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Staff News & Notes - Week of 01.20.09
Hi,
Back in the late 80s I was assigned a six month temporary state-wide assignment as the Analyst, Long Range Planning for Extension. I collected and analyzed data for one of our previous long-range strategic plans. One part of the data collection was conducting 27 focus group interviews across Ohio with local community leaders.
I particularly remember one comment from one of these interviews that was held in Jackson. We were discussing how best to solve local community problems, and the discussion turned to the challenges of dealing with youth related issues. One of the community leaders, a school superintendent, stated, “We need to give youth something to do, and something to look forward to.” Even during that interview, I thought this statement was really profound. I think that it applies to more than just youth, but it fits very well with all that we do with youth development. I can safely say that even now in my own life, things just seem to go better for me if I have something substantive to do, and something to look forward to.
I also think that is why 4-H has been so successful. In 4-H, there is always something to do, and something to look forward to. The 4-H project experience is developed around a planned series of educational experiences that has a product at the end, for example a nutritionally balanced meal, a special photograph, marketing an animal, or a creative writing. I think that is why competition has such a prominent place in the 4-H experience – competition is one of those things that people “look forward to”. Likewise, county fairs, 4-H camps, and state-wide 4-H conferences provide easy incentives for youth, and I might add, for many 4-H adult volunteers.
The really successful 4-H Professional is always doing something. I do not mean this in the sense of just “busy work”, but these people always have ideas and innovations that provide positive experiences for youth and their volunteer leaders. These 4-H Professionals are doing something all the time, and trying to figure out how they can do more. I think also that 4-H Professionals do a much better job of long-term planning than most – they have to. They are looking forward to events and activities a year or more ahead that will provide experiences for youth to grow into successful older youth, and eventually adults.
You may not have thought about it this way, but 4-H Professionals are lucky in that they always have something to do, and they always have something to look forward to.
Tom
OVC NEWS
The following information has been added to the www.ohio4h.org/volunteerconference web site:
- Counties and vendors are invited to sell their wares and share their ideas at the annual Ohio Volunteer Conference by participating in the 4-H Market Place. Your company/organization has been identified as a potential conference exhibitor. This conference will bring together an estimated 1,300 Ohio 4-H Volunteers and professionals. This year’s conference will be held on March 14, 2009 at the Columbus Convention Center in downtown Columbus. A letter and application are available on the web site. Space is limited, so if you are interested, do not delay.
- Information relating to the 2009 OVC Community Service project and the request for silent auction items is posted on the OVC web site.
- The following session has been added to the educational session offering for the 4-H Volunteer Conference. Please help share the information on this additional session. The description has been added to the on-line registration booklet.
506 From Pen to Platter
The main goal to learn while raising a 4-H market livestock project is to raise a healthy animal and offer a safe and quality product to the consumer. Join the Coshocton County 4-H Beef/Sheep/Swine Teen Board for hands-on activities related to administering medications, housing, handling animals, a keep/cull activity and food safety. Limited to 50 participants. Presented by: Coshocton County Beef/Sheep/Swine Teen Board, David and Lin Hamric, Scott and Sheila Graves
Ohio 4-H Dog Expo Dates
Ohio 4-H Dog Expo - April 25, 2009 - Buckeye Ranch, Grove City
Ohio 4-H Dog Expo Pre-Registration due April 13, 2009
Ohio 4-H Teen Conference Registration
The registration website for the 2009 Ohio 4-H Teen Conference is now accepting registrations. The information is: www.ohio4h.org/register
username: volconf
password: ovc04
Teen Conference Service Project
This year’s Teen Conference service project will be a food drive. With the state of the current economy and so many people out of work and in need, our local food pantries are facing much greater demand than supply. The Mid-Ohio Food Bank works with grocers, food companies, Ohio farmers, the USDA, and community partners to obtain food and distribute it to more than 500 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, after-school programs, and senior housing sites across twenty counties throughout Ohio. Our mission with the Teen Conference Food Drive is to exceed a goal of 2000 food items collected for donation to the Mid-Ohio food bank. Please make advertising this project to your county’s Teen Conference participants a priority. Each food item or dollar donated gets participants a raffle ticket to be entered into a drawing for a Nintendo Wii. For an informational flier about the project, please go to:
http://www.ohio4h.org/teenconference/documents/TeenConferenceFoodDrive.doc
For more information contact Beth Boomershine boomershine.10@ag.ohio-state.edu
Calling All Camping Enthusiasts!
As we are beginning to plan our Camp Counselor Workshop for this spring at 4-H Camp Ohio, we are looking for new session ideas and presenters! Do you have a great idea to share? As you are planning your '09 calendar...think about participating in this event!
Sessions are offered on Saturday, April 25th - so you would only make a one-day commitment. Lodging would be available should you need to stay before or after!
If you are interested, please contact Jessica Rockey rockey.16@osu.edu (Perry Co.) or Ron Sanderson sanderson.51@osu.edu (Marion Co.) with your idea!
No Sense Reinventing the Wheel
Do you remember that a national directory of 4-H curriculum produced by states was launched last spring? If you’re looking for curriculum on topics not covered by Ohio 4-H, this is a great first step in seeing what’s out there. Check out the National 4-H Directory here: http://www.4-hdirectory.org. Some materials are even available for free download. Who knows—maybe you’ll discover something we can adopt statewide. Questions? Please contact Jane Wright wright.646@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.0909 or Amanda Forquer forquer3@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.6942
Digital TV Community Service Project
Is this a fit for a club in your county? The USDA has posted a timely 4-H guide called 2009: The Year of the Digital TV Transition that explains the transition to digital television and how 4-H youth can assist the community in making the change. Suggestions include conducting outreach activities that explain the transition and helping low income, non-English-speaking, senior, and disabled citizens apply for converter box coupons. For more information and a free copy of the project, go to the National Directory of 4-H materials at www.4-Hdirectory.org and do a keyword search for “tv.” Having trouble accessing the file? Please contact Jane Wright wright.646@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.0909or Amanda Forquer forquer3@cfaes.osu.edu, 614.292.6942
Titles Missing on eStore Order Form?
It seems as if every once in a while a bug in the system keeps items that are described on eStore from being listed on the 4-H order form. If you’ve looked for 166 Raising Turkeys in the last week and haven’t found it, that’s because it wasn’t there, not because you’re crazy. It’s there now, and so is 491 Adventures in Home Living. Also, look for 91 Discovering 4-H at the bottom of the list, with the other items that begin with nine. (Items are not in customary numerical order.) Don’t hesitate to let me know when something comes up missing. Thanks to those of you who asked! Jane Wright, wirght.646@cfaes.osu.edu.
Ohio American Camp Association Camping Conference
The annual Ohio Camping Conference (OCC) will be held on Thursday, January 29th at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Cost is $70 for members and $100 for non-members. If your 4-H Camp is an ACA member, you can register at ACA member fee. With the freeze on out of state travel, here is an opportunity to get some professional development right here in our own backyard. Also not as inexpensive as this year's state 4-H in-service, it is still a great bargain!
Please check out the program offerings on the website at: http://www.acaohio.org/occsched.php?yr=2009 Several of our 4-H colleagues are presenting. The speaker is Terie Dreussi Smith, whose is from Ruby Payne's network. Her topic is "Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities." This program is applicable to many areas of our extension work beyond camp.
On line registration is available at: http://www.acaohio.org/register.php?typevent=OCC&event_yr=2009 . Any questions, please contact Niki Nestor McNeely at mcneely.1@osu.edu or call 513-470-0352.
