The Michigan State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development met with youth and adults November 7 to come up with a fiveyear plan for the program. A group of 16 teens and adults attended the meeting at the St. Ignace Public Library facilitated by Cyndi Mark from the MSU Extension Campus Office of Children, Youth, Families, and Communities.

Despite budget cuts and financial uncertainty for the program, the group decided to move forward with an expansion plan, mapping a way forward from the current model to 2014. The group defined goals, actions, and developed teams to accomplish the actions. Future actions include: fundraising, recruiting volunteers, developing a speakers’ bureau, and strengthening the mentor program. The group is exploring a way for the council to give more senior scholarships and mini-grants to assist new clubs.

Those attending the meeting included Debbie Ender, Katana and Sandy Freed, Donna Goldthorpe, Christopher Paquin, Tonee Therrian, Mike Ramelis, Rachel Therrian, Jim Ramelis, Erica Bryers, Mallory Ramelis, Kim Nowack, Leanne Brodeur, George Ford, and staff members Joyce Belonga and Paula Ramelis.

For more information, call MSU Extension at 643-7307.