These learning opportunities serve to inspire and invigorate 4-H Ontario volunteers while providing a forum to share ideas and best practices and find out how we can support each other as the 4-H family of staff and volunteers. E-symposiums are open to all 4-H volunteers and youth directors. Participants will be required to connect via Zoom Conferencing and, for maximum engagement, have a functional webcam on their computer. Symposium attendance is capped at 20 participants. Advanced registration is required a minimum of one week in advance of the symposium date. Details on how to connect to the e-symposium will be sent to participants in advance of the session.
- A minimum of six participants are required for each e-symposium.
- All e-symposiums run from 7 – 8 p.m. ET
2025 Schedule of E-Symposium Conferences:
| Date | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 4-H Promotion 101: Sparking Local Engagement and Impact | Wondering how to get the word out about 4-H in your area? Are club numbers low? Are members lacking engagement? Come join us as we take a further look into ‘sparking’ the interests of local youth through promotional tools! |
| Tuesday, February 4, 2025 | Go For The Gold: Bringing 4-H Ontario’s Quiz Challenge to Your Community | Explore how to bring 4-H Ontario’s engaging quiz challenge to your community! This session will introduce you to our trivia-style competition that builds youth knowledge in agriculture, food, and community events, while fostering teamwork and leadership skills. You’ll learn strategies for organizing local events, motivating volunteers, and empowering youth participants to excel in a fun and educational setting. Ideal for those looking to energize their local 4-H associations and create memorable learning experiences for young members. |
| Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | BONUS E-SYMPOSIUM Click, Learn, Grow: Dive into the 4-H Ontario LMS! | Get ready to explore the new 4-H Ontario Learning Management System in this interactive E-Symposium! We’ll walk you through the basics of navigating the platform, from logging in to accessing resources and completing courses. Designed with volunteers in mind, this session keeps it simple and leaves plenty of time for your questions. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started, this is your chance to learn, connect, and get comfortable with our exciting new tool! |
| RESCHEDULED Tuesday, February 18, 2025 | Building Respect and Understanding Through Inclusion, Diversity and Equality | This learning opportunity focuses on fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and equality are not just concepts but lived experiences. By promoting respect and understanding among all individuals, we aim to create a community that values every person’s unique background and perspective. Through discussions, and collaborative activities, volunteers will explore the importance of embracing differences and learn practical ways to ensure that everyone feels valued and heard. Together, we will build a foundation of mutual respect that empowers all voices and cultivates a richer, more inclusive organization. |
| Tuesday, March 17, 2025 | So You’re a 4-H Volunteer, What Next? | Now that you’ve completed the new volunteer process, this e-symposium will help you get your 4-H volunteer journey started on the right foot. We will go over how to get a club started, how to keep yourself organized and provincial volunteer opportunities. Bring your questions and share your successes in this interactive session! |
| Tuesday, April 22, 2025 | Break the Cycle: Empowering Strategies to Stop Bullying | This learning opportunity is designed to equip volunteers with effective tools and strategies to combat bullying in all its forms. By fostering a culture of empathy, resilience, and assertiveness, participants will learn how to recognize bullying behavior and respond appropriately. We empower volunteers to become advocates for change, to work to transform their communities into spaces where respect and kindness prevail. |
| Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 4-H Livestock Uncovered: Myth vs. Fact on Policies and Procedures | This learning opportunity is designed to help equip Volunteers with 4-H policies and procedures for all things Livestock orientated. In this session we will discuss best practices and how policies and procedures fit into your club at local, regional and national events. |
| Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | Conflict Resolution: Navigating Difficult People Without Being One | In any group, whether it’s a team of volunteers, a leadership committee, or a group of youth participants, conflict is inevitable. But how we handle it makes all the difference. This interactive workshop is designed for 4-H volunteers who want to build stronger relationships, enhance collaboration, and effectively address conflicts without escalating tensions. Participants will explore practical strategies for managing difficult personalities, resolving disagreements with respect and empathy, and ensuring that they themselves remain constructive and solution-focused in challenging situations. Through group activities, and open discussions, this session will empower you to navigate conflict while upholding the positive values that define the 4-H community. |
Register for an E-Symposium here!
Our appreciation to our Supporters Grenville Mutual & Farm Credit Canada
The 4-H Ontario Volunteer Re-Engagement Process
Our “Learn To Do By Doing” philosophy is true for 4-H Ontario volunteers as much as it is for youth. The volunteer re-engagement process serves as a check-in with fellow volunteers and 4-H Ontario staff. It is part of on-going education and support of volunteers to ensure the safety of all the youth participants and volunteers, as well as the quality of the 4-H program.
Re-engagement is a three-part process, and all three elements are required to be completed every three years prior to a common expiry date.
- Participation in a re-engagement learning opportunity through an in-person, live webinar, or self-directed session. See details below.
- Police checks (specifically, a criminal record and judicial matters check). Volunteers will be provided the appropriate documentation and links for completing an online police check before expiring.
- Completion of the child protection refresher course via the self-directed web-based session.
Additionally, volunteers are obligated to complete the annual volunteer participation form every year. Completion of this form will cue the delivery of volunteer participant cards for those who are in good standing.
Completion of 4-H Ontario club registration forms, activity plans, membership lists, completion lists, etc. are also necessary for programs and events in which volunteers are engaged.
Volunteer Re-Engagement Learning Opportunities
4-H Ontario offers a wide variety of learning opportunities for volunteers throughout the year.
Volunteers must attend a re-engagement learning opportunity every three years at minimum, but are welcome to attend as many learning opportunities as they wish. Several options are offered throughout the year, including:
- Attendance at a local 4-H association annual general meeting staff-led re-engagement learning opportunity. (Check with your local 4-H association or Coordinator, Volunteer Support).
- Participation in a live E-Symposium via webinar.
- Partaking in a 4-H Ontario Volunteer Conference workshop and completing a survey following the event.
- Taking in a local association-requested learning opportunity on a topic of interest to volunteers in that 4-H association, as requested by the local 4-H association board of directors and led by local volunteer support staff.
- Participation in an Agriculture Wellness Ontario mental health workshop, provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association and completing a survey following the event.
- Completion of a web-based self-directed learning opportunity.
