After a friend encouraged Jade Luxton to join Stratton YFC in 2021, she hasn’t looked back and is now leading its 35 members from the front as the Club Chair.
As a club we have an age range of members ranging from 14 to 26 years.
We meet every Wednesday as a whole club and enjoy a range of activities/events such as; local business tours, team building activities, stockjudging and many more fun meetings, with club business meetings once a month.
What we have also found that works quite well for our club is to have separate meetings within the week to work on things such as The Royal Cornwall Show YFC cubicle, club carnival float and cabaret practice to name a few. This helps with member engagement and gives the members an option on what they would like to do.
It can be challenging sometimes, especially as a teacher. However, I rely on to do lists to keep myself organised and to help manage my time effectively, which helps prevent things from becoming overwhelming or forgotten.
I aim to do one thing for myself each week that does not include something YFC based. And I try to spread the load a little by using my committee members, who are always keen to help and support in any way possible. I’m honoured to be Stratton YFC’s Chair and being able to help the club progress and grow amongst the farming and non-farming community has been such an achievement that I’m so proud of.
My confidence has developed through this role by talking to a wide range of people within different age brackets and also through club business meetings and fundraisers.
As a club we are very fortunate to be so active within the local community, through town carnivals, local agricultural shows, and supporting local charities, we have new members joining every year. We also host a new members' evening during October each year with fun team games to mix old and new members.
One challenge I have faced so far as club Chairman is the age gap between our junior and senior members and the different opportunities available for them within Young Farmers. That’s why we’ve tried to create an environment in the club where everyone is one team, and that everyone is welcome to have a go and try something different that YFC can offer.
We aim to plan our Wednesdays a month in advance to ensure we have an exciting variety of activities lined up. The club Programme Secretaries work really hard to ensure we have a range of events that are local to Stratton and take on board ideas from club members.
My favourite club charity event to date has to be Stratton’s Christmas tractor run where we had a great turn out of decorated tractors and loads of support from the local villages we went through.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, becoming club chair is not a small role, but use your committee, advisory, county organisers and your family because they are there to help you.
If you would like to be featured in our club officer check in, email media@nfyfc.org.uk. Find more information and guidance for club officers in the YFC Handbook.
