4-H Congress is a statewide event where 4-H’ers from across North Carolina gather in Raleigh for an exciting four days of of competitions, leadership experiences, community service, and personal development. Honor Club has a long history of being involved in several aspects of 4-H Congress, and each year, members come together to help make the event a success. Want to find out how you can get involved at Congress in the future? Keep reading!
State Presentation Finals
4-H members that placed first or second in their presentation category at their District Activity Day may go on to compete in the State Presentation Finals, which take place on the Saturday of 4-H Congress. Honor Club members age 21 and older have the chance to serve as presentation judges! This volunteer role is a great opportunity for 4-H alumni who enjoy listening to young people share about their projects and offering positive, constructive feedback on their presentation skills. To indicate your interest in judging, contact Dr. Shannon McCollum at shannon_mccollum@ncsu.edu.
Honor Club Member Meeting
On the first night of Congress before the Opening Assembly, current Honor Club members meet at the NCSU McKimmon Center in Raleigh to discuss old and new business, as well as prepare for the Tapping Ceremony. This is a great opportunity for members to connect with one another and stay up to date on the latest Honor Club happenings. A few items that are discussed each year include dates for Honor Club Conference, introduction of the new Honor Club board, and voting on updates to the Constitution and By-Laws.
Tapping Ceremony
New inductees are tapped into Honor Club at North Carolina 4-H Congress 2016.
During the Opening Assembly, new members that were voted on at Honor Club Conference are formally inducted in at the annual Tapping Ceremony. The ceremony is very special to both new and previous inductees, as being inducted into Honor Club is often said to be one of the highest forms of recognition a 4-H’er can achieve. During the ceremony, new inductees are recognized for their accomplishments and given a purple sash to wear during the week at 4-H Congress, while delegates in attendance have the opportunity to watch a video during the ceremony created by Honor Club members to share what being a member is all about: Service.
Friends and family are always invited to attend this exciting occasion, and any friends or family members who are in Honor Club can participate by tapping in their 4-H’ers. It’s an opportunity to pass on a legacy!
Rebecca Parker Murray Honor Club Reception
Rebecca Parker Murray Honor Club Reception
To celebrate the achievements of new inductees each year, Honor Club sponsors a beautiful reception where new members are welcomed and old members can catch up with one another. For over 25 years, Rebecca Parker Murray prepared the food and led the effort to facilitate the reception, and during her last Congress, Lou Woodard, Johnston County 4-H Agent, and Sharon Runion Rowland, Retired 4-H Development Fund Director, agreed to provide leadership for the reception, which is still held in her honor of her service. Friends and family are invited to attend the event with their 4-H’ers to celebrate their induction into Honor Club and enjoy refreshments.
Honor Club looks for volunteers every year to help prepare, facilitate, and clean up after the reception. It’s a fun way to reconnect with members and give back to Honor Club! To sign up as a volunteer for the reception, contact Sharon Runion Rowland at sharonrrowland@gmail.com.
State 4-H Officer Elections
Newly-tapped Honor Club members lend a helping hand with State Officer Elections.
Each year at 4-H Congress, four outstanding 4-H’ers are elected by their peers to serve North Carolina 4-H as the State 4-H Council Officer Team. On Monday evening of Congress, votes are collected from each of the counties, whose members are allowed a certain number of electoral votes to cast for the candidate of their choice.
New Honor Club members are asked to help in the election room where votes are tallied from each of the counties, and past Honor Club members are welcome to help alongside them. Having an abundance of volunteers is a good thing, as it allows members to take “shifts” so they can enjoy the final Congress dance! It’s an exciting time and a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes of State Officer elections!
Candlelight Clover
Volunteers prepare to mark out the giant chalk clover in Dorton Arena.
On Monday afternoon, Honor Club members and individuals on the State 4-H Staff come together in Dorton Arena to mark out a giant four-leaf clover in preparation for the annual Candlelight Clover Ceremony, which is sponsored by Honor Club each year. The clover is outlined in chalk using a detailed diagram of the Dorton Area floor, and we encourage Honor Club members to volunteer and assist with this unique process.
Then, in a tradition that has been carried on for generations, Monday evening of 4-H Congress concludes with the youth delegation and volunteers bearing candles as they line up along the outline of the massive clover, as well as along the H’s centered in each of the four leaves. After District and State 4-H Officers have been officially inducted into their new leadership roles, 4-H’ers have their candles lit by Honor Club members, who form the stem of the clover, and sing “Follow the Gleam,” the traditional song of Honor Club. It’s a beautiful sight that all Honor Club members are invited to attend and participate in each year.
If you are interested in helping with Honor Club events at NC 4-H Congress 2022, we encourage you to contact us!
The Annual Candlelight Clover Ceremony at NC 4-H Congress