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Ohio 4-H Youth Development
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2008 Weekly Update Archive

Staff News & Notes - Week of 09.02.08

Hi,

I feel pretty good about being back in 4-H. I have twenty-four years of experience doing about every job imaginable by a local 4-H professional. Since then I have worked eight years in a state-wide position assisting county personnel, specialists, and administrators manage program development and evaluation efforts as Leader, Program Development and Evaluation. I am pretty well-versed in Ohio State University Extension and 4-H.

However, I have much to learn to be effective in this new position. Many Ohio 4-H professionals have come on board since I left my county 4-H position, and I need to get to know them. We have the best 4-H facility in the world in the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center that needs to be fully utilized. We have a new and challenging strategic plan to implement in the next five years. And, we all have less funding resources than what we might desire.

You should be glad to know that Vicki Schwartz has agreed to continue in a state-wide 4-H administrative role.  Her title will be Associate State 4-H Leader. Vicki and I have worked well together on various tasks in the past, and I look forward to working with her in our new positions.  She will contribute greatly to our future successes in Ohio 4-H.

I thought on this day I should also outline just a few of the dimensions that you can expect from me.  Later you will come to realize other dimensions, but this is a start. Expect me to:

  1. Utilize others’ skills and expertise
  2. Be engaged with County 4-H personnel
  3. Encourage and assist completing impact evaluations
  4. Be a strong advocate for 4-H
  5. Seek external funding for support of 4-H Youth Development programs
  6. Effectively utilize time in meetings
  7. Use WebEx to visit with people and deliver professional development
  8. Gather available and appropriate data in a timely manner to make informed decisions


I am going to need the help and support of every 4-H professional in Ohio. We are all on new thresholds on many levels – leadership, strategic plan, funding, and facility. By working together, we can “Make the Best Better”.

Tom

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

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

SEPTEMBER

5-6  - State 4-H Trail Ride - Bob Evans Farms, Rio Grande, Ohio

5 - Celebration of Youth - Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, Columbus, Ohio