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

Congratulations to Pam Heeney on being named the grand marshall for the parade this year!

Pam Heeney is a legend. For those who know Pam, you know it’s not an overstatement. Pam retired from the Larimer County Extension Office in May, after 47 years as the 4-H administrative assistant. This is remarkable, but Pam has always been surrounded by the clover and recognizes the impacts it’s had on her life. Pam grew up in Fort Collins and attended Timnath Elementary School, Bolz Middle School, and graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1977. A 10-year 4-H member, Pam excelled in several projects, including sheep, beef, dairy cows, sewing and leadership. During her senior year in high school, her father, Tom Brown, became the 4-H Extension specialist for Larimer County.

Upon graduation (and following a 4-H leadership conference to Washington D.C.), Pam started volunteering in the Extension Office, doing various administrative tasks and organizing programs. In fall of 1977 she was hired as a part-time employee. Pam married Stan Heeney in 1978, who she met when she was five years old (they attended the same schools, church, swim lessons, and 4-H club) and they started their family in 1982. Pam, Stan, and big brother Mike welcomed twins Vicki and Greg in 1987. Pam continued to work part-time for the Extension Office while raising her family. She also volunteered at their schools in the health room and helped cover office shifts as needed.

Mike, Vicki, and Greg are proud 11-year 4-H members and did some of the same projects that Pam did – including sheep and sewing. In 2005, Pam was hired full-time at the Larimer County Extension Office as the 4-H administrative assistant and continued in this position until her recent retirement.

In her four-decade career, Pam has seen a lot and done a lot. She’s worked with three generations of 4- H members and loves the excitement of the county fair. Her fondest memories are helping 4-H’ers accomplish their goals and seeing their success. She looks back on her time in 4-H and fondly remembers her many memories and achievements, which she experiences with current members today. While her job wasn’t always easy (wrangling hundreds of members never is!), it was rooted in fun. Pam also credits her office family and colleagues for their support, dedication, and collaboration through the good times and tougher times.

What’s next for Pam? She plans to read – a lot! She also plans to travel to visit her daughter, Vicki, in Arizona and friends in Oklahoma. She looks forward to spending more time with her two grandchildren, Hailey, and Toby, and going to their dance recitals and baseball games. Finally, she plans to finish sewing a quilt that her grandmother started – but first needs to re-learn the stitches (fortunately she has connections on who to ask).

As Pam transitions into the next chapter of her life, she can retire knowing that she’s touched thousands of lives with her kindness, warm smile, a helping hand, and endless support. She really has made “The Best Better.”

Dear Larimer County 4-H Parents, Guardians, and Volunteers,

Having just completed my first year as Larimer County Extension Director, I have started to learn about some of the opportunities and challenges associated with our 4-H program. As part of our efforts to better understand your perspectives and ideas, 4-H staff are scheduling visits with clubs throughout the county. I would also like to provide a chance for current parents, guardians, volunteers, and youth to provide feedback on our program through a survey. 

• The parent/guardian/volunteer survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
• The youth survey should take just a few minutes to complete—please ask your youth member(s) to complete the survey with your assistance as needed. 

Responses to both surveys are anonymous and will help us gauge what we’re doing well and where we can improve. Topics on the parent/guardian/volunteer survey include clubs, projects, 4-H staff, and The Ranch. The deadline to complete the surveys is Sunday, July 7.

We greatly appreciate your participation in Larimer County 4-H and your consideration for completing the surveys.

Warmly, 

Cary Weiner
Larimer County Extension Director

This month has several fun match opportunities for members of the Dog project! Fun Matches are a great way to experience being in a ring and being judged before you get to the county fair Dog Show!

• June 15: Bits-N-Pieces Fun Match – Register here
• June 22: Boulder County Fun Match – Register on v2.4HOnline.com. (The pre-registration discount will end on June 19.)
• June 29: Larimer County Fun Match – Register here

May 19^th Check in times will Vary Depending on which Unit your Child is Registered for. Exhibit Hall B & , Mckee 4H Building, The Ranch.

Unit 10 – Check in at 1:15 p.m. (Judging will start at 1:30 p.m.) Participants will have 1 ½ Hours to decorate

Unit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 – Check in at 1:45 p.m. (Judging will start at 2:00 p.m.) Participants will have 1 Hour to decorate.

Unit 1 and Cloverbuds – Check in at 2:15 p.m. (Judging will start at 2:30 p.m.) Participants will have 30 minutes to frost and decorate.

Please sign up for the contest no later than Friday May 17. Judging will begin promptly at the times listed. All participants must be set up and ready to decorate their cakes at the time judging starts. All participants must have their cake decorated and station cleaned up in the time permitted. Parents are not allowed to help—participants must do this all on their own. Official rules and requirements for the contest are here. Winners from each age division will have the opportunity to compete at the Colorado State Fair!

This contest is open to 4-H members of all ages including Cloverbuds! The contest is optional and members are not required to participate.

Click here for the signup.

Questions? Contact Christie at christieginger@msn.com or Rachel at wildmarm@co.larimer.co.us.com.