The high quality 4-H work that is being done throughout the state is truly making a difference in the lives of children and youth. We at the state level are working hard to be a support for you. With all the changes of personnel, leadership, and the ups and downs of the recent economy, I believe we all want some stability and consistency for a change. Our forthcoming 4-H Strategic Plan will address these issues, but we need your suggestions, ideas, and thoughts for our planning session. Please keep in touch and send them by email, letter, or phone.
Now that Spring is upon us, it will soon be time for State 4-H Congress and our summer 4-H camping season. These and other 4-H educational experiences provide outstanding opportunities to make differences in the lives of boys and girls throughout our Commonwealth. Now is the time to make certain that youth are aware of these opportunities and to become involved. I look forward to hearing great things about these and other 4-H educational experiences. Do not hesitate to call us if you need assistance. We will do all we can. Best wishes to you in your work with 4-H.
Sincerely,
Robert Ray Meadows
Associate Director, 4-H
A new offering this year will be the Youth Issues Forum. The forum is guaranteed to spark lively discussions and is designed to equip delegates to initiate discussions on the issue back in their own communities. Another new feature is the addition of orientation sessions for new delegates and new agents and adult volunteers on the afternoon of the first day. The new adults will also be assigned a mentor to help smooth out the Congress learning curve.
The Leadership Institute, a new program added last year will be featured again. The Institute will focus on developing leadership skills that delegates can apply to 4-H clubs, school groups and community organizations. Also back this year is our closing assembly speaker, Randy Haveson. Randy will present a leadership program called "Becoming the MVP in your Life." The MVP stands for having a Mission statement, a Value system, and Passion for what you do. He will talk about how to develop a personal mission statement and how to set up a personal value system.
Registration for Congress and the GSS workshops will take place between April 1 and May 9.. Payment can be made electronically via credit card. Cost for Congress is $130; however, the 4-H Foundation is again offering each unit one $65 delegate scholarship and the State 4-H office is offering each unit one $50 adult volunteer scholarship.
(Joe Hunnings)
Matt has traveled over one million miles across 49 states and eight countries entertaining both students and adults. He first developed a passion for speaking as a young FFA member in high school and went on to serve as state FFA president and national FFA vice president. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 1995, he founded the company "New Directions" Communications to spread his positive message.
Today, Matt, his wife Andrea, and daughter Caroline live in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley on the farm that has been in his family for over 100 years. Matt and Andrea are both former middle school agriscience teachers and currently travel over 150 days each year encouraging, motivating, and inspiring others to find happiness and success in life. In addition to speaking, Matt serves on his county's school board, presides over his county's farm bureau, and is active in his local Baptist church.
Matt's program for 4-H Congress is entitled "Get Real" and he states "Let's face it; high school is a time for change, emotional struggles, and making big time decisions! For almost everyone, these four years have the greatest impact in shaping the future."
This interactive and fast paced program is all about making real choices and decisions that will give students a successful start in life. Matt challenges his audience to follow their dreams, live each day to the fullest, explore their talents, and share kindness and joy with everyone they meet.
(Joseph R. Hunnings)
(Lauren Garrett)
(Kelly Liddingham)
(Becky Gillis)
(Becky Gillis)
A complete 2003 4HCCS product catalog, an order form and a one page 4HCCS product flyer can now be downloaded off the 4HCCS web site http://www.n4hccs.org/ for your use. The one page product flyer shows all 4HCCS products by program areas. Counties will find this useful to provide to youth and volunteers. These prepress orders will arrive in time for fall programming
For your information, 22 design teams are currently developing new products to support the 4-H youth development program. Twenty new or revised sets of materials are scheduled to be releases in 2004. These will be introduced at the 2003 4HCCS Product Premier at the Galaxy Conference, September 19-20, Salt Lake City, Utah. Check the 4HCCS web page and the Galaxy Site for additional registration information and the program.
Be part of the Virginia 4-H Team at 4HCCS Product Premier during the Galaxy Conference. Product Premier is the day before the Galaxy Conference. $100 will be given towards expenses of those selected for the team. Review the Galaxy Product Premier information on the following website. http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/4h/ Send a note to bcline@vt.edu if you wish to be part of that team. Thanks for your continued support of 4HCCS and the 4HCCS products.
(Kathleen Jamison)
If you would like to present a seminar in the Extension tent, please complete the seminar form and send electronically to Dwight Paulette (kentland@vt.edu) and me (covey@vt.edu). These are due May 1, 2003.
(Tom Covey)
"Savor the Flavor...Drink Milk,"
which should be lots of fun for your 4-H'ers. The contest format is essentially the same as in previous years. Posters must be on standard poster board, not on other grades of paper. Posters must contain only original, hand-drawn artwork. Computer-generated artwork and text are not acceptable and will result in disqualification of the poster. Finally, an extension agent must endorse entries submitted for state level judging by completing the bottom portion of the entry form. .
(David R. Winston)
(Eric Bendfeldt)
(Mark L Wahlberg)
It contains information and dates relative to National, State, District, and Local 4-H Horse Events as well as other opportunities relative to Horse program. Let us know if you have additions or corrections so we can keep this information up to date. You can reach me at 540-231-9162.
(Julie McCann)
(Scott P. Greiner)
We are also looking for a few teens and an adult male volunteer. We prefer to have applicants with at least some stockman's experience. Feel free to share names and addresses of qualified volunteers and I will mail them an application. For more information email me at kcoppedg@vt.edu
(Kaci Coppedge)
The National 4-H Center requested that I notify them prior to April 30, 2003 of those who will attend. The cost of the trip this year will be $740.00. The slight increase in cost reflects the National 4-H Center's cost increase. If there are 4-Her's who wish to attend from your unit, please notify me prior to April 30th so that we can notify the National 4-H Center accordingly. Please send the names and genders of those individuals who wish to attend as soon as you get that information. You may email me at jhairsto@VSU.EDU ****All money for the trip is due May 16th.*****
(Jewel Hairston)
The IFYE program is an in-depth learning experience in which 4-H alumni and other young adults live with host families in other countries to increase global awareness, develop independent study interests, and improve language skills.
Virginia is hosting 5 IFYE's in 2003. They are from Austria, Sweden, Greece, and Jamaica. We need host families for each of these visitors for approximately a 3 week period beginning in late June. For more information about being a host family go to the IFYE web site: http://www.ifyeusa.org/exchange/hostfamily.html
The bio sheets have not yet been received on the
For more information about these IFYE delegates or about the IFYE program, contact Dottie Nelson, State IFYE Volunteer Coordinator. (dottieifye@yahoo.com; Work phone 304-425-5198 or home 276-688-4028) or Joe Hunnings (540-231-6372).
(Joe Hunnings)
Becky has served as Tom's assistant for a number of years. The Moyer family has hosted Japanese students in the summer exchange program and High School students through both our Japanese and FLEX programs. Becky and her daughter Morgan have traveled to Japan for the summer exchange--Becky as chaperon and Morgan as delegate. Becky is also a long-time member of our state 4-H International Programs Committee. She has been a presenter at our National Coordinators Conference. You can see that Becky is uniquely qualified to assume this responsibility. Welcome Becky!
(Joe Hunnings)
The first step in the Japanese Exchange Program is to host a young Japanese student. The homestay is for one month, running from the third week of July till the third week of August. After hosting, the American host family's teenager has the opportunity to visit Japan for a similar one-month stay.
Japanese students range in age from 12 to 16, are eager to learn about life in America and have prepared well for their trip by studying English and American culture. The students have their own medical insurance and spending money.
Host families can be from rural areas or cities. All that is needed is a willingness to open their home and hearts. Japanese students are placed with families that have a child of the same gender and are close in age. No special activities need to be planned to host a student. The students are here to be a part of the host family's normal summer routine.
We are still seeking Virginia 4-H Host Families for Japanese exchange students. If you know someone who would possibly like to host a Japanese young person, have them contact Judy Ann Fray, Coordinator of the Japanese Exchange Program (1-888-259-4272 + pin #7916) or Joe Hunnings at 540-231-6371.
Our 4-H High School Exchange program includes students from Japan and also part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX). FLEX students are from the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union. FLEX is a federal government program which provides opportunities for high school students (ages 15-17) from to spend a year in the United States, living with a family and attending an American High School.
The FLEX program's major goal is democracy-building exposing likely future leaders of the emerging NIS democracies to our democratic society and free market economy. Since the program's inception in 1993, thousands of young citizens from the former Soviet Union have been awarded scholarships to participate in this program. They have returned to their countries imbued with a new enthusiasm and a desire to help lead their countries towards a democratic future. Virginia 4-H is seeking host families for 4 FLEX students this year.
This year we are hosting two Japanese students and 4 FLEX students.
For more information on the 4-H High School Exchange program contact, Beck Moyer (email: rlbmoyer@yahoo.com ; (540) 459-3048) or me.
(Joe Hunnings)
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Brian Branch)
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox)
(Barry Fox)
(Kathleen Jamison))
For more information contact Kathleen Stadler at 231-8768 or stadler@vt.edu. To receive the training materials, please contact Wes Brusseau at wbrrussea@vt.edu or 540-231-8768.
(Kathleen Stadler)
(Elizabeth Phibbs)
Typically, three types of securities are gifted; publicly traded stock, private stock, and shares of mutual funds. The public stock transfer instructions differ depending on whether you own the actual certificates or have them on account in "street name" with your broker. Each gift of public stock must be accompanied by a letter of authorization and a separate stock power. Contact the Virginia 4-H Foundation office for instruction information.
A gift of private stock may create a tax liability for the donor or the Foundation. As a result, additional information is required before the Foundation can receive a gift of private stock. Be sure to review the private stock transfer instructions carefully to determine what information is needed when gifting private stock.
The process of transferring mutual fund shares is different from company to company and is typically a slow and manual process. Please review the mutual funds transfer instructions to guide you through the process of gifting shares of mutual funds.
After reviewing the instructions for publicly traded stock, private stock, or mutual fund shares, feel free to give Greer Boyd a call at (540) 231-7094 or email her at idm@vt.edu with any questions.
For other types of gifts contact Cindy Barnett at the Virginia 4-H Foundation, 804 662-7290 or 804 662-7291, Email fourhbarnett@vt.edu , street address - 5601 Cary St. Rd., Richmond, VA 23226
(Cindy Barnett)
www.volunteermatch.org VolunteerMatch is the nonprofit, online service that helps interested volunteers get involved with community service organizations throughout the United States. Volunteers enter their ZIP code on the VolunteerMatch web site to quickly find local volunteer opportunities matching individual interests and schedules. This simple, effective, free service has already generated hundreds of thousands of volunteer referrals nationwide. For more information and to submit the volunteer positions that you would like to fill, go to the VolunteerMatch web site.
(Joseph R. Hunnings)
ENVIRONMENT
National Wildlife Refuge System
The Nature of Learning is a new community-based environmental education initiative that seeks to use National Wildlife Refuges and other natural areas as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater understanding of local conservation issues; encourage an interdisciplinary approach to learning that will enhance student achievement; utilize field experiences and student-led stewardship projects to connect classroom lessons to real world issues; and involve a partnership among local schools, community groups, natural resource professionals, and local businesses. Awards will be for up to $5,000 to support start-up expenses.
Deadline (s): June 30, 2003.
Eligibility: Schools and nonprofit organizations.
Contact: For additional information, contact Deborah McCrensky at deborah_mccrensky@fws.gov or Halle Enyedy at henyedy@keystone.org; Internet: www.nfwf.org/programs/tnol.htm.
Walmart - Sam's Club
This corporate conglomerate offers $3,000 grants for environmental projects. Funds can be used for environmental education, recycling projects, and planting trees.
Deadline(s): None
Eligibility : Schools.
Contact: Internet: www.walmartfoundation.org.
THEATER
Altria Group Corporate Contributions Program
Awards provided by this program in the area of theater are for general operating support and the creation of new plays.
Deadline(s): RFPs will be available online on May 19, 2003. Applications are due June 13, 2003. Grants will be announced in September.
Eligibility: Theater organizations located in any of the fifty states or the District of Columbia.
Contact: E-mail: RFPinfo@altria.com; Internet: www.altria.com/responsibility/04_05_01_grantguidelines.asp.
LEADERSHIP
Southern Poverty Law Center
Study Circles Resource Center
Applications for the Mix It Up Grants Program should demonstrate youth leadership, collaborative community efforts, and the potential for sustainable work. Projects that focus on "identifying, crossing, and challenging social boundaries" are eligible for grants up to $250.
Deadline(s): None
Eligibility: Individuals proposing youth-directed school or community projects.
Contact: Mix It Up Grants, Attn: SPLC, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104, (334)956-8200; Fax: (334)956-8488; Internet: www.mixitup.org.
Target Stores - Tiger Woods Foundation
In conjunction with the Tiger Woods Foundation, this company is providing Start Something scholarships for $100 to $5,000 for "action projects" that are initiated by youth ages eight to seventeen.
Deadline(s): May 1, September 1, and December 1, 2003.
Eligibility: Youth ages eight to seventeen.
Contact: Internet: http:// startsomething. target com.
Walmart
This funder is offering $300 grants for youth to perform an event for senior citizens in their communities. This program is run in conjunction with national Grandparent's Day.
Deadline(s): Visit your local store in August to obtain an application. Deadlines are rolling.
Eligibility: Youth groups.
Contact: Internet: www.walmartfoundation.org
YOUTH AWARDS PROGRAMS
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Annual awards are granted to honor young people who have demonstrated a commitment to the environment through exemplary projects. Applicants will receive a certificate signed by the President to honor their achievement. There will be one winner from each of the ten EPA regions who will also receive a plaque at an EPA-hosted awards ceremony.
Deadline(s): July 31, 2003.
Eligibility: Students in K-12, individually or in groups, who have completed an environmental project sponsored by an adult representative of the child's school, camp, youth group, or public interest group.
Contact: Applications may be mailed to the appropriate EPA regional office. Download a list of addresses from www.epa.gov/enviroed/pdf/peyaapp. pdf. For additional information about environmental education, visit www.epa.gov/enviroed.
Gloria Barron Prize
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes will recognize youth from diverse backgrounds that have shown extraordinary leadership in assisting people, protecting the environment, working to eliminate violence, or other important community service work. Winners will receive $2,000 each.
Deadline(s): May 31, 2003.
Eligibility: Youth ages eight to eighteen may be nominated by a non-family member adult who is familiar with the nominee's service activity.
Contact: The Barron Prize, PO Box 17, Boulder, CO 80306--0017; E-mail: ba_richman@barronprize.org; Internet: www.barronprize.org.
SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The NASA Aerospace Education Services Program is designed to serve middle school students in urban communities. Lectures, demonstrations, and structured classroom activities that highlight various sciences are supported. Workshops and other activities are offered to school personnel.
Deadline(s): None.
Eligibility: Contact for further details
Contact: NASA Headquarters, Education Division, Attn: UCEP Program Manager, Code FE, Washington, DC 20546
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
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