Delegates will be housed in Ford (785-395-3136) and Haymaker (785-395-3710) residence halls. Housing assignments will be e-mailed directly to Agents as soon as they are finished. Registration will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 30 at Derby Dining Center.

New for 2006, several committees have been established to allow delegates to help conduct Discovery Days functions and activities. Please encourage your delegates who are ready for the next level of leadership to be involved in these committees. This is also a testing ground for future Discovery Days Action Team members.

Talent Show: This committee will coordinate the talent show, conduct auditions and select top performers for the show.
Please encourage your talented delegates to share their talents: singing, dancing, joke telling, juggling, and anything unusual or extra spectacular! Participants should bring their own props and sign-up when they arrive. Auditions will be held on Wednesday night and the show will illuminate the stage on Thursday.

Distribution:  This committee will distribute newsletters and daily evaluations. They will also post signs for Discovery Days classes, events and activities.

4 to 5ers:  We need this committee to coordinate and promote these sessions and work with instructors.
Everyone should be thinking about ideas for the 4 to 5ers informal workshop session. Topics are wide open: hobbies, games, miscellaneous cool things, etc. Adults or youth may teach these sessions. It is a good opportunity for 4-H members to try their hand at teaching at the state level. It's a good chance for adults to try out a new topic! Sign-ups to teach a 4 to 5er will be available beginning at registration on Tuesday. Sessions will be taught in and around the Student Union.

Chalkers: As another way to show 4-H spirit and a way to remind 4-H delegates about up-coming events, we want this committee to draw on the sidewalk! This way we can have 4-H all over our beautiful K-State campus and advertise for all our wonderful 4-H events and programs.

Free-lance Photographers: Anyone who has a digital camera can be part of this committee. Even though we have a media team, we would love to be able to use other peoples' pictures as well. The more the pictures, the merrier!

Tailgate Party: We need a little help setting up for the tailgate and making sure the tables are stocked. Having a few extra hands will really make the difference!

Class Host: For each class at Discovery Days, we would like one youth enrolled in the class to go early, meet the instructor and give a quick introduction at the beginning of the class. This has previously been done by adults, but would be an excellent way for youth to help lead the conference!

A group photo will be taken on Wednesday morning. Everyone will need to wear a white shirt. 4-H shirts/t-shirts are preferred, but other white shirts are acceptable.

The Discovery Days Media Team will be creating a multimedia CD with photos, video and files from the conference. The CD will be available for $5.00 for participants to order while they are at Discovery Days. If paying by check, checks should be made payable to "Kansas 4-H Foundation". CDs will be mailed to individuals after Discovery Days.  WIEBERS

The camp has received some additional scholarship money, so we will accept scholarship applications until May 15. Cost of the camp is $150 and the scholarships are for $75. Click Photography Adventure Camp at the beginning of this article for all of the information.  BUCHELE

Kansas State Fair Exhibitor Handbook Kansas State Fair Exhibitor Handbooks will be available for pick up during 4-H Discovery Days.  Agents are asked to pick up their books at registration on Tuesday May 30 from 6-8 pm.  If you are not attending Discovery Days, please make arrangements with someone from another county to pick up your books.  Sections of the book may also be printed as needed from the State Fair website: www.kansasstatefair.com.

Gate Admissions:  Please order your county gate admissions from the Kansas State Fair Office.  The State 4-H Office only provides gate admission tickets to volunteers and Agents who have registered as volunteers via the KSFAIR entry system Volunteer Class. These entries must be made by August 15, 2006.

To see changes that have been made in the 4-H Exhibitor Handbook, download the draft copy that has changes highlighted in red print on the KSF page on the Kansas 4-H website

The Kansas State Fair packet with forms, score sheets, guidelines, Centennial closing events, etc. will be posted on Kansas 4-H website and will be available July 1.

Entries will open on the KSFair site July 1 and will close on August 15 (or five days after the conclusion of county fairs that end after August 15.)  WIEBERS

Kansas State Fair. The Kansas State Fair Board and staff hope your 2006 Fair is very successful! The 2005 "It's a Wild Ride Baby" was attended by 324,705 and was a great success!! The Competitive Exhibits Department had a successful year with 26,685 entries by 9,448 exhibitors.

The 2006 Kansas State Fair is scheduled for September 8-17. This means our big event is only about five months away! All information and entry forms for the 2006 Kansas State Fair are located at and can be printed from our website www.kansasstatefair.com.  This includes: Exhibitor Handbook, Agricultural Challenge of Champions, Hay Bale decorating contest, Grand Drive and Gala, gate tickets and parking, and Encampment bed reservations. 

New for 2006 -- The Agricultural Challenge of Champions sponsored by the Kansas Fairs & Festivals Association will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2006 in the Encampment Building. The time has been moved earlier in the day to encourage greater participation. The intent of this contest is to recognize outstanding Kansas 4-H or FFA agriculture oriented youth. Entry forms must be returned to the Kansas State Fair office by August 15.

Only one individual may be entered by each county or consolidated county fair youth program. Selection and nomination criteria is delegated to the County Fair Board from contestants certified by their County Extension Agent (4-H) or Vocational Agriculture Instructor (FFA).  Please share this letter with your County Fair Board and Extension Agents.

We will hold an open Boer Goat show and Kansas Junior Wether show, Tuesday, September 12, 2006.(Information is available on the website www.kansasstatefair.com)

If you have any questions please feel free to call the Competitive Exhibits Department at 620-669-3614 or 620-669-3621. DEBBIE ANDERSON

The Service Project focuses on four areas of involvement to help fight hunger in Kansas:

• Plant, harvest and donate fresh produce to local food banks or soup kitchens.
• Collect donations of nonperishable food items for local food banks.
• Collect monetary donations so local food banks or feeding sites can purchase perishable foods.
• Donate your time and talents to help local agencies. These agencies need volunteers to help stock shelves, prepare food baskets, cook and serve at soup kitchens, etc.

After individuals or groups have planned and completed their projects, we ask that they report their results using the Centennial reporting form. The reporting form, as well as the Centennial Service Project graphic, is available on the Kansas 4-H website under the Kansas 4-H Centennial heading. Forms need to be returned by Aug. 10 so that we can compile the results of all the projects and announce the totals at the 2006 Kansas State Fair. We hope you will help make a difference in fighting hunger in Kansas.  HINSHAW/NEIER

All local Extension Offices will receive a free set of 17" x 22" promotional posters in celebration of the 4-H Centennial. This set of five "The Stuff You Need to Know" 4-H promotional posters highlights five different project areas. These color posters, developed by the 4-H Marketing Action Team, are designed to help you promote 4-H in your local community. There is white space in the lower right hand corner of each poster for you to add local contact information.

This free set of posters was distributed at the April 26 4-H VIP Training sessions in Hays and Rock Springs. We will continue to distribute them this spring.  MACK/4-H Marketing Action Team

The survey is open to 4-H members of all ages, including youth, volunteers, and staff! The results will help National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters to make critical decisions about their future use of technology to enhance the 4-H experience.  BUCHELE

The focus of SET is for the whole 4-H program, not just computer and technology area. Focus sessions include: Biotechnology, Animal Science, Architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, Fine and Performing Arts, Food Science, Forensics (think CSI), Geography, Community Service, Nutrition and Textiles. The focus area will explore (and use) technology in their area.

Each state may send one team. Because this is a youth conference with adult partners, the state delegation must be at least 50% youth. At this time there is no limit on the number of delegates, though all must be part of the state team. Check out the website and give this some thought. If you have questions, please contact me.  BUCHELE              

Here is what we need:

1. Some good photos from your camp. Please have someone take a few photos with the journal in mind. We would like to have a few photos from each camp group in next year's camping issue.
2. We will also be looking for quotes to use; we want them from campers, counselors, agents and parents. So, if you get something great, please share it.
3. Your camp flyer and the letter you send to campers with what to bring, how camp works...It is our hope to put all of these great ideas together for some neat features that will be helpful to families planning for 4-H camp.
4.  What other camps do you hold in your county or district? Day Camp, local over night camp... We want to know everything that is going on in 4-H camping.

Camp Counselor Recognition.  The Camp Counselor Recognition Information is on the Web. Farm Bureau is again sponsoring this recognition. Names of your camp counselors should be in the State 4-H Office by July 10. http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Camping/Counselor/

Camp Planning. As you put the final touches on your camp planning, remember there are some great resources on the web. http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Camping/  You will find 2006 Camp Theme information including activity ideas and graphics. The Camp Action Team also has a list of camp resources, so check all of these resources out if you are needing a little assistance or creativity to finish up your camp plan.

Camp Standards. After the 2006 Camping Season, the Kansas 4-H Camp Standards will be reviewed. If you have thoughts after camp, please share them with Beth Hinshaw: bhinshaw@ksu.edu  The purpose of camp standards is to provide a safe learning environment at 4-H Camp. The new KSRE Risk Management Manual reinforces the importance of and the need to implement these standards. http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Camping/campstandards.pdf HINSHAW

Rod and I would like to extend our appreciation to the Extension Agents who served on the VIP Revision Task Force. They are: Stephanie Einspahr, Kearny County; Byron Hale, Decatur County; Sarah Maass, Lyon County; Gwen Spade, Dickinson County; and Pam VanHorn, Central Kansas District.

If you have additional questions, please contact us.  MACK/BUCHELE

Resources for details of the project are:  Wheat Variety Plot Brochure--4H565Rev. April 2000; Wheat Variety Plot--Youth Participant Handbook---4H566  Aug. 1996; and 4-H Wheat Variety Plot Record---P1099.

This year's participants who are getting ready to harvest their plots should be planning their county fair display for possible qualifying for the State Fair entry in the Pride of Kansas Building.  ADAMS

We need Kansas agents to serve as hosts for periods of two or more weeks and who can share their 4-H programs with Victoria. She may stay with an agent or a local family. There should be some time devoted to discussing 4-H Youth Development programs and job shadowing with agents or paraprofessional staff. Victoria is English speaking, married, and has one child. She may share her experience with 4-B and Botswana with 4-H clubs and other local audiences.

If you have questions or wish to reserve a time, please contact Mary Kay Munson at 785-238-3631 or munsonm@nqks.com .  MUNSON

We're recruiting proposals for workshop session instructors/presenters. Topics should center on leadership. Some ideas might include, but are not limited to, community service, citizenship, communications, conflict management, ethics, motivation, decision making, leading by example, time management, international citizenship, multi-cultural studies, diversity, business etiquette and getting involved after high school. The Kansas State 4-H Youth Council members hope that you (or one of your volunteers) will be interested in sharing your expertise or talent with this opportunity.

The letter and proposal form can be found on the KYLF web page: http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Events/KYLF/  Proposals are due to the State 4-H office by July 10. Questions can be directed to Beth Hinshaw, bhinshaw@ksu.edu , Justin Wiebers jwiebers@ksu.edu or Jessica Fox jessielynn242@HOTMAIL.COM  HINSHAW/WIEBERS/FOX

The training for the 2006 Class of Kansas 4-H Master Volunteers will be Nov. 17-18, 2006. Training will start in Manhattan at the State 4-H Office, November 17 and move to Rock Springs 4-H Center that afternoon. Training will conclude the evening of November 18 with the Kansas Association of 4-H Volunteers meeting. For more information, to to: http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Volunteer/MasterVolunteer.htm .  BUCHELE/VAN HORN

Please refer to the National 4-H Headquarters Fact Sheet for specific information. The fact sheet can also be downloaded from: www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/ , under Name and Emblem; Fact Sheets.

As determined by the IRS, 4-H Clubs and Affiliated 4-H Organizations are exempt from Federal income tax. Donors may deduct contributions to 4-H clubs and affiliated 4-H organizations such as: bequests, legacies, transfers or gifts as applicable under the IRS Code. In order for the IRS to verify the tax exempt status of individual 4-H clubs and affiliated 4-H organizations to donors and contributors, the 4-H clubs and organizations must complete the following two-step process:

1. Obtain a Federal Tax Identification Number or EIN.
2. Submit a request in writing to the IRS for inclusion under the 4-H Group Exemption Number.

Group Exemption Number.  Most likely, all 4-H clubs and affiliated organizations in your local Extension Unit have completed Step #1 (which is required for bank accounts) for tax exemption status... However, it may not be commonly understood that these same entities must also complete Step #2 for inclusion under the 4-H Group Exemption Number.

At the National Meeting of State 4-H Leaders in late March, each state received a listing of the 4-H entities that have completed Step #2. This list was generated by the IRS and provided to National 4-H Headquarters. The list was sent to you in the County Mail Packet of May 5, 2006. I would encourage you to review it, noting the status of the entities in your program and then work with the respective volunteers to complete Step #2. This is a very important step to take, in particular because of the relationship you have and want to keep with many of your donors.

To complete Step #2.  There is a sample letter on the back of the fact sheet for use by 4-H clubs and affiliated  4-H organizations (it can also be downloaded and printed from the 4-H website, under the Agent's Menu, click on 4-H Financial Information, and then click on Tax Exemption Status of 4-H Clubs and Groups.

Work with your club leaders and other respective individuals to submit each letter prior to the busy summer season. Please note that it must be signed by a local or state extension official. I recommend that the local Extension Agent sign for the local clubs and organizations.

Questions?  Please contact your Area 4-H Specialist or myself for additional guidance and help. MCNALLY

Originally written in 1996 and revised in 2001, the document is the resulting work of the administrative Fairs and Shows Task Force. More specifically, it outlines "who is responsible for what" and why, based upon the Kansas Extension Law. The document can be reviewed and printed at: http://www.Kansas4-H.org/Agents/Policies.htm then click on "Addendum 2 Extension Role at Fairs & Shows."

As of the April 13, 2006 Administrative Meeting, the last item in the report was adopted as policy:  "Extension entities are not permitted by the Kansas Law to engage in commercial enterprises, which the 4-H livestock/Premium Sales currently provide as a preferred service for the respective project enrollees; therefore, 4-H Livestock/Premium Sales will be managed by the Fair Association or sponsoring organization, where existing, or be contracted to a third, bonafide party by the Extension Executive Board."  MCNALLY

Since fairness is a core ethical principle and people of character are obligated to treat others fairly, it's important to understand what's involved.

First, realize that every decision that affects others can and will be evaluated in terms of fairness. Whether we make decisions as parents, youth or 4-H leaders one thing is certain: we will be charged with unfairness by people who don't get what they want.

Second, fairness can refer to either the process by which we make decisions or the result of the decision itself. Because there is wide disagreement on what is a fair result, process takes on special importance. Generally, fair processes produce fair results, and the best way to defend a decision is to demonstrate the fairness of the process.

The key to better decisions and less criticism is a fair process which includes: impartiality (I've got to treat all my kids equally), thoroughness in gathering the facts (including input from the people affected by a decision), and consistent application of rational criteria in making a decision. [Adapted from Michael Josephson]   GERHARD

Horticulture Resource. Fort Hays Horticulture judging classes and plant identification items are posted to the following website: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/ellis/FortHaysJudgingHorticulture.asp  This could be a good tool for  4-Hers to access to practice their horticulture judging skills.   S. SCHLICHTING