Georgia County Government - July 2008 - (Page 35)

ExtensionNews Georgia Youth Summit Teaches Civic Engagement By Jeff Buckley Georgia 4-H Coordinator for Global & Citizenship Programs W hile the people of Georgia have a lot for which to be thankful, there is certainly no shortage of challenges facing our state: historic drought; high school drop-out rates; childhood and adolescent obesity; to name a few. Fortunately, decision makers at the county and state levels are not alone in their efforts to address these challenges. This autumn, teams of youths and adults from all over Georgia will convene at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton to discuss local issues, develop solutions and connect with the resources that will help them return home and take action. The fourth Biennial Georgia Youth Summit, Sept. 20-22, will provide county teams of youths and adults with educational opportunities designed to increase awareness of state and local issues, enhance youth-adult partnerships on the local level and equip youths to become active locally in the betterment of their communities. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) provides funding for the Summit as a project of the Georgia Rural Development Council’s (GRDC) Youth Leadership Initiative. In order to make the Summit accessible to all, scholarships are provided for four young people and one adult from every county in Georgia. The GRDC contracts with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, specifically the Georgia 4-H program and staff, to organize the Summit because of their statewide network of county offices and experience in developing researchbased Citizenship programs. 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the country, and Georgia 4-H is A county team presents its action plan to an adult resource specialist at the 2006 Youth Summit. widely regarded as the top program in the nation. Within the framework of 4-H programming, citizenship is both a core value and a national initiative. However, the Georgia Youth Summit is not just for 4-H members. Any youth or adult with an interest in bettering their community is invited to be a part. For young people, there are opportunities to serve on the planning committee as well as attend the Summit as a delegate and county team member. For adults, the same opportunities exist, and additionally, adults will be used in resource roles. The Summit has been widely promoted through a variety of state and local networks. Georgia 4-H has invited participation from the following organizations: ACCG’s Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students (GCAPS), Future Farmers of America (FFA), Y-Club, Boys and Girls Club of America, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), UGA Fanning Institute Community Leadership Programs and Family Connection, as well as youth coordinators at military installations around the state. EXTENSION continued on page 36 The national 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development, the first longitudinal study of its kind, shows that providing youth with the opportunity to connect with caring adults, acquire skills and make decisions about issues affecting them has a major, positive impact. JULY 2008 www.accg.org 35 http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - June 2008

Georgia County Government - June 2008 Contents President’s Message County Matters Laurens, Treutlen and Wheeler Counties Work Together to Leverage Economic Development 2008 Hurricane Season Forecast to be Active GDEcD: Georgia Is Bolstering International Marketing Efforts U.S. Communities Announces Auto Parts Service Contract Energy Innovation Center Opens in Warner Robins Coweta County Uses Innovative Road Construction Techniques Counties & The Law: An Analysis of Ten Commandments Displays in Georgia Courthouses Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: Talbot County Extension News: Youth Summit Teaches Civic Engagement Research Corner: Train Me! NACo News: NACo Seeks Obesity Prevention Programs County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - June 2008

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