Chair of Worksop YFC Nela Jasicka has been involved in her club for five years and is now helping to lead 13 members, which is mostly made up of juniors.
Being an officer can be challenging but I wanted to help and encourage our junior members to get involved in all the opportunities YFC has to offer. Being part of a club is a fantastic way to meet new people, learn new skills and get out of your comfort zone!
As we are a small club with lots of juniors, our officer roles are shared between just a few members. I currently try my best to lead the club, plan our programme, manage social media, communicate with parents, help plan events, stay involved with county updates and make sure members know about the opportunities available to them.
Having a full-time job and enjoying a social life while also having club duties can be hard to balance, I don't think I ever fully switch off! This is definitely something I need to master. I currently try to complete YFC tasks as they come in or plan ahead so that I don't overload myself alongside day-to-day life.
Definitely confidence and organisational skills. There is always something to stay on top of throughout the year, so planning ahead is key.
Every September, we host a new members night to start the year off. This is a great way to welcome new faces through icebreaker games and different activities, helping them get to know our current members. We also stay active on social media and within our local community through charity events and volunteering. This has helped us spread the word about our club and attract interest from new members for the upcoming year.
We plan our programme a few months at a time and try to include various meetings from dealerships and farm tours to talks and social evenings to cater for all ages. We also encourage members to suggest new ideas so that we are always trying something different. Our favourite meetings are definitely the farm tours or a visit we had at the British sugar factory.
Time can definitely be a challenge, but having the right people around you makes a huge difference. I have also found it hard to encourage members to engage in competitions and events throughout the year, which is a challenge I am yet to overcome.
Teamwork! Don't take on too much, as it can demotivate you. Make YFC as fun and enjoyable as you can. Also, make sure important dates are in your diary and plan ahead, it's much easier than letting everything pile up at the last minute.
If you would like to be featured in NFYFC's club officer check in, email media@nfyfc.org.uk. Find more information and guidance for club officers in the YFC Handbook.
