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4-H Staff News & Notes - Week of May 20, 2012
Hi,
What is an Educator Specialization? That is an issue that we have been struggling with these last few months. We have had a list of twenty-four Extension Educator 4-H Specializations for over three years now. In 2009 we asked each Extension Educator 4-H to list their primary, secondary and tertiary 4-H Specialization as we moved to more sharing of expertise in the newly implemented EERA structure. Looking back, that was a mistake, or at least, we did not explain things very well.
The intent of specialization is to allow an Extension Educator 4-H to develop extensive skills in an area of intensive personal interest within their professional roles. Furthermore, success in specialization leads to stronger local programming and more opportunities to use one’s expertise across Ohio. Educator Specialization should improve Extension programs by providing expertise close to the clientele; increase efficiency since Educators will not need to devote teaching preparation time to all subject matter specialty areas; and strengthen program ability to address pressing issues. Success in an area of specialization also provides the opportunity to report accomplishments in annual reviews and assists with the promotion process.
A couple of weeks ago the State 4-H Specialists and an Extension Educator 4-H representative from each of the nine EERAs considered this topic. The epiphany for me was when the discussion highlighted that a “specialization” should be something that an Educator does, for which s/he will be recognized across the state, and possibly nationally. The list from three years ago of primary, secondary and tertiary topics are really those items in which each Extension Educator 4-H has experience and expertise, and is willing to share across county lines. True, one of these could be that Extension Educator 4-H’s “Specialization”, but that does not necessarily have to be the case. It is unrealistic to think that someone could be a true specialist in three areas.
Complicating matters, most Educators, seeking efficiency, decided that their Extension Educator 4-H Specializations should encompass those subject matter areas in which they spend the most time. So, it is no surprise that the most often chosen of the twenty-four specializations are Teen Leadership, Camping, Community Clubs, and Livestock. Half of all Extension Educator 4-Hs Specializations fall within these four areas.
The message to define Extension Educator 4-H Specializations and also state-wide 4-H teams is still evolving. We should be ready to begin implementing an improved structure for specialization and state-wide teams this fall. But there are some dimensions already surfacing. Ohio Extension Educator 4-Hs should be thinking about what they can contribute the most to their peers in the way of professional expertise. Keep in mind that this expertise does not mean those things in which they have the most experience or spend the most time.
There will be the need for Extension Educator 4-Hs to step forward to become specialists in our lean areas. That will provide opportunity for more professional impact with less investment.
Thanks for your 4-H Youth Development expertise,
Tom
Welcome New Employees to 4-H Youth Development
Be sure to extend a warm 4-H greeting to:
Tracy Orians, Extension Educator 4-H, Allen County, Orians.18@osu.edu – Phone 419-879-9108
Laura Mikulik, Program Assistant, Coshocton County, Mikulik.3@osu.edu – Phone 740-622-2265
Alyssa Kitchen, Program Assistant, Fayette County, Kitchen.103@osu.edu - Phone 740-335-1150
Rebecca Olinsky, Extension Educator 4-H, Greene County, Olinsky.4@osu.edu – Phone 937-372-9971
Michelle Stumbo, Extension Educator 4-H, Meigs County, Stumbo.5@osu.edu - Phone 740-992-6696
Ella Waltman, Program Assistant, Ottawa County, Waltman.11@osu.edu – Phone 419-898-3631
Christy Millhouse, Extension Educator 4-H, Preble County, Millhouse.10@osu.edu – Phone 937-456-8174
Anita Moffett, Program Assistant, Sandusky County, Moffett.36@osu.edu – Phone 419-334-6340
Laura Norris, Extension Educator 4-H, Shelby County, Norris.198@osu.edu – Phone 937-498-7239
Elizabeth Rossman, Program Assistant, Wyandot County, Rossman.36@osu.edu – Phone 419-294-4931
Roberta Sigler, Extension Educator 4-H, Wyandot County, Sigler.70@osu.edu – Phone 419-294-4931
Lisa Oberer, Program Assistant, State 4-H Foundation, Oberer.7@osu.edu – Phone 614-292-6943
We welcome all new employees to the 4-H Program Area and extend apologies if we miss anyone. We often do not know when county personnel are hired or official start dates. So if you know of anyone recently hired with 4-H position titles, please send to Lisa Jinks, jinks.2@cfaes.osu.edu. Thanks!
And here are some official 4-H Staff changes we may have missed mentioning:
Kathy Jelly – Extension Educator 4-H, Brown County - jelly.1@osu.edu
Mary Longo –Extension Educator 4-H, Marion County – longo.6@osu.edu
Joyce Shriner – Extension Educator 4-H, Hocking County – shriner.3@osu.edu
Katie Houk – Extension Educator 4-H, Columbiana County – Houk.19@osu.edu
Jeff Dick – Extension Field Specialist 4-H Volunteerism & Community Clubs – dick.7@osu.edu
Ohio 4-H Website to be Updated
In preparation of moving the 4-H Website to a Drupal based site, we ask for your assistance. Please submit to Tracy Grody, grody.2@osu.edu, any Ohio 4-H related websites that you currently use or reference that you cannot navigate to from the ohio4h.org website. Example: Cloverbud Newsletter is found at -- cloverbudconnections.osu.edu. We want to be sure to connect all 4-H related sites to the Ohio 4-H Pages.
LC100 Update: 25% and Counting!
Our effort to connect the State 4-H Leadership Camp to every county in Ohio is gaining momentum. We currently have Leadership Camp registrations from 25% of the counties and more registrations are received each week. If you need information about how to register your county’s youth selected to attend Leadership Camp, please contact Josh Kirby at kirby.159@osu.edu. Remember that every county has the ability to send two campers at no cost thanks to the contributions of the Nationwide Insurance Foundation. Many thanks to the following counties for submitting their registration: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Crawford, Erie, Fairfield, Greene, Guernsey, Hocking, Huron, Lucas, Mahoning, Miami, Monroe, Ottawa, Pickaway, Preble, Tuscarawas, Washington, Wayne, and Williams.
Leadership Camp Counselors Needed
Leadership Camp still has a need for at least 10 counselors who are at age 18+. The Leadership Camp counselor experience allows young adults, especially those who are college-age and who may be away from their hometowns for most of the year, to remain connected to 4-H and to share the leadership skills and positive experiences that they’ve gained through their 4-H involvement. Josh Kirby, kirby.159@osu.edu, is happy to call or write to potential counselors if you would provide their contact information, but you are also encouraged to “make the ask” to your best candidates. The Leadership Camp counselor application can be downloaded from http://j.mp/20124HLCampStaffApp. If you have county 4-H newsletters or Web pages, please post a blurb about this opportunity, or contact Dr. Kirby for him to contribute a message for your publication.
Bullying Prevention Outstanding Teens
If you know of any outstanding 4-H youth leaders in your states who are leaders in the area of bullying prevention (can include cyber bullying), please send a brief bio including the age of the young person and a little bit about his/her experience in the area of bullying prevention to Suzanne LeMenestrel, Ph.D., National Program Leader, 4-H Youth Development Research, slemenestrel@nifa.usda.gov.
Nominated 4-H members maybe selected to participate in this summer’s Federal Partners for Bullying Prevention National Summit in Washington, DC. Last year, we had two outstanding young women from 4-H programs in Maine and Illinois participate in the summit. The 4-Hers should preferably be high school age or young adult 4-H alumni. Please send me your recommendations by May 23.
Service Day at OSU Student Farm
Do you have an interest in agriculture and international service? Did you know there is a student farm at The Ohio State University? Join Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and other friends of Peace Corps for a unique day of service at the farm. This will also be a great opportunity to learn more about agriculture, a skill that is greatly needed in Peace Corps.
Saturday, June 2nd 2012, 9AM-12PM
OSU Student Farm, Meet at OSU Waterman Farm at the corner of Lane and Kenny
What to bring
• Gloves
• Water and snacks
• Sunscreen
• Closed toed shoes (sneakers are fine)
• Hat, sunglasses, and raingear (if rain is in the forecast)
Great Vpportunity for Volunteers
2012 North Central Region Volunteer Forum
October 11 – 14, Wichita, Kansas
The 2012 North Central Region Volunteer Forum website is now open for business. This conference, scheduled for October 11 – 14, features outstanding speakers and at least 50 great workshops. Staff and volunteers can visit the web page to see the topics and speakers planned. The Registration Booklet includes links to the online registration and hotel as well as lots of other information.
Go to http://www.kansas4-h.org/p.aspx?tabid=314 or remember Kansas4-H.org, and click on the Forum logo in the center of the page.
Japanese Host Families Needed!
Please include this Blurb in your County Newsletters!
Thank you, 4-H Professionals, for helping to educate your volunteers and clientele about Ohio 4-H International Program opportunities! We still need 23 host families, so it would be very helpful if you continued to run the blurb below. Thank you! Please feel free to contact Mary Lynn Thalheimer with questions or suggestions: 614-292-6941 or thalheimer.1@osu.edu.
Families can Bring a Japanese Youth into your own Living Room!
Did you know that the Ohio 4-H International Program brings people from around the world into Ohio’s living rooms? And sends Ohio youth to live with families overseas? Hosting someone from overseas helps Ohio youth gain the skills they will need in the classrooms, workplaces and communities of the 21st century. Ohio 4-H is currently looking for families to host Japanese youth for 3 ½ weeks this summer (July 26 to August 21). Potential Ohio host families should have a child in their own home aged 10 – 14 who will serve as the main host sibling. Hosting is educational and lots of fun! Special trips and activities are not required, and medical insurance and spending money are provided. Check out the smiling faces of Japanese youth still needing homes this summer: http://www.ohio4h.org/international/documents/InternationalNewsletter2012Spring_000.pdfApplication form can be found at: http://www.ohio4h.org/international/applications.html. Find out more at www.ohio4h.org/youth/international or contact Mary Lynn Thalheimer, thalheimer.1@osu.edu or 614-292-6941. Share your world!
Agriculture is Cool – and Get Free Admission to the Ohio State Fair
The Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio State Fair and the buckeye state’s agricultural groups are again sponsoring the “Agriculture is Cool” program at the Ohio State Fair complete with exciting interactive stations like the opportunity to milk a real cow!
There are three great ways to participate:
AG IS COOL FOR FOURTH GRADERS
Students in the fourth grade during the 2011-2012 academic year and a chaperone can attend the Fair to see what makes agriculture cool any one day for free simply by presenting their report card at the entry gate. Better yet? Participants may enter to win a $500 scholarship by writing an essay about what they learned.
AG IS COOL FOR TEACHERS
Win a $2,500 grant to use any way you like in your classroom! Fourth grade teachers can sign up to receive a free admission coupon at www.ohioagriculture.gov/agiscool and visit the Ag is Cool stations at the Ohio State Fair (July 25 – Aug. 5). There, they can enter a random drawing to win no-restrictions money to use in the classroom!
AG IS COOL FOR ART COMPETITION
Students K-12 can flex their imagination by creating agricultural works of art, videos and more (and yes, prizes are involved)! Prior to the Fair, the Creative Expression visual arts contest will take place through July 9. Winners in each category and age group will be selected and honored in a special ceremony at the Fair and receive tickets to see The Band Perry on Aug. 2!
For more information and printer-friendly fliers, please visit www.ohioagriculture.gov/agiscool.
4-H and Jennifer Nettles on ABC's Duets Thursday May 24th!
At National 4-H Council’s 4-H Legacy Awards Gala in April, ABC television shot some great footage of 4-H alumna Jennifer Nettles, lead vocalist of Sugarland, performing with members of Georgia 4-H's Clovers and Company. We are excited to report that 4-H will be featured on the show via this performance as well as several one-on-one interviews.
You are encouraged to tune in to ABC the evening of Thursday, May 24th to support the show and watch Jennifer Nettles talk about the impact 4-H had on her life and career to a broad national audience. Spread the word !
Many thanks to our Georgia colleagues, especially National 4-H Council Trustee and Associate Dean for Extension, Beverly Sparks, State 4-H Program Leader Arch Smith, and former Council Trustee Bo Ryles, for helping make this big moment happen!
Here's a description of the show's concept:
"This one-of-a-kind singing competition takes the singing Superstars out from behind the judges’ table and onto the stage! Superstars Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles and Robin Thicke individually set out on a journey across America looking for undiscovered talent worthy to be their protégés. Ultimately, each Superstar will choose two singers to be their duet partners. Together, the Superstar and their protégé will take the stage each week and perform in front of a live studio audience. In the end, only one duet will be at the top of the charts and the winning amateur will receive a recording contract with Hollywood Records.
Please note there will be many changes for tax year 2011. Periodic updates and communications will be sent to the 4-H professional listserve and posted in this section of the Ohio 4-H News & Notes. This same information will be posted on the Staff Resources page under Financial Management, accessible from the Ohio 4-H home page.
Please read these documents carefully.
Communication #1 (1/10/11) - Federal Income Tax Exempt Status of Ohio 4-H
Communication #2 (revised 1/18/11) - IRS 990 Requirements
Communication #3 (1/25/11) - Collecting Critical Club Information
November 2, 2011 Inservice - Ohio General Exemption Process - Lisa Jinks Powerpoint presentation
2012 - IRS 990 Requirements - File by May 15, 2012
REVISED 2012 DOCUMENTS (2/13/12)
Ohio 4-H Club By-Laws - optional template
2012 - Maintaining Tax Exempt Status
For issues related to Federal Income Tax Exempt Status of Ohio 4-H and chartering, 4-H Professionals should contact Lisa Jinks, jinks.2@cfaes.osu.edu or Tom Archer, archer.3@cfaes.osu.edu. 4-H Clubs/Affiliates should call their local County office.
