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| ARF- 3626 |
Consent Agenda Item 3. A.
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| Regular BOS Meeting |
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| Information |
| Request/Subject |
| Fee waiver request for all 4-H/FFA activities to be held at the Gila County Fairgrounds in 2016. Event dates range between March and September of 2016 for various activities; proposed dates are listed in the body of the Fee Waiver Application. All dates will be scheduled to ensure that there are no conflicts with other events. |
| Background Information |
The University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension 4-H Program provides an educational experience that prepares Gila County youth to be better citizens in the future, all at no charge to the members. 4-H is a world wide organization that provides out-of-school learning, leadership experiences, and adult mentoring that help young people achieve success. There was a research study done by Tufts University, Medford, MA over 8 years that defined and measured positive youth development. Compared to their peers, the findings show that youth involved in 4-H programs excel in several areas: Nearly 4x more likely to make contributions to their communities, about 2x more likely to be civically active, nearly 2x more likely to participate in science programs during out-of-school times, girls are 2x to 3x (depending on the grade level) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities, and nearly 2x more likely to make healthier choices.
The National FFA Organization through the Globe FFA program promotes premier leadership, personal growth, and career success for its members. It is an educational program that prepares it's members for successful careers, and a lifetime of informed choices in the food and natural resource systems by participating in many community events. They participate in many events with the 4-H club and would be using the Fairgrounds Facilities individually and in tandem with 4-H. |
| Evaluation |
No membership fees are paid by the 4-H members to the University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension 4-H Program. There is; therefore, no funding available to pay facility rental fees. It is impossible to put a monetary value on what 4-H gives back to the community. 4-H programs are designed to shape future leaders and innovators. Past alumni include Mayors, Governors, Members of the US House of Representatives, US Senators, Vice President Al Gore, First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy-Onassis, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, astronauts, heads of business, and many other well known individuals that have given back to their communities what they received from their 4-H experience.
The Globe FFA members participate in many community events and the education and support that the members receive from FFA and the resulting impact on the members and their community is immeasurable. |
| Conclusion |
The 4-H Program is a non-profit organization that greatly benefits the Gila County area at no charge to its members. 4-H inspires young people to work collaboratively, take the lead on their own projects and set and achieve goals with confidence. Risk behavior is greatly reduced in 4-H members which, in turn, saves the County money. The benefit to the community from 4-H having a safe environment to conduct their events is greater than the fees that may have been garnered by charging the organization rental fees.
The Globe FFA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that receives limited funding. The program greatly benefits the Gila County area by preparing its members for successful careers, becoming premier leaders, and educating them regarding making informed choices in the food and natural resource systems that would beneficially impact the Gila County community. |
| Recommendation |
| It would be very beneficial to the 4-H/Globe FFA Programs if the Board of Supervisors would consider waiving all fees for the use of the County Fairgrounds facilities for 4-H/FFA events to be held in 2016. A list of the requested dates for 4-H/Globe FFA Program events to be held at the Fairgrounds facilities is included in the Fee Waiver Application. |
| Suggested Motion |
| Approval of a request submitted by the University of Arizona Gila County Cooperative Extension 4-H Program and the Globe FFA Program to waive fees for the use of the Gila County Fairgrounds facilities for their 2016 activities. |
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