Illinois 4-H Launches 4-H Alumni Identification Campaign

By Editor | June 14, 2023 |

By Tina Veal
4-H Alumni & Constituent Engagement Manager, State 4-H Office, [email protected]

Illinois 4-H is calling all 4-H alumni to raise their hands if they are “4-H Grown”! If you were a member of the Illinois 4-H program, you are one of 25 million Americans who share a unique bond.
As part of the “Are You Illinois 4-H Grown?” campaign, from June 1 to August 31, 4-H alumni not yet registered for the alumni association are encouraged to register for a free Illinois 4-H Alumni Association membership. “We want to continue to build lifelong connections and identify 4-H alumni near and far. We do not have a list of past 4-H members of the Illinois 4-H program, so 4-H alumni will need to self-identify whether they were a member for one year or more than 10 years. We hope to find 5000+ new 4-H alumni during this campaign.”, said Tina Veal, 4-H Constituent and Engagement Manager. “4-H alumni know the positive impact made on youth and we hope they will help us continue to create a lifelong connection to support the next generation of leaders.”
Show your support for your local 4-H program! 4-H Alumni must not be currently registered as a member of the association. If you raise your hand and register, your vote will help your county! First Place will receive $300, Second Place will receive $200, and Third Place will receive $100 towards local program support. Individuals registered will be entered into a drawing to receive one of four prizes of $50 in credit towards Illinois 4-H alumni apparel.
We hope you will reconnect with Illinois 4-H and register as 4-H alumni at go.illinois.edu/4halum. As an Illinois 4-H Alumni Association member, you will be kept current on the Illinois 4-H program, learn about 4-H alumni opportunities to engage, and receive a quarterly newsletter. “We have thousands of 4-H alumni that have participated in the 4-H program, and we want to connect with them, share about the current goals of the Illinois 4-H program and hear how 4-H impacted their lives.”, said Veal.
The Illinois 4-H Alumni Association seeks to create a lifelong connection with our 4-H alums through free membership in the Illinois 4-H Alumni Association. The Illinois 4-H Alumni Association was established in 2016 and sought members to build a network of 4-H alums throughout Illinois and beyond.
The mission of the Illinois 4-H Alumni Association is to create a lifelong, statewide community of 4-H alumni and provide increased opportunities for meaningful engagement to increase awareness, pride, participation, volunteerism, and philanthropic commitment to Illinois 4-H.
For information on joining 4-H or the Illinois 4-H Alumni Association, contact your local Extension office or Tina Veal, 4-H Alumni & Engagement Manager, at the Illinois State 4-H office at [email protected].
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
About Extension
Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities. Illinois Extension is part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences.