Staff News & Notes - Week of 1.7.2008
Dear Colleagues:
Now that the calendar has turned to 2008, our attention is focused on two important statewide events that are coming up in the next several months. We are fortunate to have the human and financial support to host the Ohio 4-H Teen Conference and the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference and Bob Evans Farms Recognition Lunch. We hope that you are promoting these opportunities with teens and adult volunteers in your county/unit. Both events are outstanding educational opportunities!
The deadline for registering individuals for the upcoming Teen Conference is Friday, February 2. The on-line registration for the 2008 Ohio 4-H Teen Conference is live and ready to accept registrations. Please access the following web site to register teens for the conference: http://www.ohio4h.org/register/volconf/indext.php. The user name is: volconf. The passcode is ovc04. Registration materials can be found on the Teen Conference web page: www.ohio4h.org/teenconference.
Just a reminder that Friday, February 15, is the deadline for registering volunteers to attend the 2008 Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference. When a session is full, the number will no longer appear on the list of choices. For example, when you attempt to register someone for Session 302, you won't see the session number as an option, once the session is full. The on-line registration is available at the following address: http://www.ohio4h.org/register/volconf/. The user name is: volconf. The password is: ovc04
This past week, the Ohio 4-H Youth Development program lost a tremendous supporter and advocate for young people. Merlin Woodruff, longtime auctioneer from Champaign County, passed away after an extended illness. Merlin’s engaging personality, desire to help young people, and commitment to the agricultural community will long be remembered. The voice of the Ohio State Fair Sale of Champions, Merlin sold many 4-H/FFA projects at county fairs (including Ryan’s) and supported 4-H in Champaign County and across the state.
Have a great week and we look forward to seeing those attending the 2008 Ohio Fair Managers Convention.
Ryan & Vicki
Co-Interim Assistant Directors
4-H Youth Development
4-H Office Address Change
Beginning January 7, 2008, please use the following address for our office:
2201 Fred Taylor Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210
All phone numbers and fax numbers remain the same! NOTE: Our fax line will not be activated for another week!
BCI Reports – Price Increase
On January 1, 2008 the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) will increase fees for Ohio background checks to $22.00 per check (increased from $15.00). All county contacts should have received an email (or will very soon) from Brystal Slater informing them of this. Please know that this price is established by the BCI, not our office.
Join 4-H Sea Camp Planning Team for 2008
You are invited to join the Sea Camp Planning committee on January 23rd from 10:00am- 12:30pm at the Ohio 4-H Center. We are looking for 4-H professionals to help one, two, three or more days at Ohio Sea Camp,. We need teachers for evening programs and assistance with camp counselors. Bring your creative program ideas and try them out this summer! Dates for camp this year are July 17-21.
For more information contact: Bill Harris at the Center at Wooster or harris.12@osu.edu
North Central Regional Volunteer Forum - Call for Proposals
On November 6-8 Ohio will be hosting the North Central Region Volunteer Forum. Nearly 400 4-H Volunteers from 12 states will be attending this three-day event. Please consider submitting a proposal to present an exciting educational session. Proposals are due January 15th to Vicki Schwartz. For more information about the forum and to complete a proposal, please go to: http://www.ohio4h.org/ncrvf/
Don’t miss this chance to present to this regional audience!!
2008 Ohio State Fair Guidebook
The 2008 Ohio 4-H State Fair Guidebook is posted at: http://www.ohio4h.org/statefair/guidebook.html Please contact the Assistant Superintendent listed if you have specific questions about an event. There is a summary of all changes for the 2008 OSF listed on the web site as well.
Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment
Several counties have asked about going ahead with the Year End Processing so that they can start to enter new data. The decision to go ahead is up to each county. Please back sure that you back up your data before you perform the roll over. Youth Enrollment allows you to go back to archived data to create labels and reports using the change data path option. Let's say you are working on 2008 data and need to print labels from the 2007 data. All you need to do is double click on the data path listing at the bottom of the Youth Enrollment screen and change it to where your 2007 data is stored. You will need to exit the program each time you change the data path so that the program can find the appropriate data source. If you have any questions feel free to give Jim a call or send him an email.
4-H Teen Council Applications Due
Applications are now being accepted for the 2008-09 Ohio 4-H Teen Council. Information and the link to application materials are posted at http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/Ohio4-HTeenCouncil.html
The Ohio 4-H Teen Council is a statewide group of outstanding 4-H teens and young 4-H alumni selected to provide a youth stakeholder perspective in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of Ohio 4-H programming. As a result of participation, 4-H Teen Council members develop knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations needed for adult success, and the Ohio 4-H program is strengthened and expanded. There is no limit to the number of applicants each county may nominate, but preference in selections will be given to those who have state level leadership experience.
2008-09 Ambassador Applications Being Accepted Through May 30
State 4-H Ambassador Applications are due to the State 4-H Office by May 30. The orientation and installation program for new State 4-H Ambassadors will be 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday, June 10, 2008 in the new Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center.
Ohio 4-H Ambassadors are the youth spokespersons for Ohio 4-H. All Ohio 4-H'ers who - a) are a high school freshmen, sophomore, junior or senior on January 1 of the current year; b) have achieved the standards of excellence outlined as criteria for the program; c) are approved by their 4-H Educator as good representatives of the Ohio 4-H Program, d) have a permanent residence in Ohio during the time they wish to serve as Ambassadors; and e) have not previously been a State 4-H Ambassador - are invited to apply. To apply for this opportunity, teens need to complete the State 4-H Ambassadors application form (the link is posted at http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/ambassadors/index.html ) and submit it to their local Extension Office before the county deadline. All 4-H teens who meet the minimum required Standards of Excellence and are approved by their 4-H Educator as good representatives of the Ohio 4-H Youth Development Program will be invited to become State 4-H Ambassadors and to attend the Orientation and Installation program on June 10.
Equine Newsletter Published
The Winter 2008 issue of Equine E-News is now online!
http://horse.osu.edu/EquineENews
In this newsletter:
- Stretching your horse’s hay supply during drought
- Mare & Foal Care Seminar – January 16th
- Normal foal deliveries
- Press Release - Solving the puzzle of laminitis
- The Horses and Youth (HAY) Program
- OSU Equine Center 2008 Stallion Roster
- The Kentucky Breeder’s Incentive Fund
Call for County Nominations for State 4-H Fashion Board
County Educators with responsibility for county 4-H clothing programs are invited to nominate one individual from their county to serve on the 2008-09 State 4-H Fashion Board. Information about the Fashion Board and the link to the application materials are posted at: http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/FashionBoard.html
Nominees must have: a) completed a 4-H clothing project in 2007 and b) represented their county at the 2007 State Fair 4-H Fashion Revue or served on their 2007 County 4-H Fashion Board. There are no age requirements, but nominees must have enough successful 4-H clothing experience and leadership experience to be able to handle the responsibilities of being a State 4-H Fashion Board member, facilitating class circles and modeling practice at the State 4-H Fashion Revue, and leading sessions at Teen Conference and Volunteer Conference. Completed nominations should be submitted to the State 4-H Office by January 31. Selections will be made through reviews of application materials and interviews with Master Clothing Educators and current State 4-H Fashion Board Members at the February 16, 2008 Ohio 4-H Teen Conference.
G
T GREEN?
Whether your “green” is figuring out finances, 4-H spirit, being environmentally friendly, or a little of all three, the 2008 4-H Professional In-service is the event for you! Come join us at the “green” Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on February 4 & 5. Charge your 4-H spirit by attending educational sessions, networking with co-workers, and explore the functions of the new Action Teams.
Online registration begins January 14th with session descriptions and Action Team details. The early bird fees are $65 for two-days & $35 for one-day. All early bird registrants (registered by Jan. 18th) will be entered into a drawing for a free registration! Three winners will be chosen and there will be additional drawings for other prizes. After January 18, the costs increase to $75 for two-days and $35 for one-day participation.
Don’t forget to bring a little extra “green” with you to participate in this year’s fundraising opportunities. You can help send an OMK youth to camp and help Ohio NAE4-H host the great “Betty Bash” in Indianapolis this fall. Mark your calendars for February 4 & 5 and remember – G
T GREEN? On-line registration will be active soon.
For more information: Contact Sally McClaskey at mcclaskey.12@osu.edu, Amanda Forquer at forquer.13@osu.edu, or Vicki Schwartz at schwartz.4@osu.edu
OEPA Hosting Children's Water Festival
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) is hosting a Children's Water Festival Friday May 9th at the State House Atrium in Columbus and would like OSU Extension to be a partner organization.
The audience will be 150--200 fourth and fifth graders in Franklin County. They are looking now for possible presenters to offer 12-14 hands-on activities and/or interactive displays, information for a packet, follow up classroom speakers, and possible hosts and/or committee members for next year. OEPA would like it to expand the audience and offer in a different location next year.
If you are interested in presenting or have a good idea to share let me know before Thursday Jan. 10 and Anne Baird will submit names to committee. You can contact Anne at baird.41@osu.edu
If you'd like to be more involved in planning there will be a meeting at Ohio EPA downtown Cols on Thursday Jan. 10 from 9-11 AM.
Note of Appreciation
Ed Werner, 4-H Educator in Portage County received the following note that he shared with our office. To learn more about this program, contact Ed directly!
December 19, 2007
Dear Ed:
"Ed, I hope that you get some time to just relax and unwind over the holidays. Thanks so much for all of your work on our Grandletters projects. It's made part of what I do have more meaning despite the extra time and stress.
Most of the kids tell the 7th grade teachers that it's their favorite part of Middle School. You're an unusually rare man and I appreciate all that you do for us."
Sincerely,
Mary Spear
6th Grade Teacher
Waterloo Middle School
