Focus on Youth

News for OCES staff working with youth.

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

oklahoma4h.okstate.edu
February, 2006

Dear Extension Educators, 4-H Youth Development:

It was great to see so many of you at the recent OCES conference!  I hope we are able to keep meeting at least biennially so we can really keep staff at all levels a little better connected. 

One of the things I heard mentioned again during the time that the four professional associations met with the administration was the need for more current curriculum.  As you know the decision was made a couple of years ago to move all OCES materials to the print on demand system.  This included 4-H materials, so for the past two years we have received no money for printing materials.  We have spent a considerable amount of time re-typing many of the shorter 4-H publications and placing them both on POD and also on the 4-H website so they could be printed for free.  There are many new publications also available from the 4-HCCS, but these are not free.

While we are still hopeful for getting a new staff position for curriculum development we cannot just keep waiting for that to happen.  I have asked Karla to start working on a few new projects that can become web-based publications.  When she joined the state 4-H staff she did so to complete the Core Leader Materials, the Volunteer Leader Management Systems, Club Management System and 4-H in Century III.  Karla has now pretty much completed all of those major tasks.  She and I agree that you have the process type guides you need in order to be effective (if you use them), so we are going to devote some of her skills to helping fill some of our current gaps.  She will continue to support all of the work in the previous areas mentioned, but the goal now is to provide you with more tools to implement strong content in club settings.

We are also looking to form some literature development teams.  These teams will look at the current project literature that we have and either replace them or add to them so we have something at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced level for each project area.  If you would like to be on one of these teams, let your district program specialist know and we will begin forming these teams in February.

I look forward to the 4-H program in Oklahoma continuing to grow and I look forward to working with you in this new expanded interim role.  If you have comments, ideas, suggestions or even complaints, you know how to reach me!

Thanks again for all you do for our young people and volunteers!

Sincerely,

Charles Cox

Interim Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development

Russell Gosz (Rusty) has recently started his role with Oklahoma State University as the Animal Science Extension 4-H and Youth Livestock Specialist. His family - wife, Heather, and five children - are very excited about this opportunity to serve Oklahoma and are looking forward to joining the OSU family.

Rusty is a native of Cedar Crest, New Mexico, where he was raised deeply involved in the 4-H and FFA programs. His involvement in everything from livestock production to serving as the New Mexico State 4-H President instilled a desire to serve youth programs and the people of production agriculture. In pursuit of this, while obtaining his animal science degrees from South Plains College (A.S.) and Oklahoma State University (B.S., M.S.), Rusty was a member of the OSU livestock judging team and began his involvement with many of the state activities on and off campus.  His involvement gave him the opportunity to travel from California to Georgia judging livestock shows and working with a diversity of agricultural youth programs.  After seven years serving in the “trenches” of the industry, Rusty has gained a wealth of experience and worked with a variety of agricultural producers. This experience will aid him in serving Oklahoma State and its youth livestock activities.

During his first week on the job Rusty revised two 4-H livestock fact sheets, so I can tell you he is eager to get things done! He wants to hear from you to discuss the many needs and demands of our youth livestock programs. You can contact Rusty at rusty.gosz@okstate.edu or call (405)744-6060.   I encourage you to give him your full support and assistance as he seeks to work with you.

Charles Cox

The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2006.

Lewis and Clark Essay Contest

The Lewis and Clark Youth Rendezvous is an event for students who will be high school juniors or seniors during the 2006-2007 school year. It is centered around the 200th anniversary of the Corps of Discovery and the exploration of the west and will take place August 13-18, 2006 in North Dakota.

Ten students from each state and territory will be selected to participate in the Youth Rendezvous based upon a Lewis and Clark essay competition. The event, including transportation, will be free of charge for those students with the winning essays along with two chaperones from each state and territory.

The essay will be evaluated on original thought about the Lewis and Clark expedition. It must be a minimum of 1,000 words, but not more than 1,500 words. Entries will be accepted until midnight February 28, 2006. Visit http://www.lcyouthrendezvous.com/   to learn more.

2008 4-H Calendar Story Contest - Get your entries in now - Have your story featured in the 2008 National 4-H Calendar!

National 4-H Supply Service wants to hear about your favorite 4-H project and why it is meaningful. Your story could be used in the 2008 National 4-H Calendar. Sending in a submission may even get you a free gift certificate toward your next purchase of merchandise from the 4-H Source Book!

The 2008 calendar theme is "My Favorite 4-H Project."  It will be up to 4-H members, volunteers, parents, staff and partners to furnish the stories that will be featured. These personal testaments must tell the what, when, where, why, and how so everyone can understand how 4-H projects are meaningful.

One story for each month will be featured in the calendar, and the author will receive one $10 gift certificate towards a future purchase in the 4-H Source Book.  Please limit your entry to 125 words due to the space restrictions of the calendar.  Don't forget to include your contact information.

The submission deadline is April 30, 2006. Please e-mail, fax or mail your stories to:

Maria Cascioli
National 4-H Supply Service7100 Connecticut Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
mcascioli@fourhcouncil.edu
Phone: 301-961-2948
Fax: 301-961-2937

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) Reminder

Oklahoma will participate in the Citizenship Washington Focus program, June 22-July 2, 2006.  Registration forms and payment are due to the State 4-H office by March 10th.  Information can be found on the State 4-H website at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/cwf.htm

A hard copy has also been sent to county offices.   For additional information, please contact the State 4-H Office, (405) 744-8891.

Tracy Branch

85th State 4-H Roundup

Plans are underway for the 85th State 4-H Roundup.  It will be on the OSU campus May 24-26, 2006.  The cost will be $95.00 for both youth and adult delegates.  Watch for information to be posted to the 4-H website in late March.   Registration forms and payment will be due to Ag Conferences prior to 5pm on April 28.  As part of the educational program, we are seeking presenters for workshops.  Attached is the form if you or someone you know is interested.

Roundup Slideshow

Along with your roundup registration, we are asking that each county submit one picture in a jpg file.  Photos should be of youth from your county participating in a program, event, activity, etc.  These pictures will be assembled into a slide show which will run sometime during the Roundup program.  Please email one picture to tracy.branch@okstate.edu by April 28th.

Tracy Branch

Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Volunteer Awards

Each county may submit one nominee for each of the two awards:  Volunteer of the Year (less than 10 years of experience) and Lifetime Volunteer Awards (an accumulation of 10 or more years of experience).  County’s nominee(s) will be recognized at the state awards luncheon on July 22nd as part of the State Leadership Development conference.

The State Volunteer Board would like to have every county present and honoring a volunteer.

The application form and guidelines for 2006 District and State volunteer awards are available at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/awards/recogn.htm.

As a reminder – section 2 of the application requires that the nominee write a simple essay addressing four different subjects.  Please provide volunteers adequate time to prepare the essay.  Applications for county nominees are due to district office by April 15th.

Karla Knoepfli

Leadership Development Conference - 2nd Call for Workshop Proposals

Special thanks to all who responded to our first call for workshops.  The variety and selection are coming together very nicely.  The state Volunteer Board would like to extend one last call to county educators, para-professionals and volunteers to present a workshop at the 2006 Leadership Development Conference being held in Stillwater, July 22, 2006.  The proposal form is attached to this Focus on Youth or may be accessed on line at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm.  The volunteer board encourages staff and volunteers to submit the proposals on or before March 1, 2006.

Liz Taylor
State Volunteer Board Vice President

Discovery Unlimited

“Life Unlimited” is the message of Discovery Unlimited 2006.  The objective of this year’s conference will be to focus programming on important life skills for young people; looking forward to travel opportunities; and developing ones leadership capabilities.  A conference schedule/flyer can be viewed and downloaded on line. http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/discovery.htm

General information, registration materials and a letter for chaperones can be accessed from the Oklahoma 4-H web site under “Activities and Events/Discovery Unlimited.  Included within the general information is a web address for Saints Groves Camp where directions to the camp can be obtained.

The cost is $35 for each chaperone and delegate.  The fee includes meals, lodging, T-shirt, educational materials and entertainment.  There must be one adult chaperone for every five delegates and the chaperone(s) must be certified 4-H Volunteers.

A suggested deadline of March 20th is recommended for collecting fees and RAM/Code of Conduct form at the county level.  County registration is due in the State 4-H office on or before March 27th.  This deadline is firm as adequate time is needed to notify counties who submit alternates.  Each county is responsible for determining how their county delegates and alternates are selected.

Please encourage your “tweeners” to attend "Discovery Unlimited" April 21 & 22 at Saints Groves Camp in Stillwater.  It is critical that our organization focus on these young people if we intend to maintain enrollment and increase participation of the 13-19 year olds. 4-H members who were 11-12 years old as of January 1, 2006, are eligible to participate.

Emily Gregory, Committee Chair

Revised - Oklahoma 4-H Core Competencies Notebook

January 26, 2006 each county received a revised version of Units 1-3.  This copy replaces all versions printed prior to December 2004 (There are even some additions to the version distributed at the December 2004 in-service.).  The revision contains all 3 units in one notebook, corrected and revised materials and new resources.  Unit 1 had the greatest number of revisions and additions.

As a reminder, we are in a 2 year cycle (4-H program year 2005-07) which focuses on the introduction of Unit 3 materials and the collection of Unit 3 impact data.  The following 3 year cycle will go into effect beginning in 2007.

A county may use materials from any of the three units as needed during any cycle.  As an Extension educator, your responsibility to volunteer development is to be sure that county volunteers are exposed to and have an understanding of all Core materials as you plan and conduct Parent-Volunteer training.

Continuing Education should be fun and worth while to the individual’s position as a 4-H Volunteer.  Training opportunities ought to demonstrate/illustrate how the Core information is applicable to 4-H Youth Development efforts and easily apply to their role as a parent, volunteer or club leader.  4-H volunteers should leave the CE programs with a greater comprehension of Youth Development, experiences with hands-on application/experiences and an opportunity for fellowship.

Karla Knoepfli

Oklahoma 4-H Enrollment Trends, 2001-2005

Recently we submitted the ES-237 to USDA.  I wanted to share a few of the trends from the past five years with you.  The areas highlighted indicate the greatest value in each of the 6 demographics we have selected.  As you will note several of those are in 2005.  I speculate that these increases are due to the increased number of field staff working with the 4-H Program and the emphasis you are placing on effective volunteer and club management.  Keep up the GREAT work!

4-H Publications

No. 104—County 4-H Project Report Forms—a limited number can be ordered by calling 744-8887.  The county can input this form on county website for 4-H families and volunteer leaders; this form can be duplicated.  Some counties develop their own county form, and other counties like to utilize the traditional form.  Instructions for the county project report forms are on 4-H website ‘Awards and Recognition’; ‘Events and Activities’; open “Forms and Applications.’  Also, located at this site are the Oklahoma Report Form, Information Sheet, Key Club Applications, and Award information.

Nos. 903 & 907—TJ Refill Kit and TJ Program Kit (no charge) are still available to order.  These will be recycled by June 30, 2006, from the University Mailing shelf.  Please call 744-8887 if any counties are interested in this material.

Nos. 727 & 732—AITC K-2 and Beans, Baseball, & Butterflies manuals (no charge) are very good and could be utilized in county school libraries and after-school projects.  There is a limited supply left that will be recycled June 30, 2006, so please order if these manuals can be used within the counties.  Also, there is very good Ag in the Classroom activities and information on 4-H website.

No. 715—Forestry Manual (no charge) is still available to order and is also on Literature Online by opening ‘Environmental Conservation’ project.

No. 35—Youth Participation Gummed Card Sets (no charge) are to utilize for Special Projects and School Enrichment Programs to verify the number of volunteer leaders, and adults attending these programs. These forms document for county annual report how publications such as “Beginning of Life Chick Embryo Manual” with Teacher Inserts and the Planet Earth Folder w/Teacher Inserts were utilized at no charge for publications to the participants.  This information can possibly help with funding by showing how 4-H is involved in the school and county programs.  Also, if County Extension Offices have been able to have several computers, through a grant program, available in the county offices for 4-Hers and volunteer leaders to utilize, be sure to note this on the county annual form.

Rosalyn Weston, (405)744-8887, FAX: (405)744-6522