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Staff News & Notes - Week of 12.08.09
Hi,
December has always been a good month in both my 4-H Professional life and in my personal life.
There are several reasons why December was a good time over my 4-H Professional career. First, I learned early on that it was futile to compete with all the holiday related school and community holiday events scheduled during this time. So December was a month when I did not have nearly as many night or weekend meetings.
But, I found that December, particularly between Christmas and New Years, was an excellent time to gather together older youth in their various leadership roles. One example was a daylong meeting that we had annually on either a Tuesday or Thursday after Christmas for our re-organization of the Junior Fair Board. This was the best of the best of our older 4-H youth in the county, and consisted of mostly high school junior and seniors, plus small group of college freshmen. By this time in their holiday break, they were becoming bored at home, so the excuse to get out for a day was welcomed. Also, by being a 5-6 hour meeting, if you count committee work and lunch breaks, there was much accomplished, so it eliminated three to four later meetings.
December was also a good 4-H time because people seemed to be more willing to commit themselves to committee work, 4-H Advising, or some other contribution to the success of the organization, either because of the holiday atmosphere or the anticipation of a new 4-H year. The turning of the calendar from one year to the next always seems to start people afresh, and most anticipate that things will be better in the New Year. I know it takes time to be acclimated to writing the correct year on checks, but each time one has to correct this, there is a reminder that it is a new beginning.
On the personal side, December is also the month when the daylight hours begin to get longer. Even though it might not be noticeable, we know it is fact. The holiday spirit infiltrates all aspects of life, and there is renewed effort for contact with friends and family. Priorities seem to be better clarified.
So, take advantage of December, both professionally and personally, if you do not already.
Thanks,
Tom
Year-End Gift Processing
December has just arrived and the deadlines for gifts to be counted in the December 2009 gift totals are just around the corner. This year's deadlines are:
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Previous Month Gift-in-Kind: Friday December 11, 2009
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All other gifts: Wed January 6, 2010 by 1:00 PM
Please remember to include the postmarked envelope (with a December date) if you drop something off after January 1st.
Please remember that it is University policy that all checks must be deposited when $200 has been accumulated or weekly, whichever comes first.
If you have any questions please contact the 4-H Foundation office at 614-292-6943 or George.274@osu.edu.
Congratulations Shelby County
Congratulations to the Shelby County 4-H Program, Carolyn Belcayk and Racie Zimpfer for their participation in this year’s 4-H National Youth Science DayTM. Ohio’s Shelby County had the highest participation levels in youth reporting back their results at www.4-H.org/NYSD and, as a result, will be receiving a $400.00 award to use towards your county’s science, engineering and technology programming. WAY TO GO!
2010 Junior Fair Conference
The Junior Fair Conference is on January 5th, 2010. In order to share what is happening in other counties, please forward your information about the following:
If you have ideas, handouts, lesson plans, items, etc. on teaching Junior Fair Board Members about "Customer Service" at their Junior Fair, please share that information with Janet Wasko Myers by Friday, December 18th (myers.31@osu.edu). We want to put together a "tool box" for your county to create a Blue Ribbon Customer Service Center at your 2010 Junior Fair. Thanks!
Youth Success Website Launched
A new website has been launched by the Ohio 4-H Workforce Prep Initiative to serve as a resource to Extension professionals, teachers, parents, youth, employers and volunteers interested in conducting workforce preparation programs for youth. The site http://youthsuccess.osu.edu/ shares information on Ohio Extension programs and includes links to tools and related articles. The site serves as a platform to improve engagement with stakeholders on how Ohio Extension is preparing youth for success. This effort has been supported through the Ohio 4-H Foundation and the Erie and Orlyss Sauder 4-H Career Development Endowment Fund. Please contact Nate Arnett arnett.67@osu.edu if you should have any questions or feedback.
Applications for EYSC8 Funding Opportunity Welcome
National 4-H Headquarters and the collaboration between National 4-H Council and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), has released the RFA for Engaging Youth Serving Community year 8 (EYSC8) under the Rural Youth Development program . To review the RFA and apply for funding, please visit Council’s online portal at http://grants.4-h.org/ and click on Funding Opportunities. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Web Grants system no later than Friday, January 8, 2010 by 5 pm EST.
This funding opportunity will provide $25,000 grants annually to four Extension 4-H Programs to begin a new cohort group each implementing local 4-H youth in governance programs in a minimum of five rural underserved communities of 10,000 or less population, using the established 4-H youth-facilitated public issues/community forum model developed under earlier funding. The intent is to fund selected state 4-H programs for a minimum of two years, with the potential of additional annual funding, contingent on Congressional appropriations beyond federal FY10. Period of implementation for EYSC8 will be January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010; EYSC9 will be implemented as the second year in calendar 2011.
Approval from State Program Leader MUST be received by the application deadline for any application submitted, per the emailed instructions the State Program Leader will receive once an application is submitted.
Questions about this opportunity can be directed to Sally Miske at 301-961-2904 smiske@fourhcouncil.edu or JoAnne Leatherman at 301-961-2870 jleatherman@fourhcouncil.edu
Ohio Volunteer Conference Awards Nominations due December 1st
Volunteer Award Nominations are due to the State 4-H Office for the following categories: Community Service, Innovator, Leadership, Meritorious Service, Recruitment, Ohio Friend of 4-H Award, and 4-H Hall of Fame Awards
Every county in Ohio has outstanding 4-H volunteers. Our goal is to have each 4-H Educator in our state or 4-H Committee President nominate at least one volunteer or supporter to be recognized at the 2010 Ohio Volunteer Conference.
Nomination forms are available at http://www.ohio4h.org/volunteerconference/. Scroll down and click on 2010 Award Nomination Forms or 2010 Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame Application. Please take the time to help volunteers and supporters realize how much we truly appreciate their contributions to 4-H. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Jane Lindsey (740-622-2265 or lindsey.4@osu.edu) or Vicki Schwartz (schwartz.4@cfaes.osu.edu).
2010 Achievement Award Application and 4-H Scholarships
The 2010 Achievement Award application and 4-H Scholarship applications are posted at the following web site: http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/awards/index.html
All application materials must be in the State 4-H Office by February 1, 2010.
There are several new scholarships available this year. Please be sure to encourage 4-H members in your county to apply. Below are the descriptions for the new scholarships:
The Albert F. and Margaret E. Gehres 4-H Scholarship – One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded. Applicants must be a present or former Ohio 4-H member and planning to enroll as a freshman in any area of study at The Ohio State University, ATI or any of its regional campuses.
Dr. and Mrs. Vernon Glick Bolender, Jr. 4-H Scholarship – One $ 2,000 will be awarded. Applicant must be a current or former Ohio 4-H member who is entering or is enrolled in any area of study at The Ohio State University, ATI or any of its regional campuses. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to applicants from Pickaway County. (Applicant must have a FAFSA on file at OSU).
All application materials must be in the State 4-H Office by February 1, 2010.
Major Upcoming COUNTY 4-H EVENTS - 2009/2010
DECEMBER
10- Ottawa County 4-H Endowment Committee & Advisory Committee Dinner
RSVP by 12/7/09 to 419-898-3631
12- Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports Volunteer Recognition & Fundraising Event
Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp – Contact Larry Harris http://www.ohio4hshootingsports.org/Fundraisers/Fundraiser_Banquet.htm
