Resources for Staff

2008 Weekly Update Archive

Staff News & Notes - Week of 4.21.08

Dear Colleagues:

Thanks to each of you that provided feedback on our questionnaire related to program and risk management in the Ohio 4-H Youth Development program.  We have just received all the raw data and will begin reviewing it to identify themes, opportunities for professional development, and issues that need to be referred to our policy committee.  Additionally, there may well be items that get referred to other teams that are functioning in the 4-H program.  Again, our thanks to each of you and you’ll be seeing more in the near future!

Last week, in the 4-H News & Notes, we shared with you additional information regarding the 4-H club/committee tax exempt process.  We are still waiting on word from National 4-H Headquarters that the IRS has completed confirmation of the EIN’s that were submitted under GEN 2704.  We recognize that we are approaching the May 15th filing deadline.  We appreciate all of your hard work in preparing clubs and committees for this process and we recognize that the time delay is challenging.  As soon as we receive the information, we will pass it on to you through a special email on the appropriate list-serves.

Have a great week! 

Ryan & Vicki
Interim Co-Assistant Directors
4-H Youth Development

Tax Exempt Status & E-Filing - Important Updates

In the last couple of weeks we have received several questions regarding the e-filing requirement for 4-H clubs and committees that are included in the GEN 2704 grouping that was submitted to the IRS.  Here are some important questions and answers that should help you!

When will the IRS finish updating the GEN 2704 list?
The IRS expects to finish updating National 4-H Group Exemption Number (GEN) 2704 records the first week of May. State 4-H Leaders will be notified when this happens and at that time, all groups submitted will then be tax exempt.

What is the first filing deadline for 4-H small tax exempt organizations earning $25,000 or less?
4-H Clubs & Affiliated 4-H Organizations that earned $25,000 or less during tax year January - December 2007 need to file their 990-N e-Postcard by May 15:

(1) If they were on our states EIN list in tiem for National 4-H Headquarters to submit them to the IRS but,

(2) Not before the IRS finishes bupdating the GEN 2704 list (or they won't be recognized as "tax exempt" online)

So, 4-H clubs and affiliated organizations should not try to e-file until after we send notice (from Ryan & Vicki) that the IRS has completed the updating!

May a county educator (or their designee) file an e-Postcard for all the clubs in their county?
Yes, so long as they log in and log out for each 4-H Club or Affiliated 4-H Organization as they go (they cannot log in once and file multiple e-Postcards for all their groups)!

Should you have additional questions, please direct those to Lisa Jinks or Ryan Schmiesing and we'll continue to answer these in future 4-H News & Notes!

Win Money For Your 4-H Program!  Attend the OSU Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray & Green Fair

On April 22, 2008 the OSU Wooster Campus will host a Scarlet, Gray & Green Fair to promote and highlight environmental responsibility.  As a part of the fair, county 4-H programs will have the opportunity to win money to promote environmental programs/projects!  To learn more about how your county can win money, please see the flyer!

Promotional Flyer

Arts and The Sciences: 4-H Project Mini College

Hold the date!  May 3, 2008 is sure to be an exciting day at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center!!! Ohio 4-H will host the 4-H Project Mini College that will feature hands-on educational programs, tours, and expert speakers in a variety of subject matter, including photography, creative arts, communication & technology, and theater arts. We will have the registration brochure available next week; registration fees will be $10.00 per person and will include materials, tour transportation, and lunch.  For more information, please contact Patty House.

Promotional Flyer (color)

Promotional Flyer (black and white)

Special Needs Camp - Registration Open

The 2008 Special Needs Camp will once again be offered at Canter's Cave 4-H Camp.  A maximum of 30 campers and care givers will be accepted to participate in camp.

Camp Promotional Letter

Camp Forms

AB Graham Scholarship Selection

The selections for the AB Graham Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship have been postponed pending approval of this new scholarship by the OSU Treasurer’s office. The selection process will move forward as soon as approval has been obtained. If you have any specific questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Erin Wingfield at 614-247-7606.

Workforce Preparation Day at the Ohio State Fair

Do you have 4-H'ers who are camp counselors, CarTeens volunteers, have a
job, or are taking a leadership project? Then you might be interested in
getting them connected with the Ohio State Fairs Workforce Preparation
Day. This 4-H project day is a great opportunity for 4-H members to gain
experience with attending the fair as well as skills that they will be
able to use in the future.

This year's Workforce Preparation Day has experienced a few changes.
Here are some changes you will want to note:

* You can send as many 4-H members to the state fair as you
would like (you don't have to limit it to 2).

* 4-H'ers get to select a job to interview for instead of being
required to interview for one position.

* 4-H'ers can directly register for the event (or you can
encourage them to register).

* Registration is due by JULY 20th, 2008.

For more detailed information as well as posters and podcasts that you
can use to advertise within your 4-H program please visit the Ohio
Workforce Preparation Website http://www.ohio4h.org/workforceprep/

National 4-H Directory - Don't Miss This!

Launched on April 1, 2008, the National 4-H Directory is a great way to get a comprehensive look at curriculum being offered by National 4-H AND by other states. Check out www.4-Hdirectory.org, where you can search by keyword, grade, level, and more for print and for electronic curriclum products. Every state 4-H office is responsible for maintaining its own materials, which are listed here only if they have been written or revised in the last seven years. (That's why not all Ohio 4-H materials are listed.) Prices for Ohio publications are for direct and out-of-state customers only. Questions? Please contact Amanda Forquer at 614.292.6942 or forquer.13@cfaes.osu.edu with questions.

"Preparing Youth for Success in the Knowledge Economy"-
Enhanced Podcast Available

This free enhanced podcast is available to inform Extension colleagues about the knowledge economy as it relates to preparing youth for the future. It opens with an explanation about changes to our society resulting in an economy dominated by information. The implication of which to Extension programs is explored using workforce preparation as a backdrop. The narrative ends with an overview of how these ideas influence all four Extension Impact Areas; Enhancing Agriculture and the
Environment, Preparing Youth for Success, Advancing Employment and Income Opportunities, and Strengthening Families and Communities.

The primary audience for this podcast is Extension professionals, regardless of program area. School teachers and other educators would find the content useful, as well as Extension clients to learn more about Extension programs. Finally, the first couple minutes alone could be used in any setting to explain the knowledge economy to various audiences. Feel free to use this with staff, volunteers, advisory
committees, school organizations, and any other venue you feel appropriate.

To view the podcast, click on this link. Contact Dana Oleskiewicz or Tricia Callahan for more information on how to use this exciting new tool.

Bill Williams Diversity Award

The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences will be
awarding the Bill Williams Diversity Award. There are two awards, one
for students and or student groups, and one for faculty/staff. Each
award is $1,000 along with a plaque and recognition at the Annual
Banquet. Bill Williams was co-founder of Glory Foods Inc. His product
lines began in the Department of Food Science and Technology, with OSU
students actively involved in product development, marketing, and
product rollout. From 1992 until his death in 2001, Bill Williams
contributed financial support annually to minority students in the OSU
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2008.

To view award criteria and obtain the nomination form please see the
attached or go to this link.

"Who Kidnapped Brutus Buckeye?"....An Ohio 4-H C.S.I. Adventure

Was it the Florida Gator on the fifty yard line or that Wolverine from Up North who committed the heinous crime at the Schott?!  Sixty inquiring 4-H sleuths from across Ohio will spend three days and two nights June 13-15, 2008 at the Ohio 4-H Center at the Ohio State University learning basic biotechnology and forensic crime skills, while solving this 4-H scarlet and gray whodunit.

 The Nationwide and Farm Bureau Ohio 4-H Center will serve as the hub of discovery and career exploration.  This is an opportunity for 4-H members from across Ohio to utilize their Ohio 4-H Center. This program targets sixty rising seventh, eighth and ninth grade 4-H members.

 In addition, since Ohio is ranked sixth in the nation for total employment in high tech industries, with $8.1 billion in research and development funding, this weekend experience will provide participants with exposure to future career and education opportunities within Ohio.

Send your youth to this one of a kind scarlet and gray whodunit! Be sure to register early (June 2 deadline) as space is limited to 60 4-H sleuths from across Ohio!

Go here for more information!

 For more information, please feel free to contact Sally McClaskey (740-670-5315) or Ron Sanderson (740-223-4040), co-whodunit directors.

4-H News & Notes Archives

We had to take down the 4-H News & Notes archives while there is some work done on that component of our website.  To access a previous version of the 4-H News & Notes, you may view the directory here: http://www.ohio4h.org/staff/weeklyupdates/

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

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

April
21-22 Forging New Links Volunteer Conference – Columbus
25-28 National Youth Service Day (www.ysa.org/nysd/) TBA Registration and questions for Dairy Quiz Bowl due
26 Buckeye Animal Science Experience “BASE” Day
27-May 3 National Volunteer Week – Nationwide

May

1 Host Family Applications due in the State 4-H Office - final deadline
2-4 Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports Adult Leader Training – 4-H Camp Whitewood
3 National Join Hands Day: Youth and Adults Volunteering Together
3 State 4-H Horse Speaking Contest – Animal Science Bldg.
6-9 CYFAR Conference, San Antonio, TX
16 Registration Deadline for Youth Livestock Judging Clinic (tentative)
20-21 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting (tentative)