What should we do?

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Ok, this is the deal...my 4-H leader knew that coming into 4-H she wanted her club to do ALL Animals, but now (the club involves horses, cats, dogs, rabbits and soon sheep (?)) she wants to be only horse oriented.... which p*sses off some of us rabbit kids....did I say some? I mean ALL which is just me, my sister and Karlee (FallingStar).

My situation? I’m 4-H co-president… and the only reason why I’m so concerned about this, is because I want a better 4-H club, not just for the rabbit kids, but for the horse kids, the dog kids, and the future kids. Why fix it now? So it’s not harder to fix in the future and so it’s not left up to someone who may make it worse or etc. IMO, anyway.

The thing is, our 4-H Leader Sally *(name changed for protection)* compares horses with rabbits...oh wow - they may have similarities about their digestive systems, but nothing else! She thought it was so amazing how rabbits don't need vaccines....
Now, I know, she's not a rabbit person, but she's a rabbit 4-h leader! She should know at least the BASICS of rabbit ownership/showing procedures because of her position. Everything she knows right now was taught to her by us three; and it's good that we're teaching her, but she can't help us when we need help because she knows squat about the project of which she's supposed to know a lot about!

She made a squabble once because her daughter’s horses’ name is Rain, and Karlee’s rabbit’s name is Rayne. Sally didn’t like how Karlee’s rabbit shared the same name as her daughter’s horse….but what’s wrong with that? There’s PLENTY of animals out there who share the same name as others.

If you know 4-H, then you know they’re’s such a thing as record books; well there’s a certain section in there where the leader is supposed to put how she helped you….and us rabbit kids can’t put anything because our leader doesn’t know anything to teach us…so we get marked down on that part at Fair. Does this seem fair to us? We’re supposed to be punished/loose points because of her lack of knowledge? It just doesn’t seem right on my part.

If you want more info, just let me know and I’d be happy to answer your questions.

So, whadda yall think? Should she read up about rabbits on her part, or what?


Emily

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Our county 4H has a rabbit club, several horse clubs, dog club and so on. We also have general clubs and like our club is an open club but it's horse priority. We do horse clinics, and most of our fund raisers revolve around horses.

You join ONE club but you can go to different meetings and those leaders help you with that project.

I think if she's trying to do too much then she needs help from people who do know.

I would suggest that she seek people who can help kids with their different projects that can volunteer.

Maybe a sheep farmer or older kid could come in and talk to the group? things like that.

 

[BSAR]

Nice post. I feel the same way.

Bump anyone?

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

BBB, Yeah that's the problem.

They (Her and her daughters) also had a crazy idea to add subnames to the regular name.. The horses, dogs, cats etc. would share a subname and the bunnies? We're left in the dust...as if we aren't already? We are....and it's horrible

I have plenty of information to back that ^^^ up if it's decided, because it can't be done w/o getting properly trained volunteers for each project area - will she listen? Who knows. I will tell her at the next meeting and watch her flip out!!! But what can I say? I'm the president, I'm supposed to look out for things that can tear our club apart...if she did that w/o volunteers and the proper stuff, she can lose her 4-H leader position..does she know this? who knows, most likely not.

We (me, my sis and Karlee) are the only ones I know (besides one other girl) who choose "No" for the subnames...and the importance of 4-H is being a team so majority doesn't rule IMO, but it does in Sallie's opinion, what's the most noticeable of it, that is. :?

She just doesn't do her research or buy the proper materials to support the club, and frankly, without it the club may be on the verge of dying out with rabbit kids, and leaving just the horse kids...IMO anyway, that may not be how Karlee or my sister feels. But isn't the 4-H backbone about working as a group and a team?

Emily

 

[BSAR]

I love the club and dont want to leav but if no more 'other animal; kids come in and the focus stays on horses theni might leave.

Also i am the vice president and besides being there to fill in for an absent president (which will most likely never happen) I don't do anything. Is there anything else I can do? I will resign from position if there isn't because I don't have anything to do so why be a part of the commitee thing.

I also know for sure that I will be elected as president next year but I am not going to do it because I don't want to handle all of that pressure and anger. Our leader also thinks that the older kids can really only be the role model, we have to present first so the little kids can see how its done. Yet Fallingstar doesn't really know how to do it either, well she just recentl joined the club anyway, so she shouldn't have to go until the end also. But whatever. Sallie is just Sallie.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

BSAR wrote:

I love the club and dont want to leav but if no more 'other animal; kids come in and the focus stays on horses theni might leave.

Also i am the vice president and besides being there to fill in for an absent president (which will most likely never happen) I don't do anything. Is there anything else I can do? I will resign from position if there isn't because I don't have anything to do so why be a part of the commitee thing.

I also know for sure that I will be elected as president next year but I am not going to do it because I don't want to handle all of that pressure and anger. Our leader also thinks that the older kids can really only be the role model, we have to present first so the little kids can see how its done. Yet Fallingstar doesn't really know how to do it either, well she just recentl joined the club anyway, so she shouldn't have to go until the end also. But whatever. Sallie is just Sallie.

You don't know for sure....

 

[BSAR]

Don't know what for sure? Never mind i see it

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Does anyone else have any advice/info? Please we need any information/advice that you can give us!
You don't have to have 4-H experience either, just lend a helping hand, thank you!

Emily

 

[GoinBackToCali]

Well, instead of having a net conversation with your twin sister in the forum, who's probably in earshot range anyway, how about you all just start up your own 4-H Chapter, with emphasis on rabbits, their care, feeding and health..

We have gun clubs, food clubs, sewing clubs, and horse clubs here, as well as rabbits and a chapter with the general emphasis on teamwork and togetherness.

Have you even considered getting your county extension agent in on it to help you guys out with speaking with Sally?

 

[LadyBug]

it sounds a little like she's 'playing favorites' with the horse kids. if she really doesn't know what she's doing and isn't listening to the people she's supposed to be listening to, then maybe y'all need a new leader. i have no idea what so ever about how 4-H works, so this is just me saying what i think without taking in account any rules, ect that 4-H might have. hope y'all get some thing worked out soon!

Anna