4-H Leaders Embrace the Future at Atlantic Conference

4-H leaders are taking part in a conference that will challenge them to develop skills and be more effective 4-H club and community leaders.

The thee-day, Atlantic 4-H Leaders Conference, entitled Embrace the Future, starts today, March 2, in Debert.

This interactive conference provides an opportunity for 45 4-H leaders from the Atlantic provinces to network and develop personal, teamwork, communication and leadership skills. Over the weekend, leaders will develop meeting, conflict and risk management techniques, expand their horizons by working with a variety of learning styles and learn techniques for recruiting and retaining volunteers.

"This conference provides an excellent opportunity for 4-H leaders to learn self-confidence and leadership skills that will strengthen local 4-H clubs and provincial programs," said John MacDonell, Minister of Agriculture. "Strong and effective leaders will ensure 4-H programs continue for many years to come."

Two key speakers will address the delegates at the conference. Chet MacPhail, a motivational speaker from New Brunswick, is a familiar face in 4-H circles. He will send leaders home thinking about their important roles as a mentors to youth in their communities.

Rob Black, president of the Canadian 4-H Council, will address the conference theme with a session called Embracing the Future. He will help the leaders prepare the program for the future as it approaches it 100th year in Canada.

The conference is supported by the Atlantic 4-H Committee, Growing Forward Business Opportunities Program and provincial 4-H councils.