Focus on Youth
News for OCES staff working with youth.
April, 2009
4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
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Hello 4-H Family,
As I write this message the OYE is wrapping up, and for
many of you that will mean a chance to get home to your own bed, a
chance to weed through a few hundred e-mails and a chance to get over
weeks of dust and other things that get in your head during the month
of March! As you begin to catch up on office work, please take
a few minutes to check out the state 4-H website. There are several
new items there, including links from the front page to upcoming events
and activities and the centennial. We have a new web guy and
he is doing a great job getting things posted and organized so they
are easy to find.
If you have not yet gotten some folks together to think about your county’s
contribution to the 4-H history book this would be an ideal time to get started. The
deadline will soon be upon us, and you want to make sure you have some good things
to share that will capture the past of 4-H in your county as well as the current
highlights and maybe even some goals for the future.
If you have not yet taken a photograph of your Redbud tree from 2002, it is not
too late. Some counties have had a hard time finding their trees. If
there have been some staff changes since 2002 in your county you may need to
do a little CSI work to figure out where the tree was planted. They may
be planted at the courthouse, city library, alongside a walking trail, or at
the county fairgrounds. In 2009, you might want to take some photos,
maybe add some kind of placard and at least leave some details about it in the
files in your office so 25 years from now someone else can find it.
These are exciting times for Oklahoma 4-H. We have a full staff on campus.
and we are looking forward to many new programs and projects in the months and
years ahead. We look forward to working with you as we continue to “Make
the Best Better!”
Charles Cox
Assistant Director, 4-H Youth Development
Eskimo Joe’s 4-H T-shirt now available
Eskimo Joe’s 4-H T-shirt now available
The Oklahoma 4-H Eskimo Joe’s T-shirt is now available in all locations and online! The shirts are available at Joe’s Clothes World Headquarters in Stillwater, Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa, Penn Square Mall in Oklahoma City, by calling 800-256-JOES or online at www.eskimojoes.com.
Fiber Festival 2009
4-H Volunteers are preparing for Fiber Festival 2009! The event will be held just East of Hitchcock on Saturday, April 18th.
What is a Fiber Festival? Basically it’s an all day celebration of all things fiber. Right now they are searching for people willing to put on a short demo or class - maybe repeating it once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Presenters may be 4-H youth or 4-H volunteers.
They need demonstrations or short classes related to fiber animals: sheep, llama, alpaca and rabbits. It can be anything from preparing for a show to tying rope halters, grading wool, what a spinner looks for in fiber, selecting breeding stock, preparing a nestbox, rabbit showmanship etc.
They are also looking for demonstrations that are fiber related arts: spinning, weaving, braiding, felting, dyeing (kool-aid, natural, synthetic.... its all good!) 4-H presentations and demonstrations related to nature craft items are welcome as well.
Cowboy stew will be available for lunch by donation.
For some pics of last years fun go to http://goodharedaze.com/fiberfest/
88th State 4-H Roundup
Attached is the tentative schedule for
the upcoming State 4-H Roundup. The
dates of this year's Roundup are July 29-31, 2009.
Roundup information will be posted to the 4-H website the first week
in May. Registration information will be due on or before June
23. This year, we will again be doing a couple of centra
orientation sessions for educators. Educators are encouraged to
attend one of the sessions. The first session will be on May 8
at 10:00 a.m. and then there will be a repeat session on May 28 at 10:00
a.m. Information will be emailed to the counties on how to
register for one of the sessions. Some of the topics that will be discussed
are the schedule, forms, expectations and deadlines.
Roundup Workshops
In order to offer a quality learning experience to the young people attending Roundup, we need quality workshops on both July 29th and 30th. It takes a lot of workshops to make Roundup work.
Attached is a workshop application form. I hope you will consider presenting, or - if you know of someone who does a good workshop for youth, please forward the form to them. If you want to give me their name and contact information, I will make the contact. Suggestions for workshops are appreciated.
4-H Green Makes the World Go Round - Discovery Unlimited
2009 Discovery Unlimited – May 29-30 - Saints Groves Camp, Stillwater
Discover
Unlimited is intended to help retain the membership of our "tweeners" in
the Oklahoma 4-H program. It is critical that our organization
focus on these young people if we intend to maintain enrollment and increase
participation of the 13-19 year olds. Programming will be focused around
our theme "4-H Green Makes the World Go Round." Workshops
and speakers will focus on what 4-H offers teens in the way of leadership,
travel and friendship. Please help our planning team promote this program
with youth 11-12 years of age.
Registration will be $35 and will include housing, food, educational
supplies and a T-shirt. All youth must register through their county
Extension office. No exceptions. County registration is due to the state
office on or before April 13th.
All forms and a tentative conference schedule will be posted by March 26th at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/events/discovery.htm
Robbie Maples, Discovery Unlimited Co-chair
State Parent-Volunteer Conference - Call for Workshop Proposals
The State 4-H Volunteer Board extends an invitation to county educators, para-professionals and volunteers to present a workshop July 11, 2009, in Stillwater. The proposal form is attached to this Focus on Youth or may be accessed on line at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm. The volunteer board encourages staff and volunteers to submit workshop proposals no latter than April 1, 2009. This deadline will be final in aiding our effort to have the conference program ready to distribute by mid April.
There will be four tracks of workshops each with a different focus:
Track 1 - “Honoring” our past: workshop topics which
are a rich part of our history and still viable to today’s youth
and our communities.
Track 2 - “Celebrating” our present: current trends
and interests of youth and youth development programming or volunteer
development.
Track 3 – “Envisioning” our future: introduction
of new and unusual programs, projects, coming trends which will put our
youth programming out on the cutting edge.
Track 4 – “100 years of Service:" Invitation
only! - the top recipients of the 100 years of Service project
will be invited to present the innovative service learning program their
club conducted.
We are currently soliciting workshops for Tracks 2 and 3.
State Volunteer Board
Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Volunteer Awards
Each county may submit one nominee for each of the two awards: Volunteer of the Year (less than 10 years of experience) and Lifetime Volunteer Awards (an accumulation of 10 or more years of experience). County nominee(s) will be recognized at the state awards luncheon on July 11, 2009, as part of the State Parent-Volunteer Development conference.
The State Volunteer Board would like to have every county present and honoring a volunteer.
The application form and guidelines for 2009 District and State volunteer awards are available at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/awards/recogn.htm.
Nominations submitted to the District 4-H Office must be received electronically no later than 5:00 PM on April 15, 2009. Nomination includes application, nominee’s vita, three letters of recommendations and an electronic photograph,
The selection committee asked that the following be shared with County Educators – Please do not complete the vita for the volunteer. It is obvious when it is and is not the work of the individual. The information on the vita needs to be thoughts, philosophy and words of the volunteer. For those counties nominating a modest or humble volunteer who will not “toot their own horn,” it is suggested that you work one-on-one with the individual to record answers for each question on the vita.
State 4-H Leadership Council – Traveling Workshop
Council members are excited about the opportunity to provide educational programs to teens and adults who provide leadership at the local club level. Their newest Traveling Workshop is ready to go!
The Centennial Alumni Video Production - how to interview, film and edit interviews with Alumni ready for presentation to 4-H Volunteers, Parent-Volunteer Organizations, County Councils, Teen Leaders, etc. There are six lessons in the curriculum (attached) which will introduce Videography to a local club while recording Oklahoma 4-H history and documenting Centennial service projects, 4-H road trips and other celebrations.
Cluster representatives will be contacting county educators and the presidents of Parent-Volunteer Organizations and Teen Leaders/County Officer teams in an effort to schedule a joint meeting where they can introduce the workshop materials and conduct some of the lessons. The presentation will take a minimum of one hour.
The team’s focus for the spring semester is One Hundred Years of Service - Making a difference…ONE project at a time and Centennial Alumni Video Production - how to interview, film and edit interviews with Alumni. During the summer and early fall they will focus again on Each One Reach One Centennial Style.
Please encourage and support their enthusiasm in serving the Oklahoma 4-H program.
“4-H Volunteers - A Southern Tradition” - Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Forum – Deposit due July 17th
Looking for a way to rejuvenate your enthusiasm as a volunteer or county
educator? 
Rock
Eagle is the place!
The best way to describe the experience is 4-H Camp for Adults. The days are packed with excellent workshops, and the evenings are filled with entertainment and Fun Shops. To view a video of the 2008 conference, follow the link http://www.4hsrlf.org/08srlf/08slideshow.htm.
The conference will be held in Eatonton, Georgia, October 1-4, 2009. Full conference registration will not exceed $275. A $50 deposit is due July 18, 2009. The remaining balance is due August 21st. Visit the host state conference site at www.4hsrlf.org for current information regarding the conference. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Oklahoma typically travels as a group via air transportation.
The mission of the Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Leader Forum is to increase the capacity of volunteer and salaried staff to contribute to the achievement of the mission of 4-H youth development and the Cooperative Extension system as a whole. The primary purpose of the forum is to educate and prepare participants to share what they learned back home. Participants benefit from the experiential learning activities which require them to discuss, use and apply what they learn. The ultimate application is for individuals and teams to teach others.
SRVLF is an excellent opportunity to meet adult volunteers from 13 southern states, Puerto Rico, Grenada, and the Virgin Islands.
State Parent-Volunteer Conference
"Oklahoma 4-H Volunteers: Honoring, Celebrating and Envisioning”" is the theme of the 2009 State Parent-Volunteer Conference. The conference is schedule for July 11, in Stillwater.
Conference program, workshop descriptions and enrollment form will be available online after May 1 at http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/volun/eduopp.htm. It has been implied that we will be eligible for Monsanto funds for scholarships to certified volunteers attending the conference for the first time. This has not been finalized.
The program and enrollment form were mailed directly to 700 volunteers whose name and address were submitted to the state office as club leaders of “chartered” clubs. Please assist the State 4-H Volunteer Board in promoting the conference to all other parents and volunteers in your county.
The conference objectives:
Celebrate past, present and future traditions as part of the Oklahoma
4-H Centennial.
Enlighten volunteers as to how diverse 4-H opportunities and experiences develop capable youth.
Encourage volunteers to establish and nurture a support network with fellow volunteers.
Motivate parents and volunteers to serve as project leaders, committee members and club leaders.
There will be four tracks of workshops:
Track 1 - “Honoring” our past: workshop topics which are a rich part of our history and still viable to today’s youth and our communities.
Track 2 - “Celebrating” our present: current trends and interests of youth and youth development programming or volunteer development.
Track 3 – “Envisioning” our future: introduction of new and unusual programs, projects, coming trends which will put our youth programming out on the cutting edge.
Track 4 – “100 years of Service:" Invitation only! - the top recipients of the 100 years of Service project will be invited to present the innovative service learning program their club conducted.
The conference will include door prizes, as well as a silent and live auction. Proceeds from the live auction will go toward the endowment of a Volunteer Development Scholarship with the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation.
During the luncheon Oklahoma 4-H will recognize volunteers who have been selected by their county for Volunteer of the Year and Life-Time Service awards and announce the District and State award recipients.
The early bird enrollment fee of $30 and enrollment form are due on or before June 19. Any person sending an enrollment postmarked after June 20th will be responsible for the full enrollment fee of $40.
Theresa Bragg
State 4-H Volunteer Board President
Promote the Centennial Contest
You’re already submitting Oklahoma 4-H Centennial information to various media outlets and using the Centennial logo on items. Why not keep a record of your promotion efforts and enter the Promote the Centennial Contest?
The purpose of the Promote the Centennial Contest is to:
• Encourage 4-H members, leaders and educators to develop promotional
and marketing skills during this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
• Promote the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial Celebration.
• Increase the number of people who join, support and understand Oklahoma
4-H.
The contest is open to individuals or teams of two. Youth may partner with adults in a team.
Divisions are as follows:
- Youth Junior Division (Under 13)
- Youth Senior Division (13 and over)
- Team Division (can be youth/youth, youth/adult, adult/adult)
Promotional methods may include radio, television, illustrated talks, method demonstrations, newspapers, posters, projected images, exhibits, photographs, puppets, public service announcements, speeches, drama, skits, videos (YouTube, etc.) computer programs, Powerpoint presentations, workshops, online social networking pages, Web sites, brochures, banners, magazines, etc.
Contestants may promote to 4-H or non-4-H audiences.
The goal of the contest is to gain Oklahoma 4-H Centennial recognition.
Contest Rules
- Contestants will be judged on materials chosen, message delivery, creativity, effectiveness of promotion, approximate audience reached, and presentation of promotion.
- Promotional packages should include copies or photographs of promotions used, i.e. copies of a brochure or pictures of a demonstration or skit.
- Use of graphics created by others is allowed, but permission must be gained to use any copyrighted material. Correct usage of the 4-H clover emblem will be considered when materials are judged.
- Promotional packages must be submitted to the State 4-H Office by September 1, 2009, for consideration.
The top 10 promotional packages will be recognized at the Oklahoma 4-H green tie gala in November 2009.
Submit packages to:
Jessica Stewart
205 4-H Youth Development Building
Stillwater, OK 74078
Operation: Military Kids News
OMK has had tremendous success making the proper connections with key military officials. We have become part of the Oklahoma JFSAP (Joint Family Support Assistance Program) support team and have identified numerous needs our military families face. Several events to send out to your current military families are Frontier City Military Family Appreciation Day May 30th and the Science Museum Camp-In June 12th. As demand for OMK continues to grow, so does the need to support these events. If your youth are wanting to get involved please let me know as family readiness group meetings are always coming up and many Yellow Ribbon Events are in the works. I will send out more information as events continue to be planned.
Centennial Families Award application
Families who have a long standing history of involvement in 4-H are encouraged to apply for the Centennial Families Award, a special Centennial award recognizing families who have had three or more generations in Oklahoma 4-H. You can download the application form here. Applications are due by August 1. Winners will be notified by August 31 and will be recognized at the Green Tie Gala on November 6. If you have questions, please direct them to Jessica at 405-744-7960 or jessica.stewart@okstate.edu.