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Call for Digital Television (DTV) Transition National 4-H Service
Project Kits As you may already know, starting February 17, 2009, televisions will switch from analog reception to digital - meaning televisions that currently receive signals through antenna, or "rabbit ears," will no longer work. There are many counties in Kansas where folks still receive their TV signal through an antenna or rabbit ears. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are working together to inform citizens of the switch from analog to digital and their options, including how to get a coupon for a converter box. The converter box will allow televisions with rabbit ears to receive the new digital signal without needing to purchase cable or a new television. For those people with antennas, additional steps will have to be taken for the converter box to work. National 4-H Headquarters at the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) is working with NTIA and the FCC to educate Americans through Extension. As part of this process, National 4-H Headquarters has created a Digital Television Transition service project for 4-Hers. The project includes free FCC kits to be used at local county and state fairs. The kits will include fact sheets and giveaway items, providing 4-Hers with an opportunity to interact with the public and help educate them on the transition. For a brief summary of the partnership outlined between 4-H, NTIA and the FCC, visit: http://www.kansas4-h.org/Projects/4-HDTVSummary.408.pdf. For more information regarding the Digital Television Transition, visit the FCC Web site: http://www.dtv.gov/. To learn more about the converter box coupon program, visit: https://www.dtv2009.gov/. Specific Details to Order Kits for the Digital TV 4-H Service Project Opportunity * The final deadline to order kits is now April 18, 2008. * CSREES has requested that KSRE compile this information for Kansas. Please send your request to Nancy Zimmerli-Cates at K-State by the April 18th deadline. E-mail nancyz@ksu.edu or call 785-532-1148. * When requesting your FCC fair kits, please respond with the following information: 1. Fair name and dates of the fair 2. Number of kits needed (one kit per county is probably all you’ll really need. It can be used by Extension, 4-H groups and/or the county fair to publicize this information). However, you may order as many kits as you want to receive. Specify how many fact sheets you are requesting in your kit(s). You can request from 0 to a maximum of 25,000. To look at the one-page fact sheet visit: http://www.dtv.gov/DTVOne-Pager.pdf. You can also photocopy this fact sheet. You do not have to order any fact sheets. 3. Include contact name and physical delivery address * Contents of the Fair Kit. The fair kit will contain the following items: fact sheets (if you request them), two big posters suitable to post in front of or behind a display table, promotional give away items proportioned based on how many fact sheets you requested, and two knowledge (handbooks with facts) books. The knowledge book is intended for 4-H members to use as a guide. * Non-County Fair Kits are also available. Non-County Fair Kits are intended for "routine" outreach events (malls, senior centers, etc.). They include information handouts - available from 0 to 25,000 copies (indicate how many copies are requested). Here is the link to the handout: http://www.dtv.gov/DTVOne-Pager.pdf. Also included in the kit are two big posters and one knowledge book. In your request, please include what sort of venue you're considering when requesting non-fair, "routine" event kits. If, for instance, you will be distributing them to seniors (such as at senior centers), they will automatically send information in big print format - which many seniors need to read easily. For more information about this article, contact Deryl Waldren, 785-462-6281 or e-mail dwaldren@ksu.edu. Waldren |
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Building Strong 4-H Clubs We mentioned at the Strengthening 4-H Club Trainings that resources can be used in many ways. Below is an article for your newsletter. "4-H Club Meetings That Youth Choose to Attend" - The 4-H club is a great venue for learning, group interaction and fun to take place. Beth Hinshaw, 4-H Youth Development, SE Area says the club meeting environment and meeting components are the most important aspects to consider when creating a club that youth choose to attend. "A number of things have to be accomplished at the club meetings," she said. "We must remember that no two clubs are exactly alike and that's ok." Hinshaw stressed, "Planning is the key to having fun and successful club meetings." The club environment includes all of the things that make people feel comfortable, she explained. This includes location, room set-up, greeting folks as they come in and getting members and parents involved. There are three major components of club meetings: group building, group decision making and educational program or activity. Hinshaw suggests thinking of the club meeting time as a pie graph, splitting the meeting into three equal sections, or about a third of the time for each component. "This allows for a change of pace through out the meeting and keeps meetings interesting," she said. Component #1- Group Building This includes any activities that help everyone get acquainted, feel accepted and recognized. New kids join throughout the year. Incorporate activities that will help new 4-H members get acquainted with other club members. Include celebrations. The Kansas 4-H publication "Celebrating with 4- H Ceremonies" suggests the following types of ceremonies for 4-H Clubs: Recognition ceremonies (to honor work done by individuals or the club), welcoming ceremonies (to show importance of being a member of a group), special observance ceremonies (holidays, special weeks, events), campfire, flag raising and lowering and citizenship ceremonies. Add in evaluation time. Get everyone's opinion after a club event to know how it could be improved or what people thought went well. Often adults have a very different idea of how an event went or worked, so it is also important to get club member opinions. Add play time. Often recreation is the first component of a club meeting to get cut because meetings run long. For very young children this may be the one part of 4-H they do best. Recreation should be a part of every meeting. It helps members continue the atmosphere of fun and interest as well as getting to know one another. Component # 2 - Group Decision Making Decision making happens in the business part of the meeting. This time should be democracy in action. Members learn to express themselves in a group, listen to the views of others, use parliamentary procedure to reach decisions and abide by majority rules. This may be the member's first experience with parliamentary procedure. Parliamentary procedure is abstract and can be hard to understand. It will take some coaching and reinforcement to help members learn par law skills. Try having a parliamentary procedure tip at each meeting. Break into small groups and practice. Experiment with other ways to build consensus and make decisions. Component # 3 - Educational Program or Activity This is the educational part of the meeting. Having members give presentations is a great opportunity for them to learn public speaking skills in a supportive atmosphere. If it's hard to schedule everyone, consider breaking the audience in two parts and have two talks going at the same time. Ask members to consider giving team demonstrations. By pairing younger and older 4- H members together they both gain new skills from the experience. Be flexible with presentations. Younger members may like to do a show and tell. Some members may want to create a project display that they can talk about in a more unstructured way. Other ideas for the program component include having a health tip, safety tip, citizenship tip or thought for the day. Invite a guest speaker to talk. Create a project bowl or skill-a-thon. Or use this time for project work or community service projects. Mack/Hinshaw/Buchele/Van Horn |
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Geology Project The Geology Action Team met at Rock Springs on March 29, 2008. They will be accepting applications for more members until May 1, 2008. If you have an active county leader that has helped with State Field trips, encourage them to apply. We would also welcome any agents interested in Geology to apply too. Geology Field Trips will be in Belleville and Garnett again this year on June 13-15, 2008. Registration information is posted on the Geology web page and linked to "What's Hot" on the State 4-H Website. Adams |
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2008
Kansas 4-H & FFA State Wheat Show in Great Bend |
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Campference –
What’s the 4-H Buzz About?
The Kansas 4-H Youth Leadership
Council is excited to promote Campference! This event is focused
on youth ages 12- 14, and will be held June 8-11, 2008, at Rock
Springs 4-H Center.
Participants will experience the feel of a conference, while enjoying the “camp” activities Rock Springs 4-H Center has to offer. This is a great transitional opportunity, as these tweens go from being a camper to attending educational conferences. Campference will feature workshops about opportunities in the 4-H program, and activities to energize youth while they learn leadership skills and how to better interact with others.
The cost for Campference is $170.
Registrations are due May 1 in local Extension Offices.
Registration and detailed information are now on the web at:
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Out-of-School Program
Idea Conference, October 27 Want to engage youth in long-term, structured learning-environments that address their interests and help develop their physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills and abilities? This one-day event will highlight hands-on curricula that adapt easily for any out-of-school setting. Mark your calendars now for Monday, October 27, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st. Street N., Wichita for learning new ideas for educational activities for your after-school or summer program. Registration form available soon. Cost is $10 for the one-day session. For more information contact Pam Van Horn. Van Horn |
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IRS Tax Exempt Project Update Many thanks to all those involved in the IRS Tax Exempt Project during the past several months. What follows is the most current information which will be of interest as it pertains to "what's next". National 4-H Headquarters has sent the
national updates for GEN 2704 to the IRS. This means: * After the IRS has finished updating the GEN 2704 list, National 4-H Headquarters will: (1) provide information about training and access to the online database, where state 4-H program leaders (or their state-level designees) can update their EIN lists online for the next December 1 deadline, and (2) begin generating letters to subsidiaries, including recognizing those under GEN 2704 and informing others they are no longer tax exempt under GEN 2704 - as reflected in our state's coding instructions for the IRS. In summary, as soon as we receive notification that the IRS has completed its review we will share that news with you so that the 990- N e-Postcard can be filed for each respective entity in your Extension Unit. Some of you may chose to do all the filing for your 4-H clubs and groups (recommended procedure) to assure that it has been completed correctly and in a timely manner; however, you may choose to manage it differently. If you have a club that needs a letter which confirms that they fall under the GEN 2704 (some donors may required this), please contact Stephanie Neiss; she will submit the required information to National 4-H Headquarters and request such a letter. Please be aware this may take 2-3 weeks to complete. Again, please take time to review the various
Fact Sheets posted on the National 4-H Headquarters website for more
detailed information. |
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Strengthening Clubs II -
McPherson Come build upon your knowledge gained from Strengthening Clubs 1 by attending Strengthening Clubs II, Tuesday, May 6 9:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., McPherson County Extension, 600 W Woodside. The training will focus on creating the 4-H Club meeting as a place where members, leaders and parents are excited about learning! Strengthening Clubs II digs deeper into ideas of building a strong club leadership structure, involving all ages of membership, and learning to mentor club officers. Enhance your knowledge and skills for Training and Support the local volunteers. Cost is $25, which includes lunch, snacks and materials. Registration online at www.kansas4-h.org. Previous participation in Strengthening Clubs I is required. Contact Rod Buchele, Deryl Waldren or Pam Van Horn for more information. Van Horn |
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State Fair Electricity
clarification Exhibits must be operable using only 110 or 120V AC or battery power. If battery power is required, batteries must be furnished. Buchele |
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Kansas 4-H Ambassadors Trained
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| Dairy
Action Team Dairy Action Team will be meeting April 29, 2008 to finalize plans for the All Breeds Show and State 4-H Quiz Bowl and Judging Contest to be held in Salina on July 2-3, 2008. Watch for online registration information for judging and quiz bowl soon. Show entries will be sent to Salina. Adams |
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| Kansas
Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC) Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC) summer courses are available for teachers and Extension agents that are looking for some graduate credit hours. Three courses are available: June 16-20 Connecting Your Classroom to Kansas Agriculture, 3 credit hours, K-State Campus Manhattan July 7-11 Connecting Your Classroom to Kansas Agriculture, 3 credit hours, K-State Ag. Experiment Station, Colby July 14-18 Horticulture & School Gardens, 3 credit hours, K- State Ag. Experiment Station, Olathe Application fee of $50/credit hour due April 16 or until classes are filled. Tuition and other fees covered with sponsor scholarships. For details check out KFAC website: www.ksagclassroom.org, e-mail ksfac@ksu.edu, or call today 785-532-7946. Adams |
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| Healthy Living Mission
Area – Health Rocks K-State Extension invites local youth-adult teams to be trained-as-trainers in the National 4-H Council's "Health Rocks" health promotion leadership curriculum. Health Rocks equips teens and adult partners to teach others to make healthy lifestyle choices. Health Rocks training is fun, active, and informative. The next Health Rocks train-the-trainer session will be held at Discovery Days on June 5. Upon completion of the train-the-trainer session, costs to participate in Discovery Days can be reimbursed if a local team decides to conduct Health Rocks sessions locally throughout the coming year. Health Rocks can be included in regular club meetings, special events, camps and retreats. If you can’t attend the Discovery Day session but would like to participate in Health Rocks contact Elaine Johannes ejohanne@ksu.edu, 785-532-7720 discuss your options. KS Health Rocks, funded for two years by National 4-H Council, is the first of a series of Healthy Living programs for youth. Johannes |
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Youth development professionals take their responsibilities seriously. They understand their influence when it comes to the longterm health and wellbeing of kids. They also know that they must be at their best when it comes to effective youth work so they pursue professional development and personal growth. Consequently, they strengthen their professional competencies through training, reading, attending classes and sharing ideas, projects and insights with colleagues across all youth organizations. Professional core
competencies: For a long time, 4-H has led in the national effort to determine the core professional competencies of Youth Development professionals. Those competencies are part of 4-H PRKC at: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/comm/PKRC_overview.pdf A number of other national youth development organizations have refined 4-H core competencies, among them is the National Collaboration for Youth, of which 4-H is a member. The National Collaboration for Youth lists professional competencies at: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/comm/PKRC_overview.pdf Compare the 4-H and National Collaboration competencies. You’ll notice the similarities! Next month,
adultism For more information, contact: |
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2 & 3 Year Old
Snaffle Bit Futurity Project Horses being nominated must be either a 2-year-old (3-year-old for the 3 year old futurity) filly or gelding managed by the 4-H’er as outlined under the ownership and leasing section.
The 3-year-old
futurity class is designed as an advanced class to follow the
2-year-old futurity project. The 4-H’er must RE-nominate their
horse if they choose to show in the 3-year-old snaffle bit futurity.
State 4-H Horse
Judging Contest
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The FCS Action team
will be looking for volunteers once again beginning in August.
Please keep the 2nd Saturday of the fair in mind for an
opportunity for you and your volunteers to help.
Entrepreneur in Family Consumer Science
A brochure has been developed for you to send out to your 4-H’ers. These small businesses are excited about 4-H’ers coming to learn about the important features of their business. Space is limited to the first 50 people to accommodate the size of the businesses. Registration deadline is May 15th, cost is $15. Contact Berny Unruh
or Carol Fink for further questions. |
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Photo Adventure Camp Photo Camp is a go, it will be held June 20 - 23 at Rock Springs 4-H Center. Thank you to all who helped promote this very valuable opportunity for youth. Buchele
DC Display Photos
State Fair Photography
changes |
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| CURRICULUM CORNER | ||||||||||
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Looking for an idea to share with that 4-H Sponsor that wants to reach more youth than the one that wins the trophy?? Why not ask them to sponsor the National 4-H Curriculum for their favorite project! This can be done for about $2/member per year! (If each youth spends two years per manual) Adams Curriculum Action Team The Curriculum Action Team will be having its first official meeting on April 26, 2008. New members will be updated on the Task Force work and then proceed to develop Vision/Mission statements to guide them as they begin to develop a plan for providing Kansas 4-H Curriculum for all aspects of 4-H. Many factors including connecting to National Mission Areas, volunteer leader training and potential funding will need to be part of the plan. If you have ideas for the team, please share them with one of the following members: Andrew Dempewolf, Teen Volunteer Decatur County Kendra Baehlor, 4-H Agent, Reno county Brenda Taxeras, Volunteer Leavenworth County Linda Biles, Volunteer Shawnee County Clarissa Shields, Teen Volunteer Johnson County Beth Drescher, 4-H Agent Sedgwick County Bill Wood, Ag. Agent, Douglas County Catherine O'Rourke, Volunteer Johnson County Diane Nielson, FCS Agent Atchison County Barbara Havlicek, Volunteer Riley County Lori Hambright, Volunteer Dickinson County Jim Adams, 4-H Youth Development Liaison Adams |
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| VOLUNTEERING | ||||||||||
Volunteer Development What is the economic pay off to using volunteers? In a hospital based study the cost-benefit ratio was determined to be 6.84. In other words, for every dollar that the hospitals in the study spent on professional management of volunteer resources, they derived $6.84 in value from their volunteers.” Handy & Srinivasan, 2002 Buchele VIP Tip VIP Q and A 4-H Volunteer Impact Study Your help will be requested in
determining survey participants. The survey is planned as an online
survey. The questions on the survey were shared at the recent
KAE4-HA Professional Development Conference. Thank you in advance
for your help. Master 4-H Volunteers The Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers and the 4-H Youth Development Department will again be conducting the Kansas 4-H Master Volunteer program. The training will be Nov. 21 - 22, 2008 on campus and at Rock Springs 4-H Center. While this seems a long way into the future, now is the time to begin working locally on this opportunity. Master Volunteers can help us get
more done within the time available. Trained 4-H Master Volunteers
make great contributions to their local programs. The 4-H Master
Volunteer position is a great opportunity for the volunteer whose
children have graduated from 4-H but who still wants to be involved
with 4-H. Master 4-H Volunteers allow them to continue to be
involved in 4-H leadership and to make significant contributions to
4-H. Information (2007, 2008 will be up soon), is on the web at:
http://www.kansas4-h.org/Volunteer/MasterVolunteer.htm
North Central Regional 4-H
Volunteer Forum November 6 - 8, 2008, Columbus, Ohio |
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| CAMPING | ||||||||||
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4-H Camp Preparation Check out the 4-H Camping Web page for ideas. Great clip art is available for promoting camps. Be sure to let Pam know if camp group is using the Camp Theme. Camping Web page located at http://www.kansas4-h.org/Camping/ Van Horn Camp Promotions Camp Counselor Recognition Camp Chair Meeting and Training,
October 28-29 |
