Margaret Scott is retiring after close to 30 years with 4-H.
Eric Bowling
The Northeastern 4-H district is saying a fond farewell to one of its key leaders.
After nearly 30 years with the Bonnyville 4-H District, Margaret Scott is hanging up her boots. Scott was thanked and honoured for her service at the 4-H Show and Sale at Western Pride Auction House on May 31.
“We need more volunteers like Margaret,” said Ardmore Beef Club Leader Lori Davediuk. “She is an asset to 4-H and she helps continue the legacy of 4-H in our community.”
Margaret was involved in just about every aspect of 4-H at one point or another. One area she was particularly involved in was 4-H’s public speaking program, which she fondly remembers.
“There was a first-year 4-H member who was absolutely petrified to go up and give her public speech. She had to have her mother sitting right up there beside her,” recalled Scott. “As she got older, by the time she finished 4-H and graduated from high school she was a terrific public speaker.”
Scott added that it was very tough to leave an organization she had put so much time and effort into – to her 4-H was like having another family.
“It’s like watching your own children. You just see them change and mature and gather more knowledge,” explained Scott. “You see the benefits they’re getting from the program.”
Despite never officially being a member of 4-H herself, the grandmother first started working with 4-H in 1979 when her daughter joined the Beaver 4-H club. Even after her children moved on from the 4-H she has held a long list of roles in the 4-H, starting from becoming an assistant leader in 1989 and taking the mantle of Bonnyville 4-H Key Leader in 2003.
“It would be impossible to accurately guess how many people Margaret has influenced with her kind, positive comments and gentle guidance through the 4-H program,” noted Bonnyville Beef Club Leader Elma Herde. “Her endless enthusiasm for 4-H has helped our area flourish over the year.”
She also has served as the representative for the Northeast 4-H region since the year 2000. She worked as secretary-treasurer for the organization, and has operated as a liaison between 4-H and the provincial government. She was also instrumental in organizing several horse camps and shows.
“She has been a dedicated volunteer,” Evelyn Bourbeau Ardmore 4-H school. “For Margaret, the members were always the most important factor in 4-H.”
Scott was also the primary force behind the 4-H’s hosting of the Cenovus Barbecue at the Bonnyville Pro Rodeo and Chuckwagon Races.
“No job was ever too small or two large for Margaret,” praised Bourbeau. “I think I can safely say her philosophy is ‘Let’s just get it done.’”
For her part, Scott says that the organization is such a vital component of the community that volunteering for it was the right thing to do.
“It’s just a terrific program for the kids,” commented Scott. “It’s just a real good group to work with. Every year there’s just more and more that’s being offered for the members.”
Another of Scott’s finest memories in 4-H was her involvement in a 10-day exchange program with 4-H clubs in Ontario in 2006. She served as a fundraiser, supervisor and hostess for the delegation of young farmers.
“The leader of that group billeted with me and we formed a good friendship,” reminisced Scott. “We’re still in touch today.”
With so many roles being vacated, members of 4-H will be quite happy to know she will remain available to help guide her successors through any briar patches they may encounter.
“She is a wealth of 4-H knowledge and is always available to answer questions,” praised Bourbeau. “If she doesn’t have them, she certainly knows where to find them. If you’ve ever wondered how new leaders are so knowledgeable, thank Margaret Scott.”
Officially, Scott retires on September 30, though the local 4-H is pretty much done for the year. Scott said she is planning to spend more time with her husband Lenard and her grandchildren.
“I’m lucky they’re just five miles down the road,” joked Scott.
After nearly 30 years with the Bonnyville 4-H District, Margaret Scott is hanging up her boots. Scott was thanked and honoured for her service at the 4-H Show and Sale at Western Pride Auction House on May 31.
“We need more volunteers like Margaret,” said Ardmore Beef Club Leader Lori Davediuk. “She is an asset to 4-H and she helps continue the legacy of 4-H in our community.”
Margaret was involved in just about every aspect of 4-H at one point or another. One area she was particularly involved in was 4-H’s public speaking program, which she fondly remembers.
“There was a first-year 4-H member who was absolutely petrified to go up and give her public speech. She had to have her mother sitting right up there beside her,” recalled Scott. “As she got older, by the time she finished 4-H and graduated from high school she was a terrific public speaker.”
Scott added that it was very tough to leave an organization she had put so much time and effort into – to her 4-H was like having another family.
“It’s like watching your own children. You just see them change and mature and gather more knowledge,” explained Scott. “You see the benefits they’re getting from the program.”
Despite never officially being a member of 4-H herself, the grandmother first started working with 4-H in 1979 when her daughter joined the Beaver 4-H club. Even after her children moved on from the 4-H she has held a long list of roles in the 4-H, starting from becoming an assistant leader in 1989 and taking the mantle of Bonnyville 4-H Key Leader in 2003.
“It would be impossible to accurately guess how many people Margaret has influenced with her kind, positive comments and gentle guidance through the 4-H program,” noted Bonnyville Beef Club Leader Elma Herde. “Her endless enthusiasm for 4-H has helped our area flourish over the year.”
She also has served as the representative for the Northeast 4-H region since the year 2000. She worked as secretary-treasurer for the organization, and has operated as a liaison between 4-H and the provincial government. She was also instrumental in organizing several horse camps and shows.
“She has been a dedicated volunteer,” Evelyn Bourbeau Ardmore 4-H school. “For Margaret, the members were always the most important factor in 4-H.”
Scott was also the primary force behind the 4-H’s hosting of the Cenovus Barbecue at the Bonnyville Pro Rodeo and Chuckwagon Races.
“No job was ever too small or two large for Margaret,” praised Bourbeau. “I think I can safely say her philosophy is ‘Let’s just get it done.’”
For her part, Scott says that the organization is such a vital component of the community that volunteering for it was the right thing to do.
“It’s just a terrific program for the kids,” commented Scott. “It’s just a real good group to work with. Every year there’s just more and more that’s being offered for the members.”
Another of Scott’s finest memories in 4-H was her involvement in a 10-day exchange program with 4-H clubs in Ontario in 2006. She served as a fundraiser, supervisor and hostess for the delegation of young farmers.
“The leader of that group billeted with me and we formed a good friendship,” reminisced Scott. “We’re still in touch today.”
With so many roles being vacated, members of 4-H will be quite happy to know she will remain available to help guide her successors through any briar patches they may encounter.
“She is a wealth of 4-H knowledge and is always available to answer questions,” praised Bourbeau. “If she doesn’t have them, she certainly knows where to find them. If you’ve ever wondered how new leaders are so knowledgeable, thank Margaret Scott.”
Officially, Scott retires on September 30, though the local 4-H is pretty much done for the year. Scott said she is planning to spend more time with her husband Lenard and her grandchildren.
“I’m lucky they’re just five miles down the road,” joked Scott.
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