Parish Joint Advisory Council

The responsibilities of the Joint Advisory Leadership Council are to represent their peers, identify needs and issues, identify opportunities for collaboration, be active in sharing their skills and knowledge to help the parish and understand Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service as a community resource.

Next Meeting Date:
TBA

Joint Advisory Leadership Council Members

Name	Affiliation	Program Area
John Barnett	Regional Director	LSU AgCenter
Janice Brown	4-H Leader	4-H
Linda Christ	Headstart	FCS
Jessica Falke	Student	4-H
Sullivan Fontenot	Livestock Committee	ANR & 4-H
Robert Friday	Shooting Sports	4-H
Keith Guillory	Chamber of Commerce	4-H
Gerald Harrington	4-H Foundation Board	4-H
Kathy Hayes	4-H Foundation Board	4-H
Wesley Hayes	Student	4-H
Lanette Hebert	4-H Regional Coordinator	4-H
Tony Hebert	Livestock Committee	4-H
Doug Hebert	District Attorney	ANR & 4-H
Pat Jones	Council on Aging	FCS
Sheila Jones	Sr. citizens	FCS
Drusilla Le Vrier	School Board - Food Service	FCS
Jared Manuel	Bank Manager	ANR & 4-H
Lee Manuel	Cattlemen's Association	ANR
Herbert McGee	Farm Bureau	ANR & 4-H
Gregory Monceaux	Allen Parish School Board Member	ANR & 4-H
Clarice Papillion	Allen Parish School Board Office	4-H
Chad Peloquin	FFA Advisor	4-H
Fred Ryder	Allen Parish Fair President	ANR & 4-H
Korey Ryder	Student	4-H
James Ryder	City Council	ANR & 4-H
Ronnie Sonnier	Allen Parish Rice Growers	ANR
Karen Teigen	Parish Libraries	ANR & 4-H & FCS
Hine Unkel	Allen Parish Rice Growers	ANR
Pam Williams	Assistant Principal	4-H

FCS - Family & Consumer Science
ANR - Agriculture & Natural Resources

Minutes from Meetings

Allen Parish Advisory Leadership Council Meeting

July 8, 2008

11:30 p.m.

Oberlin Library

The meeting of the Allen Parish Advisory Leadership Council was held in the Oberlin Library Meeting Room at 11:30 p.m. on July 8^th. Those who attended the meeting were: Randy Bellon, LSU AgCenter Parish Chair; Kori Myers, LSU AgCenter 4-H Agent; Keith Guillory, President Oberlin Chamber of Commerce; Kathy Hayes, 4-H Foundation Board; Gregory Monceaux, Allen Parish School Board Member; Ronnie Sonnier, Allen Rice Growers Association; Janice Brown, Reeves City Council; Wridley Fontenot, Allen Parish Libraries, Lee Manuel, President Allen Parish Cattlemen Association; Gerald Harrington, Clerk of Court, Tonya Ryder, Teacher / 4-H Leader; Doug Hebert, District Attorney; Herbert McGee, Farm Bureau; Jared Manuel, Oakdale Chamber of Commerce; Korey Ryder, Student; and Jessica Falke, Student.

A meal was served. Randy Bellon welcomed the members to the meeting. Lee Manuel gave thanks for the meal. Randy Bellon, Parish Chair, asked members to introduce themselves to the group.

Kori Myers explained that the purpose of the meeting was to address major issues facing the parish. Members were told that they play a critical role in deciding what programs are provided through LCES.

Randy Bellon reviewed the issues that were identified at the 2007 meeting; Technology Safety for Teens, Shooting Sports, and Elderly Programs. Technology safety will be included in the 4-H Club Meeting programs during the 2008-2009 school year. These programs will also include CPR & First Aid, Bulling, Fire Safety, Technology Safety, and Emergency Preparedness. The Shooting Sports program in 4-H was implemented this past year and is doing well. Interest is growing so it should be a bigger program this year.

Then the floor was opened up for discussion on current issues facing our parish. The issues discussed are as follows:

4-H

#1 - Technology Comprehensive Programs

The technology comprehensive program is going on in the schools for eighth graders. The program brings eighth graders to the District Attorney’s Office with a tour of the Parish Court House to bring awareness of different problems including drug abuse. It takes about four hours per class and with each class coming it takes up a lot of time. It’s a very good program to educate youth. 4-H volunteered to assist with this program for coming school year.

#2 – Handbooks

The District Attorney’s Office is developing a handbook addressing problems with our your today and where to go for assistance that will be circulated when they are printed. This will be a good reference book that will include different agencies not just in Allen Parish but surrounding parishes as well.

#3 – Participation

More adults at schools encouraging students to join and participate in 4-H activities. There is a statewide Technology Board and Allen Parish doesn’t have anyone on it. We do have one on the Food & Fitness Board and one on the Fashion Board. Decline in 4-H could change if we could get more parental involvement. There are other people that could help, they just need to step up and use their talent. Maybe put an ad in the paper for helpers for specific activities to reach these volunteers. Principal assigned leaders are not interested enough to get the kids involved in 4-H. Agents informed the group that at that point we try to find a parent that will assist with the group. Four-H’ers are mostly good kids and are not the ones in trouble and maybe they can encourage other kids to join.

#4 – Junior Leaders

A teen action committee or Junior Leader group. A parent advised that this should be one of the things that the officers of each high school club should do. They could be used as recruiters. Possibly go into the elementary and Jr. High schools and encourage participation.

#5 – Club Days

What about schools having a club day like they had years back? School Board Representative said that it could be looked into. It would encourage kids to be in some kind of organization. He will see if club days could be held this school year.

#6 – Educate Educators

Some students and parents don’t realize that if a student is out of school for 4-H activities that you have the ability to request make-up work and schedule make-up test. If you don’t schedule, the teachers will give make-up tests at their convenience. Suggest that we try to educate the educators by meeting with them before school starts to make teachers aware of 4-H program.

FCS

#1 - Elderly

The Council on Aging programs provided for the elderly is working well. They have had a number of gatherings including health fairs with a good turn-out. This is a great way for extension to get involved with our elderly population.

Agriculture

#1 Decline in Producers

Inquiry about the decline role in the agriculture related field. Producers informed the group that we now have 24 farmers in Allen Parish. Families have to make adjustments at home requiring both parents to have an outside income, so Moms are not at home any more.

#2 Ag Awareness

Group suggested that possibly more field trips to area farmers, such as the Christmas Tree Farm or Crawfish Farms.

4-H / Ag / FCS

#1 - Marketing

Current problem is that people don’t realize how many services are available through the LSU AgCenter. We need a way of informing the public of these services. Suggestions – flyers, newspaper, etc. to spread the word.

#2 Teamwork / Communication

Past communication problems within the School Board system has been addressed and is improving. We (school board members) are trying to make a difference and will suggest more of these types of field trips. Team work is needed between students, teachers, and parents. A teacher informed the group that she has seen club meetings pushed aside because the state has specific teaching requirements. As a teacher, we don’t have the time to encourage extra curricular activities.

The working luncheon works best for those in attendance. Randy Bellon thanked the group for their participation and for their suggestions. The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.