Focus on Youth
News for OCES staff working with youth.
June, 2010
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Table of Contents
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Everyone Ready - Staff Development in the field of Volunteerism
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Extended Deadline - Recognition of County and Life Time Volunteers
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"i4H: There's an App for That" - Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Forum - Deposit due July 16th
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Candidates for State 4-H Leadership Council Administrative Positions
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2011 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest - US Honey: A Taste for Every Preference
Dear Educators and Volunteers,
Summer is upon us along with some wild and crazy weather. Last night when
the tornado tracked over campus I was kind of glad that Roundup is in July instead
of next week! There are many state-wide events this summer, including some
new camps and workshops, so please monitor the website for details and registrations.
A new and exciting opportunity that many of our volunteers will have is to be
part of a market research campaign. National 4-H Council and 4-H National
Headquarters at USDA are embarking on a comprehensive marketing research project.
This project will help us understand our current and potential volunteer base.
As a result, they will be able to determine what motivates volunteers so that
we can grow and retain our volunteer force with people of like-minded values. In
response, a new 4-H volunteer recruitment campaign will be developed and provided
to all states and territories.
They have commissioned Harris Interactive, an independent market research
firm, to conduct the research. Please be assured that responses will be
completely confidential and results will not be used for publication. The research
is for internal, proprietary use only in the development of a volunteer recruitment
marketing campaign. Once the research is completed, National 4-H Council
will use the research to inform the development of the volunteer recruitment
campaign. The campaign will roll out in early 2011 with a package of new
creative materials and messaging that will resonate with current and new volunteer
prospects. (*Please note that this is a marketing research project on behalf
of 4-H and does not require IRB approval. The results will not be published).
The market research will be conducted in two phases and with two audiences. Phase
I will consist of online focus groups, and Phase II will consist of an online
survey. Both phases will investigate the perceptions of two audiences – current
4-H volunteers and potential volunteer prospects. They have just about
completed our recruiting for the online focus groups.
Oklahoma State 4-H has been asked to recruit for participation in the online
survey. In order to make sure that the survey sample represents the nation,
we have been asked to provide a list of 15% of our state’s
enrolled volunteers by June 5, 2010. This
number is based on our self-reported 2008 ES237 data. Harris Interactive will
aggregate all of the participant lists, develop a random sample to select those
who will be contacted to participate and conduct all of the outreach to screen
volunteers to determine their interest in taking the survey. Participation is
fully voluntary and the online survey can be taken by participants at a time
of convenience for them within a span of two weeks this summer. The kicker
is that most of you have not sent us a complete list of your volunteers for several
years. If you know your county has not sent in a database of our
volunteers with their 1)name, 2)address, 3)phone, 4)e-mail and 5)leadership role,
and 6)the year they became a volunteer; today would be a great day to so.
You can send those electronically to Judy.Talley@okstate.edu If
you don’t send it now we will just bug you for it later.
Many thanks in advance for your participation to inform this important new effort.
We will continue to communicate as we hear more about the phases of this project.
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
Everyone Ready - Staff Development in the field of Volunteerism
It has been reported, there have been some issues about being able to access the Everyone Ready materials. Attached is a set of instructions I have prepared to facilitate registration and admission to the materials. The second attachment is a copy of the May 2010 Seminar Flyer - "Integrating Volunteers Throughout Your Organization" by Martin Cowling - to be available May 17, 2010. Martin is a new, young volunteerism trainer from Australia. Please note that the web address to access Everyone Ready is listed in the bottom portion of the flyer for easier access. This month, Martin is encouraging staff to develop at least three strategies for expanding roles of volunteers in our programs as a result of listening to the seminar.
State Parent-Volunteer Conference
"Set Sail with 4-H...Charting Our Future" is the theme of the 2010 State Parent-Volunteer Conference. The conference is schedule for July 17, in Stillwater.
There will be four tracks of workshops each with a different focus:
Track 1 - Enlightening 4-H Parents and Volunteers - Diverse 4-H experiences and opportunities develop capable youth.
Track 2 - Encouraging 4-H Parents and Volunteers - Establish and nurture support networks with fellow volunteers, county, district and state extension staff, district officers, state ambassadors and state council members.
Track 3 - Educating 4-H Parents and Volunteers - Information Literacy develops project leaders, committee members, club leaders, parents, leadership teams, as well as club and county programs.
Track 4 - Enjoying being a 4-H Parent and Volunteer - Hands on workshops, better known as Fun Shops in the areas of recreation, educational crafts, food science, model rockets, etc.
The conference will include door prizes, as well as a silent and live auction. Proceeds from the live auction will go towards the endowment of a Volunteer Development Scholarship with the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation.
During the luncheon Oklahoma 4-H will recognize volunteers who have been selected by their county for Volunteer of the Year and Life-Time Service awards and announce the District and State award recipients.
The early bird enrollment fee of $30 and enrollment form are due on or before June 18. Any enrollment postmarked after June 19th will be responsible for the full enrollment fee of $40. Conference registration and program are at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm.
Share Fair - County Parent-Volunteer/Leaders Associations are encouraged to develop a display for the Share Fair. The displays should showcase successful service-learning projects, 4-H promotions or 4-H partnerships (organizations and/or individuals who help make your county's 4-H clubs successful). Each county is limited to one display which must be registered by June 1.
Conference
Service Project - Operation Military Kids Family Night Package
To encourage and support quality family night activities of our OMK families
we are hopeful volunteers will prepare and bring family night packages to
the PVC. Family night package might include: a snack and a game; a snack
and a movie; craft or cooking activity; family dinner or picnic; etc.
Ideas:
- Snacks - Popcorn, mixes for Brownies, Cookie, soup, etc.
- Family Dinner - Family favorite recipes/dinner plan/picnic: starter kit and decorations that everyone could take part
- Games - Board games, cards, outdoor games, etc.
- Movie - DVD
- Craft - Activity that the whole family could take part in constructing
- Other - Movie, Park, Zoo passes
Be creative. Think about what your family would enjoy doing if they had been or were going to be separated for a long period of time. Pictures of ideas posted on conference website.
Debbie Wilson, State Volunteer Board President
Extended Deadline - Recognition of County and Life Time VolunteersThe State 4-H Volunteer Board is extending the deadline for counties to recognize their volunteers during the Volunteer Recognition Luncheon at the Leadership Development Conference July 17, 2010. The Oklahoma Farmers Union is graciously sponsoring lunch for the recipient and one guest. Please understand that this individual(s) is not being considered for the district and state awards since this is an extension of the original deadline. Electronically send a letter of recommendation from a 4-H staff member and a photograph of the volunteer to judy.talley@okstate.edu on or before June 11, 2010. The deadline of 5 pm June 11 is firm. In the subject line of the email type one of the following:
We look forward to honoring the outstanding work our local and county volunteers provide the 4-H program. State 4-H Volunteer Board |
National 4-H Conference
We seek individuals who are actively involved in identifying and addressing community/school/organization needs and issues through Civic Engagement. They have learned to demonstrate leadership qualities through the organized efforts which involve others (youth-voice, community leaders, government/social-service agencies, businesses, schools, etc.) in significant roles and opportunities.
To be given consideration as an Oklahoma delegate the individual must be nominated by a Extension Educator, club leader, 4-H volunteer, district 4-H program specialist, or state 4-H staff person. It is expected that the adult making the nomination has seen exemplary self-responsibility and mastery of the life skills necessary for the expectations and duties as outlined. A county may nominate no more than two people per year. Please consider nominating individual who may not be the 4-H member who is'actively' pursuing multiple goals in 4-H, school, sports, other youth serving organization, faith based groups, etc. It is recognized that we have members who gain and regularly share their talents and skills in the name of 4-H, but are not interested in pursuing recognition through Record Keeping or other competitive venues. |
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The nominee's portfolio will illustrate the individual's skills in identifying, planning, conducting and evaluating social/environmental/political issues in their communities, school, 4-H program, faith group, etc.
National 4-H Conference is a working conference and a training ground for youth who are focused and committed to working for the Oklahoma 4-H program. Funds are being invested in training delegates to return to Oklahoma for the maintenance and implementation of 4-H programming. 2011 delegates will be making more than a personal commitment of their time; initially delegates will be expected to pay 2/3rds of their transportation, lodging and registration. If the delegate fulfills his/her duties the funds will be reimbursed to the family. The application for 2011 delegates is attached and available online and is due July 1. Interviews will be scheduled and conducted during free time/social activities during Roundup.
Oklahoma's delegates must be team players. The delegation will function as a team for approximately two years from the time you attend Conference until the Back Home Action Plan is completed. Pre and post conference work is mandatory. Delegates will work cooperatively with previous teams in learning, maintaining and coordinating existing programs.
National Conference is an opportunity for youth and adults to solicit input from a diverse cross-section of the Cooperative Extension System and to strengthen and expand the 4-H Youth Development program at local, state, and national levels. National Conference is an intense week of committee work, workshops, legislative visits, and presentations. Delegates will contact and meet with Oklahoma decision makers during their time in our nation's capital.
Four-H members must be a freshman, sophomore or junior in high school on September 1 of the year of nomination. If the delegate of choice is a high school senior on September 1 of the year of selected, he or she will be expected to complete up to a two-year commitment to the program. He/she is encouraged to reside in Oklahoma during that time.
2010 State 4-H Roundup Spirit Contest
The Banner will be 25 percent of the total points for the contest. Banners will be judged on creativity, design, and depiction of theme: 4-H-Made.
Service Projects - 50%
100 Years of Service will be 20 percent of the total points for the contest. The winner will be determined by the total number of video/PPT/reports submitted. If two or more districts submit their top 25, the tie breaker will be the district who has the most projects selected for the top 10. Top ten will be to recognize clubs (members and volunteers) who excel in ingenuity - creativity, resourcefulness, and life skill development in the project planning, implementation and reporting.
Operation Oklahoma Military Kids will be 30 percent of the total points for the contest. The winner will be determined by the percentage of counties who participate. (i.e. 10 counties in a district and 5 bring donations = 50% of the counties participating). Tie breaker will be the total number of items submitted divided by the number of Roundup delegates in a district for an average number of items brought per delegate. List of suggested items and report form are posted on the internet at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/roundup.htm. Donations not turned in by the designated time are greatly appreciated but will not be included in the Spirit Contest totals. County report form is page 3 of this document.
Chant will be 25 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
Coins for Kenya District Participation
$500-250 - 15 pts
$250-100 - 10 pts
$100-50 - 8 pts
State 4-H Leadership Council
"i4H: There's an App for That" - Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Forum - Deposit due July 16th
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. To
view a video of the 2009 conference, follow the link http://www.4hsrlf.org/09SRLF/09forum.htm .
The conference will be held in Eatonton Georgia, September 30 - October 3, 2010. Full Conference registration will not exceed $275. A $50 deposit is due July 16, 2010 remaining balance is due August 20th. Oklahoma's registration form is attached or available at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm. Visit the host state conference site at www.4hsrlf.org for current information regarding the conference. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Oklahoma typically travels as a group via air transportation.
The mission of the Southern Region 4-H 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.
SRVF Seeking Workshops/Funshop/Poster Session - Due June 1
The Southern Region Volunteer Forum is seeking workshops for the 2010 forum. The workshop proposal and instructions can be downloaded at http://www.4hsrlf.org/ or here. This year's workshops will focus on 4 areas.
- Healthy Living - Healthy weight, Smoking, Eating smart, High blood pressure & Diabetes.
- Science, Engineering & Technology - Rocketry, Robotics, Bio-fuels, Renewable energy & Computer science.
- Citizenship - Leadership, Service learning, Diversity and Community service.
- Military Youth - Recreational, Social & educational programs, Organizational & technology skills, Technology Lab programs.
A workshop will be 1.5 hours in length. Funshops are 1 hour. Poster
session is an educational display which will be unmanned except for a
1 hour time slot during the forum. The time is yet to be determined.
Exhibitors selling or promoting items for sale, must exhibit with Commercial
Exhibits. Each Poster sessions will be provided a 6 foot table.
Other items should be requested on the proposal item number 15. 
Candidates for State 4-H Leadership Council Administrative Positions
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President 2010 |
Vice Pres |
Secretary |
Reporter |
Maxcey |
Chris |
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x |
Allread |
Tanner |
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x |
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Schroeder |
Mandy |
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x |
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Rash |
Kendra |
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x |
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Maloy |
Charles |
x |
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Sawatzky |
Taler |
x |
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All Council members on the 2010 ballot have exemplified dedication, responsibility and leadership with minimal direction during their first term as a district or at-large representative and met or exceeded 80% of the expectations of their Quarterly Progress Reviews. Speeches will be done at the Roundup opening Assembly on Wednesday July 28th. Candidates will answer questions posed by voting delegates during the Town Hall meeting on Wednesday evening at 5:45 pm.
Scholarships - 4-H Parent-Volunteer Conference
Oklahoma 4-H received a grant from National 4-H Council, in
partnership with Monsanto, to underwrite our State Parent-Volunteer
Conference for a second year. Download at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm
Reminder - To be eligible for the scholarships the volunteers must all ready be certified - paper work, screening and orientation completed prior to making application. The volunteer must complete the scholarship form and have it signed by the county educator/university representative prior to submitting the scholarship application. Scholarships will be dated as they are received in the state 4-H office.
If awarded a scholarship the volunteer is expected to do a presentation at their local club for parents/volunteers or at a county Parent-Volunteer Association meeting. County educators please be sure volunteers making application are committed to attending and returning home to share their experiences. We want all scholarships to be used the day of the conference. Any one who chooses not to make use of their scholarship will need to notify the state office 1 week prior to the conference so alternates can be notified.
Centennial Fair Exhibits - Final Year
All exhibits in the 4-H Centennial division are intended for members to learn about and document our 4-H heritage through the process of identification, preservation and restoration.
4-H Curriculum has been developed to introduce and educate 4-H members and volunteers to appropriate preservation and conservation techniques. The criteria/standards used to evaluate the 4-H member's exhibit will reflect the child's mastery of conservation and/or preservation techniques and their ability to document memorabilia/history.
Please let youth and volunteers know that the numbers in the county and state fair books will vary form the publication numbers below. The numbering system was revised after the fair book had gone to print. Curriculum currently available:
4H-HLTH-402 Collectables
4H-HLTH-403 Preserving Vintage Clothing and Textile Products - Part 1
4H-HLTH-404 Preserving Vintage Clothing and Textile Products - Part 2
4H-HLTH-405 Storage and Display of Heirloom Textiles in the Home
4H-HLTH-406 Preserving Photographs, Books and Paper Documents
4H-HLTH-407 Preserving Metal, Wood and Plastic Collectibles (not
available)
4H-HLTH-408 Preserving Memorabilia
4H-HLTH-409 History Mysteries Part 1– Recording and retelling the
history of 4-H and its people through stories
4H-HLTH-410 History Mysteries Part 2– Writing the Story - your
treasures - from Clues
4H-HLTH-411 Documenting and Cataloging Collectibles (not available)
4H-HLTH-412 Displaying Collections and Collectibles (not available)
4H-PDL-111 Personal Development - Documenting
our Heritage
4H-HLTH-413 Authentication Card
Materials underdevelopment include: Preserving Metal, Wood and Plastic
Collectables; Documenting and Cataloguing Collectables; and Displaying
Collections and Collectables. All curriculums
can be downloaded on the Oklahoma 4-H webpage under 4-H Centennial.
Updates have been completed for the 2010 Fairs. Attached is a revised
handout for use at the county level.
100 Years of Service Project - Reports Due
The purpose of the State Council 100 Years of Service Project was to recognize clubs who have contributed to the betterment of their communities and citizens while providing meaningful opportunities for members to develop life skills through community service projects.
Objectives:
- Encourage clubs to use the'Service-Learning' model when choosing, planning, conducting and evaluating a youth led community service project.
- Provide a means to collect, record, and recognize the community service projects of Oklahoma 4-H Clubs.
- Develop a database of community service as a resource to assist other clubs in planning and conducting service projects that make a significant difference to our communities and the lives of our citizens.
- Recognize clubs (members and volunteers) who excel in ingenuity - creativity, resourcefulness, and life skill development.
Reporting and Recognition - Send an electronic copy of the
completed SLAP guide and an electronic production of the project to your
district office no later than June 1, 2010. The guide can be down
loaded at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/project.html.
The district officer team will in turn
- Provide a method for making projects/materials available for clubs/county to access and use as a resource and
- Select the top 25 projects to forward to the state committee.
The state teams goal is to have video of all 100 projects available for viewing through the State 4-H Website - possibly an OK 4-H YouTube type link. If quality and time permits, the top 10 project ideas will be shown at Round Up.
Ashlan Wilson, Committee Chair
One State 4-H Council Service Projects is collecting items for Operation Military Kids
Hero Packs. The Council is asking 4-H clubs to donate items for back
packs, being given to children whose parents or guardians are being deployed. Suggestions
for backpacks are:
- Stuffed animals - small Beanie Baby size
- Disposable Cameras
- Children's Books
- Coloring Books and Crayons
- Note Cards, Stationary, or any type of writing from to contact family members
- Small toys
- Picture frames
- Anything kid friendly
Supplies are needed throughout the year. To meet that need, clubs are encouraged to deliver donations to their county office at any time. We ask that each donation include a 2010 OMK Report, which is a record of the donation. Cluster Representatives will work in cooperation with county offices to pick-up up donations so they do not have to be transported to Roundup.
The 2010 OMK Report can be found on the state 4-H Web-site http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/leadership/project.html. The reports will be totaled by district and count 30% towards the State Roundup Spirit Contest. It is win-win - supporting District Pride while helping children cope with the deployment of family members.
Thank you for your support.
Ashlan Wilson, Service Projects Committee chair, and members Kyle Pingleton, Mandy Schroeder, Taler Sawatzky and Tanner Allread
2011 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest - US Honey: A Taste for Every Preference
Each state winner, including national winners, will receive a copy of a book about beekeeping. Four-H'ers are encouraged to investigate the local/regional honeys of the United States and see how they differ in taste and color. Students interested in writing should contact their local 4-H offices for contest details. The state selection must be done through the 4-H system. Deadline is March 1, 2011. Contest Rules
4-H Companion Animal Teen Leaders Council
If you are 13 years of age or older and have an active interest in 4-H Companion Animal Programs, then this council may be the place for you to serve. The council will be meeting again this year on July 7th from 10 am - 4 pm in Stillwater. Meetings will begin in the state 4-H office, and the day will conclude with public service projects at the Humane Shelter.
Goals of the day include: Officer Elections, Schedule of Meetings, Lunch at Joes, Event Date and Planning, Service Project Workshop.
Please RSVP to Gloria Baum, (405) 744-8887, by July 1st.
OMK Fundraising Opportunity at Frontier City
Frontier City has offered a fund-raising
opportunity for Oklahoma 4-H Operation: Military Kids on June 25 or June
26. The cost of the ticket per individual is $15 and must be purchased
online at http://www.frontiercity.com/.
At the upper right hand corner of this website, type in the promo code “Military” to
receive a discounted ticket of $15. For every ticket sold, Oklahoma 4-H Operation:
Military Kids receives $1, so spread the word and help us support military kids
in Oklahoma. This offer is valid to anyone regardless of military status. General
admission tickets are $36.99, and on June 26 Playhouse Disney’s
Choo-Choo Soul will be in concert. So help us help military kids and
take advantage of this wonderful offer!
Once again this offer is available for ANYONE and the promo code is “MILITARY”!
Tickets however must be purchased online to take advantage of this opportunity.
2010 – State 4-H Roundup
Roundup registration materials are now available on the State 4-H website
at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/roundup.htm
Below are a couple of reminders about new things this year
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Counties will be REQUIRED to bring a corresponding chaperone for each gender of youth they bring. If the county has male delegates, they must bring a male chaperone. If they have female delegates, they must bring a female chaperone.
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Wednesday lunch will be on your own. No meal will be provided in the Dining Hall
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Registration will be extended until noon.
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Groups may choose to stay in either Kerr Drummond or in the Village Suites. Registration cost will be based upon choice. Counties must choose only one housing location (i.e. cannot split group). Note: Res Life will do housing assignments for the Villages. Therefore, we cannot guarantee location, who you are next to, etc.
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There will be a Partial Linen Service option offered for $5.00 per person per night. This charge will not be included in registration; however reservations must be made in advance. If you choose this option, you will pay Res. Life upon arrival. Partial Linen service means that Res Life will provide linen packets at the end of each bed and the delegates make up their beds. Linens included are sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels (and a bar of soap) for the duration of the camp.
Forms and payment are due June 23. Because of delayed campus
mail delivery, registration that is mailed must be postmarked by June
18.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact
me at 405-744-8891.