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A TIME TO LAUGH A TIME TO SHARE A TIME TO GROW 1980 4-H HOMEMAKING CLUB LEADERS’ PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE Joyce Canning Regional Supervisor Central Ontario Learning, sharing, laughing, growingâ€"that‘s what 259 4-H Homemaking Club Leaders were doing at the 2nd Annual Leaders1 Conference held at the downtown Holiday Inn, Toronto, November 18â€"20th. Carol Crerar, Regional Supervisor for North & South Eastern Ontario got the Conference off to a rousing start on Tuesday evening with a get acquainted session that soon had everyone mingling and chattering with great enthusiasm. After a half hour of fun, things settled down to a more serious nature as leaders divided into groups of ten to discuss some issues of the current 4-H program which are of concern to all. Many valuable suggestions were obtained from this exchange of ideas. Wednesday morning began with a delicious buffet breakfast. The first speaker of the day, Mrs. Phyllis Meiklejohn immediately captured the ladies attention with an address appropriately entitled “Now That We‘ve Caught Your Attention.“ She discussed many ways to make meetings more interesting and meaningful and above all to make learning a FUN experience. She suggested that the following factors are important in providing a good teaching/learning environment. - one which is REALISTIC to the learner - one which INVOLVES the learner in all ways mentally, physically and emotionally - one which makes the learner an ACTIVE PAR- TICIPANT (learn to do by doing!) - one in which the learner can taste SUCCESS - one in which the learner can find PLEASURE in being a part. Why are you a volunteer? This was one of the questions dealt with by the next speaker, Jane Moon, in a talk entitled “Volunteersglmportant People." Miss Moon suggested that when you are faced with the problem of finding new volunteers (leaders) you might start by asking yourself this series of questions. How was I approached? Why did I agree? What factors would I consider to recruit new leaders? Where would I look? She suggested that the old adage~when you want a job done, ask a busy personâ€"does not hold true in every situation. She suggested the following peOple for consid- erationâ€"multicultural groups and associations, athletes. newcomers to the community, shut-ins, handicapped, women in late teens and early twenties, professional and business people. 22 The underlying message inherent in each of these addresses was the importance of ENTHUSIASM, "Em thusiasm is the all-essential jet propeller. It is [he driving force which elevates men to miracle workers h begets boldness, courage; kindles confidence; overcomes doubts. it creates endless energy, the source of a” accomplishments." A special luncheon provided at noon was chaired by the Director of the Home Economies Branch, Miss Molly McGhee. Mr. Kenneth E. Lantz, Deputy Minis. ter of Agriculture was the speaker. He congratulated the ladies for the fine work they do and expresstd the appreciation of the Ministry for their dedication and support of all our programs. Dr. Marion Powell captivated the audience wnh he]. timely, pertinent, informative, and sometimes shruking address on “Meeting Adolescent Needs.“ She gayE .Ume rather startling statistics in regard to both pregancy and sexual activity among teenagers. “As paren and leaders," she said, “it is important for us to realir. that adolescence is a legitimate phase of the life cycli fine: just a nebulous time between childhood and adult and Most teenagers, girls especially, become physicalt ma. ture long before they are socially mature. This Cl't, -.csa lot of problems and many of them can‘t handle it) The remainder of Wednesday afternoon and c". ting was free time to go to the Royal Winter Fair or d we Christmas shopping. The last day of the conference, the grou: was addressed by Dr. Denis Shackel, a psychologist wi the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto. ‘ .nis‘ talkâ€"Leadership is Communicationâ€"dealt wit the areas of Feedback, Assertiveness, Questioning at Re- sponding, and developing Self Confidence. Dr. 5 .kel suggested that the best approach to communica n is the SOLER method. If that is a new word to yet ‘5 il was to most everyone there, this is what SOLER li *ns. S â€" squarely (stand or sit facing audience) 0 â€"‘ openly (be honest) L â€" lean (toward your audience/partner) E 7 eye contact (maintain at all times) R â€" reserve judgement (be open minded) If you don’t presently follow these guideline.» lien you are communicating, try them, you may be plt <nt- ly surprised at the different response you get. What did the leaders themselves think of the L for- ence? Here are just a few of the comments we rec rd. Re: Phyllis Meiklejohnâ€"l came away from her 2 lion full of enthusiasm. She gave me so many nc : and interesting ways of teaching 4-H, I can hardly t1 11 ‘0 get started. Since I am not a teacher by professici any help I can receive in this matter is of great benefit 1' - Ine- Lorna GreenleSS, Jordan 5' t-fion Re: Dr. Marion Powellâ€"4-H leaders have a grad deal of contact with adolescents and Dr. Powell gave us mm? "wig!" into their needs, using some startling fact: and blunt statements. Sex is what we ARE not what he 00‘ Sex education is being comfortable with who 3'0" “let yourself and your relationships. She left us with a teri‘ important idea which should be the overriding attitude in sex education: the most important sex organ we have I5 between our ears! Jean Emmett, Branflord