 My sister Ruth and I were ecstatic upon receiving our letters of acceptance into the BC 4-H Ambassador Program. What an honour! We couldn’t wait to get started!
Imagine our excitement when it came time for the Ambassador Training program in Abbotsford, BC. On May 20, I was barely able to sit still as we flew into the Vancouver airport. By the time we arrived in Abbotsford at the College where we were staying I was practically buzzing with anticipation!
After meeting the 15 other Ambassadors from across BC we all spent the evening in the company of pizza and the introductory “Petcha Kutcha” presentations each Ambassador had prepared. None of us were strangers for long as we all managed to stay up late the first night playing games in the dorm lounge!
Early the next morning we all settled in at the Abbotsford Agricultural Centre and received an introduction to the Ambassador program from Suzzane Skanning and Sarah Vanheeswijk. We then participated in a number of sessions and presentations over the next two days covering topics that would be elemental in our effectiveness as Ambassadors. These topics included promotions, projects and programs, Ambassador etiquette, and the BC 4-H Foundation.
Second-year Ambassadors gave many of the presentations and each session was followed by a game or project where we had an opportunity to apply and utilize the information we were covering. We prepared skits, impromptu presentations, and designed PowerPoint slideshows. It was a blast working together with the other Ambassadors and practicing those deeply ingrained 4-H Communication skills in presenting what our team had prepared back to the rest of the group.
My favourite part of the sessions was spending time together as Ambassadors planning our individual back home activities. As much as I didn’t want the weekend to end, I was really looking forward to getting back home and started on my Ambassador responsibilities!
Of course the weekend wasn’t all work and no play. We Ambassadors had more than our fair share of fun. The evenings after our teaching sessions were filled with costume parties, games, mini-golf, bumper cars and a lot of good food and snacks.
 Getting to know my fellow Ambassadors was another highlight of the experience. Almost immediately we all seemed to “click” as good friends and an even better team, which I’m sure will come in handy as we spend the next one to two years collaborating on Provincial and inter-Regional Ambassador activities.
Monday the 23rd came all too fast in bringing an end to the weekend. The farewell was cheerful however, with many Ambassadors making plans to see one another throughout the year and at the Pacific National Exhibition as PNE Ambassadors in August.
The expectations Ruth and I held for the Ambassador training weekend were totally surpassed. We, along with the other 15 BC 4-H Ambassadors, are now loose in the province with all the passion and tools necessary to make this a great 4-H year. Don’t miss out! Make sure to look for the ambassadors within your region.
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