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.
January/February, 2008
Dear 4-H Educators, Members, Volunteers and Parents,
Greetings,
The first two weeks of the new year have come and gone, and I still find myself having to go back and correct things I sign because I am having a hard time getting in the swing of writing 2008. H ow about you? It is hard to believe that it has been eight years since so many people were living in fear of all kinds of technologies going crazy when their internal calendars went from 1999 to 2000. As you will recall, pretty much nothing happened other than some folks stored up lots of food that may have gone to waste before they got it used up. That seems like a pretty insignificant outcome from lots of worry.
Why do I mention this? It is because we tend to spend a lot of time worrying about things that never happen. Yet it is always wise to have a plan, or at least be prepared, in the event of a crisis or emergency. During our biennial OCES conference we will all be challenged about what we should, could, or would do in the event of a disease outbreak in the country. While this would impact all program areas, I hope you will give some thought to how those of us who work with youth and their families might become more proactive in helping to prevent the spread of livestock-borne diseases. When you do PQA or other training, I challenge you to do all you can to help our livestock project participants be more aware of the critical roles they play in the agricultural industry and help them to realize that they do have a huge responsibility in helping to keep our food supply safe.
On
an unrelated note, thanks to those who helped get folks out for the Cowgirls
win over OU last weekend. There were nearly 700 who attended, so
$1 from each of their purchases will go back to the county accounts in
the Foundation from which they registered.
Sincerely,
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
ESRI GIS Program for 4–H Grant Recipients
ESRI is pleased to offer a 2008 GIS grant for US 4-H programs. The grant guidelines and application for introductory and intermediate grants are found at the links below.
Application deadline: February 28, 2008
Please send your completed application and letter of support to 4–HGIS_external@esri.com no
later than Feb. 28, 2008. You will receive an email acknowledgement that
your application has been received.
Please download and save both the grant application and the grant guidelines to your computer.
2008 4-H Introductory Grant Application Details.
o 2008 Introductory Grant Application
o 2008 Introductory Grant Guidelines
2008 4-H Intermediate Grant Application Details.
o 2008 Intermediate Grant Application
o 2008 Intermediate Grant Guidelines
Under the 2004-2007 GIS Grant for U.S. 4-H program, ESRI has awarded 4-H clubs in over 500 US counties with ArcView and ArcPad software and Virtual Campus training. GIS technology was used by youth to help make a difference in their community service projects.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.
Thank you.
Cyfernet Mission of the Month: DNA
Last month, we explored outer space. This month, we examine inner space – DNA, a part of your body that is too small to see but that makes each living thing unique.
In this lesson we have a discussion of what DNA is and why it is under so much discussion in the news today. We also have two activities: You may extract actual DNA from banana cells, using some commonly found materials and tools. You can also debate the pros and cons of manipulating DNA, a field known as genetic engineering.
State Parent-Volunteer Conference
"Celebrate the 4-H Tradition" is the theme of the 2008 State Parent-Volunteer Conference. The conference is schedule for July 12 in Stillwater. The conference objectives are:
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Celebrate the “tradition” through the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial.
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Enlighten volunteers of the diverse opportunities within the 4-H program
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Encourage volunteers to establish and nurture a support network with fellow volunteers
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Motivate parents and volunteers to serve as project leaders, committee members and club leaders.
We are pleased to announce a second year of funding from Monsanto and National 4-H Council for a scholarship program. Once again we will be offering scholarships to certified volunteers attending for the conference for the first time. The board would like to have the conference program ready to distribute by May 1.
Ann Knopfel, State Volunteer President
State Parent-Volunteer Conference - Call for Workshop Proposals
The State 4-H Volunteer Board extends an invitation to county educators, para-professionals and volunteers to present a workshop July 12, 2008 in Stillwater. The proposal form is attached to this Focus on Youth or may be accessed online at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm. The volunteer board encourages staff and volunteers to submit workshop proposals by February 1, 2008.
Theresa Bragg, State Volunteer Board Vice President
4-H is a Rockin' n' Rollin' - Discovery Unlimited
2008 Discovery Unlimited – May 2-3, 2008 - Saints Groves Camp, Stillwater.
Discover Unlimited is intended to help retain the membership of our "tweeners" in the Oklahoma 4-H program. 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.
Programming will be focused around our theme "4-H is a Rockin’ n Rollin’." Workshops and speakers will focus on what 4-H offers teens in the way of leadership, travel and friendship. Please help our planning team promote this program with youth 11-12 years of age.
Registration will be approximately $35 and will include housing, food, educational supplies and a T-shirt. All youth must register through their county Extension office, no exceptions. County registration is due to the state office on or before March 24th.
All forms and a tentative conference schedule will be posted by February 29 at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/discovery.htm
Jerret Sanders, Discovery Unlimited Co-chair
4-H Day at the Capital – Training
4-H Day at the Capitol is April 2nd. Youth and county educators with youth participating in 4-H Day at the Capital must participate in a training session. Even if the youth or educator has participated in past sessions, they must still participate in one of the trainings being offered. Each year there are changes which must be communicated.
Training Dates:
February 2, 10:45 am,Great Plains Technology Center, Lawton, Bldg. 100, Auditorium A
February 4th, 5-6:30 pm( Centra Symposium) Event ID: PJP564328 http://webconference.tamus.edu/LA/main/000001bd669d000001176f2e24638194
March 2nd, 2-3:30 pm, Oklahoma County Extension Center (Must pre-register no later than February 25th with Donna Parrish donna.parrish@okstate.edu.)
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 12, 2008 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 2008 District and State volunteer awards are available at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/awards/recogn.htm or attached.
Nominations submitted to the district 4-H office must be received electronically no later than 5:00 PM on April 15, 2008. Nomination includes application, three letters of recommendations and a photograph.
Fabric and Fashions Advisory Committee
We are currently fully engaged in making our curriculum available electronically through literature on-line. As part of this process we are seeking four Extension educators, four Clothing Project leaders and four 4-H members who can be of assistance as we make revisions to the curriculum and projects being completed as a result of using the curriculum.
This committee will meet via Centra as often as possible. We need dedicated folks who can make a focused commitment over the next six months. Our goal is to have any project changes to counties by June, 2008, so these changes can be listed in guidelines and yearbooks for the 2008-2009 project year.
Please complete the attached form and return to karla.knoepfli@okstate.edu no later than February 15th.