The Volunteer Leader of the Year Award recognizes the volunteer leaders who are the biggest champions of the 4-H program! With their support and guidance, 4-H members receive outstanding experiences and skills that help them continue to be responsible, caring, and contributing youth who are positively impacting the world around them.
The winning national volunteer receives a prize package including a $1,000 cash prize and registration for the 2024 Leadership Summit. In addition to the winning national volunteer, one leader from each province is selected as the Provincial Volunteer Leader of the Year and receives a $100 cash prize.
Selection Criteria
Selection of the provincial winners and the National Volunteer Leader of the Year is based on a letter describing the 4-H leader’s service to 4-H and the impact they have had, including club involvement, 4-H involvement, community involvement, length of involvement, leadership, and how much the members have learned and developed as a result of the leader.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER LEADER OF THE YEAR
2023 Recipient
Erin Rossmann of Quesnel, BC has been a staple within Quesnel & District 4-H for over 10 years. As the leader of the Kersley 4-H Club, she is admired for her calming presence and commitment to providing a safe and welcoming club environment for all youth members.
Parents credit Erin with playing an integral role in providing an inclusive environment for neurotypical youth. Arriving at every function with a smile, she is a fierce advocate of ‘Learning To Do By Doing’, and inspires confidence and self-esteem in youth. Erin not only helps members realize their true capabilities by trying new things, but also to build leadership abilities by sharing their skills and knowledge to support other members. Thanks to her proactive guidance, the club has thrived on their motto, “see it, do it, teach it.”
Erin has held a variety of volunteer leadership positions within 4-H and the broader community and has consistently led a team of leaders and volunteers to a smooth and successful 4-H achievement weekend each year. She is also recognized for attracting new members to 4-H through her drive and enthusiasm.
Erin is an inspiration to the youth members, leaders, and parents in her community. She embodies the core values of 4-H through her compassionate approach to helping youth in her club become caring and contributing leaders who effect positive change in the world around them.
4-H Canada is proud to name Erin as the 2023 National Volunteer Leader of the Year for her contributions to the 4-H movement in Canada.
In addition to the 2023 national recipient, 4-H Canada is pleased to announce the following 2023 recipients of the Provincial Volunteer Leader of the Year Award:
- Yvonne Bishop – Zodiac 4-H Club, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Mark & Ilze Firminger – Hopewell 4-H Club, Nova Scotia
- Tania Bernard – Evangeline 4-H Club, Prince Edward Island
- Ashley Storey – Gentle Giants and Friends 4-H Club, New Brunswick
- Kayla McCann – Shawville 4-H Club, Quebec
- Tanya Boyd – Carp Community 4-H Club, Ontario
- Shelley Bjarnarson – Neepawa & Area 4-H Beef Club, Manitoba
- Mike Kirzinger – Next Step 4-H Club / Viscount 4-H Beef Club, Saskatchewan
- Carole Tkach – Coronation 4-H District, Alberta
- Erin Rossmann – Kersley 4-H Club, British Columbia
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