Staff News & Notes - Week of 2.25.2008
Dear Colleagues:
On March 8, 2008 Ohio 4-H Youth Development will host the Ohio Volunteer Conference and Bob Evans Farms Recognition Luncheon. This annual event, attracting more than 1,200 volunteers and supporters is a highlight of our statewide volunteer education and recognition program. The committee has been hard at work for the past twelve months planning the conference so that the needs of those attending are met. Additionally, we know many of you are planning volunteer education programs in your county within a cluster of counties. Volunteer education is becoming increasingly important as our volunteer corps evolves and their needs and interests change.
One of our federal reporting areas pertains to volunteer education with the focus on enhancing the number of opportunities for volunteers. We know that there are many volunteer orientation and educational programs happening and we would be very interested in learning about those. As we continue to look for innovative and unique strategies to share across the state, we would like to hear from you! If you have a moment, please share your agendas with Sarah Leidheiser and also share your unique training/education strategies. We’ll continue to share these ideas on our volunteer management website for all to use!
In closing this week, we would like to invite each of you to the April 4, 2008 ribbon cutting ceremony to be held at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center at 2201 Fred Taylor Drive. The open house will be held from 3:00-5:00pm and we ask that you RSVP by calling or emailing Amelia Brashear (614-247-6904) with the names of individuals attending. When calling or emailing, please be sure to mention that it is for the ribbon cutting on April 4, 2008!
Have a great week!
Ryan & Vicki
Interim Co-Assistant Directors
4-H Youth Development
4-H Office Room Numbers
With our move to the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, individuals with offices have specific room numbers. While not necessary, you can include the room number when mailing to our facility. Also, we thought this might be helpful when visiting one of the faculty/staff that have offices. See the document here!
Ohio 4-H Week Materials Available Online
Ohio 4-H Week (March 2-8) is approaching quickly! Find resources and ideas online here. If you have materials you’d like to share, send them to Sarah on the website.
4-H Tax Exempt Status - Update on Filing Information
Several individuals have asked about e-filing for their 4-H clubs and committees. We were infomrated that until all EIN numbers have been sent to IRS by National 4-H Headquarters and then confirmed, Clubs/Committees cannot e-file. National 4-H Headquarters reported that they will be submitted soon Until National 4-H Headquarters submits all the EIN's to the IRS, it is very possible that your clubs/committees number will not be found by the IRS, when doing a search. So, we ask for your patience for a couple more weeks! We'll provide more information as soon as it becomes available.
Master 4-H PetPALS Volunteer Leader Training Registrations Due
Registrations are due by March 15 for the statewide 4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Training. The statewide training is Saturday, March 29, at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Older youth who want to serve as Teen Leaders in their 4-H PetPALS clubs may also attend this training. Please refer to web site for the Master 4-H PetPALS Volunteer Leader Position Description and Registration materials.
Register Now for the 5th annual Youth Welding Workshop
Encourage any youth in your county involved in Welding projects to attend the 5th Annual Youth Welding Workshop to be held at The Ohio State University on Saturday, April 19th. Youth will participate in welding activities with university specialists and have the opportunity to complete work relevant to their project books. For more information, please see the schedule and registration form. Contact Randall Reeder or 614-292-6648, with any questions.
Searching for 4-H Science, Engineering & Technology Alumni
Are you a former 4-H'er working in pharmaceutical research, environmental science, engineering, biological or chemical science, aerospace, technology, or plant and animal science? Do you know one who is? National 4-H Council is looking for 4-H alumni to feature in an upcoming promotion. Take a moment to fill out a short 10-minute survey! Click here or visit 4-H Council to access the survey and learn more about the 4-H Science, Engineering & Technology (4-H SET) program.
State 4-H Ambassador Applications Being Accepted Through May 30
This is a reminder that Ohio 4-H Ambassador applications are due to the State 4-H Office by May 30. Ambassadors are the youth spokespersons for Ohio 4-H, and have many exciting opportunities for statewide leadership during their year of active service and beyond. The application form is available here.
All Ohio 4-H'ers are eligible 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.
All State 4-H Ambassador applicants who meet the "standards of excellence" criteria 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 attend the State 4-H Ambassador Orientation Program and Installation Program on Tuesday, June 10 at The Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus. After one year of representing Ohio 4-H as State 4-H Ambassadors; active Ambassadors who complete the program requirements will be recognized and receive "Graduate Ambassador" status at a special ceremony.
County 4-H Endowment Survey
The Ohio 4-H Foundation County Endowment sub-committee is interested in learning more about your activities, level of satisfaction, and needs related to your efforts to grow your local 4-H endowment. We are asking that you take a few minutes and respond to the questions on the form below. Please return completed forms by February 28, 2008. Thanks!!
College Planning Materials for your 4-10th Graders
The Economic Access Initiative, part of Academic Affairs at Ohio State, would like to share our new college planning tip sheets with 4-H Staff for use in your camps or other activities. Our office's goal is to increase access to education beyond high school, particularly for first generation and low income students. We have three publications, all titled "Making College Happen"; one is geared to 4 through 6th graders, one is for 7th and 8th graders and the last targeted to 9th and 10th graders. A sample of the tip sheets is available online here. We would be glad to provide large quantities for your use this spring and summer. Just email Laura Kraus or call 614-292-3343 with the number and grade level of the publication(s) you would like along with a mailing address. And thank you for your role in educating the children of the state of Ohio!
College Diversity Climate Survey
Within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences we seek to create an environment characterized by equal access for all employees regardless of cultural differences where individuals are not just tolerated but valued. A welcoming and inclusive climate is grounded in respect, nurtured by dialogue, and evidenced by a pattern of civil interaction. As part of the Change Agent States project, we agree that the first step in creating such an environment is to assess the current climate in order to identify important issues and then to create ways for the organization to address them.
All of your answers are confidential and the results will be reported in group form only. You will not be identifiable as an individual. Your participation in this project is voluntary. This research has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board. If you have questions please contact Kathy Lechman, Leader, Diversity Development at (614) 247-7176 or Lechman.1@osu.edu.
We urge you to take the 20-25 minutes needed to answer the questions by going to the website. Click here!
Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference Silent Auction & Door Prize Drawing
A $10 minimum value, but maximum of $50.00 on Auction Items please.
At the 4-H Idea Center during the
Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference & Bob Evans Farms
4-H Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on March 8, 2008.
Just drop us a note, give a call or email Jill Stechschulte to let us know if you can make a donation.
Items can be sent to Jill Stechschulte, your county Extension Office or dropped off at the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference registration desk or Silent Auction Room by 9:00 am.
AMERICAN VETERANS CLOTH DITTY BAG
Finished bag will be 10"x12" with 2 draw strings.
Cut 2 pieces of washable and dryer safe fabric 11" wide x 14" tall.
Place wrong sides together. Pin.
Sew 1/2" seam on 3 sides.
Fold top side opening which is the tallest and narrowest over 1 ½”. Pin.
Sew 1/2" seam all the way around the opening which will give you a one inch band through which you will fish 2 drawstrings.
Cut 2 opposing vertical slits on inside middle on opposite seams.
Attach safety pin to end of each of 2 draw strings. Fish through opening together or separately.
Sew or knot each drawstring to prevent them from pulling out.
Pull one string through one slit and the other drawstring through other slit.
Fold the bag to the right side.
These products may also be donated: full or travel sizes of toothpaste, dental floss, bar soap, comb, wash cloths or scratchy, tooth brush, non-alcohol mouthwash, body wash, lotion, small notebooks & tablets, ink pens, “stamped” envelopes, travel size tissues.
Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment
The SQL's that are posted on the Ohio Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment web page are designed to give you data that you couldn't normally get using one the program queries. There are several SQL's listed on the Ohio Blue Ribbon web site. If you need for example a list of members taking a particular project and you need their club name you would have to use one the SQL's from the web to generate that information. Any of the SQL's listed can be modified to get the information that you need. For example any of the SQL's that contain project numbers can be changed with other project numbers as long as they are in the same format. If you need help with any of the SQL's give Jim a call or send him an email. The link to get you to the SQL's is here.
Volunteer Position Descriptions Wanted
Volunteer position descriptions are an important part of the Ohio 4-H volunteer selection process by identifying key roles and responsibilities of various volunteer positions. If your county has created position descriptions, the State 4-H office would like to have copies to use and share! Please send any template position descriptions to Sarah Leidheiser.
Blended e-Learning II: Youth Workforce Preparation
Last fall, 18 Extension professionals participated in a learning experience called Blended E-Learning II: Youth Workforce Preparation. This experience built on the Blended e-Learning pilot program funded by Venture Funds and was funded by the Ohio 4-H Foundation. Seven instructors worked in collaboration to provide content and technology materials. Course content was delivered using blended methods over a seven week span.
Impact:
Participants gained knowledge and understanding about workforce preparation in the knowledge economy and using technology tools – both important in workforce preparation. Evaluation results showed gains in knowledge, awareness, and ability to share concepts with others. For example, the number of indicating they understood the concept of the knowledge economy moved from 36% before to 100% after the program. A similar trend was seen when participants were asked if they understood and could share key concepts concerning skills needed for success in the 21st Century (6% reported strongly agreeing at the beginning of the training compared to 93% strongly agreeing at the conclusion of the training). When asked about usefulness of the workforce prep content and technology tools, participants reported the material and tech tools were useful, were being used often, and that they would use in the future.
Sharing Teaching Tools:
Participants created products (enhanced podcasts) for statewide use for helping Extension professionals and volunteers learn and teach others about important issues related to the knowledge economy and preparing youth for success. Initially distributed through a session Annual Conference in December, these tools are now available via the web here. More information will follow on suggested uses and supporting resources to accompany these tools.
**Submitted on behalf of the Blended e-Learning II Instructor Team by Tricia Callahan & Graham Cochran, February 2008.
Collegiate 4-H Hits the Road
Collegiate 4-H at The Ohio State University is gearing up for another great year of educational trips and we still have room available to make a trip to your county! C4-H works collaboratively with educators to facilitate fun and informative officer trainings, junior leadership training nights, and camp counselor leadership training. For more information please contact the Director of Education, Heather Gottke at Gottke.4@osu.edu or complete and return the application. Click here for more information!
4-H CARTEENS Website
Here is the link for the CARTEENS Skillathon activities. Please bookmark this site for easy reference in the future!
http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/carteens/4-HCarteensSkillStations.html
Report from 2007 Sauder Funded Work-Based Learning Programs (Gardening Focus)
A report has been posted on the Ohio Workforce Preparation Team website describing two teen gardening work-based learning programs led by Greene County and Adventure Central during summer 2007. Descriptions of the programs, key findings, and a summary and recommendations for future work-based learning programs are included in the report. Nate Arnett, Kristi Lekies and Beth Bridgeman collaborated on the report. Check out this and other great resources around work-based learning and workforce preparation programs here.
Thank you for 4-H Bags of Hope Service Project Contributions
Many thanks to everyone who contributed fabric, notions, toiletries and time for the Teen Conference 4-H Bags of Hope Service Project. As a result of your generous contributions, more than 150 one-of-a-kind totebags were assembled last Saturday and filled with all kinds of items needed by women and children in battered women’s shelters. 179 Teen Conference participants took part in sewing the bags, with assistance from Master Clothing Educators Trish Pottinger, Mary Roediger, Ruth Ann Jamison, Diane Sommers, Bobbie Gallagher, Beth Wenner, and April Swinehart, as well as other MCEs and several State 4-H Fashion Board. The completed bags are being distributed through shelters in southwestern, central, and northern Ohio. In addition, there were enough supplies left over for at least 100 more bags. These will be assembled at 4-H clothing & textile events in the coming months. Again, thank you to everyone who contributed to or participated in the project.
2008 Ohio 4-H Teen Council Members Announced
We are pleased to announce that the following individuals have been selected to serve as 2008 Ohio 4-H Teen Council Members. The Teen Council is the statewide youth advisory group for Ohio 4-H. More information about Teen Council roles and responsibilities is posted here.
First-Year (2008-09) Ohio 4-H Teen Council Members
Chelsea Blamble - Franklin
Brianna Burgett - Fairfield
Amanda Caudill - Butler
Hannah Clark - Shelby
Leesa Corken - Wood
Jenna Davis - Ross
Haley Kopis - Perry
Trey Miller - Fairfield
Emily Riggins - Fairfield
Sarah Stawiarski - Wood
Katherine Wenner - Delaware
Meredith Zajac - Delaware
Second-Year (2007-08) Ohio 4-H Teen Council Members
Andrea Blamble - Franklin
Austin Hamilton - Knox
Heather Kocher - Crawford
Bryant Kopis - Perry
Natalie McElhaney - Knox
Andrea Mitchell - Hancock
Logan Oates - Ross
Clark Siddle - Clark
Alyssa Swinehart - Fairfield
Simone Vessel - Butler
Laura Whinnery - Jefferson
Kelley Zumberger - Shelby
2008 State 4-H Fashion Board Members Selected
The following individuals are being invited to serve as members of the 2008 State 4-H Fashion Board. They each have an excellent record of achievement in the 4-H clothing program, and represented their counties very well at the Fashion Board Selections Activities during Ohio 4-H Teen Conference. More information about State 4-H Fashion Board roles and responsibilities is posted here.
2008 State 4-H Fashion Board
Kelsey Bick - Highland
Rachael Bulger - Seneca
Kristine Cahall - Brown
Amanda Caudill - Butler
Kelly Chaffin - Scioto
Maegan Daniels - Union
Danielle Hendershot - Clinton
Hannah Henson - Champaign
Victoria Hirschfeld - Auglaize
Logan Justice - Fayette
Elena Krupa - Tuscarawas
Haley Marie Loudin - Lorain
Alexandra McGrain - Hancock
Allyssa Miller - Fairfield
Jennifer O'Donnell - Geauga
Erin Robe - Athens
Ashlee Smith - Clark
Sarah Stawiarski - Wood
Mackenzie Talbot - Perry
Katherine Wenner - Delaware
Amanda Zehring - Greene
Magazine Sales
(Submitted by Allen Auck)
American Publishers is pleased to announce the kick-off of our first annual magazine fundraiser! The program will run through each county Extension office of Ohio 4H. The magazine sale will begin March 8 and run for 4-6 weeks.
4-H Clubs who participate in the magazine sale profit is 40% of each subscription sold and each county 4-H program earns an additional 4% profit.
On the average, that will be approximately $9.00 per subscription. Your 4-H Clubs keep the money they earn! A successful sale will result in renewal of subscriptions year after year. That means profit to your club year after year!!
Bud Cooper and Keith Erickson of American Publishers Hearst are ready to assist you in the preparation and running of your sale. Keith explained the program during our recent 4-H In-Service. They will be contacting each of you to briefly review the program and will provide you with a power point presentation to assist with your kick-off. Please make time for this 15 minute phone call.
Upcoming Dates & Deadlines
Be sure to check out the Ohio 4-H Calendar:
February
26-27 State 4-H Awards Selections – Columbus
28 Host Family Applications due in the State 4-H Office for 1st Choice placements
28 State 4-H Camp Counselor Applications due
March
1 Registration for State Horse Bowl Contest due to Amber Offset
1 Registration for 4-H Groom & Clean Clinic due to Sheila Bushong
1 State 4-H Horse Clinic – OSU Horse Barn
3-9 Ohio 4-H Week
8 Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference & Recognition Luncheon – Columbus Convention Center
8 4-H Master Clothing Educator Meeting -- Columbus
8 Registration due for State 4-H Dairy Judging Clinic
15 State 4-H Dairy Judging Clinic, Animal Sciences Arena -- Columbus
15 4-H PetPALS Volunteer Training Registration Due
14-16 Ohio Beef Expo – Ohio Expo Center
15 Ohio Beef Expo Judging Contest (Jr. & Sr. Youth Divisions) - Ohio Expo Center
