Volunteer Extension Cord (VEC) is a way to advise you about Texas 4-H Volunteer Development. This newsletter is e-mailed to County Extension Agents, Texas 4-H Faculty, District Extension Administrators, and Regional Program Directors. In addition 4-H volunteers who are active in VLAT or their District Adult Leaders Association (and we have your e-mail address) will receive VEC. To add an e-mail address to our list, send a message to texasvolunteer@tamu.edu and type subscribe followed by your e-mail address.
We are always looking for news items, county and regional highlights, recognition of volunteers and other information related to volunteer development. Please send information to the following e-mail texasvolunteer@tamu.edu
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. VLAT Winter Meeting
2. Southern Region Leaders Forum
3. 2005 Share The Fun Rules, Information and Scorecards
4. 4-H is Googled!
5. National 4-H Week
6. Benefits of Extracurricular Activities
7. 4-H Marine Science Team Training
8. Yea 4-H! An Afterschool Learning Experience
9. Building Community Inclusion: An Outreach Effort to Increase Diversity of Community 4-H Programs.
10. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Calf Scramble
11. National Outstanding 4-H Wildlife and Fisheries Leader Award
12. 2005 Source Book
13. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
1. VLAT Winter Meeting – The Volunteer Leaders Association of Texas will have its winter business meeting and training on January 8-9, 2005 at the Texas 4-H Center. The meeting will be held in conjunction with Teen Retreat. All voting District Delegates are needed in attendance. In addition, ANY enrolled 4-H Volunteer or parent may attend the meeting and receive the educational materials.
Registration information will be sent to the VEC Newsletter e-mail list and posted on the Texas 4-H website.
2. Southern Region Leaders Forum – The largest 4-H volunteer training for the southern region is fast approaching. Five Texas 4-H Volunteers will be receiving scholarships to attend the conference in Rock Eagle, Georgia September 30-October3, 2004. This years theme 4-H History… in the Making will be a showcase of useful information and ideas for 4-H Volunteer Leaders. Late registration can be accepted until September 15. Contact Angela Burkham for more information 972-952-9229 or ab-burkham@tamu.edu.
3. 2005 Share the Fun Rules, Information and Scorecards – The updated information for the 2005 Share The Fun Contests will be available at texas4-h.tamu.edu on October 1, 2004. If you have a fall District Roundup date please contact your Regional 4-H Specialist or county Extension office.
4. Texas 4-H is Googled!- Do you have trouble locating information on web sites? Try the latest feature to the Texas 4-H web site (texas4-h@tamu.edu). The new google search capabilities will make it easier to find the most recent information and facts about the program.
5. National 4-H Week – National 4-H Week is October 3-9, 2004. National 4-H Council has a website with information to assist in the promotion of National 4-H Week. News releases and other tools are available at www.4husableogs.org/national4-hweek2004/
6. Benefits of Extracurricular Activities – Do you ever feel like all you do is run from one activity to another? Research is showing it’s all worth it. A recent study by Child Trends researchers showed benefits in a young persons emotional, social and cognitive development. The benefits of such involvement are seen well after their participation is over. Unfortunately only 38% of youth are involved in such activities. That’s why the 4-H program depends so much on its volunteers to expand the resources of the program and reach additional youth. To read the entire summary go to www.childtrends.org.
7. 4-H Marine Science Team Training – The Marine Science Program will host a training May 10-12, 2005 in the historic costal village of Matagorda, Texas. Hands on marine biology, fisheries, ecology, industries and 4-H natural sciences training will be conducted for teams of CEA’s and volunteers. You’re county does not have to be
near water or the coast to participate. Partial scholarships will be provided for a team of one agent and one volunteer from 12 counties. More details will be forthcoming after January 1, 2005.
8. Yea 4-H! An Afterschool Learning Experience – Texas AgriLife Extension Service is about to release a new curriculum for afterschool audiences called “Yea 4-H!”. The first manual targets K-2 and is designed to enhance the afterschool experience with quality lessons in subject matter areas related to 4-H. The curriculum will be available in October 2004 and counties will receive one complimentary copy.
9. Building Community Inclusion: An Outreach Effort to Increase Diversity of Community 4-H Programs – This outreach effort is being funded through a special grant and managed by Dr. Darlene Locke at the Texas 4-H Center. Counties have received a letter and information to apply. Deadline for application is September 15, 2004 to Dr. Locke. A total of 8 counties will be selected to participate and will be required to attend a retreat October 8-10, 2004 at the Texas 4-H Center. This “train the trainer” format will enable counties to go back and implement an event or activity focused on inclusion. Each county selected will receive a $400 mini-grant to conduct the program. The culmination of the program will be an inclusion camp in May 2005. For more information contact your county Extension office or dlocke@ag.tamu.edu.
10. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – Calf Scramble - On September 9, 2004 at 9:00 am, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Calf Scramble will be announced on the HLSR website (www.hlsr.com). The scramble entry deadline due date is OCTOBER 8 BY 5:00 PM. Scramblers will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Remember that no scramble applications will be turned into the county Extension office. All applications go the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
11. Outstanding 4-H Adult Volunteer Leader in Wildlife and Fisheries The National 4-H Wildlife and Fisheries Volunteer Leader Recognition Program, co-sponsored by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the USDA/Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, was initiated in 1980 to annually honor and recognize the top six Adult Volunteer Leaders in the Nation who assist 4-H youth in learning about wildlife and fisheries conservation and management. The top six winners receive a free trip to the 70th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Arlington, Virginia, March 15 – 19, 2005. At this conference, they will go on a natural resources tour, be treated to a formal banquet, recognized at a reception attended by natural resources leaders from across the Nation, and be recognized at the Opening Session of the Conference where they will receive an engraved plaque from the Administrators of the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, or their representatives. Applications are due for this national recognition on or before October 22, 2004. For more information contact your local county Extension office or texasvolunteer@tamu.edu.
12. 2005 Source Book – This resource catalog is now available from National 4-H Council. Go to www.4-hmall.org to preview all the new products and resources available.
13. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards – County Extension offices recently received application information for this national youth volunteer award. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the impacts that youth make on their communities. Applications are due to count Extension offices by October 29, 2004 and then to national by November 5, 2004
Angela B. Burkham
Extension Program Specialist
4-H Volunteer Development
ab-burkham@tamu.edu
6500 Amarillo Blvd, West
Amarillo, TX 79106
Voice: 806.677.5600
Fax: 806.677.5644
"4-H is a community of young people across America
who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills"
Texas A&M System -