First is the most productive work of our curriculum development committees. Their outstanding efforts this year brought on line many new educational resources and programs, as well as continued the process of setting strategic directions for the future of our program. To the many who participate in this process, please accept my gratitude.
Second is the major effort that is being put forth statewide with our Character Counts!!! programs. Thanks to the proactive work of many of our agents and the Leadership Curriculum Committee, Virginia 4-H was well positioned to respond to the legislated mandate for the inclusion of character education in our public schools.
The last effort I would like to highlight is the successful conclusion to our seven-year search for a new data management system. The very positive feedback I am receiving from our agents and support staff indicates that we finally have a system that will not only provide the required enrollment data, but will also be a valued management resource. Special thanks are due the team of Billie Cline, Stephanie Collins, Wendy Farkas, Bobby Swain, and Linda Hillis for their outstanding leadership to this important endeavor.
All of these efforts go to strengthen our local program. With the new 4-H year upon us, I want to say thanks to each of you for you continued leadership to our local programs. It is through the clubs and schools where it all happens. Because of your efforts, our 4-H program continues to make important differences in the lives of the thousands of youth and adults we serve. Thanks so much for all you do.
(John Dooley)
Please join us in welcoming Martha McCollum, as the new Executive Director of the Virginia 4-H Foundation and Extension Specialist. Martha is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a BS in Animal Science and a MS in Animal Nutrition. She was named a John Lee Pratt Fellow and continued her education pursuing a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition studying protein transport mechanisms. Martha's graduate experiences reached beyond research through her teaching as well as her involvement with the Graduate Student Assembly. Martha has served on numerous University governance committees such as the Committee on Outreach and the Strategic Budget and Planning Committee. Her prior experiences include working in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Development office. A New River Valley native, Martha looks forward to promoting our 4-H youth development programs across the Commonwealth as she leads the Virginia 4-H Foundation.
(John Dooley)
(John Dooley)
Adults may be consideration as honorary All Stars. Nominees must have rendered outstanding service to the 4-H program over a period of not less than seven years at least 2 of which shall have been in Virginia.
More information and forms have been mailed to each extension unit office.
(Bob Meadows)
| The American BeeKeeping Federation, Inc. will again sponsor this 4-H Essay Contest. The topic for the essay is "Honey Bees and Humans through the Centuries." Essays are due in the State 4-H Office by February 1, 2000. One entry will be chosen to represent the state. Awards of $250, $100, and $50 will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place national winners. State Winners will receive a book about honey bees. Encourage your 4-H members to research and write an essay. More details are attached. |
(Billie Cline)
LOCATION: Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Center in Wirtz, Virginia (A map will be provided with your registration acknowledgement)
COST: NONE. ------
The entire costs of this training is being supported by the Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation, Virginia Forestry Association, Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources.
PLT in Virginia is jointly sponsored by the Virginia Forestry Association, the Virginia Department of Forestry, and Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources.
|
Ocotber 18-19, 1999 Name: ____________________________________ Address: ___________________________________ City/State: __________________ Zip Code: _______ Phone Number (Home): _____________________ (Work): ____________________
Glenda Parrish Virginia Forest Association 8810B Patterson Avenue Richmond, VA 23229-6322 804-741-0836 FAX: 804-741-0838 |
(Kathy Sevebeck, Natural Resources Educator)
For more information about the President's Student Service Challenge, write to: President's Student Service Scholarship, 1505 Riverview Road, P.O. Box 68, St. Peter, MN 56082. They can be reached by email at RDSSFA@aol.com or at http://www.student-service-awards.org/
(Dorothy Freeman)
The "Larger than Life" Awards will recognize a total of 36 winners, who will receive a $2,000 grant to fund a project for National Youth Service Day, four tickets to their local Backstreet Boys concert and the opportunity to meet the Backstreet Boys backstage before the concert. Two national "Larger Than Life" Award winners will be selected from all award winners to receive an additional $10,000 grant for their volunteer organization.
To apply for the Awards: you must be 9-20 years old; describe your volunteer activities: describe a service project you and your friends would like to do for National Youth Service Day 2000; and be able to apply on-line at www.servenet.org. You may also email your questions about the awards or the application to awards@yst.org
(Dorothy Freeman)
This entire application and resources to help you write your proposal, can be found on National 4-H Council's website at: www.fourhcouncil.edu/ycc/safetygrant.htm
A hard copy of this application can be requested by sending a 66-cent self-addressed, stamped envelope to Bettina Tyler-Falwell, National 4-H Council, Safety Education Grant Program, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815-4999
The Safety Education Grant Program is designed to achieve the following goals:
The grant program puts resources directly into the hands of youth, and their involvement at all stages is very significant. Youth take the lead in the design of the project, the proposal writing process, the implementation, and the evaluation of funded projects. Although success in fulfilling grant goals is often measured by tangible results, these grants offer additional opportunities through which young people and adults may broaden their experiences, strengthen and enhance their leadership skills, and stimulate others to take more active roles in their communities. These "seed grant" funds must be matched by local resources and can be the catalyst for securing those resources. Projects funded by these grants can affect entire communities. They also help to create program models for use by other groups in addressing diverse needs nationwide.
(John Dooley)
Firearms are available only to Virginia 4-H registered programs which include at least one adult who has a shooting instructor certification which is accepted by 4-H. Training is available through 4-H at the Northern Virginia 4-H Center on Nov. 6-7, 1999. Certification is available in rifle, archery, muzzleloading rifle or coordinator. The fee of $50.00 covers classes, materials, bed and board. For information about the loan program contact Patricia Bingham at (540) 752-0684, or e-mail Elbaite@aol.com. For firearms certification information contact Richard Pulliam at (804)248-5444, or e-mail rpulliam@vt.edu.
(Richard Pulliam)
Tech Corps had two major educational programs.
The first educational program--an electronic exchange--was entitled "First Monday." On the first Monday of each month, Corps members participated in email discussions on the history of Virginia and Virginia 4-H. Each month focused on a different decade. Online guest lecturers - older, former 4-H all-stars - volunteered to join our discussions and share their vantages. Teens and adults all used the WWW to research the topics and share - and email to discuss the ideas. One of the guest lecturers was a history professor from George Mason University and another was faculty member at Clemson. Perhaps the most interesting lecturer was a disabled former grade-school teacher from southwest Virginia who shared her enthusiasm for technology as it allowed her to remain connected to the world despite the fact that she was confined to home.
The second educational project enjoyed by the group was a 3-day "Video Weekend" where the teens learned the ins and outs of digital video methods. The weekend included two educational tracts: learning video-capture and video-editing using computer software and using VHS video- graphic techniques. The teens took a short canoe trip, and staged a skit so that the videographers could create movies about these trips.
There were four major Service Projects.
The first service project was to offer computer mini-sessions to adults in Richmond at the spring meeting of the Adult 4-H Volunteers Association meeting. Teens offered 60-90 minute introductions to these computer techniques, to about 5 sessions of adults:
The third service project taken on by the group was the creation of a www page - a list of favorite WW sites that offer lesson plans in the environmental sciences. This page will be a resource for local agents, the 4-H Center Program Leaders, and for community schoolteachers.
The final major service task was to help with 4-H computer workshops in rural Virginia. Tech Corps members assisted the local agents and a Virginia Tech staff member with three county computer camps. These programs were offered in Montgomery, Tazewell, and Accomack counties.
For more information on the Virginia 4-H Tech Corps, contact Peter Laws (lawsp@vt.edu) or by calling 540-231-6798.
(John Dooley)
(Dottie Nelson Ellis)
(Dottie Nelson Ellis)
Three inbound exchangees, Michelle, Van Der Zee of the Netherlands, Natacha Groot of Luxembourg, and Maiween de Chatillon of France, were hosted by 12 Virginia families in the counties of Madison, Floyd, Loudoun, Albermrle, Shenandoah, Powhatan, Alleghany, Price William and Chesterfield.
(Dottie Nelson Ellis)
MIKU HYODO is a senior at Fauquier County's Liberty High School. The Richard Pleasant family of Goldvein hosts her. The Pleasants have hosted previously in 4-H's month-long summer program with Labo. Miku is from Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four major islands.
RYOSUKE ITO is a junior at Strasburg High School in Shenandoah County. Pat and Billy Nelson of Strasburg are his host mom and brother. This is the Nelson's first international exchange experience. Ryo is from Nagoya, a major city between Osaka and Tokyo.
KUMIKO OUCHI is attending Shenandoah County's Stonewall Jackson High School as a senior. Her hosts are the Randy Gilbert family of Mount Jackson. The Gilberts have had several exchangees and international visitors in their home. Kumiko's home is Hitachi, a small city north of Tokyo.
In addition to full academic loads, all three students are or will be involved with 4-H and other extra-curricular activities, including sports and clubs.
Families interested in hosting a Japanese student during 2000-2001school year may contact their local 4-H Agent or Tom Baker, program coordinator, now for information and application materials. Families who are approved early enjoy two advantages: First, many schools have quotas for exchange students and early applicants get first dibs on limited slots. Second, there is a limited number of Japanese exchange students, particularly males. Inquire early, apply early, get approved early, and get your name on the list!
Thomas H. Baker, Virginia Coordinator
4-H Japanese Exchange High School Program
Brookdale Farm
2060 Vaughan Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23457-1521
phone 757-721-0558 / fax 815-361-2752
e-mail: tom.and.anne.baker@juno.com
Well, time to "try out" arrived for this 99-00 year, needless to say I was not too excited about a long hot day in a school gymnasium...but all my worries and concerns were for nothing... WOW what a change... We arrived and were well informed of the time and expectations. There were no long lines and even thought there was a tremendous amount of last minute practicing going on... all of the young people were confident and ready to go... Fun, but it reminded me of some 4H meetings/ events/activities ...lots of noise, excited people, and it can be perceived as either chaotic or as exciting... The difference seems to line not only with attitude of those organizing the event, but in the empowerment of the participants and the communication of the process.
I thought about the basics: everyone having a copy of the rules in advance, having an opportunity to ask questions, so there will be a complete understanding of the judging process and the purpose of the completion, but also the kindness with which we are concerned about the positive experience for both the youth and the parent.
Needless to say, there will always be noise and excitement but the coordination, good organization and pre-planing can turn a negative experience into a positive...
(Susan Holder, Mississippi State Extension)
Parents and other family members are a tremendous resource as members of the club leadership team. When parents participate in 4-H, the member gains support and confidence from working with interested adults. Parents gain the opportunity to become acquainted with their children's friends, interest, and concerns, and share important experiences. Parent also gain new friends, become acquainted with other families and learn or further develop skills and knowledge.
It is one thing to create interest, another to hold it. Here are some tips for maintaining the interest of parents:
| AWARDS: | Cash Prices to 3 Top Winners
Each State Winner receives an appropriate book about honeybees |
| TOPIC: | For the "turn of the century" 2000 essay contest, the essay topic is The essayists should explore the variety of ways man has utilized honey bees and their products since the beginning of this relationship. The essay can touch on the "laundry list" of ways of utilization -- or can focus on one area of utilization and explore it more fully. |
| SOURCES: | Good leads for your research include your school and public libraries, local beekeepers, your county Extension agent, your local or state beekeepers association, the beekeeping professor at your statešs agricultural college. The ABF website has links to other beekeeping sites. The 1998 winning essays are also on abfnet (http://abfnet.org)
The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, accounting for 40% of your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources, and the variety of the sources is all evaluated. Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with bees and beekeeping activities are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources, which are not cited in the endnotes, should be listed in a Resources or "Bibliography" list. Note that "honey bee" is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word. |
| RULES : |
|
