Cornell Cooperative Extension Chautauqua County’s 4-H Program recently held its annual Club Officer Training, providing 36 youth with the opportunity to strengthen leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of their roles within their 4-H clubs.

The training was facilitated by 4-H volunteer Heather Lesch and FFA advisors Josephine Laurie and Heidi Mihalko from Cattaraugus-Allegany School, with support from four members of the Cattaraugus-Allegany FFA chapter: MaKayla Wolfe-Widrig, Dannielle Snyder, Leah Lincoln, and Bella Hegner.

The event featured breakout sessions, led by Chautauqua County 4-H volunteers, each dedicated to a specific officer role: President/Vice President, led by Jenn Eschenbach; Secretary, led by Mary Jantzi; Treasurer, led by Anna Crowell; and News Reporter/Historian, led by Brandi McIntyer. The sessions helped youth to learn about role responsibilities, meeting management, and effective communication.

Following the breakout sessions, participants reconvened for the Trail Mix activity, led by Lesch and the FFA students. The interactive exercise introduced youth to parliamentary procedure, teaching them how to make motions, propose amendments and conduct meetings in a fun, engaging and practical way.