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 name, county, district and 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. National Beekeepers Essay Contest
2. Being the Best 4-H Club
3. Disability Etiquette
4. Texas 4-H Center – Subscribe to e-mail news!
5. Virtual Forest
6. 2005 Southern Region Leader Forum Proposals
7. Volunteer Websites
8. 4-H Clothing and Textile Opportunities and Deadlines
9. National 4-H Conference
10. Habitat for Humanities
11. 4-H Scholarship Program and Application
12. National Salute to Excellence
13. Dimes for Dinner
1. TEXAS 4-H MEMBERS TO BE INVOLVED IN THE BUZZ - The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program is once again helping support the 2005 National Beekeepers Essay Contest. The contest, sponsored by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc, allows youth to demonstration their knowledge and experience of the Beekeeping industry. The 2005 theme is “ Use of Honey Bees and Honey in Symbolism.” Honey bees and honey have been used symbolically throughout recorded history. Utah is the Beehive State; its motto is “Industry.” Napoleon had bees on his throne and robes to symbolize that the emperor was working hard. “As busy as a bee” is part of our language, as is “honey of a job” and “Honey, I’m home.” The U.S. Navy Construction Battalion, was tagged “The Sea Bees;” they became known for their ability to work under adverse conditions with few resources and used machine gun-toting bees in their emblem. Bees are inscribed in ancient Egyptian tombs - and so on. See how many symbols you can list and determine why bees and honey are so used.
The deadline for 4-H members to enter the contest is January 26, 2005. Additional information pertaining to the contest can be found on the Texas 4-H Beekeeper’s Essay Contest website at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/beekeeping/index.htm.
2. AN IDEAL 4-H CLUB – Is your 4-H the best it can be? See the attached information sheet on the ideal for club.
3. DISABILITY ETIQUETTE – Have you ever come into contact with someone who was different than you? Check out the attachment for disability etiquette. Share this with other 4-H club members. Put these practices into place at your next club or project meeting to make everyone feel welcome.
4. TEXAS 4-H CENTER - Want to know what's going on at YOUR Texas 4-H Center? Get updates on summer camp programs, youth weekend retreats, volunteer training opportunities and other good stuff directly to your e-mail. To register, just e-mail Texas4-HCenter@ag.tamu.edu and ask to subscribe. Please include name, county, district and e-mail address in your request. You'll receive program information at the same time county offices receive them.
5. Check out this new site for the 4-H FORESTRY PROJECT! Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H Virtual Forest http://www.ext.vt.edu/resources/4h/virtualforest/
Four years in the making, 4-H Virtual Forest is an interactive, web-based learning experience that introduces forest management concepts to Virginia's youth aged 9 through 13. Seven learning modules cover the following subjects: human impact on the ecosystem (sprawl), renewable resources, photosynthesis, tree identification, succession, tree measurements, and timber harvesting. The modules complement 4-H experiential techniques and are consistent with the Standards of Learning for Virginia public schools. 4-H Virtual Forest also includes user's guides, student activity sheets, teacher answer sheets, additional resources, and SOL links for each module. In addition, student and adult evaluations can be completed and submitted on-line.
6. 2005 SOUTHERN REGION LEADERS FORUM - Tennessee 4-H Youth Development is pleased to announce the Request for Proposals for workshops and funshops for the 2005 Southern Region Leader Forum (SRLF). Proposals may be submitted either electronically or hard copy. To submit electronically or obtain a copy of the RFP, please visit http://www.utextension.utk.edu/4H/volunteers/rockeagle/SRLF%20Proposal.htm
7. Check out these VOLUNTEER FOCUSED WEBSITES:
http://4h.missouri.edu/4h-volunteers/home.htm http://www.afs.org/AFSI/content/page.php?uid=42 http://cap.ic.gc.ca/english/8105.shtml http://4h.missouri.edu/volunteers.htm http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/opps/training.html http://www.managementhelp.org/ http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/8y2/8y2060.html http://www.navplg.org/newsletters.aspx http://saulcarliner.home.att.net/leadership/longdistance.htm http://www.serviceleader.org/new/volunteers/index.php http://www.managementhelp.org/np_progs/sup_mod/staff.htm http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov/dynamic_shared/page_files/media/usafc_y a_financial_literacy.pdf http://www.ctnonprofits.org/pages/NonProfitResources/Volunteering.asp
8. 4-H CLOTHING AND TEXTILES PROJECT OPPORTUNTIES Please inform your 4-H members, parents and volunteers of this opportunity. Senior 4-H members may enter the state 4-H stage design and state 4-H narrator contests. Stage Design Entries due: December 15, 2004
Narrator contest entries due: December 15, 2004 Texas 4-H Clothing and Textile Advisory Board application due: December 31, 2004 (for senior 4-H members, 4-H volunteers, agents and industry representatives)
For more information go to the website. http://fcs.tamu.edu
9. NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE APPLICATIONS TO BE AVAILABLE SHORTLY! - For years, Texas 4-H members have been participating in the National 4-H Conference Workshop in March/April at the National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C. This "hands on" workshop allows for youth and adults to present programs to 4-H members from across the United States on great 4-H projects and opportunities. The conference for 2005 will be held on April 1-6, 2005. Texas is once again looking for a delegation of about 10 to 15 youth and adults to attend the conference. Delegates should be at least 15 years of age, and have the goal of returning back to their county and district to provide training on the information received during the conference.
In addition to the outstanding workshop opportunities offered, the youth will visit with legislators at the National Capitol, sightsee around Washington D.C. and have the opportunity to experience some of the culture of our nations capitol city. Cost for this event averages approximately $1,400.00. Information will be released in early December, or as soon as the information is received from National 4-H Council. The website for the National 4-H Conference is located at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/natconference/index.htm.
10. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RETURNS FOR A SECOND YEAR For the 2004 Texas 4-H Roundup, we adopted the Habitat for Humanity program as the community service project. Our goal was to raise $30,000 to totally build a home in the Brazos Valley. We reached half of our goal, but in the process reached a milestone that one was not expected. Part of the community service project included allowing work crews of Roundup participants to go and actually work on Habitat for Humanity houses. We can successful say that we helped changed the life of one local family and a lot of Texas 4-H members. 4-H members that worked on the house left with the greatest sense of appreciation and respect for a community service project.
As a result of this great community service project, we are going for it again in 2005. Our goal is to continue to raise another $15,000.00 to fulfill our commitment of having the Texas 4-H Habitat for Humanity House and to allow more youth the great experience of helping work to better the lives of others.
We are asking all county and local 4-H clubs to raise money to help support this state wide community service. If each of our community 4-H clubs would ask for a $1.00 donation from each 4-H member would be able to reach our goal and also build an additional house. The community service project will run from September 1, 2004 to the Thursday of Texas 4-H Roundup (June 9, 2005). Money can be sent to the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program Office at 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suite 101, College Station, Texas 77840. Please make all checks payable to Habitat for Humanity. The district, county and 4-H club that raises the most money will be awarded a $200.00 prize for being the best. Additional information will be available on the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Website at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu and the Texas 4-H Roundup Guide.
11. BIG BUCKS FOR COLLEGE BOUND 4-H MEMBERS Did you know that the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program has the largest 4-H scholarship in the world! It all started back in 1957 with a $1,000.00 scholarship by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In 2005, the total scheduled to be presented will exceed 1.1 million dollars. Applications are now available on line at the Texas 4-H and Youth Development website. The due date for applications will be around the end of February to your county Extension Office (check with Extension Office for exact date). On the scholarship website you will also find a self-study module that leaders/volunteers, 4-H members and County Extension Agents can use to pace themselves through the completion of a scholarship application. Additional great news is that the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has raised their 70 - $10,000.00 scholarship to up to $12,000.00 each. Thanks to Houston and all the other great scholarship donors for their support of our youth!
Collegiate scholarships are also available. Go to texas4-h.tamu.edu for more information.
12. NATIONAL SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD - Two Salute to Excellence Awards are given annually at the national level. One award, entitled Lifetime Volunteer Award, is given to an individual who has spent more than 10 years volunteering for 4-H. The second award, entitled Volunteer of the Year Award, will be given to an individual who has volunteered for 4-H for less than 10 years.
Recipients of the Salute to Excellence Awards will be chosen from nominees submitted by state 4-H programs. Awardees will be honored at a reception in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area during the National 4-H Conference April 1-6, 2005. At the reception, a monetary award will be presented (a portion of the award must be utilized for a community service project of the recipient's choosing). Awardees will also have their name engraved on the Salute to Excellence Perpetual Plaque located at the National 4-H Conference Center and be recognized in the 4-H...The Power of YOUth newsletter produced by National 4-H Council.
Only the State 4-H Office can officially designate a volunteer as the state nominee for either of these awards. Nomination forms and supporting materials are due to Angela Burkham, 17360 Coit Road, Dallas, TX 75252 on or before January 1, 2005.
13. DIMES FOR DINNER - Just in time for 2005 4-H Food & Nutrition projects, Dimes for Dinner, the state service project sponsored by the Texas 4-H Food & Nutrition Project Development Team. This service project was developed and will be implemented by Texas 4-H youth. It is their desire to make an impact and raise necessary funds to fulfill the wish list of the food service department at
the Texas 4-H Center. This facility is available to be utilized by all Texas 4-H members, volunteer leaders and Extension staff, so everyone please do their part to raise funds to meet the desired goal of $5,000 by the 2005 Texas 4-H Roundup. Go to texas4-h.tamu.edu for more information.
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"
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