In this time of so much change and transition, good news is always welcomed. We who serve in the 4-H program should be excited about our recent good news that the Virginia General Assembly approved funding for the Critical Staffing Initiative. With this new funding, we should be able to fill approximately 23 field agent positions-ANR, FCS/FNH, and 4-H. We are hopeful that we will be successful in filling 4-H agent positions that are currently being paid for by local funding. The rankings have already been conducted by administration and District Directors. Currently, advertisements are being circulated to recruit candidates for some of these vacancies. We need quality staff to lead the 4-H program in our units.
Another piece of good news is that we have a new Director for Virginia Cooperative Extension. Dr. Patricia Sobrero will begin as our 13th Director beginning July 1. Dr. Sobrero has much Extension experience, and will be coming to us from Missouri Cooperative Extension. She gives credit to her success to being a 4-H member during her childhood. We look forward to serving under her leadership, guidance, and support.
Lastly, the summer 4-H camp staffs from the six respective 4-H educational centers were involved in a statewide training program at Airfield 4-H Educational Center in May. Additionally, each of the centers conducted a week-long training program to prepare the summer programming staff for the summer 4-H camping season. These are quality young adults who are anxious and enthused for the tasks ahead-providing quality educational programming for the thousands of boys and girls who will be attending 4-H camp this summer. Be assured that the 4-H educational center directors, program directors, and programming staff are prepared to assist all 4-H agents, 4-H program assistants, and volunteers to provide the best possible week for these youth who will be involved. As the American Camp Association slogan states, and it is applicable to 4-H campers, "Camp does kids a world of good!" Best wishes for a very successful summer 4-H program. Thanks for all you do to help the 4-H members of your unit.
Sincerely,
Robert Ray Meadows
Associate Director, 4-H
4-H Policy IQ Response
Immediately contact (or ask someone else to contact) the 4-H Center's medical staff person (i.e., EMT, nurse, etc.). With assistance from at least two teen or adult volunteers, get the camper and the adult volunteer to the 4-H camp medical staff as soon as possible. Keep them calm and ask them if they have been allergic to bee stings in the past. The adult volunteer should not be allowed to drive anywhere, because he/she could have a severe reaction (which means he/she may not be able to breathe). Redirect the volunteer to the 4-H Center's medical staff person.
The 4-H Health History Report Forms should not be missing, because a copy should have been easily accessible on the bus that transported the 4-H camp participants. Have an adult volunteers begin an immediately search to find the forms. (Or, if you sent a copy of the health forms to the 4-H Center a week or two prior to camp, ask the 4-H Center's medical staff person to bring the 4-H Center's copy). The health forms are important in this situation for two primary reasons: (1) to identify whether or not the bee sting victims are allergic to bee stings or to any medications that may be administered, (2) to verify parental consent to provide medical treatment to the camper (if the adult volunteer is conscious he/she can give consent) and to administer over-the-counter medication.
It is against 4-H camp policy for a teen counselor to use a cell phone to contact a camper's parents. This situation could result in a parent/guardian being misinformed (or needlessly alarmed) about their child's medical condition, emotional state, etc. [Also, cell phones are not allowed during 4-H camp "unless they are needed as part of an organized 4-H program/event, or with authorization from the Extension Agent, Program Director, or other adult in charge of the 4-H program/event" (Virginia 4-H Code of Conduct)]. The only person(s) that should contact a camper's parents/guardians are the 4-H Agent (or other person responsible for the unit 4-H camping program), the 4-H Center Program Director, and the 4-H Center medical staff person. (In this situation, these three individuals should have communicated ahead of time to determine whether or not parents/guardians needed to be contacted, and if so, who was going to contact them.)
Because a teen counselor called the parents of the camper who was stung, you need to follow-up with the parents. Once the camper has been treated, call the parents and update them regarding the camper's condition. Counsel the teen regarding the use of cell phones, and be sure that the teen understands the proper 4-H camp procedures for communicating with parents/guardians and why these procedures need to be followed. Recognize that the teen counselor was trying to be helpful, but ask that the teen follow the correct procedures in the future.
(Written by Barry Garst)
Dr. Sobrero has served as Associate Vice President and Associate Director of University Outreach and Extension at the University of Missouri since 1999, and holds the rank of Professor in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Missouri. During her tenure at Missouri, Dr. Sobrero addressed issues at the county, campus, system, state and national levels. She is widely recognized for her ability to develop strong, lasting partnerships to generate programs and funding. The breadth of her background in education, leadership, administration, external relations, organizational learning and program development will strengthen Extension and the College. From 1991 to 1999, Dr. Sobrero was Associate Dean at the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service and Professor in the Department of Home Economics and Family Life, University of Tennessee. From 1985 to 1991, she served as Associate District Supervisor in the Middle Tennessee Extension District. Dr. Sobrero also has experience as a teacher and administrator in the public schools. Dr. Sobrero holds a Doctor of Education degree from Vanderbilt University.
Please join me and the entire College in welcoming Pat to Virginia Tech and Virginia.
(Bob Meadows)
4-H Name & Emblem Regulation Changes
No change is being made to the basic regulations; however modifications are being made to the guidelines and processes connected to 4-H Name & Emblem.
4-H Name & Emblem Authorization
4-H Name & Emblem Graphic Standards
If you have any questions, contact me.
(Bob Meadows)
The State Fair is putting many of their competition guides on the web this year. Now all competition guides for Youth Livestock, FFA, 4-H and Skills USA youth contests are available online, and not in print format. If you don't have a computer at home, you can access one at any public library.
Simply go to www.statefair.com and click on the "Competitions" tab, then download the rules and registration form. Be sure to use separate registration forms for each contest or show.
Past exhibitors at the Fair will be receiving a postcard with this information. Please help your leaders, parents, and members to access this information about the 2004 State Fair.
Questions? Contact Lil Reynolds at the State Fair: lreynolds@statefair.com or 1-804-569-3224
First prize is $2500 scholarship. Second through sixth place prizes range from $1500 to $500.
The contest recognizes superior leadership characteristics among junior members of the association and the industry and encourages and develops leadership skills among Jr members so that they will be able to serve their local boards, industry and communities as tomorrows leaders.
Contestants between ages of 14 to 19 must have actively participated in their local fairs. They must also complete the application and be present at the convention to compete in public speaking and interviews.
Rules, regulations, competition information and application . - PDF
(Teresa Lambert)
Central district - 79 delegates
Northeast district - 124 delegates
Northern district - 144 delegates
Northwest district - 107 delegates
Southeast district - 112 delegates
Southwest district - 132 delegates
Adults - 129
Total delegation - 698
Congrats to Central district with a 146% increase in delegation size!!!
Congress Election Results
President Stephanie Washington, Surry
Vice President Joshua Mickahail of Clarke
Secretary Cora Gnegy, Shenandoah County,
Ambassadors from each district include:
Central: Jacob Powell, Appomattox County; Priscilla Adeniji, Lynchburg, and
Brendon Hamlett, Amherst County.
Northern: Sarah Lyons, Albemarle County; Cliff Williamson, Madison County;
and Raien Benedetto, Woodbridge.
Northeast: Charisse Carter, Newport News; Sean Fruik, Henrico; and
Britany Tyndall, York.
Southeast: David Reid, Suffolk; Avery Daugherty, Suffolk; and
Heather Mosely, Greensville.
Southwest: April Lee Grace, Washington. Brandy Scott, Washington County,
Kristen Blevins, Abingdon.
Northwest: Rachel Pennington, Rockbridge; Stephanie Crites, Rockingham; and
David Heatwole, Rockingham County
For more about Congress go to http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/04congress/
The Virginia 4-H Information Letter provides information about 4-H and other youth events, curriculum, dates and services for 4-H professionals, educators, youth and volunteers. Subscribe to a monthly reminder of its availability. http://info.ag.vt.edu/vce/4hnewsletter/index.cfm
For registration forms, highlights, and more information go to http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/2004southernpacket.pdf
Registration: EARLY BIRD Registration is open until August 1, 2004 (postmarked by then) with a fee of $175 per person. This covers meals and lodging on-site plus the Virginia 4-H t-shirt for each participant (transportation excluded). August 2-until time of conference, a late fee charge will be added--the cost will be $185 per person. A registration form is included in this mailing. Registration forms and fees should be made payable to the Virginia 4-H Foundation.
(Bob Meadows)
-Help write a pre-proposal for a newN4-HCCS Educational Materials Series!
Pre-Proposals due August 15, 2003 - see www.N4HCCS.org/ for the RFP
Do you have a passion for a particular 4-H topic, and wish you could find the funds to develop state-of-the-art experiential learning materials in that subject? Would you enjoy collaborating with dedicated experts from around the country in jointly developing better materials than any of you could do alone? If so, this opportunity may be for you! More information can be found here . - PDF
(Kathleen Jamison)
Thank you for your help. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at the address below.
Bertha Durbin,
State 4-H Horse Show Advisory Committee
4522 Catterton Rd.
Free Union, VA 22940
Phone: (434) 973-8755
Fax: (434) 973-5919
e-mail: Bertha@direcway.com
(Bertha Durbin)
The benefits of being a host family offer a world of opportunities!
All students are carefully screened
If you are interested in knowing more about becoming a host family or would like to know more about the program, please contact your local coordinator BECKY BELL 804-379-6554 OR 928-1948 OR email CCFC2355@AOL.COM, or log onto our website at www.us.councilexchanges.org
(Dottie Nelson)
We could not have bought better advertising and positive feedback in support of the 4-H Virtual Forest. I encourage you to implement the 4-H Virtual Farm and its components in your program if you are not already doing so. I am certain that we will receive examples of the above letter in support of your programming efforts.
(Bob Meadows)
In caring for plants, children must be responsible for and respond to a living thing. Children have few situations in an electronically loaded society in which to be guided in this type of learning. Use of a gardening experience is an excellent method to assist children in learning responsibility (Clark, 1977). The students learning through gardening are participating in a project that depends almost entirely on their own efforts. Neglect of any kind is quickly evident by changes in plant growth and yield, but positive actions in the garden supply vegetables for eating, flowers for picking, and beauty for beholding. (Written by Dr. Kathryn Orvis, Purdue University, and taken from the June 2004 JMG Newsletter at JMGKids.org )
(Joe Hunnings)
(Joe Hunnings)
Checks will be issued and mailed to the 4-H Fund at each Extension office. Please remember scholarships are awarded @ $250.00 EACH. Your unit may receive checks in amounts larger than one scholarship. If you review the list closely you will note what projects received funding.
Awardees please follow your Unit policies & procedure to receive the funds. Awardees are to email an Evaluation Report to Cindy Barnett (attached) by January 15th or at the completion of their projects, reports must be in before submitting a request for another mini-grant. Please be informed that next year the 4-H Foundation will be requesting that ALL proposals be submitted via EMAIL. If you have any questions please feel free to email almady@vt.edu or fourhbarnett@vt.edu.
CONGRATULATIONS and remember an action picture is worth a thousand words!!
(Cindy Barnett)
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE), Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) and Rep. Harold Ford (D-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Federal Youth Coordination Act, to coordinate and improve federal youth serving programs. This bill was drafted in partnership with member agencies of the National Collaboration for Youth in response to a report issued by the White House Task Force for Disadvantaged Youth, which describes the current federal response to the needs of youth as lacking in focus and recommends the evaluation, coordination and improvement of federal youth-serving programs.
"According to the White House Task Force on Disadvantaged Youth report, the National Academy of Sciences estimates that nearly 20 million teens in this country are at serious risk of not achieving productive adulthood. Our nation's young people deserve high quality, effective and meaningful youth development programs. Similarly, our nation's taxpayers deserve their tax dollars to be spent on high quality, effective, and meaningful programs. This bill is a major step forward to addressing this disconnect and ensuring that the goals of federal youth programs are consistent and coordinated," Rep. Osborne stated.
"At a time when federal dollars are limited, it is important that Congress target funding toward effective programs that serve the most critical needs of at-risk youth. The Federal Youth Coordination Act will help ensure that youth programs are stronger, better-coordinated and meeting the important goals of training and supporting the next generation of American citizens," Rep. Hoekstra said.
Rep. Ford added, "We live in an age of opportunity and challenge, but not every person has equal access to those possibilities. This legislation will ensure that we invest in every young person who works hard and plays by the rules. It will make our nation a safer, stronger place."
"The Federal Youth Coordination Act is an exciting step forward in improving the nation's supports for its most valuable resource-children and youth," said Shay Bilchik, Chairman of the National Collaboration for Youth and President/CEO of the Child Welfare League of America. "We must do a better job of meeting the needs of young people, engaging them as leaders in their communities and providing them the necessary resources to make the difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood. We are excited to work with Representatives Osborne, Hoekstra and Ford on this important legislation."
The bill creates a Federal Youth Development Council designed to improve the overall quality of federal programs serving youth through better assessment of the needs of youth, evaluation, improved communication and coordination, and increased accountability among the agencies involved. No later than one year after the council convenes, the council shall transmit to the President and Congress an annual report on its findings, recommendations, and actions taken to better serve the needs of youth.
Additional responsibilities of the Federal Youth Development Council include:
(Andy Swiger, Dean Emeritus)
Director's Letter
Calendar of Events
To Table of Contents...