The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) hosted a Raising the Bar Conference, April 3-5, 2009, in Nashville, Tenn. Twenty-seven junior officers and advisors from six states were provided the tools to build stronger state associations.
There were several workshops prepared and conducted by the NJAA Board of Directors, which included public speaking, parliamentary procedure, securing and retaining membership through the use of a mentoring program, fundraising, team building and goal setting. The interactive workshops allowed for the individuals from various states to exchange ideas and learn from their peers.
Special guest speaker, John Woolfolk with the Tennessee Farm Bureau, spoke to the group about desire. �It is the strong desire to achieve one's goals that most often leads to success,� Woolfolk says.
The attendees also participated in a team building activity at a ropes course, ice breakers, bowling and a Sunday morning devotional.
Raising the Bar is a highly intensive leadership training program designed for officers and advisors to develop stronger leadership teams within junior associations. It also cultivates regional relationships among participants. Raising the Bar is open to five officers and two advisors from each state in that region, and is funded by the Angus Foundation.
This is the third year for Raising the Bar that allows officers and advisors from state junior Angus associations to meet regionally.
The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for nearly 7,000 active members nationwide. For more information about Raising the Bar Conferences or the NJAA, look online at www.njaa.info or call the Association at 816-383-5100.
A list of attendees follows: Hannah Wright, Spring City, Tenn.; Lindsey Turner, Covington, Tenn.; Meredith Mayfield, Pulaski, Tenn.; Sonya Smith, Lebanon, Tenn.; Jordan Jones, Kenton, Tenn.; Paige Tribble, Pocahontas, Ark.; Audrey Taylor, Lavaca, Ark.; Christine Taylor, Lavaca, Ark.; Sarah Connolly, Rogers, Ark.; Susan Taylor, Lavaca, Ark.; Daniel McFarland, Keithville, La.; Regina McFarland, Keithville, La.; Joshua Scott, Loranger, La.; Julius Scott, Loranger, La.; Nikki Bugg, Burgin, Ky.; Megan Cole, Lancaster, Ky.; Caleb Sadler, Carlisle, Ky.; Blake Boyd, Mayslick, Ky.; Colby Myers, Harrodsburg, Ky.; Paula Boyd, Mayslick, Ky.; Toni Myers, Harrodsburg, Ky.; Clay Williams, Bishop, Ga.; Shelby Eidson, Arnoldsville, Ga.; Tanya Eidson, Arnoldsville, Ga.; Josh Rodriguez, Monticello, Fla.; Melissa Miller, Gainesville, Fla.. NJAA Directors: Walt Stinson, Talbott, Tenn.; Lindsay Waugh, Goodhue, Minn.; Ann Blumer, Chesnee, S.C.; and Brandon Creamer, Montrose, Colo.
