4-Hers provide basics of a successful youth-adult partnership

• Also see: NCACC, 4-H partner to engage youth in county government

Working with youths requires sincerity, an open mind and a sense of fairness, attendees at the NCACC's April 8 district meeting in Halifax County heard during a presentation from a local high school student and representatives of two area county Cooperative Extension agencies. The Halifax district meeting was the first of six to be held in April.

Developing leadership among youths is Cleveland County Commissioner Mary Accor's presidential initiative for 2010, and the presentations from area youths and Cooperative Extension agents at each district meeting served to further communication between county leaders and youths.

Jasmine Harris, who attends high school in Northampton County, said that in a working partnership, both youths and adults need to realize what the other brings to the table, as well as the expected roles for each group.

Pasquotank County Extension Agent Mason Lawrence, who leads the county's 4-H Youth Development efforts, said that for adults, those roles include experience, leadership and guidance. More importantly, Lawrence said that adults need to see youths as part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. If the adult gives nothing more than lip service to an endeavor with youths, the partnership is doomed to failure.

"Youths are very good at seeing through people," he said. "Youths won't put forth the effort if they see you aren't sincere."

While there is an assumption that youths have a fear of working with adult leaders in the county, the opposite is more often true. Vanessa Spiron, who works with 4-H Youth Development in Pitt County, said that in overcoming that fear, adults must dismiss stereotypes they may associate with today's youths and get to know them on an individual basis. Adults must also display a sense of fairness and "don't expect more of them than you would of an adult."

Vance Holloman, director of the Local Government Commission, also addressed attendees at the Halifax meeting and provided an overview of a financial condition analysis project jointly developed by the UNC School of Government and the State Treasurer's Office.

The Web-based tool, which will reside online at www.nctreasurer.com, will allow a local government to select up to five other similar local governments (i.e., counties can compare themselves to other counties) against which to benchmark its financial condition. The Web site will include populations and pertinent information, such as whether that local government operates a water and/or sewer system, in order to allow that local government to make meaningful peer selections. Trend and benchmark data will be provided in order to provide for a more robust interpretation.