Natural Resource Ecology and Management

"Oklahoma 4-H Volunteers: Honoring, Celebrating and Envisioning." is the theme of the 2009 State Parent-Volunteer Conference. The conference is schedule for July 11 in Stillwater.  The conference objectives are:

1. Celebrate past, present and future traditions as part of the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial.
2. Enlighten volunteers as to how diverse 4-H opportunities and experiences develop capable youth.
3. Encourage volunteers to establish and nurture a support network with fellow volunteers.
4. Motivate parents and volunteers to serve as project leaders, committee members and club leaders.

The “Share Fair” will be a showcase of county centennial projects and programming.  County parent-volunteer associations will be asked to participate by sharing examples of fair exhibits, educational programs, alumni programming, special events, community involvement, etc., which have taken place or are in the works for their counties.
The State 4-H Volunteer Board extends an invitation to county educators, para-professionals and volunteers to present a workshop July 11, 2009, 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 no latter than February 15, 2009.
There will be four tracks of workshops, each with a different focus:

• Track 1 - “Honoring” our past - workshop topics which are a rich part of our history and still viable to today’s youth and our communities.
• Track 2 - “Celebrating” our present - current trends and interests of youth and youth development programming or volunteer development.
• Track 3 – “Envisioning” our future - introduction of new and unusual programs, projects, and coming trends which will put our youth programming out on the cutting edge.
• Track 4 – “100 years of Service" - Invitation only! - the top recipients of the 100 years of Service project will be invited to present the innovative service learning program their club conducted.