Published: March 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Sybil Davis
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Every year when the month of March comes rolling in, I think of my younger days as a member of the 4-H Club. I always associate the shamrock with the month of March and with fond memories of a four-leaf clover that is the 4-H club symbol.

The shamrock is composed of three leaflets, and the original symbol for the 4-H club was the three-leaf clover, with the words head, heart, and hands. Later the symbol was changed to the four-leaf clover when another “h” was added, for “health.” The 4-Hs now stand for head, heart, hands and health.

I remember proudly reciting the pledge at each meeting and conference: “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community and my country.” Years later the pledge gained another word at the very end to include “my world.” I took this pledge very seriously, and to this day I am grateful to all of the 4-H leaders and directors for all of their dedication and hard work.

You may be wondering what all this talk about the 4-H club has to do with etiquette and manners. In my case, it was during those years as a teen and a member of the club that I became fascinated with the right ways and proper order in which to do certain things. Since the 4-H motto was and still is “To Make the Best Better,” I realized I could not be my best without practicing good manners.

The 4-H mission was and still is to empower youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. What a great mission, one that many parents might want to take more seriously in these busy times. While there may not be enough extra time to get involved in a club or organization, there could be more time set aside as a family for discussions about etiquette and manners and practicing good table manners. After all, no one can truly reach their full potential if they exhibit poor manners.

So now you see why the month of March means “manners” to me. When you see a shamrock, I hope that you will remember head, heart, hands, and then add that fourth leaflet to include health. Also, when you have the luck of the Irish and find that pot of gold, I hope you will practice good manners and share it.

If you have the luck of the Irish and find that pot of gold, remember to practice good manners and share it.