The 4-H world is alive and working hard to improve the lives of those we serve. Many exciting and rewarding 4-H programs have taken place during this winter season, and thousands of boys and girls as well as adults who work with these youth, have been affected. Most of these learning experiences took place in the units across the Commonwealth, but the 4-H educational centers have been busy with educational programs as well. Plans are being formulated and developed for the 2003 State 4-H Congress, and the upcoming 4-H camping season. The 4-H Foundation spent countless time preparing for this year's 4-H Good Luck Gala, the proceeds of which support the 4-H operating budget and curriculum component committees.
Even though we have gone through some difficult times the previous two years or so, 4-H is still valued and needed by the citizens of this great Commonwealth. 4-H is not in the business of developing blue ribbon projects. Rather, 4-H is in the business of developing blue ribbon youth. Virginia 4-H promotes a focus on positive youth development--a process which prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a progressive series of educational experiences and activities which help them to become socially, ethically, emotionally, physically, and cognitively competent.
We have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in the lives of boys and girls throughout our great Commonwealth. This is a sobering and awesome task when we reflect on the individual lives of so many who need the positive development that 4-H affords. It is one that is not to be taken lightly. The commonly used quotation comes to mind about this awesome responsibility to do all we can to make a true and meaningful difference in the lives of today's youth.
'100 years from now, it will not matter what type of automobile I drove, what kind of house I lived in, or the size of my bank account...BUT, the world may be different because I was important in the life of a boy or girl!'
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 and will be completed entirely on-line. Payment can also 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)
(Barry Garst)
Call your local Extension Office for information and registration forms. Or check the volunteer website for all the information. http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/volunteers.html#meet
(Donna Hamm)
Information on the Call for Proposals for the 2003 event can be found on the volunteer website at this address http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/volunteers.html#meet The proposals are due May 15, 2003. Why not go ahead and submit a workshop proposal, or work with another 4-H volunteer(s) or agent(s) or 4-H specialist(s)? It would be wonderful to have at least 10 proposals submitted from Virginia. Hope you will make plans to attend the Southern Regional 4-H Leaders Forum at Rock Eagle in 2003.
(Bob Meadows)
(Barry Garst )
Please consider this opportunity to support the 4-H Centers by checking the box marked "4-H educational centers," and indicating the amount that you wish to donate. In addition, please share this information with your 4-H volunteers, 4-H supporters, and friends of 4-H in your unit. For more information, contact Barry Garst at bgarst@vt.edu or (540) 231-6373.
(Barry Garst)
For full program details, more information on the 4-H Center, and a Registration Form, please visit the 4-H Center website at www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/northern or email Lance Johnson at lajohns4@vt.edu or call at 540.635.7171.
(Lance Johnson)
"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.
As in previous years there will be three age groups in the contest: junior, intermediate, and senior. Every entry will receive a participation button. First, second, and third place winners will receive ribbons at the local level. Each unit may submit the top three posters in each age group for further competition to the state contest held at State 4-H Congress in June. State winners in each age category will receive cash prizes (first = $30 and an engraved plaque, second = $20, and third = $15). Those receiving an honorable mention will be awarded a rosette ribbon.
The contest flyer and entry form is available on-line in color at the following web address: www.dasc.vt.edu/youth/poster.pdf. Please use them to promote the contest locally. To order buttons and ribbons needed for the program in your unit, please complete an on-line request form at the following web address: www.dasc.vt.edu/forms/posterform.html. The deadline for ordering contest supplies is May 15.
Encourage your young people to display their posters in prominent locations to promote June Dairy Month. I look forward to seeing the outstanding posters from your unit at 4-H Congress in June. Please let me know if you have any questions.
(David R. Winston)
The Old Dominion Pony of the Americas Club would like to give a POA pony to a Virginia 4-Her. This pony, a two-year-old filly, will be presented to the winner at a POA Show on June15th in Staunton, Virginia. A youth must be a Virginia 4-Her and complete the following information to be eligible. The information should be returned to Bernice Callahan post marked by March 31st 2003
Qualifications include:
If you have any questions please contact me (Bernice Callahan) at 540-382-2005. Thank you for your interest.
POA Give Away Form
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Parent's Name:
Age:
4-H Leader:
Please answer the following questions on separate page.
Return the above information to
Bernice Callahan, Secretary POA
3760 Fairview Church Rd.
Christiansburg, Va. 24073
or e-mail to: bwcallaha@bellatlantic.net
(Mark L Wahlberg
(Curtis Novack)
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)
(Mark Wahlberg)
"Better Citizens Today, Better Leaders Tomorrow"
Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a leadership program for senior 4-H'ers from across the country. Every summer, thousands of young people stay at the National 4-H Conference Center, near Washington D.C., to participate in this week-long program. For 39 years, CWF has enriched young people's lives by providing opportunities for them to:
Citizenship Washington Focus Conference 2003 has been scheduled for July 6-12. Youth will experience an exciting week of Citizenship workshops, tours, special events, meet new friends and develop a community plan of action to be implemented once they return home. Cost for the week includes tuition, lodging, meals, bus transportation and dinner/theatre night out. Our state delegation will reside at the National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland for the week. Civic clubs are prime sponsors for Virginia's youth, especially local Ruritan organizations. For more details, call Dr. Jewel E. Hairston at (804) 524-5965 or Mrs. Tracy Downey, (804) 524-5964. Application and Information can be found on the 4H citizenship website
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)
This year we are also very pleased to announce that Dr. Virginia Gobeli is leading the study tour. Dr. Gobeli recently retired from years of work as the National 4-H Program Leader in charge of international programs at CSREES.
For more information about how to take advantage of this exciting opportunity visit the website at: www.worldwise.org or please feel free to contact Yoko Kawaguchi at 1-800-407-3314.
(Joe Hunnings)
Spending my last three weeks in Nilsia, Finland with my last host family the Risinen's was excellent. I really enjoyed going to 4H meetings with my host brother Sami and host sister Anni, one scout meeting with my host brother Sami, spending time with Jaana who is a 4-H advisor and Tulla who is a 4-H leader, going swimming with my host family, playing board games and card games with my host brothers and sister, playing in the snow, riding a snow mobile, cooking with my host mom Seija and host sister Anni and getting to know my host family and other family members. I will miss all my host families when I leave to go home.
My host parents Seija and Pertti arranged to meet my fifth host mom Tarja and I at a half way point at a gas station rest area near Kuopio. After my host parents picked me up we had an hour and a half drive to Nilsia where my last host family lives. When we arrived at their home I was shown my room where I lived for three weeks and given a tour of the rest of their beautiful home. I then met my host fathers uncle Tauno who lives there with them. While my host mom prepared dinner I unpacked some of my belongings. My host family also has two cats Sulti and Suvi. Both cats get along with each other very well and like to play. At dinner I met my host brothers Sami and Vesa. I didn't meet my host sister Anni until she came home from her piano class and her handy craft class.
Then it was time to go to Sami and Anni's 4H club meeting that they have every Wednesday evening at 6:00pm. The 4-H meeting is held at the community center near their home. My host mom Seija and other residents have a key to open the community center for different meetings and events. After my host mom opened up the community center I helped her set up for the 4-H meeting.
The activity for the evening was to make a natural wreath made from nature in the shape of a circle or a heart. Some 4Hers came up with their own shape. I took a few pictures of the 4-Hers making their wreath. The wreath was made from natural mosses, flowers, bark, sticks, pinecones, baby breath flowers, and hay. The first step was to cut the chicken wire in the shape of a rectangle and then stuff the different mosses along the center of the wire. The next step was to close the wires around the moss to keep the shape and then shape the wreath into a circle or heart and close the ends together to keep the shape. Then you are ready to decorate your wreath using a glue gun and the other items from nature. I really enjoyed making my wreath and I took a picture with it since I couldn't keep it to take home. I gave it to my host mom Seija as a present for welcoming into her home. After the 4H meeting we had coffee and tea in the community center kitchen. Then we went home. I just shared with you my first evening and the rest of my visit was even better.
Submitted by:
Shawanda Gregory
2003 IFYE
(Michelle Addock)
For over 50 years, this camp has been the premiere natural resources leadership camp for youth in Virginia.
(Jeff Kirwan)
(Brian Branch)
(Jeff Kirwin)
(Jeff Kirwan)
Note: First place teams at District Forestry Judging Contests receive Scholarships to 4-H Congress. Please contact Contest Chairpersons at least two weeks in advance of the contest if coming.
4-H Wildlife Judging (WHEP)
State Contest to be determined based on interest. Contact Jenny Mercer ASAP, jamercer@vt.edu
4-H Soils Judging (Land Appreciation)
State Contest to be held in conjunction with State Envirothon, May 19, Airfield 4-H Center. Contact Jeff Kirwan, jkirwan@vt.edu
Note: Top three 4-H Teams in soils event will be eligible to represent Virginia at the 2004 National Contest. Shenandoah 4-H/FFA is representing Virginia at the 2003 event, based on last year's contest.
Envirothon
Area and state contest information: http://www.vaswcd.org/envirothon.htm
Thank you for your efforts in natural resources education!
(Jeff Kirwan)
The training materials and VCR tape will be available for previewing and signup at the upcoming 4-H Volunteer Leader's training in Bristol. 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)
"Growing Healthy Minds and Bodies"
The Minute Maid/JMG "Growing Healthy Minds and Bodies" program includes the following elements:
To obtain more information, please go to the new www.jmgkids.org/minutemaid site:
(Joe Hunnings)
(Rita Schalk)
Target stores http://www.target.com/ in communities across the United States are now accepting applications for the company's community giving grant program. The program currently awards grants in three areas: arts, education, and family violence prevention.
To be eligible for funding, an applicant organization must be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status, a school, or a unit of government; be located in a community where Target does business; and do work in the areas of arts, education, or family violence prevention.
Target will accept grant applications between February 1 and July 31, 2003. Applications will be received and reviewed by local Target store team leaders, who will make funding recommendations. Applications will be reviewed as they are received; applicants are therefore encouraged to apply early. Most grants will average between $1,000 and $5,000.
Complete guidelines and applications can be downloaded at Target's Web site or picked up at local Target stores. FP Link: http://target.com/common/page.jhtml?content=target_cg_grant_guidelines
(Bob Meadows )
(Cindy Barnett)
From whom did we raise funds?
85% -from individuals
15% - from corporations and businesses
- grant proposals
- from trade organizations
- from fund raisers - "Good Luck Gala", two Golf Tournaments, etc.
(Cindy Barnett)
(Cindy Barnett)
For 4-H to continue and meet the needs of over 203,000 presently enrolled 4-H'ers, 4-H needs flexible resources to invest in these youths. Your gift will be an important resource for our young people and their volunteer leaders as they work together to design and implement skill-expanding, confidence-building activities.
See our wish list and an opportunity for you to help on our website http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/foundation.html.
(Cindy Barnett)
Scroll down to the bottom of the web page for additional links related to these issues.
(Barry Fox)
Resources for Parents/Teachers/Family Support Professionals in Times of War CYFERnet provides an excellent new resource for youth and family professionals working with:
(Sharon Wright)
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
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