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Staff News & Notes - Week of February 15, 2010
Hi,
Near the end of our State 4-H Professionals’ Update a couple of weeks ago, Beth Flynn of the Leadership Center guided our rather large group through a Thiagi activity. I have to admit, I was not familiar at all with the term “Thiagi”, and only since then have I learned that “Thiagi” is a professional group that strives to improve professional performance playfully. They use games and activities that engage participants to keep them interacting with each other and with the content.
I will not attempt to explain the procedural details of the game we played – I really do not have the exact instructions. You will have to ask Beth for those. However, each person was given an index card, and at our tables, we first were asked to generate in our small table groups as many responses on our cards as we could in about two minutes to the question, “What idea is working in the EERAs?” Then, we were asked to individually pick what we thought was the best response on our card.
Next we were told to get up, find someone else in the room, and compare our one response with that person’s one response. We were to divide “7” points between the two, depending on which of the two responses was better, and mark that number on our card for our response. We then did this again three more times, so we had four comparisons. We totaled our numbers, and then were asked to line up around the room, with high to low totals. Those at the high end of the line shared their responses. This first part of the game took about ten minutes.
By now you should be able to see that this is a way to identify the “best” group responses, or the most “impactful” responses. This was fast, fun, and productive. It identified almost eighty different examples of things that are working in our 4-H EERA staffing structure. Oh sure, there is repetition within the list, and these raw results should be cleaned up a bit, but I think this activity illustrated how well the EERA structure is working already. Here are some of the responses generated among the top twenty on the raw data list in response to the question, “What idea is working in the EERAs?”:
- Online volunteer module/certification
- Sharing teaching skills/programs across county lines and in EERA
- Develop lesson plans to share with in EERA (i.e. QA)
- Help develop evaluation tools to help my EERA demonstrate impact
- Working together to offer species clinics
- Cross-county volunteer trainings
- More sharing throughout EERA; Meet and collaborate on face book and base camp
- Help EERA members decrease work load
- Timely communication
- State involvement supporting EERA
- Face- to- face EERA meetings
- Resource sharing - sharing lesson plans with others
My point is that 4-H Professionals in Ohio could rather quickly identify how well things are going, I think, because they are the ones who are making those things happen. Not only that, but everyone gained another tool for their tool box of working with groups. Thanks Beth.
Stay warm.
Tom
County Extension Support and County 4-H Endowments
The lessening support of County Commissioners for some county offices and increased discussion for county levies have sparked some worthy questions about our 4-H fund raising efforts.
Question: What happens to a county’s 4-H endowment if there is no longer a 4-H program?
Answer: OSU will hold the earnings of endowed accounts in an earnings account until 4-H is restored in the county. If it goes for several years with no resolution, then 4-H administration and the CFAES administration will have to make some decisions about how to move forward. This procedure is outlined in the endowment description. Any potential change in use will be aligned as closely as possible with the original donor intent. All long term decisions must have the approval of the Dean of CFAES and the State 4-H Leader.
Question: Can funds raised for the County 4-H Endowment principle be used for other needs?
Answer: Erin Wingfield, Director of Development, OSU Extension & 4-H Youth Development, recommends that the used of funds raised should be guided by the message counties promoted to the public when they advertised raising the money.
If the donor’s expectation is that money raised would go to the endowment, then that is where it needs to go.
If the donor’s expectation is that the money goes to support 4-H in general, then it could be used to support the program and you could justify using it to support county operations as long as its use is tied to 4-H.
Funds raised for the endowment should not be used toward the county levy campaign. If individuals want to support the levy, they can do that privately. Political activity needs to be completely separate from Extension program activities.
Citizenship Washington Focus
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a 4-H leadership program for high school youth, ages 15-19, from across the country. Citizenship Washington Focus gives 4-H youth the opportunity to explore, develop, and refine the civic engagement skills they need to be outstanding leaders in their home communities and at the national level. Through sightseeing tours in the living classroom of Washington, D.C. and hands-on educational workshops, youth will learn about the history of our nation, the leaders who have shaped it, and how they can apply the leadership and citizenship skills they have learned at CWF when they return home.
Cost: $975
Deadlines:
March 1 – Confirmed number of delegates participating
April 1 - Delegate forms returned
April 1 – Final Payment for delegates due
2010 State Fair 4-H Guidebook
The 2010 State Fair 4-H Guidebook is posted at: http://www.ohio4h.org/statefair/guidebook.html.
Ohio 4-H International Program
Thank you for your assistance in educating your volunteers and clientele about the Ohio 4-H International Program. Please including the following blurb in your next county newsletter or electronic communications? Contact Mary Lynn Thalheimer with questions or suggestions: 614-292-6941 or thalheimer.1@osu.edu.
Would Your Family Like to Bring the World Home?
Did you know that the Ohio 4-H International Program brings people from around the world into Ohio’s living rooms? And sends 4-H’ers out into the world to gain the skills they will need in the classrooms, workplaces and communities of the 21st century? A variety of exchange programs with many different countries, ranging from 2 weeks to 1 year, are available to Ohio host families and youth travelers. Right now, Ohio 4-H is looking for host families for 100 Japanese youth ages 12-17, who will visit Ohio for 3 ½ weeks this summer (July 23 to August 18). It’s educational and lots of fun! Find out more at www.ohio4h.org/youth/international.
Teen Leadership in Action
Butler and Clinton Counties invite teens from across the state to Leadership Opportunities
March 9, 2010 at OSU Extension, Clinton Co.
Or
March 11, 2010 at OSU Extension, Butler Co.
Sessions will include:
*Speaking like a Leader
*First Impressions and Customer Service
*What is Leadership for me?
*Text me and we’ll figure it out
CLICK HERE FOR FLYER with more information.
Officer Resources Page Updated for 2010
The Officer Resources Action Team has been hard at work trying to get more materials added to the webpage for the 2010 year. I know some of you are in the middle of your 4-H year by now, but only new materials have been added. We have added books for Historian and Community Service Officer and a fact sheet related to Flag Bearer. We have added resource links on the right hand side of the page at the top that seem valuable to club officers. The only piece we have left is the President’s Book which is being edited and will be posted. At this point, we will keep the 1999 version on the web and post the 2010 version as well. Vicki Reed is spearheading an effort with Collegiate 4-H to video tape short segments of officer training to be posted. Look for more information on this effort in the future. Hopefully your clubs will find benefit in the new materials. Thanks goes to Jane Wright, Susie Young and Andy Merritt for their great help in posting to the web, editing and formatting the materials. Also thanks to those that are serving on the Officer Resources Action Team: Kara Colvin, Janie Hanna, Teresa Johnson, Bonnie Malone, Vicki Reed, Joy Sharp, Jill Stechschulte, and Bruce Zimmer for their great If you have comments or suggestions for additional materials, contact Travis West at west.222@osu.edu or Jane Wright at wright.646@osu.edu
4-H SMALL ANIMAL NEWS
4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Training Registration Deadline
Just a reminder that registrations are due by February 19 for the statewide 4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Training. The statewide training is Saturday, March 6, at the Nationwide and 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 the following web site for the 4-H PetPALS Master Volunteer Leader Job Description and Registration materials: http://4hpetpals.osu.edu/ or email Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu.
County Dog Fun Matches
If your county/EERA hosts a 4-H Dog Fun Match, please send the date and fun match flyer to Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu. Fun match information then be posted at both: http://4hansci.osu.edu and http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~prec/4h/.
Ohio 4-H Dog Program on Facebook
A group called the Ohio 4-H Dog Program is on Facebook for anyone to join. Updates and events are posted there. Please encourage your advisors and youth involved in 4-H dog projects to become members of this group to get the latest information. Contact Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu for questions.
4-H Dog Rules and Other Info Posted
2010 State Fair 4-H Dog Rules, Score Sheets, Judging Guidelines, Obedience and Showmanship Regulations, Showmanship and You and Your Dog Interview Study Questions, State Fair Entry Forms, and other information is updated and posted at:
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~prec/4h/. Agility rules will not be posted until approved by the United States Dog Agility Association, our sanctioning organization. All dog information will also be posted at http://4hansci.osu.edu by March 1. Contact Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu for questions.
Ohio 4-H Dog Expo
The Ohio 4-H Dog Expo registration form for youth to pre-register to save $5.00 is now posted at: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~prec/4h/. Dog Expo will be held April 17 at the Buckeye Ranch. Youth can register the day of the event, but will have to pay an additional $5.00. Pre-registration is due March 31. Contact Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu for questions.
Companion Animal Judging Day Info Posted
2010 Ohio State Fair Companion Animal Judging Day information is posted at: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~prec/4h/. There you will find the Rules, Health Forms, Score Sheets, State Fair Entry Forms, and other information, including skillathon study materials. Contact Lucinda Miller at miller.78@osu.edu for questions.
MXC – Making eXtreme Counselors!
Registration Deadline February 17!!!
Registration, health form, camp behavior form, and details for county educators are posted at: http://www.ohio4h.org/plt-camps/index.html Deadline for registration is February 17. Counties will need to collect registration forms and money. Registration forms should be used to complete the LIME registration form at:
http://surveys.cfaes.ohio-state.edu/cfaes/index.php?sid=89865&lang=en Cost is $40 per counselor, Thanks to the Ohio 4-H Foundation grant to offset the costs. Money should be sent by one check from the county, made out to 4-H Camp Ohio, and send them to 4-H Camp Ohio. .
MXC is a great opportunity to get new ideas for your county 4-H camp program! Do some of the camp counselors need additional training hours? Are there new adult staff working with the county camp program? MXC – Making eXtreme Counselors workshop could provide just what you are looking for. This state-wide camp counselor weekend training workshop will be held February 27-28 at 4-H Camp Ohio in Utica. It is open to already selected, or potential, Camp Counselors and CITS, 14 years and older, as well as adult volunteers or extension staff. Participants will have the opportunity to improve their counseling skills while getting new ideas for workshops, recreation, and other camp programs. A master counselor tract is open to recommended counselors with two or more years of experience. MXC will incorporate hands-on learning presented by 4-H educators, Extension specialists, older and former camp counselors, and volunteers
Attendance by county educators or adult volunteers is NOT necessary for counselors from that county to participate. Questions? Contact Niki Nestor McNeely at 513-470-0352 or Nadine Fogt at 740-335-1150
NAE4-HA Award Application Are Due
Do you have March 1st marked on your calendar....its a very important
day: NAE4-HA Award applications are due!! We are all doing great work out there, its time to be recognized. Please send all required items to Cassie Turner this includes years of service awards by March 1st.
37th Annual Sewing Smorgasbord
Saturday, March 20
Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Classes – 9:15 a.m. – 3:05 p.m.
Everyone Welcome – Youth and Adults
Sheridan Middle School
8660 Sheridan Road
Thornville, Ohio
(Perry County)
Cost: $8.00
Let's Move: America's Move to Raise a
Healthier Generation of Kids
Check out the website:
Mock Rabbit Show and Breed ID Contest
For 4-H and FFA rabbit exhibitors will be held March 16, starting at 9am at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Marietta in the Home Arts Building. Expert judges will judge the show.
CONTACT: Jeremy Barth 740-236-2109.
8th Annual Youth Pork Leadership Institute & Scholarship Program
