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Response to IRS Penalty Notices to 4-H Clubs & Affiliated 4-H Organizations Typically Earning $25,000 or Less
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs
The IRS and National 4-H Headquarters, USDA remain committed to our agreement that chartered 4-H clubs and duly authorized 4-H organizations under the control of Cooperative Extension that normally earn $25,000 or less in annual gross receipts will not be penalized for not filing a 990-N (e-Postcard) in 2008.
Inadvertently, automated IRS systems are sending overdue 990 filing and penalty notices to sets of 4-H entities that are entered in their systems, beginning with those showing a tax year ending December 2007.
INSTRUCTIONS: Please share the following instructions for chartered 4-H clubs and duly authorized affiliated 4-H organizations under the control of Extension whose annual gross receipts are $25,000 or less. The following steps will prevent additional penalty notices, and subsequent collection activities, from being generated and mailed to your clubs. Instructions vary depending on the type of notice being received:
• Request for Form 990 or for 990-EZ from the IRS Ogden Campus:
• Reply in writing to the IRS by marking the box that states that “The organization will file a Form 990-N by the response due date shown above, because its annual gross receipts were normally $25,000 or less and it is not a section 509(a)3 organization.”
• File a Form 990-N immediately. Form 990-N is filed electronically by accessing www.irs.gov and navigating to “Charities & Nonprofits ” and then to the following subject link: Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations — Form 990-N (e-Postcard)
• NOTE: The 990-N is not the place to correct or update data about the EIN record, including the organization' s tax year.
• Notice reading: Please Call Us [IRS]About Your Overdue Taxes or Tax Returns from the Operations Manager, Automatic Collection System:
• Reply in writing to the IRS address by stating that "This organization is listed with the IRS as a tax-exempt subordinate under a group exemption issued to the 4-H Clubs and Affiliated Organizations. The organization will file a Form 990-N by the response due date shown above, because its annual gross receipts were normally $25,000 or less and it is not a section 509(a)(3) organization."
• File a Form 990-N immediately. Form 990-N is filed electronically by accessing www.irs.gov and navigating to "Charities & Nonprofits" and then to the following subject link: Annual Electronic Filing Requirement for Small Exempt Organizations — Form 990-N (e-Postcard)
• NOTE: The 990-N is not the place to correct or update data about the EIN record, including the organization ' s tax year.
For chartered 4-H clubs and duly authorized affiliated 4-H organizations under the control of Extension that normally earn more than $25,000, the State 4-H Program Office is asked to send an email to National 4-H Headquarters at 4-H_tax_info@csrees.usda.gov so that we can work with you and the IRS on those cases.
Southeast District Teen Rally
--Nicole Wright
The Southeast District Teen Rally is being held in Asotin County in Anatone, WA on October 24-26, 2008. Registration is $70 per person. “Learning from the past building our future… Down in the Sticks” is this year's theme. Plan on having a ton of fun exploring the trails and enjoying your stay in the mountains!
Fabulous Guest Speakers include:
- Pat BoyEs, WA State 4-H Program Director
- Bridget Rohner, WSU Lincoln County Extension
Interactive Workshops
- Keeping Our Forests Green
- Orienteering
- Outdoor Survival
- Leatherwork
- And more!
Cowboy Poetry
Line-Dancing Lessons
Campfire Stories
For the most up-to-date information on the camp visit: http://asotin.wsu.edu/4h/Events/08TeenRally.html. If you have further questions please contact the Asotin County Extension 4-H office at: (509) 243-2009. We look forward to seeing you there!
CYFAR 2009 Proposals Due
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs
The CYFAR 2009 Conference Committee invites Workshop, Computer Lab, Research Poster, and Program Showcase proposals for presentation May 19-21, 2009 at the CYFAR 2009 Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Proposals are due October 31, 2008.
• Visit the CYFAR 2009 website: http://www.cyfernet.org/cyfar09/
• Or go directly to the Call for Proposals: http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/cyfar/Call.html
• Submit workshop proposals at: http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/cyfar/workshop.html
• Research posters proposals at: http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/cyfar/research.html
• Computer labs proposals at: http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/cyfar/computer.html
• Program Showcas e exhibit proposals at : http://fycs.ifas.ufl.edu/cyfar/showcase.html
Contact June Mead , CYFAR 2009 Conference Program Coordinator, at jm62@cornell.edu with question about the different formats. We look forward to receiving your proposal by October 31, 2008 and greeting you personally in Baltimore next May. It's going to be another terrific CYFAR Conference!
National 4-H Conference Applications Due
--Jan Klein
National 4-H Conference Applications are due November 1, 2008. Please note changes in the selection criteria and application process, as outlined below.
The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults--at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture--assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities. National 4-H Headquarters, the sponsor, is charged with sharing this information with the Secretary of Agriculture, national Extension Program Leaders, and others who determine 4-H programs. This event brings together youth, volunteer leaders, and state and county Extension staff members from across the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the Canadian Provinces. Capitol Hill Day at the National 4-H Conference is an opportunity for youth delegates to visit their elected representatives in Congress and inform them about the 4-H program in their state.
Washington State 4-H selection criteria include:
- People skills as seen through interview, letters of recommendation, presentation/portfolio
- Articulate and confident communicator
- Ability to describe 4-H programming clearly and articulately
- Ability and willingness to lead
- Ability and willingness to work as part of a team
- A self-starter
- Minimum 20 hours of Community service (hours or project involvement)
- Minimum 2 years 4-H involvement
- 10th grade or above
- Minimum 2 years in club/council leadership roles
- Attended a minimum of one district AND one state event prior to National Event
For National 4-H Conference we also require:
- Knowledge of Washington State programs and organizational structure as well as the relationship between 4-H and the federal government
- Attendance at Washington State Know Your Government Conference for at least one year with an understanding of basic civics
- Minimum two (2) years in a leadership project
- Sponsorship by a county or state 4-H leadership board or council. If selected to attend National 4-H Conference, you will have a commitment to this sponsoring board/council to bring back the information and training you have received and utilize it within the context of that board's service. Specific guidelines will be determined jointly between you and the board prior to attendance at the 4-H Conference. (This is a new requirement)
Interested youth will find additional information and application at http://4h.wsu.edu/members/delegate-criteria.pdf. For more information and/or questions contact Jan Klein at jlklein@wsu.edu.
4-H Program of Distinction Award Opportunity
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs
Calling all 4-H conservation and natural resources programs, s ubmit a Programs of Distinction application no later than November 1, 2008 to be eligible for a US Fish & Wildlife — 4-H award!
National 4-H Headquarters, USDA, anticipates presenting one award, $10,000 maximum, to recognize an outstanding 4-H program in conservation and/or natural resource education. Once accepted as a Program of Distinction, applicants will be asked to submit a brief supplement to be eligible for this specific award!
What is the Programs of Distinction? Programs of Distinction is a collection of program descriptions that reflect the high quality of Cooperative Extension youth development programs occurring in communities across the United States. The collection is housed in a searchable web-based database. Applications, and tips for submitting applications, are posted at http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/pod.htm. Email pod@csrees.usda.gov or call (202)720-2908 with questions.
Only those manuscripts that are peer-reviewed and accepted as a Program of Distinction by December 2008 will be eligible to apply for this award.
2008 was the first time a Program of Distinction was selected for this award. Congratulations to the 4-H Wildlife Stewards and Oregon State University for receiving the 2008 FWS — 4-H award!
General Hugh Shelton Leadership Program Scholarship
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs
The General Hugh Shelton Leadership Initiative is pleased to offer for the fifth year a major four-year college scholarship. In 2005, high school senior Ryan Nilsen won this national scholarship. In addition to tuition and lodging support, Ryan used his enrichment stipends to study and travel in Oxford, England, Ghana, and Guatemala, and Mexico. The 2008 winner is Mary Burroughs of North Carolina. Next year ' s winner could be from your school or community!
The mission of this initiative, housed at NC State University, is to “ inspire, educate, and develop values-based leaders who are committed to personal integrity, professional ethics, and selfless service ” . We conduct scholarship programs, executive forums, and youth outreach programs.
As a part of the scholarship program we have endowed the General Hugh Shelton National Leadership Scholarship. Essentially, we are trying to identify and award America ' s most outstanding high school student leader. The type of student leaders you are producing are exactly the ones who may be qualified and interested in pursuing this scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year (and renewable), plus an annual $2,000 stipend for external leadership experiences such as study abroad.
Please share this opportunity broadly. Visit http://www.ncsu.edu/extension/sheltonleadership/leadership-scholarships/national-scholarships.php for a description of the scholarship, the criteria and the application, which is due by November 1, 2008.
Expanded ESRI 2009 GIS Grants for 4-H GIS Activities
--Janet Edwards
ESRI, which has sponsored geospatial activity funding for hundreds of 4-H groups across the US, has made it easier to get involved this year!
The new Getting Started with GIS and GPS Grant offers training, software and books to 4-H club leaders and extension educators who are not familiar with GIS technology and want to begin introducing spatial literacy to youth in their community. It uses a small footprint GIS software program that speeds up the learning curve for getting started.
The Introduction to GIS Grants are aimed at groups with some technical expertise, and Intermediate GIS Grants, for groups that have completed the Introductory Grant. These 2 grants include ESRI's ArcGIS ArcView 9.3 and ArcPad software, as well as Virtual Campus classes and additional curriculum.
The ESRI GIS Grants for 4-H (U.S.) information is located at
http://www.esri.com/industries/k-12/4-h/grants.html. Applications are due by Monday, December 1, 2008. Materials will be delivered to grantees in January 2009. Group activities should take place during summer 2009 or through spring 2010.
For more information, send an email to 4-HGIS_external@esri.com or consult the ESRI website for 4-H at www.esri.com/4-H. You may also contact me at edwardsj@wsu.edu for additional details.
Tell Your 4-H Story
--Pat BoyEs
While attending the Galaxy III meeting I was reminded of NAE4-HA ' s Public relations and Information Committee efforts to capture the rich history of the 4-H Program. Not the dry text book facts of Manifest Destiny and the westward expansion but the real stories of real people who made a positive difference in young lives through 4-H. Please share with opportunity with your 4-H storytellers. We certainly want all of the great Washington stories to be included!
Lights on Afterschool Update
--Submitted by Janet Edwards
Exciting news: Scholastic Afterschool and T-Mobile are helping us celebrate the 9th annual Lights On Afterschool!
Register for Lights On Afterschool and you could win a T-Mobile phone or 100 books of your choice from the Scholastic Afterschool store.
Holding a Lights On Afterschool event can help build support for afterschool in your community, increase visibility and attract new partners. Organize an open house for your community, a tour for local leaders or a youth performance or talent show. See our case studies to learn what benefits your peers have gained from holding events. Our comprehensive event planning kit makes it easy to get started.
Register to be included in the drawing. All registered sites are promoted on our website and receive 10 free posters to promote your event, plus planning emails and updates each week.
If you think you have already registered for Lights On Afterschool, you can check by searching the find an event page on our website. If you have questions about your registration, email lightson@afterschoolalliance.org or call (202)347-2030.
Evaluating for Impact Team Final Report and Self-Assessment
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs
The Evaluating for Impact Team, one of six national 4-H Learning Priorities for professional development, recently completed a report which provides content for seven learning modules related to the 4-H Professional Research, Knowledge, and Competencies Study (4-H PRKC). Each of the modules presents content related to program evaluation and is organized into three levels-novice, advanced beginner, and practitioner. The modules, which also include many on-line and print program evaluation resources, can be used by trainers, instructors, and others who are interested in advancing their own professional development in program evaluation. The team also prepared a self-assessment tool which can be used by individuals to plan their own professional development needs. These resources are available at the following links: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/comm/NLP_Impact_9-2008.pdf and http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/comm/NLP_selfassessment.pdf.
The Evaluating for Impact Team was co-chaired by Dr. Mary Arnold, 4-H Youth Development Specialist at Oregon State University, and me.
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.