The 4-H Ontario Ambassador program provides youth with advanced level training in leadership, citizenship, communications and public relations. Ambassadors put their energy and 4-H experiences to work recruiting new members and sharing the 4-H story. Throughout 2016, each of 4-H Ontario’s six Ambassadors will submit blog entries about their experiences in the program. The 4-H Ontario Ambassador program is proudly sponsored by GROWMARK, Inc. and UPI Energy LP. For more info on the Ambassador program click here. To book an Ambassador for you event please complete the request form. Submitted by Laura DeKlein, 4-H Ontario Youth Ambassador from Middlesex 4-H Association 4-H New Years Resolutions Hi, my name is Laura DeKlein and this year I have achieved and participated in many events, activities, and conferences as a 4-H Ontario Ambassador and member. My goal for 2017 is to encourage all youth, volunteers, and participants to do the same. Need some ideas? Here are some ways I encourage you to get started: 1. Apply for Opportunities The opportunities available are endless and extremely valuable. Opportunities vary on local, provincial and even international levels. Just rake the risk and apply! This includes clubs, camps, exchanges, competitions, scholarships and much more. Visit www.4-hontario.ca and start/continue your journey today! 2. ACT Enthusiastic and you’ll BE enthusiastic It is important when approaching any situation to act enthusiastic. It is important to influence those around you and be a team player despite potential lack of interest. This will open so many doors and opportunities for you and those around you. When you open the door, there are so many more ‘doors’ and opportunities. It all starts with you and the attitude you put forward not only in the first impression, but also for every time you approach something. 3. Take Risks This may seem crazy but risk taking is key in order to diversify your life – appropriate and safe risks of course! By risks, I mean beating your negative conscience and saying I CAN or I WILL. Personally, I have achieved this through 4-H in 2015 and have been building on this since PLC (Provincial Leadership Camp). Be yourself – but apply for what you want, work for what you want and be who you want to be despite all else. 4-H provides so many opportunities for you to apply yourself to new risks and opportunities. Don’t be afraid to do so – learn to do by doing. It is my pleasure to be able to write a New Years blog post as a 2016 4-H Ontario Ambassador. Thank-you to all of the 4-H Ontario staff and volunteers for the opportunity to advocate for this program, and to Growmark, Inc. and UPI Energy LP for such generous sponsorship. In closing, I encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunities 4-H Ontario provides. I wish all a prosperous New Year.