Psssssst..... Pass This On
 
Share the secret of how fun and exciting 4-H can be!  Ask a friend to join 4-H!
 
Pass this issue of the journal on to a friend so that they can learn more about 4-H.   With your personal invitation and testimony of the impact 4-H has had for your family, how can they say no?  
 
This issue is filled with exciting articles explaining the benefits of 4-H. We included a personal letter from Shelly Sexton, a 4-H mom from Dickinson County.  Inside too you find lots of photos of 4-H kids in action.
 
Psssssst..... Pass this issue on and get it into the hands of prospective 4-H family.
 
We appreciate your help in marketing Kansas 4-H and inviting others to join in on the fun!
 
Your 4-H Marketing Action Team,
 
Diane Mack - dmack@oznet.ksu.edu 
Andrea Addison - aaddison@oznet.ksu.edu 
Keri Liddeke -  kliddeke@oznet.ksu.edu 
Andrea Schmidt  - aschmidt@oznet.ksu.edu 
Shelly Sexton -  ges@access-one.com
 
 
What Exactly is 4-H?
By: Diane Mack, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, NE Area
 
            When the 4-H organization is mentioned, what comes to mind? A green clover, the county fair, a group of young people?  All these are parts of 4-H but let’s take a deeper look at the youth development program we call 4-H and why your child should be involved.
            4-H is a community of young people across Kansas who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills in partnerships with caring adults.
            The building blocks of the 4-H program are the five life skills. The life skills represent those enduring qualities that help young people to become confident, capable, caring and responsible citizens.
            The five life skills are:
A Positive Self Concept - Youth develop a positive self concept by seeking their fullest unique potential as a person.
An Inquiring Mind - Youth develop an inquiring mind when they know how to obtain information when it is needed and expect to live in a changing world.
A Concern for the Community - Youth develop a concern for the community by becoming aware of their social responsibility, and are willing to be involved in improving the community, both local and global.
Healthy Interpersonal Relationships - Youth learn healthy interpersonal relationships when they get along with others, work and interact with people of all ages.
Sound Decision Making - Youth learn to make sound decisions when they make choices and can apply what is known in a productive way.

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4-H Club Meeting Where the Action Is
By: Keri Liddeke, Grant County Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
 
Although each 4-H club is unique, there are some things they all have in common.  To provide learning experiences in conducting meetings, learning roles of officers, decision making in the business meeting, public speaking and social interaction.
To make 4-H Fun and Educational, meetings have a balance of different activities.  Each meeting will have a program, business portion and recreation or social time.
Programs (Presentations and Special Activities)
Usually presentations by 4-H members are in the form of talks and demonstrations, which develop self-confidence in speaking before a group.
There may also be special programs given by people in the community.
Or the program can be activities such as community service projects or other activities the group identified as a goal.
Business Meeting
The club business meeting allows the members to learn about methods of decision making and the effect of the decision on the group or the group plans.
Parliamentary Procedure is practiced at club meetings which allows the opportunity for effective methods of conducting a business meeting.  Parliamentary Procedure keeps order and organization for the club to be efficient.
During the business portion of the meeting, members develop the leadership skills involved in serving as an officer or committee member.
Recreation or Social Time
Recreation is informal time set-aside for members and leaders to get to know each other, and have some fun.
A variety of organized games and singing should be included in every meeting.  These activities are often led by elected recreation and song leaders.
Refreshments are provided at most meetings, and gives members a chance to serve as host or hostess to the other club members.  This time provides a nice opportunity for members to talk and catch up on news since the last seeing each other.
Variety in Club Meeting Structure
Monthly meetings come in many different forms.  Meetings may be held in a specific place and a certain time each month.
Monthly meetings can be club tours to each member’s home to share project work in progress.
You might find a club meeting at a bowling alley or swimming pool for a quick business meeting, followed by an evening of fun.
Clubs can also meet for a community service project which has been identified and planned in advance.
Special meetings, such as Christmas Parities might include caroling in neighborhoods, or at assisted living centers.
Theme meetings are tons of fun. If Halloween is just around the corner, costume meetings are a wild time to enjoy other 4-H’ers creativity.
Most importantly - when attending a club meeting, your participation in the fun is essential.  It is what you make it!

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4-H Meeting the Needs of Youth
By: Diane Mack, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, NE Area
When choosing the right youth development organization for your child, it’s important to  know that Kansas State University is the home of Kansas 4-H through the Cooperative Extension service.  The authority for the 4-H youth development program is vested in a cooperative structure between youth, interested adult volunteers, and the professional expertise of the land-grant universities and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Extension professionals at the local level in partnership with adult volunteers create opportunities for young people to build skills, exercise leadership, form relationships with caring adults and help their communities.
As an organization, 4-H meets the needs of youth.  “Youth development research emphasizes the importance of meeting four basic needs - belonging, mastery, independence and generosity,” said Cathann Kress, director of youth development at national 4-H headquarters.
Kress explained, “Youth need to know they are cared about by others and feel a sense of connection to others in the group.”  This represents the HEART of 4-H.  4-H gives youth the opportunity to feel physically and emotionally safe while participating in a group.
“To meet the need to master, youth need to feel and believe they are capable and experience success at solving problems and meeting challenges to develop their self-confidence,” she said.  By exploring 4-H projects and activities, youth master skills to make positive career and life choices.  This represents the HEALTH of 4-H.
Kress added, “4-H helps meet the need to be independent by allowing youth to know that they are able to influence people and events through decision making and action.” By exercising independence through 4-H leadership opportunities, youth mature in self-discipline and responsibility and learn to better understand themselves. The represents the HEAD of 4-H.
She said, “Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose to meet the need to be generous.”  By exploring 4-H community service and citizenship activities, youth can connect to communities and learn to give back to others. This represents the HANDS of 4-H.

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Considering 4-H - Let Us Answer Your Questions
By: Andrea Addison, Reno County Extension Agent, Family Consumer Sciences
 
Defining 4-H Through Questions and Answers
            Below are answers to questions that you may have as you consider 4-H.
 
What is 4-H?
4-H is an informal, educational organization for youth between the ages of 7 and 18. 
4-H focuses on developing life skills.  Members participate in technical skill development, club projects, as well as other fun club activities like camping, public speaking, travel, conferences and much more.
 
What is a 4-H Club?
A 4-H Club is a group of five or more youth with the guidance of an adult leader.  Clubs meet on a regular basis.  Members hold offices and participate in business meetings, group decisions, community service and leadership positions.
 
How much does 4-H cost?
4-H has no membership registration fee. There may be costs associated with project materials and activities that members choose to participate in. 
 
What is a 4-H project?
4-H projects are in-depth learning experiences for 4-H members.  Training pets, making clothing, repairing computers, growing plants, and building rockets are just a few examples of what members learn in 4-H projects.
 
What is the 4-H Emblem?
The 4-H emblem is a four-leaf green clover with 4 “H’s”, one on each leaf.  The H’s symbolize Head, Heart, Hands and Health. 
 
What is the 4-H Pledge?
The pledge is recited at club meetings:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, and My health to better living, For my club, my community, my country and my world. 
 
Why join 4-H?
4-H is fun with friends. 4-H is learning and doing cool things. 4-H is meetings, camp, workshops, social activities, trips, and fairs. 4-H is leadership opportunities and helping others. 4-H is responsibility and hard work and success.
 
Who do I call to join?
Contact your local Extension Office and ask about a club near you!
 
Defining 4-H By Dispelling the Myths
 
There are some misconceptions or myths that surround 4-H.  We hope the responses below will help clear up those myths that you may have heard. 
 
1.   4-H is only for farm kids.
            This is not true.  4-H is open to everyone.  A majority of 4-Hers across the USA live in cities.  There is a wide variety of projects and not just animal projects.  Projects range from bicycle, electricity, aerospace, theater arts and many more.  For those who live in town and enjoy animals, the cat, dog or hand pet projects are options. 
 
2.  My child can’t join because I wasn’t a member when I was a child.
            Parents don’t have to have 4-H experience for their children to participate or enjoy 4-H.  There are volunteers and leaders that are willing to help and share information with new families. 
 
3.  4-H takes too much time.
            You choose your level of involvement in 4-H.  4-H is a family affair, allowing your family to participate together. You can make it work for the time you have. 
 
4.  It costs too much money.
            There are some costs involved with projects, but you and your child control those costs.  There is no membership fee.
 
5.  I have to know someone who is already in 4-H.
            Not true, 4-H clubs are small enough to help your family get to know people quickly. Chances are you will have a connection with lots of them.
 
Defining 4-H Through Fun Educational Events and Activities
 
            4-H provides life skill development through many educational events and activities that are offered throughout the year. Older 4-H members take the lead and work in partnership with adults to plan and carry out these various events.  Below is a sample of those that are available.
           
Achievement Celebration
An annual celebration for 4-H members, parents and leaders which recognizes individual and club successes for the past year.
 
Camp
4-H Camp is usually held at Rock Springs 4-H Center near Junction City, Kansas.  Elementary age members participate in canoeing, horseback riding, shooting sports, arts and crafts and swimming and a whole lot more.
 
Club Tour
A 4-H club outing designed to let members observe what others are doing in projects that are not adaptable for display at meetings.  Members visit as a group, the homes of other members and culminate the day with a group celebration in some form.
 
4-H Day
4-H Day is an event which gives participants an opportunity to tell others about their 4-H projects and demonstrate their talents and abilities.  Presentations, such as talks, demonstrations, speeches, skits, music and dance are judged and awarded ribbons.
 
Discovery Days
4-H Discovery Days is a mini college event held on the campus of Kansas State University.  Delegates attend classes and field trips while living in the residence halls.
 
Exchange Trip
Many Kansas counties make arrangements each year to host or visit 4-H’ers in another county or state as part of a two-phase exchange.  4-H members stay in each others homes and learn about different lifestyles and 4-H programs.
 
Fair
            County Fair
The county fair is the major event where 4-H’ers can display exhibits that represent their project work.  It provides members an evaluation of their exhibits and offers an opportunity for the public to see their work.
 
            Kansas State Fair
The 4-H division of the Kansas State Fair is for 4-H’ers 10 years and older who qualified at their county fair.  The state fair is held in September in Hutchinson, Kansas.
 
Kansas Youth Leadership Forum
This leadership conference is for teens ages fourteen and older at Rock Springs 4-H Center.  Delegates attend classes, listen to motivational speakers and share ideas with each other.

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It’s a Good Time to Celebrate
By: Andrea Schmidt, Riley County Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development
            In 4-H, we always find a reason to celebrate!  As a matter of fact, there are many ways members are recognized for their energy and accomplishments. 
            “Recognition encourages young people, increases their interest, and helps them learn,” says Beth Hinshaw, SE Area 4-H Youth Development Specialist.  “Recognition helps 4-H members become confident and acquire skills.”
            Since youth are motivated to achieve differently, Kansas 4-H uses the national
4-H recognition model, which features five different ways to congratulate members for their achievements.

Many members enjoy attending meetings or participating in educational experiences.  Recognition for participation is the first type of recognition.
Members may also enjoy setting their own goals and then working to achieve them.  Recognition of progress toward personals goals is another type of recognition 4-H offers young people.
4-H also offers standards of excellence.  Standards of excellence give youth an external pre-determined target for their learning experiences.  Youth who enjoy working to achieve these established standards are participating in the third type of recognition available in 4-H .
Some members enjoy structured experiences that lead to championships, top state awards or scholarships.  This method of motivation is basis for the fourth type of recognition, peer competition.
One of the most popular ways to participate in 4-H is by cooperating with others to achieve.  Cooperation offers a fifth way to recognize members for achievements.

Take a look at the following ways that members can receive recognition in 4-H:
Participation - Members can receive t-shirts, caps, stickers, pencils, certificates, photos, membership cards, name in the media and others through participation in 4-H.
 Goals - It can be as simple as an adult giving a verbal confirmation to youth who are progressing towards their goals or an adult can provide small treats to recognize goal accomplishments.  Memorabilia are also goal motivators.
Standards - Youth can be recognized for standard achievement typically during the County Fair and during 4-H Day or Club Day.  Ribbons are given (purple, blue, red and white) for things made and exhibited.  It is fun to collect all the colors!  4-H Achievement Pins are given when members accomplish extra requirements.  There are nine pins for members to achieve for their 4-H work.
Peer Competition - Older youth enjoy competing with others.  Medals, trophies, plaques, banquets and scholarships are examples of competitive awards given in 4-H. 
Cooperation - 4-H offers the opportunity to work with others in the 4-H club setting.  Cooperative efforts are recognized through certificates, newspaper articles, newsletter highlights, County Achievement Celebrations, and community recognition like highway clean-up signs.
Of course, this list is not all that members will celebrate in 4-H.  This is only the beginning!  Explore the different avenues of 4-H and discover what motivates you!

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