4-H Leaders Ousted over COVID Rules
Published: Friday, April 16, 2021
Two longtime Elkhart County 4-H adult leaders have been removed from their positions for violating Purdue University Extension's COVID-19 policy, prompting a strong reaction from parents and the 4-H community.
Last month, Tim Clark of Goshen and Dawn Birr of Nappanee, were relieved of their duties as leaders of the 4-H goat club and offered lesser roles within the club. They both met with county Extension director Robert Kelly, who informed them that they had violated Purdue's "Adult Behavioral Expectations." Some of the violations involve holding in-person 4-H leader meetings, not wearing face coverings during a Facebook Live club event, not following social distancing protocols during that online meeting, and not following the Purdue safety plan for a January 2021 meeting.
Three other allegations were over Clark and Birr's failure to submit paperwork, such as meeting minutes and other communications, to the Extension office.
Birr, who has been a 4-H leader for 33 years, including the last nine years as organizational leader of the goat club, was also told that she violated Purdue's policy regarding the use of social media.
In separate interviews with the Exchange, both Clark and Birr acknowledge that they hosted in-person meetings at their farms last May and failed to comply with Purdue's COVID-19 policy on other occasions. However, they say the decision by Kelly to demote them was unwarranted, considering their long tenure as organizational leaders.
Clark has served as co-leader of the goat club for over seven years. He and his wife own one of the largest dairy goat farms in northern Indiana.
"It all starts with COVID," Clark said. "We did break a couple COVID rules set by Purdue. We've never denied that."
However, Clark said Kelly "stretched those violations" to make them appear more egregious. He and Birr also questioned the timing of the leadership change. Some of the violations occurred almost a year ago, well before the 2020 4-H project showcase.
Clark said the Elkhart County Extension director appears determined to replace both he and Birr as 4-H club leaders and gain total control over the goat club.
During a meeting on March 16, Clark said Kelly offered to reassign him as a "project volunteer," but under the terms of that letter, he would have to cooperate with the transition as new leaders are installed.
Birr said she asked Kelly to let her and Clark finish the current 4-H year in their roles as organizational leaders, but she said Kelly dismissed that idea.
Both Clark and Birr were given a deadline of March 29 to sign a letter agreeing to the terms of their new, lesser roles. The letter also warned that any further violations of Purdue policy could result in a reconsideration of their status as approved 4-H volunteers.
Clark and Birr both declined to sign the letter.
According to the former 4-H leaders, Kelly hand-picked two other individuals to lead the goat club. However, they refused to accept Kelly's offer to lead the club.
When asked to comment on the conflict within the Elkhart County 4-H goat club, Kelly provided a statement from the Indiana 4-H office, located at Purdue.
"Purdue Extension does not comment on individual staff issues," the Purdue statement reads. "Purdue Extension 4-H youth development relies on staff in all 92 Indiana counties. This includes paid staff such as 4-H educators, and unpaid staff such as 4-H volunteers. Purdue Extension county educators collaborate with their area director and state program leader to resolve concerns. Purdue Extension volunteers work first with the county educator to resolve concerns."
Kelly began his career with Elkhart County Extension in 2012, starting as a 4-H youth educator and also working in agriculture/natural resources. In 2019, he was promoted to county Extension director. He continues to serve in that role, along with his other responsibilities in 4-H and agriculture. As a 4-H educator, he oversees the animal science/livestock side of the 4-H program.
In 2018, Kelly received the "Achievement in Service Award" from the National Assn. of Extension 4-H Agents. The award is presented to 4-H professionals with less than seven years of experience.
On March 30, the conflict within the goat club rose to a higher level. Kelly met with all of the leaders and members of the club's advisory board. At that meeting, some people displayed signs urging Kelly to reinstate Clark and Birr. Clark said some of the leaders were expecting to have some say on the matter, but Kelly reportedly told the group that the final decision was his. After explaining the path forward, Kelly announced a five-minute break. When he returned to the room, only one of the leaders, Birr's husband, Greg, remained. The rest of the group had left.
Greg Birr serves as the goat club's representative on the Elkhart County 4-H Fair board. He and Kelly chatted for a few minutes and then parted ways, apparently with no compromise being reached.
The group's decision en masse to leave the Kelly-led meeting raises questions about the future of the 4-H goat club. First, with many 4-H'ers now in the process of acquiring their animals, will there be any adult leaders providing education regarding the husbandry aspects of the project? Second, how will the change in leadership affect plans for the 2021 Elkhart County 4-H Fair and beyond?
"There's a lot at stake here for the kids," Clark said.
Both Clark and Dawn Birr say Kelly is not acting in the best interests of Elkhart County 4-H'ers.
With 190 members, the 4-H goat organization is one of the fastest growing livestock clubs in Elkhart County. During the seven and a half years that Clark and Birr were in charge, enrollment doubled.
Despite the COVID-19 violations, some supporters believe that Clark and Birr have provided good leadership over the years.
Jennifer Diamond, a 4-H goat club parent from Goshen, initiated a petition drive seeking to reinstate Clark and Birr to their leadership positions. She started the petition "to show Purdue that we have a good group of people who love Tim and Dawn," she said.
As of Tuesday, over 370 people had signed the petition. Diamond said the majority of those signing their names were parents and grandparents of 4-H goat club members. But she said that anyone can sign it.
As Purdue's statement indicates, 4-H volunteers are encouraged to resolve their concerns first with county Extension educators. Diamond said many parents have tried that, but she feels as though Kelly isn't willing to compromise (see Letter to Editor on page 5).
In addition to the petition drive, the conflict has generated considerable discussion on social media.
Meanwhile, the goat club's monthly meeting for April has been cancelled.
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