Ross Vancil of Henderson County 4-H was recently selected to serve on the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team. Vancil was one of five teens selected this year. The team is comprised of 20 4-H members and recent alumni under the age of 21 who coordinate and assist with statewide 4-H activities.
“Team members bring an invaluable youth voice to the program through planning and leading the Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference, walking the halls of the Illinois State Capitol talking to legislators, and representing Illinois 4-H at state and national events throughout the year,” says Katie Duitsman, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist.
The Youth Leadership Team offers 4-H members and recent 4-H alumni an opportunity to give back to the 4-H program while further enhancing their leadership skills.
“I am so proud of Ross and his continued support of 4-H at both the local and state level,” said Shelby Carlson, 4-H youth development educator. “Over my last three years with 4-H, I have seen Ross grow into a great role model for younger 4-H’ers and one we can always count on to lend a hand.”
In addition to planning and leadership roles, teens serve on statewide committees and boards including the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board of Directors and the Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee.
Bringing on new members is an important part of making sure that the team reflects an authentic youth voice.
New members are chosen yearly for two-year terms and can serve up to two terms total. Team officers are elected once a year by their peers. To learn more about leadership programming in Illinois 4-H, please visit the leadership page on the Illinois 4-H website.
***Report Courtesy of the University of Illinois Extension***
