|
Revised 4-H Volunteer Leader Training Evaluation Form Now Available
--Jan Hiller
The revised version of the 4-H VLT Evaluation form can be found on the Washington State 4-H website. Click on Volunteer Leader Training on the homepage and then click on Volunteer Training Evaluation Form at the bottom of the left-hand side. The direct URL to the 4-H Volunteer Leader Training site is http://4h.wsu.edu/staff/vtm/index.htm.
The only change is Question 9. The new version asks the volunteer to rank their preference of ways to receive training: newsletter, interactive E-learning, volunteer training modules, face-to-face, other and why?
Thanks to those of you who have sent in the responses from training sessions offered thus far in the 2006-07 4-H year. Be sure to use the revised forms for any training you offer from now on.
4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training- Correction
--Janet Schmidt
Bids are now being accepted to host State 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training in 2007 and 2008! I had an error in the last Tuesday News that may have lead folks to believe that bids were being accepted only for 2008. If your county is interested in hosting a State 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training, please complete the bid form located at, http://4-h.wsu.edu/projects/shooting.htm, and return the form to me via email, fax or mail. I hope several counties take advantage of this opportunity.
Youth Horse Field Day
--Janet Schmidt
WSU Extension in Whitman and Asotin Counties in partnership with U of I Extension in Nez Perce and Latah Counties are pleased to host the 4-H and FFA Youth Horse Field Day on Saturday, February 24, 2007, at the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds, in Colfax, WA. The registration fee of $5 per person or $10 per family is requested by February 16 and due in the Whitman County Extension Office. Topics for the day will include the Danish System of Judging, Hands-On Feeds activities, Horse Nutrition, Horse First Aid, Conformation and Body Condition Scoring, Saddle Fitting, Trailer Safety and Horse Bowl. Youth and families in surrounding counties are invited to participate in the day's events. For more information contact Janet Schmidt, in the Whitman County Extension Office or refer to the flyer posted to http://whitman.4h.wsu.edu.
Washington State 4-H Scholarship Deadline
--Jan Klein
Although the WSU CAHNRS scholarship deadline is past please note that the Washington State 4-H Scholarship deadline is March 1, 2007. 4-H members who are seniors in high school or are completing their GED may apply for scholarships from the Washington State 4-H Program. In order to be eligible to apply for these scholarships you must either be a current or former member of the Washington State 4-H Program and have accumulated at least 2 years of 4-H affiliation. Previous Washington State 4-H scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply.
The Washington 4-H Scholarships require a completed 4-H Scholarship Application and Washington State 4-H Scholarship Supplemental Application Information. Each applicant will be considered for all Washington State 4-H Scholarships. These applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2007. Please send applications to Washington State 4-H Scholarship Committee, State 4-H Office, 601 Johnson Tower PO Box 644852, Pullman, WA 99164-4852.
These scholarships may be used at any institution offering post-secondary education
- J. Orville Young Memorial Scholarship ~ one @ $500.00
- Lewis County 4-H Leaders' Scholarship ~ six @ $500.00
- O.M. Plummer Memorial Scholarship ~ one @ approximately $575.00
- Washington State 4-H Foundation Scholarship ~ one at $500.00
- Washington State 4-H Foundation Dairy Endowment Scholarship ~ two @ $500.00 (Must be a 4-H Dairy member)
The 4-H Scholarship Application form may be obtained from your local county Extension office or downloaded from the Washington State 4-H Website at http://4h.wsu.edu/kidstuff/scholar.htm.
If you have any questions about the scholarships please contact Jan Klein at (509) 358-7937 or email jlklein@wsu.edu.
4-H Portable Challenge Training
--Vicky McCarley
There will be a portable challenge training March 1-3, 2007 in Olympia, WA. This training is for people who want to facilitate 4-H portable challenge activities. Portable challenge is the foundation for all of the challenge programming. This training is 3 days long, each day is 8 hours and folks can apply for clock hours and ceu's.
For more information and to register contact Vicky McCarley at 360-786-5445 ext 7907.
Cowman's Classic All Breed Bull Sale Youth Beef Judging Contest
--Sarah Smith
The second annual Cowman's Classic 4-H and FFA Beef Judging Contest is scheduled for February 27, 2007 at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Spokane, WA. Registration will begin at 9:00am and continue until the start of the contest at 10:00am. Four classes of bulls will be judged during this contest. The consignors of the annual 23rd Cowman's Classic All Breed Bull Sale will supply the contest animals. The contest will also include a questions class.
This event will be part of the 23rd Cowman's Classic All Breed Bull Sale scheduled for February 25-27 at the Interstate Fairgrounds in Spokane, WA. This is an excellent opportunities for youth to practice and participate in judging contests focusing on high quality beef cattle. Over 100 youth participated in last year's contest. The bull sale will begin at 12:30pm.
Awards will be presented to the winning teams for both the 4-H and FFA divisions. Northwest Credit Service is sponsoring this contest. A complimentary tri-tip lunch, hosted by Merial Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Products, and WSI Western Stockman Animal Supplies, will follow the judging contest. Information concerning this contest can be attained by contacting Fran Maki, contest chairman, (208) 301-1497 or stevemaki@cpcinternet.com, Sarah Smith or Carolyn Russo, co-chairmans, (509) 754-2011 ext. 363 or smithsm@wsu.edu.
Heavenly Hounds Fun Match
--Nancy Baskett
The 2006-2007 year is going by so fast and it seems that fair is just around the corner. I know that we would all like to encourage every 4-H member to strive for and achieve excellence in training our canine friends, but this means practice, practice, practice. Why not take this time to enjoy friends, the beautiful weather (that is bound to come eventually), and build a stronger bond with your dog?
Heavenly Hounds has just the answer. We will be hosting our annual Fun Match on St. Patrick's Day at Frontier Park in Graham, WA. I strongly encourage everyone to come out and enjoy classes, food and friends. We will be offering Obedience classes in Pre-Novice A & B, Novice, and Advanced Novice, 4-H Showmanship and Conformation practice. All age groups are welcome.
Contact Kristi Kristoff if you have any questions at 253-221-8445.
Opportunity for Meat Goat Project Youth
--Susan Kerr
The purpose of the International Boer Goat Association's youth achievement program, Bearing Outstanding Educational Responsibility, is to motivate, educate and provide a positive experience for youth involvement in and around the show ring. This program is open to the Junior Membership of the International Boer Goat Association. Achievement is tracked at sanctioned International Boer Goat shows by earning points. Points are earned by showing animals, fitting animals, having an educational display at a show and for being a show assistant. Youth can accumulate points and earn some great awards.
For more information, contact International Boer Goat Association, PO Box 1045, Whitewright, TX 75491, call 877-402-4242, e-mail intlboer@intlboergoat.org or visit www.intlboergoat.org/youth_achievement.asp.
Brinnon/Quilcene 4-H Club Wins $100,000 “Great Strides Award” from The Northwest Area Foundation
--Jack Olmsted
The Northwest Area Foundation announced that the community of Brinnon/Quilcene has won its "Great Strides Award." The award is given to up to four communities each year in recognition of the innovative strides they have taken to reduce poverty for the long term.
Big Quil Enterprises, a 4-H Club Quilcene student-run shellfish business, won a 2007 Great Strides Award for capitalizing on social assts and leadership to develop new industry that would reverse economic and wage decline. The city of 4,000 with a poverty rate of 11-percent will receive a $100,000 award for the community. Other 2007 Great Strides winners include the cities of Independence, Oregon; White Earth Reservation, Minnesota; and the city of Westhope, North Dakota.
Visit http://4-hnews.blogspot.com for this complete story.
Judging Public Presentations that Use Power Point
--Christy Price
We have had youth using Power Point as a tool for their public presentations for several years. We use the same evaluation form as for other public presentations. This is my perspective on power point. The power point tool is no different than a child using a microwave to bake the cake or a child using a serger to construct a garment. Those are only tools; the final product still needs to meet a given standard. That standard is outlined on the score sheet. Just because a person uses power point slides does not make it a better presentation. If it is not used correctly, the slides have too much text, colors are not good, size of letters are too small, etc., then the presentation is no different than the child with a poster that can't be read, is confusing, etc.
Often people are willing to jump to an association that if the child uses the newest equipment or "gadget" then the finished product is better. In my book, the finished product is "better" only if the standard is met -- the process should not matter or be more important.
WR4-H Forum State Photos
--Pat BoyEs
The State Photos from the Western Region Forum are available at http://cals.arizona.edu/4-h/wr_forum/index.html.
4-H is Collecting your 4-H Story
--Pat BoyEs
The NAE4-HA Public Relations and Information Committee is compiling a book of 4-H stories and wants you to share your 4-H story! Think about a time when you were "touched” or "moved” by an event or incident between a 4-H member, volunteer, staff member or between two 4-H'ers. Remember that funny story that happened at 4-H Camp or the county fair or on a 4-H trip? Now is the time to tell that story!
The submission deadline is June 1, 2007. I sincerely hope Washington will be well represented in this national book of 4-H stories.
Submission Criteria and Story Construction Ideas
Choose Respect during National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week
--Pat BoyEs
The start of a new year is filled with many opportunities to raise awareness of dating violence among youth, and promote prevention strategies to protect them. Last year Congress proclaimed the first week in February as the nation's first National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. This year, it will take place February 5–9, 2007.
In your planning efforts for National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, I invite you to consider highlighting the Choose Respect initiative, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Choose Respect is a national initiative that encourages youth ages 11–14 to prevent dating violence by developing healthy and respectful relationships with others. Its overall aim is to provide effective messaging that navigate youth through the various stages of change by increasing knowledge and awareness, influencing beliefs, changing attitudes, and modifying and sustaining behavior.
The Choose Respect website has resources available to assist you in your preparations for National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week. They will complement your existing activities to encourage healthy relationships among youth. Our newest feature is Choose Respect eCards, launched just in time for this awareness week. ECards are a fun way for youth and the adults in their lives to send personalized messages to those they care about.
Other resources available at www.chooserespect.org include:
- Interactive learning games and tools
- An award-winning video documentary
- Community action kit
- TV and radio public service announcements
- Media access guide
- Talking points
We thank you for your continued success in promoting the importance of dating violence prevention among youth. Your efforts will ensure that our youth have the tools to develop healthy respectful relationships with others.
Courage and Renewal Conference
--Pat BoyEs
For those in the helping profession such as human services, what was once a passion and labor of love can become work that over time saps our spirit. Long hours, meager resources, relentless demands, and the daily grind can turn love for a profession into a distant memory. Jobs that were once embraced as a way to make a difference get bogged down in institutional contexts that are increasingly dysfunctional.
Washington Courage & Renewal (and the National Center for Courage & Renewal) tries to help people rediscover their purpose and passion for important work in the world. It takes courage to face up to aspects of our jobs that are heartbreaking. Courage and Renewal programs are about creating space for people to remember why they entered their profession and to reclaim their gifts that they bring to their vocation.
Just a Reminder!
When you have new Extension staff that will be working in some capacity with 4-H, please let Nancy in the State 4-H Office know. They will be added to mailing lists, added to the 4-H Talk list serve, sent a 4-H Welcome Packet, and be assigned a state 4-H staff person as a point of contact, as appropriate. 4-H News is sent via the 4-H Talk list serve each week. Archived copies of previous weeks “Tuesday 4-H News” are available on the 4-H web site: http://4h.wsu.edu/. Please send submissions by Friday of each week to Tiffany Boswell, State 4-H Office, tiffany_boswell@wsu.edu. Detailed event information and registrations forms can be found on the 4-H web site.