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Table of Contents
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.
March/April, 2007
Dear
4-H Educators, Members, Volunteers and Parents,
Wow,
March is almost over, and it seems like the New Year just began! For those who
spent many long days in the dust at livestock shows, this
month may have seemed much longer than it actually was.
Record books are beginning to arrive in the State 4-H office.
As
I write this note, Tracy is working to finalize Roundup workshops; Jeff
is working to get forms posted online; Kevin
is working out details of the upcoming spring shooting contests; Rusty,
along with the other An Sci specialists, is getting
ready for the many spring livestock contests; Karla
is in DC with the Conference delegates; and Jim is looking for new sources of
money to support all of these things! It
is a busy time on campus, just like it is for each of you with your active county
programs.
In a few days we will have our 11th Annual 4-H Day at the Capitol. This year
we have several more youth attending from several counties, along with about
25 youth attending from the 1890 4-H program. Soon we will be forming a
committee to evaluate this activity and to begin planning for next year. We
are strongly considering the possibility of making this a two-day event, with
educational programs and meetings with legislators and more hands-on activity
as part of the over-night experience. If you have an interest in working
on this event, please let your district program specialist know so we can form
this committee.
As you may be aware, we have begun the search for a new assistant specialist
to add to our state 4-H team. This person will work primarily in the area
of curriculum development, which includes printed materials as well as on-line
project support. We are excited to be able to fill this greatly-needed
position! If you know of good candidates please share the announcement
with them. If you did not keep the e-mail announcement that you received
earlier in March, please give me a call for a new copy.
You are providing a valuable service to the youth and adults of our state, keep
up the good work!
Sincerely,
Charles Cox
Interim Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
Beef Ambassador Talk Contest April 19
What: The annual state Beef Ambassador Talk Contest hosted by the beef check-off through the Oklahoma Beef Council and the Oklahoma Cattlewomen, Incorporated (OCW).
When: Thursday, April 19, 2007, 4:30 p.m.
Where: Oklahoma Beef Council, 2312 Exchange Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Why: To train spokespersons for the beef industry. Speeches should bring to light the importance of the beef industry and the importance of beef as an agricultural product; spotlighting the positive impact the cattle industry has on our economy and families. By creating and presenting a talk about a facet of the beef industry, contestants become more knowledgeable about the nutritional and economic value of beef, cooking principals, safe food handling, versatile use of beef and understand the importance of beef as an agricultural product.
How: Content of speech must be factual information from packet provided by the OCW or reliable research. No table top displays, other props, costumes, power point or videos will be permitted.
Who: Junior Contestants: Age 9 by 1-1-06 and not yet reached their 13th birthday. (3-5 minute talk)
Intermediate Contestants: Age 13 by 1-1-06 and not yet reached their 17th birthday. (3-5 minute talk)
Senior Contestants: Must be 17 but not over 20 by January 1, 2008. (5-8 minute talk and interview)
Prizes: Junior & Intermediate divisions: 1st - $100; 2nd - $75.00; 3rd - $50.00.
Senior Division: 1st - $850 and an all-expense paid trip to the national contest; 2nd place - $200; 3rd place - $100.00
For more information about this contest, contact Mary Ann Kelsey, OCW Beef Ambassador Chairperson, 2800 N Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, 405.740.0160, maryann.kelsey@oda.state.ok.us.
NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest
The NRA is now accepting entries for its 2007 Youth Wildlife Art Contest. The contest, the 20th in the annual series, is open to students in grades 1 through 12 (including home-schooled children). NRA membership is not required. The deadline to enter is October 8, 2007.
Winners in each grade category will receive $500. Second-place finishers will receive $250, and the third-place award will be $100.
Entries may be submitted in one of four categories, based on school grade. Category I includes grades 1 through 3. Category II is for grades 4 through 6. Category III covers grades 7 through 9, and Category IV includes grades 10 through 12. Entries may portray any North American game bird or animal that may be legally hunted or trapped. Endangered species and non-game animals, such as eagles and snakes, are not eligible subjects. Call (703) 267-1531 or email artcontest@nrahq.org if you need to confirm whether a certain animal or bird is eligible.
Contestants are limited to one entry each. Entries may be in a medium of the artist’s choice (oil, water color, pastels, pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, etc.). Submissions should be on good quality bond or drawing paper, or illustration board. Preferred sizes for the image are 8-1/2\" x 11\" or 11\" x 14\"; matting is optional. Entries need not be framed. Composition must be original. Photographs may be used for reference, but artwork determined to have been traced or copied from an existing photograph or work of art will be disqualified.
Entries must arrive at NRA by October 8, 2007, and must be accompanied by a brief statement signed by the student’s parent, guardian, or teacher attesting to the originality of the work and verifying the artist’s grade level as of October 8, 2007. In addition, the artist’s name, age, home address, phone number, and grade must be printed on the back of the entry or on a note attached to the back of the entry.
Entries will be judged on effort, creativity, anatomical accuracy, and composition.
Send entries to: NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. Entries will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. NRA assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged artwork, and reserves all rights to reproduce entries. The immediate families of NRA staff members are not eligible to enter. Questions regarding the contest may be directed to (703) 267-1531 or artcontest@nrahq.org, or visit http://www.nrahq.org/youth/wildlife.asp
The contest is supported through a generous gift from Jim Broering, President of AcuSport Corporation, for the creation of the James and Kathleen Broering Endowment.
Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Leader Forum Workshop/Funshop Proposals - Extended
Louisiana 4-H is looking for just a few more workshop and fun shop proposals. The deadline has been extended for workshop and fun shop proposals to March 21. So, if you didn’t have time the first go around or would like to submit an additional workshop, please get a workshop proposal in by the above mentioned date.
Rock Eagle will be held October 4-7, 2007 in Eatonton Georgia. The “Request for Proposals” (RFP) is posted at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm or may be obtained at http://www.lsuagcenter.com/4h/4HWorkshopRequest/. Workshop and Fun Shop proposals are due by the close of the business day on March 1, 2007. If you have any questions, contact Janet Fox, jfox@agcenter.lsu.edu, 225-578-2971.
Concurrent Sessions - 1 hour and 30 minutes in length - Sessions may be in any form deemed effective (presentations, panel discussions or experiential learning opportunities).
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 and to share our expertise across state lines.
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 14, 2007 as part of the State Parent-Volunteer Development conference.
The State Volunteer Board would like to have every county present and honoring a volunteer.
The application form and guidelines for 2007 District and State volunteer awards are available at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/awards/recogn.htm.
Nominations submitted to the District 4-H Office must be received electronically – nomination includes application, 3 letters of recommendations and a photograph, no later than 5:00 PM on April 15, 2007.
4-H Unlimited - Discovery Unlimited
2007 Discovery Unlimited – May 4-5, 2007 - Saints Groves Camp, Stillwater. A promotional flyer is posted on the 4-H web site and attached to the Focus. Please share this date and promote the program with both volunteers and youth 11-12 years of age. The planning team has chosen the following workshops: Amazing Race—4-H Style, What Kind of Superhero Are You?, and Superheroes Serving 4-H. Conference participants will receive a t-shirt as part of the registration fee.
General information, registration materials and a letter for chaperones can be accessed from the Oklahoma 4-H web site under “ Event and Activities/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 19th 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 26th. 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 May 4 & 5 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, 2007, are eligible to participate.
Carrie Highfill, Committee Chair
Roundup District Spirit Contests
The State Officer Team encourages each county attending Roundup to support their district in the Spirit Contest. District Officer Teams will take the lead in creating the banner and chant. Individual counties can support their district with strong support of the Service Projects.
- The Banner will be 30 percent of the total points for the contest. Banners will be judged on creativity, design, and depiction of theme.
- Service Projects – a total of 50 percent
Dime Drop will be 15 percent of the total points for the contest. The total will be the sum of the club and county Dime Drop totals submitted by May deadline and district funds raised as part of the Roundup “Roll of Dime” project - each delegate is encourage to bring a “Roll of Dimes” or $5 to Roundup.
Pop Tabs will be 20 percent of the total points for the contest. The winner will be determined by total number of pounds.
Each One, Reach One will be 15 percent of the total points for the contest. District points will be determined by the total number of new members reported as having been mentored from club report forms returned by May 1. Form posted at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eachonereachone.htm
- Chant will be 20 percent of the total points for the contest. The chant content must promote Roundup theme. Presentation of chant will not be determined by how loud the delegates yell, but on audibility and creativity – audibility being defined as the words being distinctly understood. No props (includes signs, flags, or anything that must be held or worn), no face paints or noise makers will be allowed.
- Bonus points will be awarded to districts with the top promotional videos.
Thanks for your support and we will see you at Roundup!
Jennifer Terronez, NE District State Vice President
“Each One, Reach One” – Reports Due May 1
“Each One, Reach One,” a project of the State Officer Team, was a simple method for recruiting members. If every current 4-H member recruits and enrolls one new member in their local club, Oklahoma's 4-H enrollment doubles.
The program was started by State 4-H President Natalie James in 1988. In reviving the “Each One, Reach One” project, our goal this year was to not only increase enrollment, but the retention and participation of new 4-H members and have “Quality vs. Quantity.” We wanted members and club leaders to make an investment in the individual so each new member became passionate about 4-H!
The report for participation in Each One Reach One is posted at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eachonereachone.htm. The reports are due in the State 4-H Office on or before May 1st.
Districts will receive points toward the Roundup Spirit Contest based on the total number of new members reported as having been mentored from club report forms returned by May 1.
Thank you for your support.
Jerret Sanders, State 4-H Secretary