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Staff News & Notes - Week of April 5, 2010
Hi,
For the past couple of days I have been trying to identify a word that adequately describes the situation that some of our 4-H and other Extension Professionals and Volunteers in Ohio are spiraling into. Maybe you can help me.
For almost 15 months, there have been widespread county budget reductions for Extension, which correspondingly results in staff reductions. But the attitude of many of the folk who are our Extension Professionals has been to attempt to continue similar, if not the same, 4-H programming. I have even predicted that this will happen, with individual dedication, the increased effort and efficiency of our people, as well as the increased utilization of qualified, middle manager volunteers.
Last week I even had a conversation with a 4-H Volunteer in a county which recently lost a 4-H Professional. Her point was that the volunteers in that county were going to keep 4-H programming going at the same or better level than before to prove to County Commissioners how indispensable 4-H Youth Development Programming was to the future of the county so that Commissioners would see that there was no other choice but to financially support Extension and 4-H programming. I responded to her that this was a commendable goal, and actually it was a tribute to the volunteer development that had been accomplished by the 4-H Professional who left. Obviously, a well-oiled machine of 4-H Volunteers was in place in that county.
But let’s get real. There are at least three reasons why this “doing the same, with much less” will not work. First, commendable though it may be, if volunteers with minimal professional guidance continue the same 4-H programming at no cost for the county, why would County Commissioners or levy voters want to approve funding? I would always take the same product for free rather than pay for it, wouldn’t you?
Secondly, to have a corps of qualified 4-H Volunteers requires the constant touch of an Extension Professional. Most volunteers eventually move to other things. Someone has to identify and develop 4-H Volunteers into middle management positions. Gradually, without adequate professional guidance, the corps of 4-H Volunteers will diminish in number and quality.
The third reason this will not work relates to the personal toll that this will take. Recently, there has not been much said about job “burn out”, I suppose because most of us are glad to have jobs. But I do believe that working long hours, working extra days, and losing vacation days for extended periods will shorten a career. We can do these things for brief periods, but not forever.
So, what is the word I am looking for? We know that 4-H can exist for a while with fewer resources. But does that improve or degrade the long term the future of the existence of our 4-H Youth Development program?
In a nutshell, I recommend that we identify important programming, set priorities, and not do programs when there are not enough resources. Someone once said, when you get “cut”, you have to “bleed” at least a little.
Thanks,
Tom
4-H Space Adventure Camp is now full!
This year we have had an all time record of interest in youth wanting to attend 4-H Space Adventure Camp! So we now have an extensive waiting list of youth, therefore, there is no need for you to continue advertising for it. If interested youth are in the 5th or 6th grade please encourage them to try again next year and to contact us in February to ensure a spot at camp.
Thank you very much for recruiting campers and everything that you do!
Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference Awards Photos
The photos of the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference award winners are now posted on our web site. Go to http://www.ohio4h.org/volunteerconference/awards.html to view the photos. The OVC recognition committee will be sending the honorees and donors a copy of their photos and will be sending them to local newspapers.
We encourage you to submit applications for your volunteers for next year’s conference that will be due December 1, 2010. Look for the application this fall at http://www.ohio4h.org/volunteerconference .
Dairy COWreer Expo
We all know that one of the most important decisions for youth is to narrow down careers they are interested in pursuing. Over 24 individual businesses, all related to options within the dairy industry, have committed to setting up displays and discussing their dairy occupation and their journey to that position. In the AM, youth will have time to investigate these options as well as attending workshops that will be held simultaneously in adjoining classrooms. These will be presented by Dr. Welker of the Marysville Large Animal Veterinary Clinic, Kyle Sharp, Editor of Ohio's Country Journal, American Dairy Association, and a few surprises.
Lunch is provided by ADA and ODPA. There is no registration fee.
The afternoon is a panel of professionals and the very latest updates on the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board.
The registration form is at www.4hansci.osu.edu/dairy, click on Calendar of Events, then COWreer Day.
If you have additional questions, please contact Bonnie Ayars ayars.5@osu.edu.
Ohio 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
The Ohio 4-H Dairy Judging Contest was held on March 27th at Spring Dairy Expo in Columbus at the fairgrounds. This event is held simultaneously with the Ohio FFA Dairy Judging Contest. Our numbers increased once again in 2010 with the Intermediate Division growing by an additional 12%. Increased pressures within the dairy economy have not lessened our 4-Hers desire to learn. It is the single largest dairy event for youth in the state of Ohio! Many thanks to the volunteers who give of their time to this endeavor. All of the results can be found at www.4hansci.osu.edu/dairy under March 27th.
The Journal of Extension (JOE) is in need of Peer Reviewers
This is an excellent way to be engaged with the latest developments in Extension as well as to advance professionally. Those who are thinking seriously about the promotion process or switching to Faculty track should consider this opportunity. JOE peer reviewers are appointed for 3-year terms (renewable once) and review approximately 6 to 10 submissions per year. They must meet high standards, which include: (1) Exhibit breadth and depth of subject-area expertise; (2) Have published in JOE and/or other refereed journals or published works of similar rigor (e.g., book chapters, reviewed curricula); (3) Demonstrate excellent English grammar and writing skills; and (4) Be active Extension professionals or retired but still active/current in Extension. If anyone is interested, please contact Tom Archer at archer.3@osu.edu.
