High Country Handiworker parents:
Here is a summary of the parent Zoom meeting that took place on Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. We explored facts, issues, and options to move forward for the upcoming 4-H year.
The Issue
4-H (county, state, and CSU) has reviewed information from the past year and decided to continue Cindy Buckardt’s suspension as a 4-H leader/volunteer indefinitely. Regardless of our collective and current support of Cindy, this decision brings us to four options.
Options
Option 1: Continue HCH Club – TIME SENSITIVE
This option is bound by a tight timeline. To continue, the club would need to complete multiple steps to achieve re-chartering by the end of the day on Tuesday, October 15. Cindy is currently listed on the bank account, and the charter cannot be approved unless she is removed. The following steps would need to be completed quickly:
- Have one or more new organizational leaders step forward,
- Have two adults willing to be on the bank accounts,
- Ask the HCH officer team to meet ASAP,
- Recommend that the officer team vote to remove Cindy from the HCH bank accounts,
- Write and approve minutes to reflect the bank account changes,
- Deliver the written copy of minutes, with the two new signers in attendance, to the club’s bank,
- Ask the bank to confirm the account changes to the extension office by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15.
To honor all local, state, national, and IRS deadlines for re-chartering, this must be completed by October 15 at 5:00 p.m. Although possible, it’s likely not doable or preferable.
Option 1 Result
I wish we had better news for continuing the High Country Handiworkers 4-H Club. The plan to return Cindy to HCH leadership was put in place over a year ago, but it was not successful.
Parents in attendance on the Zoom meeting voted nearly unanimously to dissolve the club. We will work with the extension office, the state, and CSU to close things out accurately and appropriately.
Option 2: Merge with Another Club
We can approach other clubs and propose that we merge our membership and assets. This can be done in the next few months, and the deadline would be the enrollment deadlines after the first of the year.
Option 2 Result
This option can be explored, but the consensus was that it’s not promising. Our club is large and would likely overwhelm any other club’s membership.
Option 3: Create a New Club
Create a new 4-H club with a fresh start using resources and guidance from the extension office and asking for parental support. This option is not bound by the October 15 deadline. Any parents who might be interested could choose to charter a new club with a minimum of 3 families and at least 5 members.
Option 3 Result
I am volunteering to explore this option and be organizational leader or co-leader for the upcoming 2025 4-H year only. We have time to charter and will have support from the county to charter a new club correctly. Parents were in favor of this option.
Option 4: Encourage Families to Choose an Existing Club
Encourage families to take some time to explore other county clubs. Families can take some time to ask questions and reflect on their choices.
Option 4 Result
Click here for a list of Larimer County 4-H Clubs that are accepting new members. Each club’s availability is listed in the far right column.
Net
Each family has a tough decision to make with each 4-H member in mind. Decisions are never easy, but it matters that we do them right. Moving forward, my goal is for us to do the best we can with these options, transitioning and accommodating with as little disruption and impact to the kids as possible. I’ll share more as I receive guidance to close this out properly and accurately. We’ll open a new chapter designed to continue benefitting the kids who wish to participate in 4-H.
Our collective thanks goes to Cindy for all of her years of leadership, mentoring, support, and encouragement of our kids in their 4-H journeys. My hope is that one day we can properly lift her up with proper recognition and thanks. In the meantime, we’ll continue to do her proud by holding up her continuing work with the Larimer County 4-H Foundation.
Please email, text, or call me if I can support you and your family through this transition. My contact information is listed below.
Respectfully,
Rob
Rob Ryan
Organizational Leader
970-227-9519
robertryan936@gmail.com