Discovery Days June 2-4, 2004 - The Discovery Days Action Team has designed an exciting framework for the 2004 conference, built upon the strong traditions of the past and adding new dimensions based upon the '03 Caucus focus groups. The theme will be "Discover Your 4-H Spirit".  Serving as Co-Chairs are Robyn Eubank, Seward Co. FCS Agent, and David McCandless, Shawnee Co. 4-H Alumni. Heather Baumberger, Saline Co. 4-H Alumni, is serving as the Recorder. The Action Team set a goal of bringing 550 teens to the campus and hope that you'll help them reach that goal.  The Education Sub-Committee will soon be finalizing plans for the recruitment of classes and instructors --- be on the lookout for this unique opportunity to serve as an instructor or to help recruit others to teach a class. Classes will be held on Thursday only, June 3rd. Their goal is to offer a broad spectrum of classes focusing on careers in a variety of subject matters. Pam Van Horn is serving as the chair of the Education Sub-Committee.  Spirit Building is one of the key elements for the conference, with the keynoter, Bill Cordes from Great Bend, at the helm of the activities. Teens who have previously attended Discovery Days and who have an enthusiastic and charismatic leadership style will have the opportunity to apply for a new leadership position --- the "spirit leader".  More details of this will be rolled out in January, with Al Davis, Johnson Co. 4-H Agent serving as the Chair of the Spirit  Building Sub-Committee. FYI, registration information will be sent in February/March to all Extension Offices. The next meeting of the Discovery Days Action Team is Monday, January 5th, in Manhattan. McNally

Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers - At the recent business meeting held during the State 4-H Volunteer Forum, a new slate of officers was elected to serve in leadership roles for the association. These individuals include: 

President: Linda Thurston, Franklin Co.
Past President: Linda Henningsen, Saline Co.
President-Elect: Cindy Baldwin, McPherson Co.
Secretary: Gwen Kramer, Jefferson Co.
Treasurer: Deb Wood, Dickinson Co.
NE Area Vice-President: Denise Butler, Leavenworth Co.
NW Area Vice-President: Vacancy
SE Area Vice-President: Ron Jones, Miami Co.
SW Area Vice-President: Shelley Morgan, Kearny Co.

The Association will be working in partnership with the Department of 4-H Youth Development to offer the 4-H Master Volunteer Program as one of their educational goals. Representing the association and giving strong leadership to this program is Linda Henningsen, Saline County 4-H Master Volunteer. McNally

State 4-H Venturers - The Venturers are headed back to Philmont, August 4-13, to spend 6 days and 5 nights backpacking in the wilderness areas of the Sangre De Cristo mountains west of Cimarron, New Mexico. The 04 program is limited to 36 teens and adults --- there a few open slots yet to be filled. Registration information was sent to all Extension Offices in late August and can also be downloaded and printed from the Venturers website: www.oznet.ksu.edu/dp_4hyp/Venturers.  Designed for teens (14 years old by January 1, 2004) and adults who thrive on outdoor adventures and are seeking an opportunity to test their physical and mental stamina, the Venturers program is a unique partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. Giving leadership to the program is the State 4-H Venturers Action Team. McNally

National 4-H Camping Institute - Kansas is hosting the National 4-H Camping Institute, February 7-11, 2004, at Rock Springs 4-H Center. It's not too late to submit your registration forms nor is it too late to share the news about this outstanding staff development opportunity with partnership organizations and agencies in your counties. It is vital that each camping group has a minimum of 4-8 people in attendance -  your 4-H campers will thank you for bringing fresh new program ideas to their camp and for being re-energized in your commitment to design a safe, action-packed, kid-oriented program in their counties. NCI is the a project of the Camp Action Team. Please review the website for additional information: www.oznet.ksu.edu/4h/NCI/NCIhomepage.htm  McNally

Animal, Ornament and Denim Sales - Thanks for your support for this fund raiser for the State 4-H Youth Council and the Kansas 4-H Foundation. There are tye dye animals and ornaments, aprons, totes and 4-H socks still available. Call ahead to the State 4-H Office check availability.

Unlocking Program Potential through Key Volunteers - At the 4-H update the "Unlocking Program Potential through Key Volunteers" was announced. This Pilot Program will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 in McPherson, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. McPherson County 4-H Building, lunch will be provided. 

What would it mean in your local 4-H Program to have one, two or even three more volunteers taking on the program or activity management tasks that consume much of your time. What kind of key volunteer do you need in your county or district? What do we know about programs that have Key Volunteers in Place? Research shows that a 4-H volunteer program is strengthened when agents enable key volunteers to perform more management tasks to reach program goals.

As Extension professionals allow volunteers to carry out some of the tasks that they have done in the past, these volunteers assume more program ownership. As a result, agents can devote more time to becoming program developers.

You have implemented VIP, you conduct volunteer orientation and training and your program does have a strong volunteer base. Why not build upon these things to strengthen your overall 4-H youth development program. Current trends have meant fewer Extension staff, tighter budgets and heavier workloads for all us.

Please e-mail Karen Walters at kwalters@oznet.ksu.edu by November 25, 2003 to RSVP for the December Program. If you registered at 4-H Update, you will be receiving an e-mail confirmation. If you are interested in the program, but the date or location does not work, please indicate that, so we can use this for our next planning phase.

This program is brought to you without a registration fee, through an Epsilon Sigma Phi Program Innovation Grant, Area 4-H Youth Development Specialists, Diane Mack, Beth Hinshaw, Rod Buchele and Walter Barker and State Specialist Pat McNally. Additional training follow up for volunteers will be available through the State 4-H Volunteer Association. Hinshaw/Mack

Moving Ahead Training -  Preparing the Youth Development Professional The Moving Ahead Training scheduled for January 12-16, 2004 at Haskell Indian Nations University has been canceled. K-State Research and Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program will be offering the program, May 4-6, 2004, at Rock Springs 4-H Center. Contact Registration material will be out early 2004. For additional information contact Diane Mack. dmack@oznet.ksu.edu

2004 IFYE Exchange to Finland - Missouri IFYE Alumni are proud to announce their 2004 IFYE exchange to Finland for Ambassadors. Dates are June 20 - August 1.

Kansas applications were due by November 2.  However in working with the Missouri IFYE Alumni we have extended our deadline to January 1, 2004.  Estimated cost is $2,200, and an orientation and screening are required.

4-H members from other states are welcome to join our group. We hope to have 2 - 4 3 month exchangees from Finland and would like to place them in another state for about half the time. If you could help with hosting them or if you have questions or need more information, please contact me. munsonm@mail.aces.uiuc.edu  Munson

2004 Japanese Summer Inbound Exchange -  Participation in the Japanese Summer Inbound Exchange is based on counties agreeing to host a group of 6-10 youth ages 11 - 16 for on month from mid July to mid August, 2004. 

Counties are being accepted on a first - come basis and should send their applications by December 1, 2003.  A memo was sent to all counties from Daryl Buchholz dated November 12, which provides details and an application to be returned to Mary Kay Munson or the State 4-H Office.

Please contact Mary Kay Munson for additional information at 785-238-3631or munsonm@mail.aces.uiuc.edu

Statistical Report 2003. - Statistics based upon county/district reports for the 2002 thru 2003 4-H year are for the first time available to you on the 4-H web pages. Links to the Statistics Page and a Word Perfect document of the same information are on each web page. This link will eventually be found in the resource drop-down box on the County/District Resource Web Page only. http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/4h/Webstatistics/mbrenrollment.htm