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Staff News & Notes - Week of March 29, 2010
Hi,
For some reason this past weekend I was reminiscing about some of my good 4-H Volunteer 4-H Club Advisors. I know that we could probably say that any 4-H Volunteer is a “good” 4-H Volunteer, but I think you know what I mean.
My thoughts turned to Elton, who was an Advisor of a traditional 4-H livestock club. The first time I met Elton he was playing volleyball with his club members as they gathered in the old elementary school gym prior to the meeting. He enjoyed being with kids, he was well versed in the animal sciences, and when he said he would do something, you could be assured that it would get done.
But my most memorable moment with Elton was at one of their 4-H club’s annual 4-H Achievement & Awards meeting, which was one of those carry-in dinners in their high school cafeteria in late September. I have to give a little background before you can appreciate the impact of this incident:
For several years at the county junior fair in order to “protect” the rabbit exhibits, 4-H clubs with rabbit projects were assigned times to “watch” the barns so that there would be no vandalism or stolen rabbits. It was also a good time to give responsibility to exhibitors, and those assigned were given special badges at the junior fair headquarters in part so that they could be tracked as to whether they fulfilled their assignments. The penalty for not completing their assigned “watch” time was $20. Since in those years the clubs received one check for all of their club members’ premiums after the fair, this penalty could be easily deducted from the violating club’s check.
In this particular year some of the rabbit members of Elton’s 4-H Club did not fulfill their “watch” duties. Elton, along with his club’s youth leadership, decided that it was not the responsibility of the whole club to endure the $20 fine, so it was agreed that the funds would be deducted from the violating rabbit members’ premiums.
Needless to say, after the meeting, there were a couple of irate parents who were confronting the 4-H Club President and Treasurer, rather obnoxiously, as to the reasons their children did not receive their full premiums. Elton calmly listened as the 4-H Club President tried to explain, but quickly, the wrath of these parents turned to Elton. He paused for a few moments, reached in his hip pocket for his billfold, pulled out a $20 bill, and offering it to the parents, he said, “Here – you can be the 4-H Advisor.”
That immediately ended the conversation. Parents, at least to some minimal degree, realize the commitment and involvement of their 4-H club’s Volunteer Advisors. Elton was able to get to the heart of the situation with only a few words, and with high impact. He was pleasant and non-confrontational. People knew their children were safe with him, and would learn from him. He involved youth not only in their projects, but the club’s decision making. He made sure that people understood the importance of fulfilling their service obligations.
If I am not mistaken, this story describes at least seven of the eight key elements of positive youth development. My hope is that we have an abundance of Eltons in Ohio 4-H.
Thank your Eltons for me.
Tom
Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Connections
The Spring 2010 issue of Ohio 4-H Cloverbud Connections is now posted on the web at http://cloverbudconnections.osu.edu/
You can follow the link and print a copy for your use and distribution to volunteers. Our issue this spring is all about Cloverbud Basics. Watch for our Summer Issue when we focus on Going Green with Cloverbud Activities.
In this issue you will find:
Do I Have your Attention? Attention Span and Children by Scott Scheer
Developmental Characteristics and Abilities of 4-H Cloverbud Children by Scott Scheer
4-H Cloverbuds and Horses by Janice Hanna
Campus Connections by Scott Scheer
Coconut Covered Bananas
Click it!, Print it!, Do it! -- 4-H Welcome Mats by Bruce Zimmer & Cheryl Goodrich
Spread the news about this resource to your volunteers or friends. You can also link your county or 4-H site to the newsletter link.
Moving Ahead 2010: Sustainable Transportation
FREE REGISTRATION
The Administration of the College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) think it is important enough for Extension personnel to be involved with this conference that CFAES Administration will be supporting the registration fee – IT IS FREE REGISTRATION FOR EXTENSION PERSONNEL.
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Please consider registering for the Moving Ahead 2010 Conference in Columbus, May 2-4, 2010. Moving Ahead 2010: Sustainable Transportation Solutions for the 21st Century is your opportunity to map the steps we must take to keep us moving forward through the next 100 years.
The Administration of the College of Food Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) think it is important enough for Extension personnel to be involved with this conference that CFAES Administration will be supporting the registration fee.
For more information about this conference see: http://www.movingahead2010.com/unite/
- The Moving Ahead 2010 Conference will feature:
- More than 65 speakers, including innovators in automobile, freight and aviation technology
- Networking with key policy and government thought leaders
- Opportunity to test drive the latest “green” vehicles in the “Advanced Technology Vehicles Ride-and-Drive”
- In depth discussion on the latest trends and technology in sustainable transportation
- Ideas for turning sustainability into economic prosperity
Anyone interested in attending should get back to their Assistant Director – 4-H Personnel contact Tom Archer, archer.3@cfaes.osu.edu, by March 31. Assistant Directors must submit names to Keith Smith’s Office by April 1, 2010.
Ohio 4-H Camp Directors Training
Registration Closes March 30, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.
Register today at: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22ACYKQQMU
Please contact Lisa Jinks, jinks.2@cfaes.osu.edu, for registration information or Niki Nestor McNeely, mcneely.1@osu.edu, for questions on program or requirements to attend.
CWF Reminder
Just a reminder that payment and information on your CWF delegates are due to Allen Auck, auck.1@cfeas.ous.edu by April 1. There is a limited number of seats available for the two trips. Don’t let your delegates be closed out of their first choice by waiting until the due date to return the requested information. The cost per delegate is $975 with checks payable to “State 4-H Office”. The delegate info form is located at: www.ohio4h.org/aauck. There is also a delegate pre-trip information handbook posted there.
Chaperones needed for CWF Trips
Allen Auck is still in need of chaperones for the Citizenship Washington Focus Trips for June 20-26 and July 4-10. If you are interested in chaperoning the group or know of a qualified person, please contact Allen auck.1@cfaes.osu.edu #614-247-8148
The Brian Hartzell Memorial Scholarship
Please share this scholarship information where appropriate. The Brian Hartzell Memorial Scholarship applies to rabbit members in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan. Rules and requirements are listed on the back page. If you have any questions, please contact the Miami County Extension Office at 937-440-3945.
Leadership for Tomorrow Conference
April 21-22
The Westin Columbus
LEAD with STRATEGY
Leadership for Tomorrow: Strategies for Resurgence Conference – April 2010
Early registration is due by March 31.
This conference features outstanding speakers who will address leadership challenges of today – including time, energy, capacity, and perspective. Attendees will learn innovative ways to handle today’s challenges with focus, resilience, and sensitivity.
The conference schedule, more specific session information, and registration details are available at www.leadershipfortomorrow.osu.edu. The Leadership for Tomorrow: Strategies for Resurgence Conference is sponsored by OSU Extension; the Gist Endowed Chair for Extension Education and Leadership; the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; and Epsilon Sigma Phi – Alpha Eta Chapter.
If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Buck, buck.19@osu.edu; 614-292-4880.
