THE HISTORY OF TAE4-HW
For several years, individual Tennesseans participated in the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents on an at-large basis. In 1973, a delegation of six Tennessee at-large members attended the national meeting in Roanoke, VA, to learn more about the organization. Those agents were, Martha Jo Tolley, Joann Huddleston, Glenda Booker, Glenda Jellicorse, Jon Baker and Ben Powell.
A steering committee was put together in 1976 and they called an organizational meeting in Cookeville, TN on July 24, 1976. Thirty-three individuals attended the meeting, approved the first constitution and elected officers to serve through 1977. Officers of the first association were Martha Jo Tolley, president; Gordon Pafford, president-elect; Glenda Booker, vice-president; Joann Huddleston, secretary; E. J. Usery, treasurer. Janie Putnam, John Allen, Mary Jo Lee, Phyliss Boyce, Martha Childress and Gordon Holleman were elected district directors.
The first official Tennessee delegation (28 members) to attend the national conference traveled by bus to Grossinger, New York, in 1976. The first annual meeting was held May 4-6, 1977, in Milan, TN with 75 members in attendance. NAE4-HA president Wayne Schroeder was on hand as a guest speaker. The first complimentary life membership was presented to Dr. William Bishop, retiring dean of the Agricultural Extension Service.
The first objectives of TAE4-HW were stated as being:
- to encourage professional development and improved professionalism among members.
- to provide a medium for the exchange of ideas, methods and techniques as they relate to planning and implementing the Extension 4-H program within Tennessee and to further provide the same opportunities with Extension 4-H workers throughout the nation, through affiliation with NAE4-HA.
- to promote and increase interest in Extension as a career with primary emphasis on 4-H work.
- to promote understanding and cooperation among all Extension workers to strengthen the total Extension program.
Jim Byford developed the first membership brochure in 1978 entitled “TAE4-HW-Aiming for Professionalism.” Quotes from agents were used in the brochure. Some of the quotes were as follows:
“motivation and new ideas are born when positive agents work together as a positive group.”
“Being a member of the national association has made me realize, more fully, many of the good things about the 4-H program in Tennessee.”
Our objectives haven’t changed much over the past 30 years and these quotes probably still ring true today. The opportunities available to members today are endless. Come be a part of our great organization today!
TAE4-HW Promotional Brochure – “TAE4-HW: Your Professional Organization”