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Staff News & Notes - Week of February 22, 2010
Hi,
We have all heard that humorous comment that a camel is a horse that has been put together by a committee. I suppose it strikes a particular chord with most of us Extension Professionals, because a large part of our professional lives are spent in committee meetings.
However, I would argue that a camel has some very good attributes for specialized functions that perhaps cannot be addressed by a horse. The feet are better suited for sandy footing, their nostrils are designed such that they can block blowing sand, and it is legend that camels can endure long periods without water in an arid climate. So if a camel is a horse put together by a committee, there were important considerations during committee deliberations to make sure such an animal would address specific situations.
During committee meetings we know that there is much give and take as committee members deliberate. They must compromise on some issues. Probably a less well known humorous comment is the definition that I once heard for the word “compromise”. It stated that: “A compromise is when you make sure that the other person doesn’t get what they want either!”
I am sure there are many instances when that type of a scenario likewise plays out in our world of committee meetings. There could be a variety of reasons why planning or policy making committees work in a somewhat antagonistic atmosphere. Some of us hold on to tradition too much, some do not embrace change, some are rather myopic in our vision of what could be, and there are no doubt some people who work on the same committee who just do not like one another.
We just completed a rather successful Ohio Teen Conference. Over 770 youth were registered for this event, and the sessions I saw were well presented. However, I am sure that most of the 4-H Professionals in Ohio realize that this was the second such event in a row in which we did not have a major sponsor, and correspondingly, lost a considerable amount of monies by holding it. We have to do something different, and we have to do it soon.
I know at least one committee will be meeting soon to address this situation. There are other elements of our 4-H Professionals and volunteers who will be involved with committee discussion addressing this concern. I challenge them all to make special considerations of every potential alternative and recommend a solution that will address the best interests of our Teen Youth Leadership Development situation.
Thanks,
Tom
Camp Counselor Work-based Learning Participation Opportunity
Are you interested in enhancing your camp counselor program and helping relate the skills learned to those needed and valued in the 21st century knowledge economy? The Ohio 4-H Workforce Prep Initiative has focused the past two years on building a program and evaluation around helping increase the intentionality of connecting camp counseling and the world of work. This program has been made available with support from the Erie and Orlyss Sauder Endowment through the Ohio 4-H Foundation.
Although we have conducted only one round of evaluation, preliminary data from the self- and supervisor assessments indicate that camp counselors are improving their workforce skills in all areas measured (thinking skills, communication, teamwork, leadership, initiative, and professionalism). A majority of the counselors are viewing camp counseling as a job and have thought of ways that their experience can assist them in the future. 4-H professionals who participated in last year’s project also found it beneficial with one commenting, “We had one of the best camps we’ve ever had. This year we added the workforce prep piece and that’s the only thing I can attribute it to.” External stakeholders are increasingly telling us that we need to demonstrate and document that 4-H is developing valuable workforce skills. Here is your opportunity to do just that!
While all mini grants have been awarded for 2010, if counties or camp programs are interested in conducting the camp counselor work-based learning program and using the evaluation tools, to include a performance appraisal, please consider joining us for a Web Ex on either March 8 2:00-4:00 or March 9 1:00-3:00. Please contact Nate Arnett, arnett.67@osu.edu for more information by March 4.
County 4-H CARTEENS List Updates
We need to update the list of counties offering 4-H CARTEENS programming, and the cost per participant in each county. Please review the information currently posted for your county at http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/County4-HCARTEENSPrograms.html and send updates and corrections to Kathy Pepple at pepple.16@osu.edu Thanks!
Volunteer Packet Outline
Some 4-H Professionals may have picked up red volunteer committee folders at the February in-service. Brenda Young, young.9@osu.edu has provided the suggested packet outlines to be used with those folders.
CLICK HERE for Sample Orientation Packet of Advisory Committees
CLICK HERE for 4-H Committee Orientation Packet
CLICK HERE for 4-H Committee Education
Hancock County 4-H Commercials
An excellent example of marketing 4-H, Hancock County shares the final versions of two 30 second commercials recently taped using a State 4-H Ambassador from their county. The 4-H Secret commercial is running on cable networks in February and the camp commercial is running in May on the same channels. They were able to do these through a grant from their Community Foundation.
The same marketing group was able to assist us in setting up our Facebook page, twitter and blogs. Job well done! If you have questions, contact Susan Russell, Russell.388@cfaes.osu.edu.
CLICK HERE 4-H Secret
CLICK HERE 4-H Camping
4-H Space Adventure Camp
4-H Space Adventure Camp is planned for June 15 – 17, 2010, at Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio. The camp is designed for students who are currently in grades 5 – 7. They do not need to be current 4-H members in your county program. Participants will live on the Marietta College campus and explore the world of flight with the help of college faculty and trained 4-H camp counselors. It’s three fun-filled days of rockets, computer simulations, hot air balloons and more. The cost of $175 includes housing, meals, and all program materials. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Space is limited to 36 campers and is designed as a one-time experience.
Materials that can be used to promote the camp to science teachers or to 4-H members, have been posted on the Ohio 4-H “Events and Opportunities” webpage at http://www.ohio4h.org/youth/EventsandOpport/index.html. Included is a cover letter to teachers, press releases for media and newsletters, teacher recommendation form and financial nomination form, all in pdf format. You will receive a copy of each document in the February 8th county mail packets. Questions? Contact Amanda Forquer (forquer.13@cfaes.osu.edu, 614-292-6942) or Vicki Schwartz (schwartz.4@cfaes.osu.edu).
Regional STEM Conference
Akron on March 10, 2010
This Regional STEM Conference is open and free to the public, but registration is required. The goal of the conference is to celebrate and advance STEM activities and successes occurring throughout the region, and to help attendees learn about STEM. The conference will also highlight the connectivity of STEM happenings across all sectors -- private, public and non-profit, and begin to develop a communications network of local STEM partners.
One of the first sessions of the conference will be a STEM Showcase that highlights regional STEM work. Participation in this showcase is for regional K-12 schools, higher education institutions, businesses, community groups, non-profit organizations and elected officials, among others, to celebrate their STEM initiatives. This will be an informal, tabletop display or poster session. If you are interested in participating in the STEM Showcase, please visit http://tinyurl.com/AkronSTEM and complete the form by Feb. 24. If you sign up to participate in the Showcase, you still need to officially register for the conference.
Free ticket information and event details can be found at: http://akronstem.eventbrite.com/?ref=eivte&invite=Mjg2NDc0L2NyYXdmb3JkLjIyOEBvc3UuZWR1LzA%3D%0A&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=invite
Although this is extremely short notice, it would be good if 4-H could be a part of this showcase, or just participate. If 4-H Professionals in Northeast Ohio can make this happen, that would be great.
NEA4-HA Award Application Due March 1st
NAE4-HA Award applications are due!! We are all doing great work out there; it’s time to be recognized. Please send all required items to Cassie Turner, turner.280@cfaes.osu.edu, this includes years of service awards by March 1st.
Ohio 4-H Alum is serves as a Wonders of Washington Program Assistant
Christy Clary, former 4-H member in Ross County, will be serving as a program assistant at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. She will be serving as a tour guide, facilitator, and mentor to the over 3000 young people who visit the National 4-H Youth Conference Center this spring. For more information about the Wonders of Washington program, please check out this website: www.wowwashington.org.
