4-H Email List Addresses:
4h-professionals@ag.osu.eduohioblueribbon@ag.osu.edu
Subscribe to the Ohio 4-H email lists:
 |
4-H Professionals |
|
Ohio Blue Ribbon |
Subscribe to the OSU Extension Email List.
|
All Extension |
4-H Staff News & Notes - Week of January 29, 2012
Hi,
I use the phrase “4-H Professional” a great deal. For me it describes the group of Extension personnel who do 4-H Youth Development work and get paid for doing it. Generally, these employees have “4-H” in their title. If we break this down a little further, the word “professional” is a noun that infers an expert and specialized knowledge in the field in which one is practicing.
But let’s switch gears. Often we also use the word “professional” as an adjective. As such, probably the most often times I hear this is when someone is describing a colleague’s behavior or misbehavior. We have all heard, and maybe we have even said something similar to, “That was not very professional of her (or him).”
What are the elements of professional behavior? I am not a sociologist, and I admit I did not even take the time to Google this topic to obtain other dimensions. Just from my thinking right now I see that there are three overarching qualities of professional behavior.
The first is image. Our professional image is projected in several ways – how we dress, what we write, where we frequent, the company we keep, and so on. It is probably not very professional to wear camouflage shorts to the office, but that would be appropriate for camp. People should not post on FaceBook or send an email that contains words or phrases (or even clever acronyms) that we would not say in public. Professional image implies a sense of humor that does not offend. I could probably sum up the entire dimension of “image” by saying we need to be clean and neat, and let that apply to all the above.
The second is respect. All the people over my career for whom I would categorize their behavior as “professional” have my respect. I think that is because they GIVE respect. They listen. They do not interrupt, overly push their own agendas, invade others’ private/ office space, or misrepresent themselves. They are dependable and consistent. They are always ethical, do not say opposite things to two different people just to please, and are open-minded in their thinking. They give credit where credit is due, and do not take credit for another’s work. If presented with evidence and logical alternative perspectives, they are willing to change their minds. If they adamantly disagree with a position or policy, they develop an alternative, and they present that alternative publicly rather than denigrating others behind their backs.
I had a hard time finding one word that describes what I see as the third element of professional behavior. So I will use “anticipation”. To me this means that the person has initiative, is forward looking, and is able to anticipate problems and opportunities. They may be a futurist, but I do not think that they are necessarily extremely creative. That is, they are not afraid of change or innovation, but they may be employing the ideas and direction of others. A true professional works hard and engages others to do new things, as well as the proven old things, that will benefit the most possible people.
Maybe it all comes down to just using common sense for the time, people and places in which we are immersed as 4-H Professionals. The problem is, I do not know how to teach common sense. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Tom
February 6, 2012 4-H Professionals’ Spring Update
Register for the 4-H Professionals' Spring Update from the reminder e-mail you received on January 27th from Tom Archer. Click the zoomerang link and choose from the drop down boxes for the sessions you wish to attend. Contact Lisa Jinks, jinks.2@cfaes.osu.edu for further information.
Ohio 4-H Achievement Award and Scholarship Applications
It will soon be time for submitting your Achievement Award and Scholarship Applications. The deadline for achievement records is 5:00 on February 6. You can bring them to the State 4-H Inservice. Scholarships are due on-line by February 15. If you have anyone applying for State Junior Fair Board, please have them in a separate pile.
Again this year, you are being asked to enter all of your 4-H members information on-line. Here's a link to the web site: https://4hawards.cfaes.ohio-state.edu
The username is 4hawards and the password is 4*h1111nd. If you have members with multiple applications, please only enter their name, county and award/scholarship area. You do not need to enter all of the contact information for each individual.
Additional information/forms are posted at: www.ohio4h.org/aauck
REPEAT: Project Number Mix Up in Family Guide
As more families are getting their hands on the Family Guide, more are noticing this number mix-up. The project numbers for two projects are swapped on the inside front cover. The correct project codes are
- 494 Makeover My Space
- 592 Get Started in Art
The codes that appear with the descriptions and in the project guide at the back are correct. Also, the codes on the 2012 Summary of Changes were correct, but they were in the wrong order. A corrected version has been posted. Thanks to everyone who caught the errors. If you see anything else, please contact Amanda Forquer, forquer.13@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.6942 or Jane Wright, wright.646@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.0909. Thanks!
MXC – Making Extreme Counselors
Registration deadline approaching!
A few reminders about MXC:
- The early registration deadline is Tuesday, January 31, at a cost of $40 per person. The registration site is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MXC2012.
- As an added incentive, two names will be drawn from the earlybird pool to receive a free registration! The drawing will take place at the February 6 4-H Professionals In-Service.
- 4-H Professionals who are attending for the weekend must register.
- The late registration deadline is February 9, at a cost of $45.
- All necessary forms required for participants are posted http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/teen_leadership/
A program schedule will be posted shortly. For questions contact Theresa Ferrari, ferrari.8@osu.edu or Nadine Fogt, fogt.12@osu.edu.
Ohio State Fair Scholarship
Please distribute with your 4-H members. There are quite a few scholarship opportunities available through state fair but usually not a lot of applicants. Tell any and all that the odds are good to receive a scholarship. This is also posted on the 4-H Animal Science website and on the Ohio State Fair website.
CLICK HERE OFR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
2012 Bi-State Poultry Youth Clinic
March 24, 2012
OARDC/ OSU – fisher Auditorium
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Master 4-H PetPALS Volunteer Leader Training Scheduled
A statewide training for 4-H volunteers interested in leading a 4-H PetPALS club or group, or advising within an existing 4-H club, must attend a Master 4-H PetPALS Volunteer Leader training. This will be held Saturday, March 3 at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Registration deadline is February 17. Information about this workshop, including a Master 4-H PetPALS Volunteer Leader Job Description and registration form for March 3 can be found at: http://4hansci.osu.edu/companion/companionEvents.php. General 4-H PetPALS information, as well as training info, can be found at: http://4hpetpals.osu.edu/. Please contact Lucinda Miller, miller.78@osu.edu, 614.292.7453 for questions and/or additional information.
New! State 4-H Dog Bowl Contest
New in 2012 will be a State 4-H Dog Bowl Contest, modeled after the State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest. This will take place at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Saturday, June 23. The deadline for teams to enter is May 25. Information can be found at: http://4hansci.osu.edu/companion/companionEvents.php and at: http://4hansci.osu.edu/companion/companionResources.php. For questions please contact either Penne Smith at 740.732.2381, smith.57@osu.edu or Lucinda Miller at 614.292.7453, miller.78@osu.edu.
Completion Requirements for New and Revised Projects
A list of this year’s new projects—with the same completion information that will appear in the Project Completion and Fair Requirements document—is available on the Staff Resources page under Publications. (BTW, the “PCFR” is on its way, awaiting only the finalization of some state fair info.) These descriptions may help your 4-H members, families, and volunteers make informed choices about this year’s activities. If you have any questions, please contact Jane Wright, wright.646@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.0909 or Amanda Forquer, forquer.13@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.6942. Thanks!
Youth Conservationist Program
Here is a great program for youth ages 9-18. This program gives youth an opportunity to own a heritage sheep breed. This is done through the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and headed up by a local Coshocton County volunteer.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
4-H Stories from the Heart
This “4-H Stories from the Heart” book was talked about at the 2010 & early 2011 4-H In-Service, however publication was delayed. You may have reserved a copy with Niki McNeely or Betty Mongomery----but those requests are DELETED. The books that were ordered last November finally arrived this past Summer (!), so…. READ ON if you’d like a copy or two…..I have 48 copies – so first come first served.
“4-H Stories from the Heart” is a 290 page collection of 4-H stories from across the United States. It is published by NAE4-HA.
Betty Wingerter is in the lobby of the 4-H Center on February 6th with 48 books available at a cost to Ohio 4-H professionals of $12.50 (price good until Feb 6, 2012). Proceeds go to the Ohio 4-H Teen Conference. Additional copies will be sold at the Ohio 4-H Volunteer & Teen Conference for $18.50 each.
Lisa Lauxman, Division Director, 4-H Youth Development, NIFA USDA says "Reading these 4-H stories will warm your heart, help clear your head, remind you why we extend our hands to serve, and yes, provide you with healthy, wholesome laughter! These stories resonate and capture the essence of 4-H."
To order for delivery at Feb 6 In-Service – send me an email with:
- number of copies you want @ $12.50
- how you plan to pay: check that day payable to: OSU Extension, Montgomery County OR account transfers: include your county ORG & fund number in the email.
More information, contact Betty Wingerter, wingerter.1@osu.edu.
Promote the Ohio 4-H International Program!
Thanks for your efforts to spread the word that Ohio 4-H offers opportunities for youth to learn about the diverse world they live in! News Releases to help promote the International Program are now posted on the international page of the Ohio 4-H website and can be found here: http://www.ohio4h.org/international/documents/NewsReleases12.pdf Releases are also being provided to ICCs at this weekend’s ICC Training. Thanks for helping get articles placed in local papers. Need assistance, advice or information? Please contact Mary Lynn at thalheimer.1@osu.edu.
Yale Heart Study Community Service Program
The Yale Heart Study focuses on the care-seeking behavior of individuals who have suffered a heart attack, medically termed an acute myocardial infarction. As you may know, delays in care-seeking during a heart attack can contribute to increases morbidity and mortality. Our data will eventually be used to develop strategies to facilitate rapid and effective care-seeking. The Yale Heart Study [YHS] is funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the NIH and has been approved by the Yale Institutional Review Board [IRB]..
We are reaching out to 4-H organizations to ask for your assistance in making it possible for older and less computer experienced individuals to participate in the YHS. The YHS uses a web-based survey that self-tailors to each study participant and takes between thirty and sixty minutes to complete. The survey is located at: https://heartstudy.yale.edu. Since the 4-H encourages citizenship and healthy living we would like to invite your young members to participate in our Community Service Program by assisting a family member, neighbor or friend who has had a heart attack to participate in the YHS. For assisting others to complete the YHS survey the Yale School of Nursing will provide them a certificate of completion for one hour of community service. We hope to gather a national sample of 2300 subjects by April 2012.
If you have any questions, you may contact Angelo A Alonzo at heart.study@yale.edu. Thank you in advance for your support!
Counselor College @ Canter’s Cave
The annual Counselor College at Canter's Cave is set for March 24 and 25. This is a great opportunity for your camp counselors to learn new skills, have fun, and exchange ideas and share energy with other teens from throughout the state. Cost is just $35 per counselor for registrations received in the Pike County Extension Office by March 9. Registration information and details can be found on the Gallia County website. http://gallia.osu.edu/topics/4-h-youth-development/camp-counselor
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
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.
