Spring 2012 - 4-H Ontario

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FEATURES Brian o'Neill The Member Motivator You need to always make sure you keep open lines of communication and be there with an open ear to listen, and really listen to what the Members need,” says Brian. BBrian O’Neill is recognized in his 4-H community for his caring nature, team work and sportsmanship skills. He has developed a sound reputation for his ability to motivate Members to move outside their comfort zone and challenge themselves to reach their true potential. Brian recognizes that persuading people to step outside of their comfort zone can be a tricky feat to master. Luckily, he’s identified a few tips and tricks that have helped him overcome this challenge. Identifying himself as an approachable and supporting Leader, creating group involvement, and gradually pushing Members out of their comfort zone are Brian’s tried, tested and true leadership techniques. Brian notes that identifying yourself as a supportive and approachable Leader is one of the most important factors in being able to encourage Members to move outside of their comfort zone. “You need to always make sure you keep open lines of communication and be there with an open ear to listen, and really listen to what the Members need,” says Brian. According to Brian, when you demonstrate to Members that you are there for them, and genuinely care about their interests, it builds a level of trust between Leader and Member. Once this trust is established they are more willing to accept guidance and advice. Group involvement is another technique that Brian uses. If there is a Member who is hesitant to move outside of their comfort zone, Brian will get the Club Members involved to create group encouragement. When everyone is involved, this makes the hesitant Member feel supported and it gives that extra push they often need. Through leading various Clubs, Brian’s learned that sometimes Members are afraid to step outside of their comfort zone because they don’t want to make a mistake or be judged. Establishing this team environment eliminates these fears. The final word of advice from Brian addresses the speed at which Leaders should encourage Members to explore things beyond their norm. “You need to bring them in, and let them stay in their comfort zone to begin with and then slowly push them out,” says Brian. Taking baby steps can often be more effective than jumping with both feet into unknown territory because it helps to slowly build a Member’s confidence. Among Members and Volunteers alike, Brian is looked up to for his ability to provide leadership and direction that challenges individuals to be the best they can be. When encouraging your 4-H Members, friends or colleagues to try something they wouldn’t normally do remember Brian’s advice. In his 21 years of 4-H Volunteer service Brian’s had a lot of success practicing these techniques. Leadership In Action • Spring 2012
Anne Marie WERRY The Multitasking Guru “You always have to be ready for hiccups,” explains Anne Marie. Anne Marie Werry is known among her friends and colleagues as the multi-tasking guru. She is an active member of the Brooklin Agriculture Society, the Catholic Women’s League, Kedron Park Association, the Lindsay Fair, the Canadian Cancer Society and 4-H Ontario, just to name a few. Although Anne Marie’s commitments are vast, she always manages to give her all to every organization she works with, including 4-H. She has dedicated hours of her time to running 4-H Clubs and she’s also taken on numerous executive Volunteer positions. The key lessons Anne Marie has learned through her volunteering efforts include: prioritizing, using time frames, becoming best friends with a planner and to-do list, and planning timelines efficiently. In terms of prioritizing, Anne Marie recommends focusing on what needs to be done and leaving tasks that are not as high of a priority to the end. In addition to this, Anne Marie suggests that each person needs to recognize what patterns work best for them and follow these to become more efficient. One example she provides is recognizing if you are a morning or night person and loading your heavy work into those time periods. One of Anne Marie’s biggest recommendations is to use a planner. Her planner has gotten her through some very hectic times! Using a planner and to-do lists to organize schedules is very beneficial to ensure everything can be Leadership In Action • Spring 2012 completed. Once your planner has helped identify and prioritize items, setting aside time frames to complete each project will be helpful for staying on track, just be sure to leave a little wiggle room. “You always have to be ready for hiccups,” explains Anne Marie. Anne Marie recognizes that mastering time management and organization skills can seem a bit overwhelming at first. To become familiar with good time management techniques, she recommends surrounding yourself with Leaders who have skills you admire. “These are definitely skills you have to learn from others and they have to be practiced if you want to develop them,” says Anne Marie. Attending 4-H leadership workshops and surrounding herself with efficient individuals has been crucial for Anne Marie’s learning. “Working with great leaders and great organizers rubs off,” she shares. Anne Marie stresses the fact that efficient time management does not require a certain personality type and is rather a skill set that can be learned by all. These skills have helped her through many 4-H events, meetings and conferences, and they’re sure to benefit many 4-H’rs. With a little bit of learning and a lot of practise anyone can become a multitasking guru like Anne Marie. 19
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 2012 LEADERSHIP In Action vo
Page 3 and 4: LEADERSHIP In Action official publi
Page 5 and 6: WHAT'S UP across the province May 2
Page 7 and 8: try. At this meeting (Achievement D
Page 9 and 10: IN BRIEF provincial stories Amber U
Page 11 and 12: FEATURES LIFE CHANGING LEADERSHIP T
Page 13 and 14: 2. 1. 3. 4. The record breaking num
Page 15 and 16: Because 4-H was part of our family
Page 17: Deborah Brown The 4-H Motto Master
Page 21 and 22: IN ACTION we all scream for icecrea
Page 23 and 24: Ontario 4-H Foundation As part of o

Spring 2012 - 4-H Ontario

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