the best in all of us by encouraging us to do our best, but reminding us that it is our effort and participation that counts the most. She always finds the time to get away from her busy life on her dairy farm to attend all of our events that our members participate in. Whether it be a fair, parade, fundraiser, competition, or community volunteering opportunity–she is there. And she is always there with a smile on her face and enthusiasm in her spirit. Her willingness has permitted our club to participate in as many provincial events such as: The Square Dance Competition held in Sainte-Anne de Bellevue and takes on the burden of managing the whole farm while her husband chaperones at the Provincial Rally.
To list off a few of the extra things that she does for our club such as providing her kitchen to make decorations for upcoming fairs and parades and fundraisers, has last minute square dance practices in her basement, holds sub-committee meetings at her kitchen table, provides her garage for our bread fundraiser, prepares and helps decorate the hall for our annual awards banquet, and offers calves and training for members in our calf project who do not live on a farm, therefore allowing them to participate at events.
Her passion to see us members succeed with our year projects, has pushed her to continue as a leader and gives Phyllis a sense of self-fulfillment.
Being in charge of our dance project, she has taken on the task of washing, drying, and storing all of the square dance projects outfits after each use; to make sure the members feel proud when they take out a crisp uniform. Phyllis also never forgets to bring juice and cookies to each event to boost our energy and continue dancing. But most importantly, she always answers a members’ question if they are unsure about something. Her knowledge and guidance is so important to our club, and her enthusiasm rubs off on the kids.
Phyllis would probably be embarrassed to know that we are nominating her for this award, but we feel that it is time for her to feel appreciated. This is the perfect opportunity to give her what she gives to us: support and recognition. With that being said, there is never an odd sheep out at an awards banquet since everyone is honoured with a gift to celebrate our past year. This is the least we could do as her members. Please consider Phyllis as a deserving candidate as each and every member of our club feels that this is an essential gesture for her as our leader.”
2017 Erin Scoble, Richmond 4-H
2016 Pamela McOuat, Lachute 4-H
2015 Erin Scoble, Richmond 4-H
2014 Marlene Burns, Sawyerville 4-H
2013 Maria Enright, Richmond 4-H – national winner
2011 Laura Johnston, Ormstown 4-H
2009 Pierre Marcoux, CJR de L’Erable – national winner
2008 Gail Bowen, Hatley 4-H
2007 Kirk Jackson, Huntingdon 4-H
2006 Ken Drummond, Shawville 4-H
2005 Janice Barr, Ormstown 4-H
2004 Laura Johnston, Ormstown 4-H – national winner
2003 David Grey, Hatley 4-H