Resources for Staff

2008 Weekly Update Archive

Staff News & Notes - Week of 5.05.08

Dear Colleagues:

Over the weekend, the Ohio 4-H program hosted the 4-H Arts & Sciences Project Mini College sponsored, in part, by the Ohio 4-H Foundation and Community Banks of Ohio.  When planning was in the early stages for the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, programs like this were envisioned by many individuals that provided input or participated in the focus groups.  The planning committee and facilitators included: Patty House, Ken Lafontaine, Christy Leeds, Laryssa Hook, Janet Myers, Ron Sanderson, Mark Light, Kathy Cox, Andrea Bowlin, Bob Horton, and Megan Brittingham.  They planned an outstanding program that highlighted many of the resources of the university.   Thanks to each of them for designing and conducting this very successful event.

Several weeks ago, we mentioned that we had received your input that was provided through the risk and program management survey.  Initial reviews reveal the following needs: (1) increased support and education regarding camp risk management; (2) more consistent communication of policies and procedures; (3) support for ongoing volunteer training and education related to risk management; and (4) increased education related to finances, food preparation, and transportation policies.  We appreciate those that participated in the survey and provided input.  We’ll continue to analyze the responses and direct the themes to the appropriate teams.

The warmer weather indicates that we are getting near the first resident camp and county fair!  Hard to believe they are both right around the corner.  Please take some time to spend with family and friends before we enter the really busy season!

Sincerely

Ryan & Vicki

Interim Co-Assistant Directors
4-H Youth Development

OVC 2008 - Plans for Cancelled Event

Thanks to all for your patience as all the decisions were made following the cancellation of the 2008 Ohio 4-H Volunteer conference.  While it is still a disappointment to miss the annual event, the results are mostly good news.  Read the attached memo on the plans.  Questions?  Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Vicki or Allen.

Memo Regarding Cancelled Event

2007 Ohio 4-H Statistical Report Released

We are pleased to share with you the 2007 Ohio 4-H statistical report.  Many thanks to each of you and the support staff in your county that are responsible for collecting and managing local enrollment data.  Additionally, thanks to Jim Elder for compiling the report.  Please take a few moments and review the report here!

Call for Presenters – Fall 4-H CARTEENS Conference

 

May 15 is the deadline to submit a proposal for the October 16, 4-H CARTEENS Inservice.Educators, Program Assistants, CARTEENS Volunteers and Community Partners (Juvenile Court, Law Enforcement, Insurance, etc) are invited to present on topics such as:

- How to conduct station activities

- Resources, videos

- Recruiting Carteens

- How to use impairment goggles and other supplies

- Different ways to set up sessions

- Working with the court system

- Parent participation

- How to use Carteens Evaluation

- Manual/Project Book

- ATV Safety Program

The Call for Presenters for sessions and posters can be found at http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/carteens.html

Data required for OMK programs in 2009

The funding that will be supporting the 4-H military programs for the 2009 program year will involve all 4H professionals in efforts to identify what youth involved in 4-H may have parents in the military.  A revised enrollment form for new members and re-enrollment form for continuing members will ask if the members have a parent involved with the military, and if so, to identify what branch of the military.  The collection of this information is vital to the continuation of funding for our efforts.  More information will be coming as the final revisions are made to the Blue Ribbon enrollment forms.   

Last Call for State 4-H Leadership Camp Counselor Applications

If you have Leadership Camp alumni or older county camp counselors age 18 and older who would be good counselors for this year’s State 4-H Leadership Camp, please encourage them to apply.  The dates are July 21 (staff orientation) and July 22-26 for Leadership Camp itself.  Applications will be accepted through the end of May, or until all the slots are filled.  Application materials are available through the link on the events & opportunities webpage at http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/EventsandOpport/index.html  

5th Annual Tri-State Diversity Conference

Diversity 2.0: Tomorrow’s Solutions for Today’s Problems
February 5-6, 2009
Sharonville, Ohio

See the call for proposals, here!

The conference is designed for public and private university representatives, including administrators, faculty and staff from Extension, research, and academic programs; K-12 educators; community outreach leaders; health and social services professionals; employers and supervisors; human resource staff; and all others wanting to empower greater diversity and cultural understanding within their communities. 

Our keynote speaker is Allan Johnson, a well known author, teacher, and speaker on the subject of Diversity, Power and Privilege. More information can be found at http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/AGJOHNSON/

The different conference tracks include:

1. Health & Wellness
Proposals topics to address include but are not limited to: Obesity, cultural perceptions of body image, diet / wellness research trends, effective methods of reaching diverse populations, approaches in health/wellness among different ethnic/racial groups, programs working with diverse cultures

2. Education & Youth Development
Proposals topics to address include but are not limited to: Key diversity issues inside K-12 and post secondary classroom; effective methods/programs which work to better understand diversity issues with youth; educators teaching within diverse audiences, education research and trends among youth of different backgrounds.

3. Building Strong Communities
Proposals topics to address include but are not limited to: Working with diverse groups; addressing differences among rural, suburban, and metro diversity; reaching diverse audiences, economic and social differences among cultural groups, etc. 

4. Diversity in the Workplace
Proposals topics to address include but are not limited to: Effective diversity training for employees, cultural challenges and opportunities in the workplace, dealing with immigration for documented and undocumented workers, understanding all employees, compliance and EEO issues in the workplace

National Youth Traffic Safety

National Youth Traffic Safety Month addresses the number one cause of death for youth in our nation.  Every year over 6,000 youth die in traffic related crashes.  Many of these crashes are caused by avoidable behavior.  Youth can take specific actions to be safer as drivers and passengers. National Youth Traffic Safety Month is also a time to celebrate and promote those who work to help keep youth safe on the roads.  Youth will be participating in activities to thank and support those working so hard to protect them. 

Would you like to receive a $1,000 award for your efforts to reduce teen driving crashes in your community? Start working now on plans for this year!

National Organizations for Youth Safety has once again designated May as National Youth Traffic Safety Month because it is an important time for teens to be focused on driving safety. To support National Youth Traffic Safety Month and as an incentive, Allstate Foundation is awarding $1,000 to 50 local youth organizations for their youth-developed and implemented projects that demonstrate a strong focus geared towards youth traffic safety.  With prom, graduation, and summer trips just ahead, youth-led teams can work together with Allstate Foundation and National Organizations for Youth Safety to decrease the number of traffic-related deaths and injuries that involve young drivers and passengers.

For more information on how YOU can be involved, visit the NYTSM:

http://www.noys.org/YouthTrafSafe/toolkit.html

What's Appropriate at 4-H Camp?

One of the sessions at the April 26 Kelleys Island 4-H Camp Counselor Weekend was “What’s Appropriate at 4-H Camp and What’s Not”.   The handout materials and the lesson plan are available for adaptation and use by Ohio 4-H Educators and Volunteers in other settings.  Both have been linked with the other 4-H teen leadership lesson plans on the Ohio 4-H website at http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/teen_leadership/index.html

The direct link to the lesson plan is here.

The “Tips for 4-H Camp Counselors: What’s Appropriate and What’s Not” handout includes a variety of tips related to counselor behavior, camp dress, camp meals, cabin activities, camp programs/assemblies/sessions, and camp music & dances.  The version on the website includes a list of 50 song titles the Kelleys Island 4-H Counselors Camp participants identified as offensive and inappropriate for 4-H Camps. 

The direct link to the handout here.   

One other note – Suggestions for updating the materials are welcomed.  Please send suggestions for adapting the lesson plan, and additional tips for the handout to Kathy Cox at cox.5@osu.edu  

Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment

Using the labels function in Youth Enrollment  allows counties to communicate with our many cliental.  When you create labels by going to Special  / labels you have the option to change the label font size. You can select either the small or large font size. When creating labels from any of the query options you are not given that same option. I have recently put together a pod cast entitled: How to make the font size smaller when using the queries to create labels (~5min). This pod cast will take you step by step through the process of how you can change the label font size so that the name and address will fit on the label. If you have any questions feel free to give Jim a Call or send him an email if you need assistance. The instructions are on the Ohio Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment web page. Click on the following link to access the information: http://www.ohio4h.org/blueribbon/tutorials.html

Update from the Ohio Youth Workforce Preparation Initiative

See the following update from the Real Money, Real World committee and the Ohio Youth Workforce Preparation Initiative. Many thanks to everyone involved in this initiative!

Final Report

4-H News & Notes Archives

We had to take down the 4-H News & Notes archives while there is some work done on that component of our website.  To access a previous version of the 4-H News & Notes, you may view the directory here: http://www.ohio4h.org/staff/weeklyupdates/

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Be sure to check out the Ohio 4-H Calendar:

May

1 Host Family Applications due in the State 4-H Office - final deadline
2-4 Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports Adult Leader Training – 4-H Camp Whitewood
3 National Join Hands Day: Youth and Adults Volunteering Together
3 State 4-H Horse Speaking Contest – Animal Science Bldg.
6-9 CYFAR Conference, San Antonio, TX
16 Registration Deadline for Youth Livestock Judging Clinic (tentative)
20-21 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting