Mentorship Circles: Providing 4-H Members a Unique Way to Connect
July 12, 2017
Mentorship Circles are a unique way for 4-H youth to connect and network directly with mentors from a variety of fields and areas of expertise. The Global 4-H Network Summit hosted today a sessions that focused on the topic of mentorship and science and technology pillar day.
This youth adult partnership offers new learning opportunities for our global youth leaders to gain a renewed sense of direction, discover and explore career paths, and engage in challenging discussions that help progress their leadership abilities, confidence and future aspirations.
Today’s mentors included:
- Jeff Goodwin, State 4-H Program Leader, University of Hawaii-Manoa
- Randy Mowat, Senior Vice President, Marketing – MNP LLP, Chair – Canadian 4-H Foundation
- Ann Makosinski, Student Inventor, Founder, Makotronics (Canada)
- Morley Hanford, Trustee, Canadian 4-H Foundation
- Brad Adams, Vice-Chair, Canadian 4-H Foundation
- Mary Compton, Regulatory Specialist, Bayer
- Gillian Cooper, Program Officer, Innovative Collaborations and Science Promotion, NSERC
- Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, National 4-H Council
Delegates had 12 minutes with each mentor, where they could share their stories and get feedback. Mentors gave guidance and shared important life lessons with youth delegates.
“I think my job is the best job a person could have, at least to me,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, National 4-H Council. “I’m so excited to share my history with all of you.”
Daily mentoring sessions are proving beneficial to the mentors as well, as they get an opportunity to meet with the next generation of 4-H’ers. How they are approaching the future in this technologically driven world helps inform mentors what’s to come within 4-H.
“I’m probably going to learn more from you than you will from me,” said keynote speaker and mentor Ann Makosinski.
As far as science and technology goes, the delegates seemingly had more to offer to the mentors. The technological skills from newer generations typically surpassed many of the mentors.
On the flip side, the mentors definitely had a leg-up as far as how to run a business.
“These mentors know how the business world works, how to appropriately get money and where to put it, and how to engage alumni to be able to give back to the program,” Emma Newell, a youth delegate.
“Talking with these individuals is really beneficial and the information learned can be taken back to your own country or 4-H group, so make sure you check one of these sessions out during this summit.”
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