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Forum Information on the Web!
--Kevin Wright
The 4-H Forum registration and workshop information has been posted on the 4-H website at: http://4-h.wsu.edu/conferences/Forum/index.htm. This year's Forum theme is 4-H: An American Tradition. It will be held October 19 - 21, 2007 at The Holiday Inn Express and TRAC in Pasco . This year's Forum will include the following: Friday will be day-long track workshops, followed by the 4-H Summit , District Planning Meetings, and the Volunteer Recognition Banquet/Hall of Fame Induction. Saturday will feature Keynote Speaker Chris Blodgett, 40 workshop sessions, 4-H Alumni Reception, and the 4-H Charity Auction. Sunday will be devoted to the 4-H Council Meeting, with District elections of State Advisory Board and State Fair Board representation and committee meetings to review recommendations and discuss project issues. Nick Jasper, 4-H Alumnus will be our Capstone Speaker. All in all a packed weekend!
Full time registrants will get three lunches and two dinners. Hard copies of the registration brochure will be sent to county offices. You can download registration information at the 4-H website, http://4h.wsu.edu/conferences/Forum/index.htm. If you would like the Forum registration packet emailed or mailed to you, please contact Kevin Wright at wrightkc@wsu.edu. Be sure to register by September 29th!
Council Meeting Deadline Approaches
--Kevin Wright
The deadline for recommendations to the Washington State 4-H Council is September 1, 2007. Recommendation forms may be obtained from your County Extension Office or online at http://cru84.cahe.wsu.edu/cgi-bin/pubs/C0985.html. Recommendations are a way for 4-H volunteers to suggest changes and improvements to the 4-H program. Recommendations should go through a process at the county to refine and approve them before being signed by County Council Presidents and 4-H Staff. Please mail completed recommendations, postmarked by September 1, 2007, to Nancy Mordhorst, 601 Johnson Tower, PO Box 644852, Pullman, WA 99164-4852.
The Council meeting is a chance for 4-H youth and volunteers to discuss issues critical to 4-H, suggest changes in the Washington State 4-H Youth Development Program and elect representatives to the State Advisory Board and State 4-H Fair Board. All youth and adults may participate in the committee meetings. Registration material for the Council meeting will be included with the State 4-H Forum registration brochure. A complete agenda and copies of submitted recommendations and applications will be sent to county offices prior to the Council meeting.
The State 4-H Council Meeting is made up of 3 parts: District caucuses, committee meetings, and a general council session. During the District caucuses representatives are elected to the State Advisory Board and State 4-H Fair Board of Trustees. Voting delegates will only elect representatives from their own district. This is also an opportunity to discuss and plan District programming for the future.
The committee meetings are a chance to discuss recommendations from the counties for improvements to the 4-H program. If a committee doesn't have many recommendations or finishes early, it is a great chance to discuss project issues and plan for the upcoming 4-H year.
At the general session each of the committee actions on recommendations are accepted or rejected. The accepted recommendations then go on to the State 4-H Fair Board, State Advisory Board, statewide committees, or State 4-H Staff for approval. The State 4-H Program Leader has final approval of all recommendations. In general, approved recommendations will be implemented October 1 of the next year.
State Award Nominations
--Kevin Wright
Nominations for Annual 4-H Awards must be postmarked by September 1st. The awards include Friend of Washington, Alumni of the Year, the Volunteer's Staff Award and the Volunteer Excellence Awards. Winners of the Volunteer Excellence Awards (lifetime achievement and Less than 10 Years) will be sent on for National Competition. Nomination forms may be downloaded from the Forum website at: http://4h.wsu.edu/conferences/Forum/awards.htm.
Please send completed forms to State 4-H Office – Awards, Washington State University Puyallup, 7612 Pioneer Way E, Puyallup, WA 98371-4998. If you have any questions contact Betsy Fradd at fradd@wsu.edu or 253-445-4543.
State Board Positions Looking For Nominees
--Kevin Wright
There are positions for teens and volunteers from every district on the State Advisory Board and State 4-H Fair Board. The Council meeting is an opportunity to elect representatives to these boards and through the recommendation process, have input on changes and improvements to the Washington 4-H program.
The applications, guidelines and background information about the Council meeting are available on the 4-H website at: http://4h.wsu.edu/council/index.htm. Please review the information carefully and be sure to have applications and recommendations postmarked by September 1, 2007.
State 4-H Fair Board Positions up for Election
NW2 3-year term through 2010
SW2 3-year term through 2010
NE2 3-year term through 2010
SE2 3-year term through 2010
SE3 2-year term through 2009
East Teen 2-year term through 2009
Learn more about the State 4-H Fair Board and download applications at: http://4h.wsu.edu/volntr/sfb/sfblist.html.
State 4-H Advisory Board Positions up for Election
NW3 3-year term through 2010
NWTeen 2-year through 2009
SW1 1-year term through 2008
SW3 3-year term through 2010
SWTeen 2-year term through 2009
NE1 1-year term through 2008
NE3 3-year term through 2010
NETeen 2-year term through 2009
SE2 2-year term through 2009
SE3 3-year term through 2010
SETeen 1-year term through 2008
SETeen 2-year term through 2009
SAC1 3-year term through 2010
Learn more about the State 4-H Advisory Board and download applications at: http://4h.wsu.edu/volntr/sab/sablist.html.
Outstanding County Volunteer Awards
--Kevin Wright
Each county may submit an outstanding volunteer to be honored at this year's 4-H Forum. Counties are encouraged to send a poster or display about the volunteer. Please submit the Outstanding County Leader form and electronic picture of the volunteer no later than September 15th. Nomination forms may be downloaded form the Forum website at: http://4h.wsu.edu/conferences/Forum/awards.htm.
Please send completed forms to State 4-H Forum/Outstanding Leader, Washington State University, Johnson Tower 601, P.O. Box 644852, Pullman, WA 99164-4852. If you have any questions contact Joy Faerber at faerber@wsu.edu or 509-335-2994.
Department of Homeland Security Releases New Preparedness Resources for Seniors, People with Disabilities and Pet Owners
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign has released three new demonstration videos designed to highlight the specific steps older Americans, individuals with disabilities and special needs and pet owners should take to prepare for emergencies.
The Department of Homeland Security developed these new emergency preparedness videos, which are available online at www.ready.gov, to remind individuals to get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan and be informed about the different types of emergencies while considering the unique needs of these individuals, their families and caregivers. The videos recommend seniors include any necessary prescription medications in their emergency supply kits. They encourage Americans with disabilities or special needs to create a personal support network that they can rely on during an emergency. Pet owners are advised to learn which emergency shelters in their area and/or along their evacuation route will allow pets.
The new videos are released in time for National Preparedness Month 2007, a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies. The goal of National Preparedness Month is to increase public awareness about the importance of family preparedness and to encourage individuals to take action in their homes and schools. The U. S. Administration on Aging encourages everyone to take steps now in order to be prepared in the event of a disaster or national emergency.
Mission of the Month: Fair Food, Fun and Games
Step right up to state fair season with CYFERnet! Discover the secrets behind the deep-fried, the thrill ride and those impossible carnival games with a trio of fun activities.
Fair Fare: In this activity, youth get a chance to prepare some classic fair treats to see what goes into the recipes. They'll also learn about the science behind our high-fat, high-calorie cravings.
Thrill Rides: Ever wonder what causes the crazy mix of sensations that has us lining up for roller coasters and free-fall rides? In this lesson, youth discover exactly what makes thrill rides thrilling."
(Un)Fair Games: Balloon darts or the ring toss may look easy, but they're virtually impossible to win. That's because they are often rigged to give the game operators an unfair advantage. Before you spend your money at this year's fair, test out the "fraud factor" behind some popular games.
Visit http://www.cyfernet.org/4htech/missions.html for complete details.
New Idaho 4-H Web site
--Nicki Bell
The new Idaho 4-H web site is up and running. The new URL is www.idaho4h.uidaho.edu.
There are plans to add additional focused page content, such as one specifically for youth. If you have any ideas for new pages, please contact me with your suggestions. These will be shared with the Marketing committee.
The transfer of old content and links from the old 4-H web site has been more technical than expected. We must reformat every word and Adobe file that was linked on the web page. We are still in the process of finding all the old files and updating them. Therefore, the old Idaho 4-H web site will remain active for a few months so we can be sure that everything has been successfully transferred to the new site. If you find information missing, please contact Nicki Bell at nbell@uidaho.edu.
Job Opportunity : Food Nutrition Specialist Assignment with 4-H Army Project
--Sharon Wright
The 4-H Army Youth Development Project is seeking a qualified Land Grant University Professional for a half time assignment to support and assess food and nutrition programs for Army children and youth. This Specialist will travel frequently to work with Army Headquarters Child & Youth Services staff in Alexandria, VA and to Army installations worldwide.
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.