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Deadlines:
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The 2007 State Horticulture
Judging Contest
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FFA/4-H Land Judging Opportunities These long time learning opportunities are still being hosted by local Vocational Agriculture Teachers and sponsored by the Kansas 4-H Foundation. DeAnn Presley, Extension Specialist, Environmental Soil Science/Soil and Water Management is the person to contact for study materials and references. Your local NRCS office could also provide assistance. Understanding soils and their management is still a needed skill for protecting our environment. Please consider working with a team and taking advantage of these learning opportunities. FFA/4-H District Land Judging Contests: FFA/4-H State Land Judging Contests: |
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New Poultry DVD 4H954 Beginners Guide to Raising and Showing Chickens---- This has been reviewed and is recommended by Dr. Scott Beyer, Extension Poultry Specialist, and the Kansas 4-H Department of 4-H Youth Development. There is particularly good footage for those youth wanting to learn poultry showmanship. An excellent reference for poultry leaders and poultry families. Place your order now through Extension Distribution. ADAMS |
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Record Keeping & Award Application
Forms The following general record keeping and recognition forms have been transposed into "form fillable" formats (WORD & RTF) and are now posted on the Kansas 4-H Website (Kansas4-H.org): Each of the documents listed above may be opened and saved to your computer using the "Save As" function. They can be edited and additional information added. Since they are now web-based, individuals with Mac’s and operating systems that were not compatible with the "Kansas 4-H Record Book & Library CD" now have access to them. While the "Kansas 4-H Record Book & Library CD" may be working for some people now, you’re encouraged to move to the "form fillable" formats from the web. These documents may be accessed via the "Forms" button in the left column and may be found under the "Recognition Awards" sub-header. There is also a connection directly from "What’s Hot" in the right column. In making these forms available directly from the web, the "Kansas 4-H Record Book & Library CD" will no longer be distributed. This is very old software (2002) and has many items that are now inaccurate, outdated, are not compatible with current hardware (CPU’s and Printers), and for which technical assistance is not available. The Library documents on the 4-H CD are all included on the "KSRE Express 2007 CD11: Kansas Information Disc" which may be ordered from the Publication Distribution Office at Kansas State University. With the work of the State 4-H Record/Award Application Taskforce, significant changes will occur in the forms we are now using. When the time comes, new documents can be more easily updated by using a web-based format for our forms. In addition, definitions and instructions for forms will also be included on the web to provide greater access to more young people and their families who are learning record keeping skills or who may wish to complete 4-H award applications. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact
Gary Gerhard. |
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S |
Shooting Sports Match Registrations Due (This message is for all Extension Units with Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Programs.) This is a final reminder that registrations for the two Fall State 4-H Shooting Sports matches are due in September. For the small bore, muzzle loading and archery match on September 22, at Fancy Creek (near Randolph, Riley County), entries are due by 5 PM Tuesday, September 4, 2007. For the shotgun match on October 13, at KTA (near Newton, Harvey County) entries are due by 5 PM Monday, September 24, 2007. Detailed information and registration forms are posted on the State 4-H Shooting Sports website. GERHARD |
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Shooting Sports Annual Activity
Reports & Renewals (IMPORTANT INFORMATION for all Extension Units with Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Programs) September 1, 2007 is the deadline for all local 4-H Shooting Sports units to complete their Annual Activity Reports & Renewals and send $5/instructor, Junior Apprentice, and assistant instructor to be included for the next year (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008) special liability insurance. Although we have never had to make a claim, this is a $1 million policy. One form is required for each individual who has taught during the past year or who is certified and plans to teach 4-H shooting sports in the next year. Especially those units who want to compete in the Fall matches should be renewed. Previous information was included in the June 30, 2007 "On Target..." newsletter. Please send the forms and your checks (Never send cash in the mail!) to the State 4-H Office. Checks should be made out to Kansas 4-H Shooting Sports. Forms are available on the Kansas 4-H Shooting Sports home page. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Beth Strong, Ray Bartholomew, or Gary Gerhard. GERHARD |
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Shooting Sports NWTF Grant
Applications (This message is for all Extension Units with Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Programs.) Kansas 4-H has been notified that our national application for National Wild Turkey Federation funds has been approved. We have not yet received our allocation, however. Since the official announcement of this funding is coming much later than in previous years, we have extended the application deadline to October 1, 2007. Additional information is available on the Kansas 4-H Shooting Sports website and will be sent to Coordinators and Instructors in the August 31, 2007, "On Target..." 4-H shooting sports newsletter. Pending receipt of the actual grant award from the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee, the Kansas 4-H Shooting Sports Action Team will take action on these applications in early November during their next regular meeting. GERHARD |
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Shooting Sports Action Team
Applications (This message is for all Extension Units with Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Programs.) The Kansas 4-H Shooting Sports Action Team is looking for teen and adult volunteers and Extension Agents to fill several openings becoming available in January 2008. The Action Team provides direction for the 4-H Shooting Sports program in Kansas through the implementation of the Kansas 4-H Shooting Sports Plan. Application forms are available via the "Forms" button on the Kansas 4-H home web page (Kansas4-H.org). For information about terms and expectations, please see the Kansas 4-H Shooting Sports Plan. The application deadline for consideration for appointment is October 1, 2007. GERHARD |
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State 4-H Dog Conference This Conference will be held at Rock Springs 4-H Center on November 3-4, 2007. The Dog Care and Training Action Team will be meeting August 16 to finalize the State Dog Show and Conference. Watch the 4-H website for Conference registration after this meeting. Adams |
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National 4-H Competitive Event Eligibility Please keep the Event Eligibility Verification form, detailing National 4-H Competitive Event Eligibility, handy as you select participants for state contests. If you have team members who are taking college level classes while still in high school, or work with community college in your county, please make the coaches aware of the new guidelines which took effect January 1, 2002. Adams |
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C |
CHARACTERCOUNTS! Trustworthiness in 4-H. Trustworthiness embodies four ethical principles: integrity; honesty; promise-keeping; and loyalty. Teaching trustworthiness in 4-H is fundamental to life skill development. 4-H seeks to instill appreciation for the fact that trust is essential to: * Meaningful personal relationships. * Enduring and rewarding friendships. * Successful associations in school, extra-curricular activities, and the workplace. We seek to instill a desire to have trusting relationships and to be worthy of trust. 4-H leaders work to create an understanding of the kinds of words and actions that build or undermine trust. We strive to create an understanding that relationships built on trust can be permanently damaged by untrustworthy behavior. The dictionary defines trust both as a noun and a verb: Thus, trust is an essential factor in achieving sustainable success, in
4-H and in life!. Trust is merely a state of mind. In cynical times, it is
difficult to create and easy to destroy. Even small lies and deceptions can
topple towers of trust. Towers of trust are built stone by stone, yet no
tower is so tall or so strong that it can stand when lies and deceptions
undermine the stones at its base. Every lie or deception is like a time
bomb. People of character understand the importance of trust and pursue a
life that makes them worthy of trust. |
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Welcoming New 4-H Members The new 4-H year is quickly approaching! Agents as you prepare 4-H newsletters, club leader trainings, and new year kick-offs, remember to stress with leaders the importance of making a great first impression. Because if the potential members don’t feel comfortable at their first club meeting, they probably won’t come back. Encourage leaders and club members to design a recruitment plan. Taking a few steps to make potential club members and their families feel
welcome at a 4-H Club meeting can return benefits of increased membership. |
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BASIC 4-H OPERATIONS TRAINING SET FOR SEPTEMBER 24
AND 25 We invite you to attend this training where we share critical information for handling 4-H managerial issues that may arise. Basic 4-H Operations training begins at 1 p.m. on Monday, September 24, and goes through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25. All sessions will be held in Pottorf Hall on the Riley County Fairgrounds. This training is part of new agent training, but anyone in the system who would like a refresher course is welcome. Topics to be addressed include: Understanding 4-H Youth Development, financial management, working with volunteers and VIP, and risk management. For detailed information, go to http://4-h.k-state.edu/Agents/basicops07.pdf. Diane Mack, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, NE, and Beth Hinshaw, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development, SE, are co- presenters for this training. If you have questions, please contact Diane or Beth. Cost to attend is $20 payable to the Kansas 4-H Foundation. Please contact Diane Mack by September 7 if you plan to attend. Mack/Hinshaw |
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2008 Kansas
Youth Leadership Council
Applications are available in the KYLF registration material posted on the web. Any Kansas 4-H member between the ages of 14 and 18 before January 1, 2008 may apply. This year's delegation will elect representatives from the four extension program areas (NE, NW, SE, SW). Youth Council members work to involve youth with K-State Research and Extension in promoting, developing, implementing and evaluating Kansas Extension 4-H and Youth Development programs in order to reflect the needs and interests of the youth in the state. Council members will also plan and conduct the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum, Citizenship in Action, Campference and other events.
Please encourage those outstanding young leaders in your local unit to
apply. Applications are due on October 15, 2007.
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Northwest Youth Leadership
Forum and Day Camp Training Forty six youth and adults participated in the 2007 Northwest Youth Leadership Forum and Day Camp Training at the KSU Ag Research Center in Hays. Kim Dinkel, Hays High School Home Economic teacher gave the participants etiquette tips during a sit-down lunch of salad, beef brisket, baked potato, green beans, roll, and cheese cake served by the adults. The 38 attendees chose three workshops offered from six. Educational sessions offered included:
☐Build-A-Buddy
(Communication) – Ellis County 4-H Team The training ended at
5 p.m. and the group adjourned to the Hays Aquatic Park for swimming. The
training was partially funded by the Dane Hansen Day Camp Grant awarded to
Northwest Kansas 4-H. Planning team members were: Robyn Deines, Susan
Schlichting, Berny Unruh, Nadine Sigle, Audrey Werth and Deryl Waldren.
Special thanks to Stacy Campbell for preparing the brisket, and to Amy
Taylor and Diann Gerstner for helping with the noon meal. |
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Kansas Youth Leadership
Forum
The KYLF registration materials are on the web! KYLF will be November 16-18, 2007 at Rock Springs 4-H Center and is for those 4-H members ages 14-18 before January 1, 2008. Registration will be through the online system and is due by October 15. There will be a promotional postcard that agents can send to 4-H members. Order the number you need from Justin Wiebers by August 30.
There are many new exciting workshops and we are thrilled to have Susie
Thompson and Dr. Pat Bosco as our guest speakers. Chelsy Coen/Hinshaw/Wiebers |
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Kansas 4-H Program Rally - Jan.
10-11, 2008 Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Kansas 4-H Program Rally. This year the Area 4-H Updates will be combined into one statewide opportunity, a Kansas 4-H Program Rally, January 10-11, 2008 at Rock Springs 4-H Center. This comes as a result of the work of KEAA over the past 2 years. Participants will hear updates of the work of state wide task forces and committees. Break out sessions will include a variety of topics. Eddie Locklear, from National 4-H Council will share information regarding the national mission mandates. Locklear is the National Project Director for the 4-H Science, Engineering and Technology mandate. Be watching for more details. Co-chairs for the planning committee include Beth Hecht, LV County and Beth Hinshaw, SE Area. Members include: Andrea Burns FO County; Ross Mosteller, RVD; Tara Solomon, NO County; Aliesa Woods, PRD; Rod Buchele, SW Area, Diane Mack, NE Area; Deryl Waldren, NW Area; and Pam VanHorn, State 4-H Office. Mack/Solomon |
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Healthy Competition “To have fun” is the number 1 reason youth are involved in youth programs or activities! The Youth Sports Institute surveyed youth and found that the top 3 reasons youth drop out of youth activities and sports were: • it was no longer fun • there was too much pressure • there was too much emphasis on winning Competition is part of our lives and is important that youth develop positive attitudes about competition. Yet, it is often the actions and attitudes of the significant adults in the youth’s life that determine their positive or negative reaction to competition. Understanding the youth perspective is the first step for adults to develop a positive environment. Adults need to understand the youth’s motivation and provide supports, rather than pushing their expectation upon the child. Younger members, such as the 5-7 year olds, may be motivated more by being involved with friends, pleasing parents, and looking for competency. Suggestions for parents to promote healthy competition: • Praise the positive aspects of what the member does throughout the process, not just the competitive part. • Focus on the youth’s development of skills, abilities and personal goals. • Check your personal expectations or needs at the door. Don’t live out your own life’s dreams through your child’s participation. Support your child. • Be a positive role model. Enjoy the event and activity in a socially appropriate manner. • Provide an opportunity for child to process their feeling and experiences after a competitive event. This can help resolve any sense of failure. • Positive expectations and ethical standards encourage and support appropriate behavior. Healthy competition can be a rewarding experience if the child is developmentally ready. Understanding youth developmental stages will enhance the learning environment, however if youth are no longer having fun they will find other activities. Source: San Diego County 4-H Tips Van Horn |
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V |
North Central Regional Volunteer
Forum, October 12 -14,
2007, Milwaukee, WI The planning team of youth and adults has worked hard to create an educational and energizing Forum for 4-H youth and adult volunteer leaders. Participants will learn new skills, information, techniques, and resources to enhance the quality of local 4-H programs and multiply the impact of 4-H youth work in their home state, county, and club Early Bird registration ($200) is due Aug. 20 followed by regular registration ($220) due by Sept. 1. Please share this information with volunteers who might be interested in the Regional Volunteer Forum. The program/registration booklet has now been
posted at:
http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/ncvlf/documents/2007registrationbooklet.pdf |
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4-H Master Volunteer
Program Over the next couple of months you have seen a lot of folks at 4-H events and activities. You have probably gotten a lot of ideas for cool new things to do in the 4-H program. However, you have also realized you don’t have the time to start much new. So you are looking for help. This is a good time to learn about the 4-H Master Volunteer program. Master 4-H Volunteers provide additional resources to conduct the 4-H program. They can allow you time to try some of those new things you would like to. Now is the time to look at the list of everything you want or need to do and what you want help to do. Who could do that something from that list? When you see them next, visit with them about becoming a 4-H Master Volunteer. Master Volunteers receive special training at the state level and work at their local level on a local 4-H need as agreed upon by the volunteer and the agent. For more information, please follow this link: http://www.kansas4-h.org/Volunteer/MasterVolunteer.htm. Registrations for the 2007 class of 4-H Master Volunteers is due Oct. 1. If you have questions about 4-H Master Volunteers please contact me. Buchele |
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Volunteer Development Contrary to conventional wisdom, more people volunteer in mid-life than in retirement. Conventional wisdom holds that individuals volunteer in greater numbers and with greater frequency after they retire, when they have time on their hands. This is only partially correct. As a general rule, the percentage of people who volunteer reaches a peak in mid-life—not in retirement—and then gradually declines. Although close to one-third of boomers say they expect to participate in community service after retirement, there is a difference between intentions and actions, and boomers may need a push. Existing voluntary institutions may need to be revamped to absorb boomer volunteers and take account of their interests and preferences. Many local agencies will not have the resources for professional volunteer management. Organizations that utilize volunteers should offer a broad set of options that allow people to engage in different ways at different times and at different levels of commitment. These options should range from one-time or episodic opportunities that enable boomers to test the waters and shop around to sustained and intensive commitments.
From Center for Health Communication, Harvard
School of Public Health. 2004. Reinventing Aging: Baby Boomers
and Civic Engagement, Boston, MA: Harvard School of Public
Health. |
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Volunteer Management
Tip In your next 4-H Family Newsletter, please include the Volunteer Code of Ethics. This serves as a reminder of what we expect from those who work with youth in the name of 4-H. We can have these expectations for all adults who work with 4-H. We just need to be clear on what our expectations are. Setting and communicating our expectations means it will be more likely those expectations will be met. Buchele |
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2007 Kansas 4-H
Volunteer Forum Full information and registration materials for The 2007 Kansas 4-H Volunteer Forum, November 16 - 18, 2007, Rock Springs 4-H Center, have been posted on the State 4-H web site at http://4-h.k-state.edu/Volunteer/Forum/Default.htm. Posted are files for the promotion flyer, a poster to post, hard copy information and registration flyer, letter to Agents and a newsletter article (under the agent section). New for this year, the Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers (KA4-HV) will reimburse promotion expenses to Counties and Districts. See the letter to the agents for details. KA4-HV will also offer six scholarships for first time participants. Information on the scholarships will be out soon. The Forum will focus on CHARACTERCOUNTS!. Participants will learn about and do experiential activities from each of the six pillars of Character. There will also be sessions on Ethical Decision Making and implementing CHARACTERCOUNTS! in the club. Participants will receive a note book of programming resources to help them implement CHARACTERCOUNTS! back home in their club. Forum registration deadline is October 15, 2007. Online registration is encouraged. The Forum web site also includes hard copy registration forms for those who wish to register by paper. Anyone chaperoning for KYLF needs to register with KYLF. Volunteers or staff registering as a KYLF chaperone are urged to attend the volunteer forum. They will sign up for Volunteer Forum during the KYLF registration process. Buchele |
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VIP Tip Now is the time to review the progress on completion of the VIP process for volunteers who work with youth in 4-H. Is everyone fully through the VIP process? If not, what do they need to complete? How can we support them to finish? By getting volunteers completed now, we start the new 4-H year with a clean slate so we can concentrate on new volunteers. If you have any questions, please consult the VIP FAQ, or contact me. Remember to put in the ad\ before your username to access this password protected document. Buchele |
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TURN THE LIGHTS ON OCTOBER 18! The 8th annual Lights On Afterschool will be October 18. Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, it will include rallies, celebrations, forums and other events at schools, city centers, shopping malls and other venues in every corner of the country. This year, Lights On Afterschool will kick off a year-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Federal Afterschool initiative. Register today at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/lights_on/index.cfm and check regularly for updates! Mack/Van Horn |
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K |
SpaceTech Action
Team Meeting at the Kansas State Fair The Kansas 4-H SpaceTech Action Team will meet Saturday, September 8, 5-7 p.m. during the Kansas State Fair to begin planning for the 2008 Kansas 4-H SpaceTech Educators’ Workshop to be held February 9, 2008, at the K-State Salina Campus. This planning meeting will be held in the Kansas Farmer Service Room in the 4-H Encampment Building on the KSF grounds in Hutchinson. The meeting is open to anyone interested in helping with the 2008 workshop. The group is also seeking new members for the action team. For details on how to join or for questions about the meeting, contact Deryl Waldren at 785-462-6281 or email. Waldren |
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Ambassador Action Team Meeting at the
Kansas State Fair The Kansas 4-H Ambassador Action Team will meet Saturday, September 15, 5-7 p.m. during the Kansas State Fair to begin planning for the 2008 Ambassador Training to be held February 22-23, 2008, at Rock Springs 4-H Center. This planning meeting will be held in the Kansas Farmer Service Room in the 4-H Encampment Building on the KSF grounds in Hutchinson. The meeting is open to anyone interested in helping with the 2008 training. The group is also seeking new members for the action team. For details on how to join or for questions about the meeting, contact Deryl Waldren at 785-462-6281 or email. Waldren |
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Lego Systems Establishes Lego Children's
Fund to Support Youth Creativity Programs Lego Systems, Inc., the Americas (North America and Latin America) division of the Lego Group, a privately held, family-owned firm based in Billund, Denmark, has announced the formation of the Lego Children's Fund, a non- profit foundation established to support organizations and programs dedicated to inspiring and encouraging youth creativity, thereby improving their quality of life and preparing them for the future. The Lego Children's Fund was incorporated with an initial corporate contribution of $1.2 million dollars. The fund will make cash grants to nonprofit organizations in the United States with programs dedicated to a child's exploration of creativity that cater to children ages birth to 14, with priority consideration for disadvantaged or at-risk youth. The fund's cash grants generally will range between $500 and $5,000 each. Additionally, the fund aims to make one $100,000 grant per year to a single organization identified and selected by the fund's board of directors. The fund will award grants to qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, including educational organizations with specific, identifiable needs, in these areas of interest: early childhood education and development; technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities; and sport or athletic programs that concentrate on underserved youth. The Lego Children's Fund also will provide monetary support to those qualified local and national organizations to which Lego employees donate their time, especially those which cater to children and children's creativity. While the fund will not make product donations, Lego Systems will maintain its play material donations program to qualified organizations in Connecticut and the western Massachusetts area. The fund will provide grants quarterly. Applicants are invited to submit proposals anytime throughout the year; however, to ensure that a request is considered for a particular trustee meeting, proposals must be received by the following dates: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. |
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W |
2007 Kansas 4-H/FFA
State Wheat Show in Manhattan Division 1 – 3# bin run sample of wheat, 4-H
member |
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National 4-H Conference 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. 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. The 2008 National 4-H Conference will be Saturday, March 29 through Thursday, April 3 at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Each Extension unit is invited to nominate one teen per county for this
opportunity. Delegates must be 15 to 18 years old by January 1, 2008. Up to
six Kansas youth may be selected as delegates (up from four in previous
years). This means more opportunities and greater chances for applicants to be
selected! Kansas 4-H members who have attended National 4-H Congress are
eligible to apply for National 4-H Conference. (Previously, a member could not
attend both events). Applications (available now at: http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Events/NatConf/ ) and letters of reference are due in the State 4-H Office no later than 5:00pm, Monday, October 1, 2007. A panel will screen the written applications. Top applicants will be invited to Rock Springs for interviews to select final delegates. Final selection of delegates will be made on the basis of the written application and interviews. All interviews will be held Saturday, November 17, 2007 during the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum. Nominees must register and attend the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum to interview. The delegate’s share of registration and transportation costs is $700.00. 4-H clubs, 4-H councils, local 4-H Foundations and local service groups have helped many delegates with this fee. Additional conference fees are sponsored by the Kansas Bankers Association. National 4-H Conference delegates will be involved in the 4-H program through
the State 4-H Youth Council, State 4-H Advisory and several other aspects of
the Kansas 4-H program. |
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Citizenship Washington Focus 2008 Delegate application forms, deposits and nomination forms from Extension Offices will be due Friday, December 3, 2007. Selection notices will be sent to delegates and agents by the end of December with confirmation required from delegates. The registration cost will again be $1,300 which can be made with the application or by payments including the $250 deposit due with the application, $500 due February 1, and the remaining $550 due March 1. The tentative dates for the Kansas delegation to attend Citizenship Washington Focus are Wednesday, June 25 through Sunday, July 6, 2008. Application forms and details are available on the state 4-H website. Slater/Wiebers |
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“We
Are Kansas 4-H” T-Shirts