LSU Agricultural Center
Caddo Parish Advisory Leadership Council
Committee Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2008
Members Present: Mary Walker, retired 4-H Agent; Zina Collins, Child Care Provider; Mary Alice Rountree, Caddo Council on Aging; Dr. Melanie Fredrick,
4-H Advisory Council Member; Larine Pullen, Caddo Parish Schools; Jewel Mariner, Community Renewal; Shirley Daniels, Child Care Provider, Elizabeth White, Child Care Provider, Sandra Brumley, President, Caddo Parish Fair Board; Daniel McFarland, 4-H’er; John Stone, 4-H parent and farmer.
The meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m.
Johnny LeVasseur, Caddo Parish County Agent, opened the meeting by introducing the staff and members of the committee and explaining the purpose of the meeting. Katherine Pace discussed the role of the overall Caddo Parish Advisory Leadership Council. She also discussed the mission, organization, funding and parish situation with the audience.
Open discussion with advisory council was held. Recommendations for the 2008-2009 programs for Caddo Agriculture, FCS and 4-H are:
§Cultural decay is eroding our youth of today. It was brought to our attention that there is a mental health epidemic with 6 suicides a day and many of our youth cannot hold jobs, social skills are lacking, lack of work ethics and the need for roots and foundation. Through 4-H, youth can gain a sense of “belonging” to help combat these issues.
§Recruit new schools for 4-H. Caddo Parish Schools and private schools are approved for 4-H clubs, but it is the ultimate decision of the individual principal. At present 4-H is conducted in 40 Caddo Parish schools and 30 schools lack 4-H. To recruit more schools it was suggested a 4-H brochure be developed to promote the goals, programs, and accomplishments of our local 4-H program; a breakfast to introduce 4-H to principals of non 4-H schools, possibly have Mayor Cedric Glover-former 4-H’er to tell how 4-H influenced his life; advertise on radio/tv when new school has implemented 4-H into their school.
§Recruit new 4-H’ers through the 100th Birthday celebration at the Louisiana State Fair on October 29, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
§Community Renewal representative suggested that Service Learning Youth could recruit from the youth that they service.
§Child Care Provider representatives requested more classes to help parents who are going though divorce or separation cope with the situation.
§To increase the number of parents who attend Parenting Classes with possible incentives
§Caddo Council on Aging suggested that Senior citizens with RSVP could possibly assist with any activities of the LSU AgCenter.
§Faith Based Conference, sponsored by Southern University, will be held September 24-26, 2008, at the Clarion Hotel.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.