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Staff News & Notes - Week of 11.16.09
Hi,
For almost fifteen months I have had this job. It is almost exactly the same time frame that we have been dealing with severe budget problems created by the “economy” in general. (I like to think this is more of a coincidence, rather than a “cause-effect”.) BUT, the most troubling part to me is that the financial challenges have greatly over-shadowed, and in some cases, handcuffed, our ability to expand our 4-H youth development efforts.
Not that this is incomprehensible. It is thoroughly logical that those among our midst, who are unsure about the future of the funding for Extension, are just as unsure about their future employment. Creativity and new programming thrusts will be understandably stymied.
The final enrollment figures for 2009 have not yet been tallied, but my sense is that for the past eleven months, 4-H in Ohio has been fairly “normal”. As I stated at our October 22 State-wide gathering of 4-H Professionals, I anticipate 2010 to be the real challenge. If we learn how we can work through the funding issues that will be thrown at us in the next six months, we will be better for it in the years to follow.
But we need to keep expanding 4-H youth development ideas and programming even in the face of challenges. Such expansion does not necessarily mean an increase in audience served, but it can include expansion of ideas in needed programming and the delivery of that programming.
This may seem a little premature, but I have heard ideas of how 4-H professionals in the EERAs are planning to use the $2000 grants by the 4-H Foundation. Recently, I also had the opportunity to review over thirty Innovative Fund proposals submitted this month by Extension professionals, over a third of which were devoted to 4-H Youth Development. Through the county 4-H newsletters that I receive daily, I note the complexity and completeness of 4-H programming for 2010. I commend those of you who continue to think and work creatively.
My conclusion is that it is possible for Ohio 4-H Professionals to expand 4-H youth development ideas and programming, even in the face of adversity. It is not only good that we are doing these things, it is a MUST.
Thanks for all the work that you do.
Tom
2010 Livestock Ear Tag Orders
Last Thursday the Livestock Tag order information was sent via e-mail to the 4-H Professionals listserv, with the actual order forms posted on the 4-H Animal Sciences website www.4hansci.osu.edu/. On this website in the left hand column see FOR EDUCATORS, this is a restricted access page and password information was included in last week's e-mail.
There are no changes in the color or cost of the tags for 2010, so there will be no problem if you have already ordered using the old forms. You will find the updated forms with the 2010 information for normal tags, 840 tags, and ODA’s letter concerning the 840 or slap tattoo for hogs (either/or). Typically there is a 45-day order period, but PBS has said they will accommodate a quick turn around pertaining to the earlier fair tag-ins. There are no changes in the 840 tags or the State of Ohio Regulations for that tag.
If you have questions please contact Paul Kuber at kuber.2@osu.edu or Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu.
4-H Animal Sciences In-Service, December 15
The 2009 4-H Animal Sciences In-Service registration form and agenda were emailed to 4-H professionals yesterday, as well as posted on the Educator’s password protected site at www.4hansci.osu.edu.
If you have key volunteers, Fair Board members, and or FFA Instructors in your county who you think would benefit from this in-service, please share the registration form and agenda with them.
Note that there will be a Quality Assurance/Animal Welfare Update and Certification, as well as PQA Plus Certification in the afternoon for Extension professionals, as well as for key volunteers, Fair Board members, and/or FFA Instructors. Registrations are due by Monday, December 7.
If you have any questions please contact Paul Kuber at kuber.2@osu.edu or Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu.
Ohio State Fair Poultry Judging Contest Results
The Ohio State Fair Junior and Senior Individual and Team Poultry Judging Results are now posted on the 4-H Animal Sciences website at www.4hansci.osu.edu on the Livestock and Poultry home pages.
2010 Junior Fair Conference
The Junior Fair Conference is on January 5th, 2010. In order to share what is happening in other counties, please forward your information about the following:
1) If you have ideas on how you promote 4-H at the county fair, please share that information with Julie Dalzell at dalzell.1@osu.edu.
2) If you have ideas to share about activities being done at county fair with Cloverbuds. Counties can e-mail them to Vicki Reed reed.192@osu.edu.
Carving New Ideas (CNI)
December 11-13, 2009
4-H Camp Ohio
The Collegiate 4-H Club at the Ohio State University is holding their annual Carving New Ideas workshop (CNI) at Camp Ohio on December 11-13th. This year’s theme is “4-H Superheroes Training” We will be kicking off our weekend between 6-8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 11th and will conclude on Sunday, December 13th, around 11:30 am.
CLICK HERE for Registration Form
2010 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Award Due November 20th
The National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Award recognizes 4-H volunteers who demonstrate exemplary service to 4-H, while promoting service through volunteerism as both an opportunity and a privilege.
In 2010, the north central region will honor eight volunteers! Each region will have its own Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer (has volunteered over 10 years) and Volunteer of the Year (has volunteered less than 10 years). The eight regional winners become nominees for the national award, and one volunteer in each category will be named the national winner.
The applications can be found at www.ohio4h.org/volunteers and are due to Amanda Forquer by November 20, 2009, forquer.13@cfaes.osu.edu or mail to: Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Amanda Forquer, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43210
Shortly after November 20th, a committee will select which candidate will represent Ohio for the regional award. Don’t delay, apply today!!
Ohio Volunteer Conference Awards Nominations due December 1st
Volunteer Award Nominations are due to the State 4-H Office for the following categories: Community Service, Innovator, Leadership, Meritorious Service, Recruitment, Ohio Friend of 4-H Award, and 4-H Hall of Fame Awards.
Every county in Ohio has outstanding 4-H volunteers. Our goal is to have each 4-H Educator in our state or 4-H Committee President nominate at least one volunteer or supporter to be recognized at the 2010 Ohio Volunteer Conference.
Nomination forms are available at http://www.ohio4h.org/volunteerconference/. Scroll down and click on 2010 Award Nomination Forms or 2010 Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame Application. Please take the time to help volunteers and supporters realize how much we truly appreciate their contributions to 4-H. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Jane Lindsey (740-622-2265 or lindsey.4@osu.edu) or Vicki Schwartz (schwartz.4@cfaes.osu.edu).
Employee Self-Assessment Launched
During the month of November, Extension employees are being asked to complete an online self-assessment. The Employee Self-Assessment is designed to help employees and the organization as we transition to a competency-based approach to human resource management. Through completing the assessment, individual employees will become more familiar with OSU Extension's core competencies while reflecting on strengths and areas for improvement. For employees with programming responsibilities, the self-assessment includes both core competencies and one area of expertise - program evaluation. The results will also help the organization to assess capacity and prioritize training needs.
If you have any questions about the Employee Self-Assessment, please contact Graham Cochran (cochran.99@osu.edu) or Debby Lewis (lewis.205@osu.edu).
2010 Priester National Extension Health Conference
Take this opportunity to promote your work in 4-H Healthy Living Programming.
A call for abstracts has been issued for presentations, workshops, round table discussions or exhibits for the Priester National Extension Health Conference scheduled for April 20-21, 2010 in Mobile, Alabama. Theme is Healthy People, Healthy Communities: Reducing Health Disparities. Submissions are due November 20. Online submission forms are available at http://www.aces.edu/priester /.
The conference will be held at the Marriott Renaissance Riverview Plaza in Mobile, AL. The tentative agenda and hotel registration are also available at the above website. For more information contact Janine Yeske, yeske.1@cfaes.osu.edu .
Update Your Occasional Quantity Cooks (OQC) Web Address
The OQC website has a new URL. Please update your bookmarks and links to point to: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~oqc/
The old address ( hec.osu.edu/oqc) no longer works.
Community Involvement Idea for Local 4-H Clubs
“Project Citizen” is a series of lessons which involves a group of youth (grades 5-12) in a series of structured, cooperative learning activities which are guided by instructors or adult volunteers. Working on cooperative teams, youth learn to interact with their government by using a six step process: [1] Identify a problem to study; [2] Gather information; [3] Examine solutions; [4] Develop a public policy; [5] Develop an action plan; and [6] Culminating activities.
Sets of “Project Citizen” materials are available at no cost upon request. “Project Citizen” has primarily been an in-school effort in Ohio. However, other states have successfully used this curriculum with community 4-H clubs. The Ohio Center for Law-Related Education provides the resources in Ohio. This is the same organization that coordinates the Mock Trial program. It has potential for being an excellent community involvement program for community 4-H clubs, county 4-H Junior Leadership groups, or state teen leader efforts. For more information on becoming involved with “Project Citizen” please contact Addie Natalie , program coordinator at 1-877-485-3510 or anatalie@oclre.org.
OVC Sponsorships
The 2010 Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference and Bob Evans Farms 4-H Recognition Luncheon will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
We are again welcoming and encouraging counties to consider a 4-H Volunteer Conference Sponsorship. The four county sponsorship levels are described below, plus a flyer about the sponsorships has been included. County donations assist us in keeping registration fees reasonable, and assure quality, reserved seating at the Recognition Luncheon. For 2010, four sponsorship levels are available.
Sponsorship |
Amount |
Benefits, Rewards, and Recognition |
Green |
$100 |
Two complimentary registrations, reserved seating, name in program, and county recognition. |
Silver |
$250 |
Seven complimentary registrations, 3rd & 4th row reserved seating, name in program, and county recognition. |
Gold |
$500 |
Fourteen complimentary registrations, 2nd row seating, name in the program and county recognition. |
Platinum |
$1000 |
Thirty-two complimentary registrations, front row seating, name in the program and county recognition.
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We look forward to your support and hope to make this year’s conference a huge success. Please contact Vicki Schwartz, schwartz.4@cfaes.osu.edu if your county would like to make a sponsorship commitment. Deadline for inclusion in the luncheon program is February 1, 2010. Sponsorship checks should be sent to the State 4-H Office and made payable to OSUE4-H - 2010 OVC.
2010 Achievement Award Application and 4-H Scholarships
The 2010 Achievement Award application and 4-H Scholarship applications are posted at the following web site: http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/awards/index.html
All application materials must be in the State 4-H Office by February 1, 2010.
There are several new scholarships available this year. Please be sure to encourage 4-H members in your county to apply. Below are the descriptions for the new scholarships:
The Albert F. and Margaret E. Gehres 4-H Scholarship – One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded. Applicants must be a present or former Ohio 4-H member and planning to enroll as a freshman in any area of study at The Ohio State University, ATI or any of its regional campuses.
Dr. and Mrs. Vernon Glick Bolender, Jr. 4-H Scholarship – One $ 2,000 will be awarded. Applicant must be a current or former Ohio 4-H member who is entering or is enrolled in any area of study at The Ohio State University, ATI or any of its regional campuses. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to applicants from Pickaway County. (Applicant must have a FAFSA on file at OSU).
All application materials must be in the State 4-H Office by February 1, 2010.
Major Upcoming COUNTY 4-H EVENTS - 2009/2010
NOVEMBER
19- Columbiana County Volunteer Recognition Banquet
6:00 pm - Winona First Friends Church Banquet Center
Contact Julia Herron 330-424-7291
19- Mercer County Annual 4-H Adult & Teen Volunteer Recognition Banquet
Fairground Community Center Celina, 7:00 pm
21- Ashtabula County Advisor Recognition Dinner – Lenox Community Crt.
Contact Becky Holmes - 440/576-9008
24- Clinton County 64th Annual 4-H Advisor and Teen Leader Recognition
Clinton County Fairgrounds Expo Center –
RSVP by11/16/09 937-382-0901 or email clin@cfaes.osu.edu
