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 Edition:
Volunteer Leaders’ Association of Texas (VLAT) Meeting Set for January 5, 2008
Great Centennial Items for Sale
Blue Bell Ice Cream to Debut “Centennial 4-H Cupcake” Ice Cream
Winner of the 4-H Centennial Saddle is Announced
2008 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship Application Released
VLAT Meeting Slated for January 5, 2008
The Volunteer Leaders’ Association of Texas (VLAT) is gearing up for its 2008 Winter Meeting, which will be held at the Texas 4-H Conference Center in Brownwood, January 4-6, 2008. A draft meeting agenda is attached. All 4-H volunteers are welcome to participate in this meeting and educational training event, held the same weekend as Teen Retreat.
The agenda includes: program updates, reports (sales and promotion, foundation scholarship, volunteer awards, pennies for progress), and committee work. Workshops will also be offered to attendees of the VLAT Meeting. Workshops offered this year include:
Insight to the 4-H Scholarship Process
Texas 4-H Technology Team
Recreation and Team Building
All 4-H volunteer leaders attending the meeting must register through the online registration system, 4-H CONNECT, which is available via the Texas 4-H Website. Registration will open on Saturday, December 1st, and will close on Friday, December 14, 2007. The registration fees and lodging options are: • Friday arrival - Sunday departure (Leadership Lodge - Single occupancy): $210.00
• Friday arrival - Sunday departure (Leadership Lodge - Double occupancy): $135.00
• Friday arrival - Sunday departure (Lodging in dorm, serving as adult chaperone for Teen Retreat both Friday and Saturday night): $45.00
• Day Participant (Saturday only): $45.00
A complete agenda and additional information can be located by contacting your county Extension agent or online at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/adults/volunteers/vlat/index.html
The focus of the 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Association of Texas is on training and communication for and among 4-H adult leaders. The overall purpose is to involve 4-H leaders in 4-H leadership development.
Great Centennial Items for Sale
In celebration of the 100th birthday of Texas 4-H, there are various commemorative items for sale!
The Volunteer Leaders’ Association of Texas is wanting to help you commemorate the Texas 4-H Centennial with the purchase of a holiday ornament. It’s a great gift for anyone connected with 4-H - agents, volunteers, 4-H members, donors, judges, former 4-H members - anyone who loves 4-H! The price per ornament is $12.99 ($12.00 plus tax). Shipping charges also apply, depending upon the number of ornaments per order. So, gather up the orders and have them shipped together! Order now to receive by December 1st. Proceeds support educational and scholarship programs sponsored by VLAT. Questions in regard to the holiday ornaments can be directed to: VLATTX@qfamilia.net
Texas 4-H is offering three styles of custom embroidery shirts with the Texas 4-H Flag Centennial Logo and one style with the “Make It Yours” logo. The shirts range in price from $25 to $35. Order yours today and show your spirit of 100 years of 4-H in Texas! An order form is attached. Questions can be directed to: t-lepley@tamu.edu
Celebrate 100 years of Texas 4-H with a commemorative plate! The plate features the 4-H motto in gold writing, along with artwork depicting the head, heart, hands and health. A great gift for 4-H members and alumni! This plate can be yours for only $30.00! All orders must be received for December 1st. Questions in regard to the Centennial plate orders can be directed to: mcouch@ag.tamu.edu
Blue Bell Ice Cream to Debut “Centennial 4-H Cupcake” Ice Cream
One of the highlights of the recent statewide Texas 4-H Centennial Celebration held in Jacksboro, TX, on October 9th, was the announcement of an alliance between Texas 4-H Foundation and Blue Bell Ice Cream with the debut of a signature flavor that will hit the store shelves in January. Celebrants were treated to a sample of the creamy, frozen “Centennial 4-H Cupcake” ice cream which, when it is fully developed, will have 4-H clovers sprinkled throughout. Royalties on each carton will be earmarked for Texas 4-H! If you have questions about this or other alliance programs, such as La Quinta, Houston Astros, or Texas Rangers, please contact the Texas 4-H Foundation at: 979/845-1213 or e-mail: texas4hfoundation@ag.tamu.edu.
Winner of the 4-H Centennial Saddle is Announced
What began a year ago has now found its place in Texas 4-H history. The Texas 4-H Friends and Alumni Association hosted an exciting project to help raise funds - a statewide raffle with a unique prize. Don Gonzales, owner of DG Saddlery, said his roots began in Texas 4-H, and he was more than happy to become a part of the fund-raising efforts.
Don Gonzales Saddlery is a custom saddle shop where anything is possible. In his shop, you make the decisions as to what you want on a saddle. There are no limitations to the amount of art and style that the saddle of your dreams can have. The main priority of their highly skilled craftsmen is to craft, by hand, a product that you can be proud of and be assured that it is one of a kind. This is exactly what Gonzales did while crafting this one of a kind Texas 4-H Centennial Saddle.
The Centennial Saddle traveled across the state for display at such places like the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, State 4-H Horse Show, and the Texas Extension Educators Association Convention, to list just a few of its stops.
On Tuesday, October 9th, the Centennial Saddle found its new home in Hamilton, TX. During the Statewide Centennial Celebration, the lucky winner was announced. Scott Massingill is the winner! Scott is a former 4-H’er from Hamilton. He was a part of the 4-H program from 1970-1979. He was actively involved in the horse project, including play days held monthly, and his main passion in the horse project was halter and roping. He has continued to be active with horses even today, so as you can se from the pictures, the Centennial Saddle has found a great new home.
A special “thank you” to Don Gonzales and all the donors that helped make this fund raising effort such a success. The Texas 4-H Friends and Alumni Association raised over $11,000 which will help extend the association’s collegiate scholarship and Texas 4-H County Program Grant support funds.
If you would like more information on how to become involved with the association, contact Jana Barrett at Texas4hfriends@ag.tamu.edu, 979/845-1213, or visit the website at: www.Texas4hfriends.org.
2008 Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship Application Released
The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program and the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation is once again pleased to offer to senior high school 4-H members and current college students the opportunity to apply for an Opportunity Scholarship through the Texas 4-H Program.
The application and instructions are separate documents for easier completion and direction. The application form is being offered in two formats, Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat pdf. Please be aware for a 4-H member to save the pdf formate, they will need Adobe Acrobat Write at a minimum (Adobe Acrobat Reader will allow for typing but not saving of data).
What is new for 2008:
✓ Financial need evaluation will be done using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This detailed form provides an “Expected Family Contribution,” or EFC. For many youth starting their college career, the FAFSA will assist them in determining their eligibility for financial support. 4-H members should start immediately with either the online or paper process. It takes approximately three to four weeks to receive the report from FAFSA that must be included in the scholarship application. The website for the FAFSA is www.fafsa.ed.gov
✓ The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has raised the value of their scholarships from $12,000 to $15,000.
✓ 4-H members cannot submit an application to both the Texas 4-H Opportunity Scholarship Program and the Texas FFA Organization. They must choose the organization through which they wish to apply. This does not apply to National FFA Scholarships.
✓ All applications must be secured by either a paper clip or binder clip - NO STAPLES!
Due dates and deadlines for the 2008 scholarship process are:
November 1, 2007 Release of 2008 Application
October - January Scholarship Trainings
Set by County Office Applications due to county office
February 15, 2008 Applications due to district office
February 29, 2008 Applications due to state 4-H office
April 7-11, 2008 Interview selection notification
May 1-6, 2008 Interviews and final selection
May 12-16, 2008 Notification of scholarship award
June 10, 2008 Awards Program and Banquet at Texas 4-H Roundup
Requirements:
To apply for a Texas 4-H and Youth Development Opportunity Scholarship, an applicant must meet the following requirements.
Baccalaureate, Technical and Courageous Heart Scholarships:
✤ Be actively participating in the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program sponsored and conducted by Texas Cooperative Extension and/or Prairie View Cooperative Extension Program during part or all of the 2007-2008 year.
✤ Be a United States citizen.
✤ Be a Texas resident.
✤ Scheduled to graduate from a Texas High School (public, private, or home) during the 2007-2008 school year.
✤ Made formal application to enroll with the intent to attend a Texas college or university.
✤ Met the entrance requirements for the college or university for which formal application has been made.
Baccalaureate Scholarships:
✤ Have successfully achieved a score of 1350 on the SAT or 19 on the ACT standardized tests. Test scores must be from a single date; no combining of scores from different test dates.
✤ Completed and passed all necessary standardized test(s) for graduation and admittance to the college and/or university declared in the scholarship application.
✤ Have been accepted into a Texas college or university by the time of scholarship awarding.
Technical Scholarships:
✤ Completed and passed all necessary standardized test(s) for graduation and admittance to the college and/or university declared in the scholarship application.
✤ Have been accepted into a Texas college, university or technical school by the time of scholarship awarding.
✤ Do NOT have plans to continue formal education at a Texas college and/or university after the completion of a technical program.
Courageous Heart (Application to be released in mid-November):
✤ Completed and passed all necessary standardized test(s) for graduation and admittance to the college and/or university declared in the scholarship application.
✤ Have documentation of obstacles related to health, education and/or family.
All applications MUST meet the minimum requirements/criteria to even be considered for judging. Those applications not meeting the requirements should not be submitted to the county Extension office and/or agent.
Please refer to the instructions for a complete and detailed list of the requirements, scoring values, and selection process.
All applications, instructions and an online training module are available through the Texas 4-H and Youth Development website at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu. Regional 4-H Specialists and Regional Program Directors can assist in multi-county scholarship trainings; please contact them immediately about their availability
Texas A&M System -