SCAE4-HA History
Membership in the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents from South Carolina dates back to 1973. E. Joyce Richardson, State 4-H Staff, was the first to join, with W. C. Clinkscales, State 4-H Staff, joining the following year. In 1975, two County Extension Agents, Laval Oxendine and C. M. Lester, joined and attended the National Meeting that year in Kentucky, along with Clinkscales and Mary Stone from the State 4-H Staff. In 1976, South Carolina membership in NAE4-HA was 45. Many of these members attended the NAE4-HA Annual Conference before the State Association became a reality. Mary Elizabeth Outzs, County Extension Agent, represented the state at the Southern Regional Workshop in Atlanta, GA, February 1977. After several years of discussing the possibility of organizing a State 4-H Agents Association, Dr. Wayne T. O’Dell, Director, granted approval on May 3, 1977. Others attending this same meeting were Mr. T. J. Bryson, President of the County Agents Association, Mrs. Sallie Loveland, President of Extension Home Economist Association, W.C. Clinkscales, State 4-H Staff and Acting State Contact for NAE4-HA, and Mary Elizabeth Outzs, County Extension Agent in Edgefield County.
The same year during the Annual conference for Extension Professionals in Myrtle Beach, an organizational meeting was held on November 29, 1977, with W. C. Clinkscales, Acting State Contact for NAE4-HA, presiding. Dr. Wayne T. O'Dell made positive comments about the 4-H Youth Work in South Carolina and gave full support to organizing the South Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Agents.
J. Roland Flory, President-Elect of NAE4-HA, spoke on the benefits of a state association. He announced that Alabama and South Carolina were the only two southern states not having a state association.
Three pre-appointed committees were announced:
Constitution and Bylaws: Mary Elizabeth Outzs, Chairman
Membership: Bill Ruggles, Chairman
Nominating: Laval Oxendine, Chairman
The first officers nominated and elected were:
President: Mary Elizabeth Outzs
Vice-President: Laval Oxendine
Secretary/Treasurer: Janice Ruggles
Temporary Secretary: Peggy Kernodle.
Mr. Flory installed them.
The following year, 1978, fifty-three professionals joined the association. Interest grew, and plans were made to have an annual meeting. This first conference was held at Camp Long, September 13 - 14, 1979. Since that time, all annual conferences were held at Camp Long until 1987.
Laval Oxendine, County Agent of Florence County, was the first South Carolinian to serve in a leadership role on a National Committee. He was Chairman-Elect in 1982 and Chairman of the Public Relations and Information Committee in 1983. The next year, Mary Elizabeth Outzs served on the Nominating Committee.
Several members have served as NAE4-HA Southern Regional Contacts: E. Joyce Richardson, National Programs Committee, 1978 - 80; Mary Elizabeth Outzs, Policy and Resolutions, 1982 - 84; Janet Ensor, Programs, 1983 - 85; Martha Phillips, Regional Editor of News & Views, 1986 - 88; M. Peggy Culler, Policy and Resolutions, 1987 - 89; and Thad Jones, Professional Improvement, 1988 - 90.
The Association has conducted four campaigns for Southern Regional Director, W. C. Clinkscales in 1978, M. Peggy Culler in 1986, Laval Oxendine in 1987 and Michael McManus in 2005. Laval Oxendine was elected and served as Regional Director, 1988 - 89. Michael McManus was also elected and served, 2006-07.
Dr. Ken Hollerman, Poultry Science Specialist, Clemson, and Mary Elizabeth Outzs were the first to receive the Distinguished Service award. The 25 Years Service Recipient was Georgia T. Roberson, 4-H Specialist, Clemson. These awards were presented at the NAE4-HA Annual Meeting held in Atlanta, GA in 1978.