YOUTH ENCOURAGEMENT PROGRAM (YEP)

Members of the HCAT&EC Board of Directors (BOD) have noted that most members of the Club are as old or older than their antique iron, and they have decided to do something to recruit more youthful members.  In an effort to accomplish this, the BOD has approved the Youth Encouragement Program (YEP).

Purpose

To encourage and assist young people who are interested in the history and restoration of farm equipment to pursue their interest and projects.

Components

1. Complimentary Club membership to students involved in high school FHA, 4-H, or similar agriculture mechanics programs.
2. Featured display location for project tractors/equipment at HCAT&EC's annual show.
3. List of club members who are willing to provide technical assistance and knowledge upon request.

Guidelines

• To be eligible for complimentary membership, the youth must be a member of an organized agriculture mechanics program sponsored by a school or recognized youth organization.  The program adult sponsor must sign and validate the membership application.,
• Although parents and other family members will be encouraged to join the Club, only the youth whose application has been validated will be eligible for complimentary membership.  Membership eligibility must be renewed annually.
• The Club Show Chairperson and/or Tractor Master will determine where and how the featured location for YEP tractors will be located and set up at the annual show.
• The Club will compile a list of members who are willing to serve as technical experts/mentors to YEP members.  It will be published in the newsletter as well as being given to the YEP member when he/she joins.

• The Hill Country Antique Tractor & Engine Club assumes no responsibility for the technical assistance provided by members.  Further, other than standard liability involved with annual show activities, the Club assumes no liability for incidents that may occur in conjunction with the YEP.
• Club members can contribute to the success of the YEP in several ways:

1. Sign up to be a mentor or technical expert.  Expertise may be for a particular make of tractor or engine, a specific mechanical part or process, etc.  The most important qualification for helping is the desire to share knowledge with a young person.
2. Encourage eligible young people to become Club members.
3. Pass on information about the HCAT&EC YEP to agriculture mechanics teachers, adult leaders, and sponsores.  A membership application is available at Application Form (Word) or Application Form (PDF). The PDF  form requires a special  reader; this can be downloaded free from Adobe Reader.

For more information about the Youth Encourgagement Program, or if you are willing to be on the mentor/technical expert list, please contact Regina Weidenfeller at 830-990-8551 or reginaw@fisd.org or Owen Meredith at  830-669-2679 or joowen@ctesc.net.  Also, feel free to pass on ideas or suggestions for improving the youth program.  Thank you.

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