Focus on Youth
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News for OCES staff working with youth 4-H
is a community of young people across America learning
leadership,
citizenship and life skills.
http://agweb.okstate.edu/fourh
May, 2005
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Dear
Extension Educators, 4-H Youth Development:
If you had 4-H youth attend
4-H Day at the Capitol on April 19th, please
commend them for the excellent way they represented
4-H and the Cooperative Extension Service. There
were nearly 70 youth in attendance and more than 70
legislators who came to have lunch with them. It
was obvious the youth made their legislative
contacts before arriving at the Capitol and wasted
no time letting their legislators know they were
there.
At the Capitol two former 4-H
members, Ryan McMullen and Rachel Hubbard, spoke to
the participants about their 4-H experiences and
how these experiences prepared them for their
current positions in the public policy arena. Ryan
is a first time state representative, and Rachel is
the KOSU Capitol correspondent.
Please check to see that the
4-H Day at the Capitol participants follow up with
a thank you to their legislators and another
reminder of the importance of their supporting the
research/Extension Second Century Initiative.
We look forward to seeing many
of you on campus in a couple of weeks for 4-H
Roundup.
Sincerely,
Lynda Harriman
Assistant Director
4-H Youth Development
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This was recently listed in the
“CloverCorner News.” It is an excellent opportunity
for some of your more “techie” 4-H members. Please
share it with them.
Citizens for Global Solutions is holding a
contest for Flash enthusiasts, internet gamers and anyone else
interested in creating fun website games about international
issues. We’re looking for simple games that can be played
on-line with plugins such as Flash or Shockwave.
Any game put up on the Website will automatically receive a $300 cash
prize. They will choose up to eight games for the site. Games
should be amusing, creative, or humorous enough to make an
impact!
Prizes: All entrants who submit a game
chosen for final selection will automatically win $300. Up to
eight games will be chosen for this year’s Summer Games
Contest. The panel of judges include Global Solutions
activists, staff, and members.
Deadline: June 15, 2005
There are some other submission guidelines
and a few rules on the Website: http:
//www.globalsolutions.org/games
Deadline: July 1, 2005
The Presidential Freedom Scholarships are
designed to promote student service and civic engagement.
Students from every high school in the US are eligible to
receive a $1,000 scholarship through the program in honor of
their outstanding service to the community. The annual college
scholarship program, which will award up to 7,800 scholarships,
is administered by the Corporation for National and Community
Service’s Learn and Serve America (http:
//www.learnandserve.org/)
program. Since 1997, over 37,000 students from every state in
the nation, the District of Columbia, US territories, and
Department of Defense overseas schools have been recognized.
Nominations are open to high school
juniors or seniors during the 2004-05 academic year. The
scholarship program provides $500 of the award, which must be
matched with at least $500 from a community organization, civic
group, or business.
Students who complete at least 100 hours
of community service, either through a school-based
service-learning program or independently, through service at a
nonprofit or faith-based organization, are eligible to receive
the scholarship. The final postmark deadline is July 1, 2005.
Complete program information and
certification forms are available at the Corporation for
National and Community Service Web site. RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/1247/freedom
Free educational information for model
rocket clubs are available at http:
//www.modelrockets.us. The site
provides links to technical publications for educators and
periodical articles on model rocketry. Pass
the word!
American Honda Motor Company, Inc., and
the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America are providing
funding for these grants to create or enhance youth-lead
local/state ATV safety projects
Grants of $7,500 each.
Application deadline is June 3, 2005, and
projects must support achievement of these program goals:
• to educate and inform pre-teen,
teen, and adult ATV riders about safe riding techniques and
practices;
• to help pre-teens and teens
increase their critical thinking and life skills as well as
enhance their abilities to assess risk and solve problems
regarding the use of ATVs by youth under the age of 16 years;
• to educate parents and other
caregivers to protect young riders through supervision and
monitoring; and
• to help communities address issues
related to safe use of ATVs.
The RFP and information on the
Leader’s Guide, other educational materials and the
Essential Elements of 4-H can be found at http//www.atv-youth.org. Completed applications are due Friday, June 3, 2005.
If you have questions, email Sheila
Chaconas at
schaconas@fourhcouncil.edu.
Nicollet County, University of Minnesota
Extension Service, is interested in doing an exchange trip with
an Oklahoma county in 2006. Nicollet County is located 70
minutes south of the Twin Cities. Most of their 4-H members
live on farms or in rural communities. Their members are active
in a variety of 4-H projects, with a heavy concentration of
livestock members.
During your visit to their county, they
would like to offer family time as well as a good taste of the
county and state. Possible places they would take guests
include the Mall of America, a Twins Game or Cabellas. If you
are interested, please contact Kathleen
Herberg at
herbe061@umn.edu or (507) 934.0360.
Looking for a way to rejuvenate your
enthusiasm as a volunteer or county educator? Rock Eagle is the
place! The best way to describe the experience is “4-H
camp for adults.” The days are packed with excellent
workshops, and the evenings are filled with entertainment and
Fun Shops.
The conference will be held in Eatonton
Georgia, October 6-9, 2005. Full conference registration will
not exceed $240. A $50 deposit is due August 5, 2005. The
remaining balance is due September 1, 2005. Visit the
host state conference site at http:
//www.4hsrlf.org for current
information regarding the conference. Oklahoma’s
registration information will be posted at http://agweb.okstate.edu/fourh/volun02/Eduopp.htm by June 6th. Participants are responsible
for their own transportation. Oklahoma typically travels as a
group via air transportation.
The mission of the Southern Region
Volunteer Leader Forum is to increase the capacity of volunteer
and salaried staff to contribute to the achievement of the
mission of 4-H Youth Development and the Cooperative Extension
system as a whole. The primary purpose of the forum is to
educate and prepare participants to share what they learned
back home. Participants benefit from the experiential learning
activities which require them to discuss, use and apply what
they learn. The ultimate application is for individuals and
teams to teach others.
SRVLF is an excellent opportunity to meet
adult volunteers from 13 southern states, Puerto Rico, Grenada,
and the Virgin Islands.
Conference program and enrollment form are
now posted at http://agweb.okstate.edu/fourh/volun02/Eduopp.htm.
The enrollment fee of $30, and enrollment
forms are due on or before July 1. The fee includes the awards
luncheon, breaks, facility fees and materials. Any enrollment
fees and forms not postmarked by July 1 must include a $10 late
fee. Charter Club leaders will be receiving a copy of the
conference schedule and an enrollment form by mail.
The State 4-H Volunteer Board invites
parents, volunteers and Extension educators to come and sample
the palette of food 4-H offers. The Leadership Development
Conference format has a fresh look and a variety of tasty
treats for participants to draw from while gaining new ideas
from one another.
Please bring or organize a county
delegation to join us on July 23rd at the State 4-H Leadership
Development Conference in Stillwater. We promise to feed and
nurture the 4-H soul.
Sandy Major, State 4-H Volunteer Board
President
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's
The Nature of Learning Grant Program seeks to use National
Wildlife Refuges as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater
understanding of local conservation issues and utilize field
experiences and student-led stewardship projects to connect
classroom lessons to real world issues, as well as build
partnership among local schools, community groups, natural
resource professionals and local businesses. Maximum Award:
$1,000-$5,000. Eligibility: Schools or nonprofit organizations.
Deadline: June 15, 2005
Every day, millions of Americans
volunteer, using their time, talents, and compassion to make a
difference in the lives of others. By mentoring a child, caring
for an elderly neighbor, teaching someone to read, or bringing
food and clothes to those who need them, Americans are helping
to foster a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility
for generations to come. It is through these acts of kindness
and decency that we are able to demonstrate the true character
and compassion of our country.
Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a
standard for service to others. It encourages a sustained
commitment to civic participation and inspires others to make
volunteering a central part of their lives. The
President’s Volunteer Service Award is a Presidential
recognition program for Americans of all ages, who contribute a
significant amount of time to volunteer service. The program
recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved
a certain standard – measured by the number of hours
served over a 12-month period.
Given their ongoing service activity, many
individuals, families, and groups may have already met the
requirements to earn the President’s Volunteer Service
Award.
Kids, Young Adults, Adults and Families
& Groups who volunteer their services are eligible for
recognition. The President’s Council on Service and
Civic Participation, in conjunction with the Points of Light
Foundation, administer this program. Go to http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov to learn more.