The Nebraska 4-H Companion Animal Advisory Committee serves as a group of representatives who provide guidance, solicit support, and assist in carrying out program activities in the interest of the 4-H youth development and CA program. This committee is made up of 4-H leaders and extension personnel who are interested in promoting positive youth development and the 4-H Companion Animal program. Their input, fundraising and interaction help 4-H to provide the needed educational programs for the Nebraska 4-H Companion Animal Program. Advisory members should act in the overall best interest of all young people and are expected to regularly attend meetings and subcommittee meetings, volunteer at State 4-H Companion Animal events and activities and support the final recommendation and decision of the 4-H Companion Animal Advisory Committee. The Nebraska 4-H Companion Animal Advisory Committee operates to provide advice and support to the Youth Extension Companion Animal Specialist, Dr. Lisa Karr and Extension Assistant, Grace McCarthy.
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Current Members
Coming soon!
functions
Community Engagement
Develop relationships and engage community partnerships to benefit the 4-H companion animal program.
Fundraising
Secure resources to benefit the 4-H companion animal program.
Policy
Establish and support policy.
Advocacy
Advocate for youth and Nebraska Extension.
Volunteer Recruitment
Recruit volunteers to support the program.
Committees
Committees support effective and efficient use of time and resources and provide opportunities for expanded youth development.
Rule Book committee
This committee's job is to update the Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Rule Book every two years.
Recommended 3 people to the committee.
Responsibilities:
- Listening to 4-H clientele and shareholders about suggestions to the rule book.
- Researching other 4-H state companion animal programs.
- Proposing changes to the larger Companion Animal Advisory Committee
- Reviewing the rule book before final submission.
Youth Activity committee
This committee's job is to provide educational, fun, and cost-effective ways to provide youth activities during contests or educational activities to further their learning.
Recommended 3 people to the committee.
Responsibilities:
- Establishing new activities for youth at state contests and other programming to enhance the learning and fun opportunities.
Volunteer Relations committee
This committee's job is to build a volunteer base that is willing to help and support the companion animal program.
Recommended 3 people to the committee.
Responsibilities:
- Reaching out to potential volunteers
- Working with superintendents to fill volunteer positions
- Communicating with volunteers
- Collaborating with Awards & Fundraising committees on volunteer appreciation strategies and tactics
Committee Chair Duties
Chairs are expected to guide their committees to develop necessary work plans and meeting agendas. Chairs should report to the Companion Animal Advisory Committee on decisions and the committee's work, guide the committee in proposing new activities and services that will further the mission and goals of the 4-H Companion Animal program. Chairs should be proficient in Microsoft Teams, Google docs, Outlook Mail, and Excel.
Membership
All 4-H leaders, parents, and trainers regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status are eligible for membership on this committee.
Expectations
- Follow the 4-H volunteer code of conduct
- Attend and participate in 75% of committee meetings in a calendar year (Zoom or in-person)
- Be fair, open, and respectful to others
- Strive to appreciate differences in approach and point of view, whether from each other and/or the community
- Accept decisions of the majority and defend the committee's decisions to the community
- Become acquainted with the State 4-H programs and the ways they best serve youth
- Have an understanding of youth needs and issues
- Open to reaching youth through a variety of programming structures
- Serve on sub-committees
- Be an advocate for the 4-H companion animal program
- Complete commitments in a timely fashion
- Volunteer at a minimum of one State 4-H Companion Animal event each year (State 4-H Dog Show or Showmanship)
Length of Membership
4-H leaders, parents, and trainers can serve up to a 3-year term on the committee before being rotated off with other prospective members to bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm for a strong youth program. A member may succeed him/herself before the maximum term but not exceed it. Extension personnel are not limited to the 3-year term due to the limited number of companion animal personnel in the organization (the term is unlimited until personnel would like to resign).
Time Commitment
The Nebraska 4-H Companion Animal Advisory Committee meets an estimated 4 times a year. It is expected that members are also a part of sub-committees that may meet at a higher frequency apart from the main committee (for example- a sub-committee may meet once a month). Other expectations of members are to volunteer at a minimum of one State 4-H Companion Animal event each year (State 4-H Dog Show or Showmanship).
Interested in Joining?
Applications will be accepted starting on January 21, 2022 through 5:00 PM CST on February 14, 2022. New committee members are selected based on location, skills, and reasoning to be on the committee. Those selected will be contacted directly.
Apply now!
For questions about this program or the information on this page, please contact: