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TENNESSEE 4-H IDEAS
VOLUME 08 - Issue 40
October 3, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
4-H Dog Classic Scheduled for November 29 in Franklin
Communication Skills Development
County 4-H Dairy Promotion Winners Announced
Energizing Tennessee 4-H Grant
Historic 4-H Resolution Passes U.S. House
Junior High Recognition Opportunity
Make a Difference Day Update
Questions and Answers Regarding Volunteer Forms
Southern Region Volunteer Leader Forum This Week
State Fall Judging Day is October 11
Third Quarter Honor Club Summary
We’re Making Plans for 4-H Week
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 11
| State 4-H Fall Judging Team Contests - Knoxville |
October 17-18
| State 4-H Dairy Show - Murfreesboro |
November 3
| State Land Judging Contest - Manchester |
November 15
| 4-H Shooting Sports State Shoot - Nashville |
| National 4-H Congress - Atlanta, GA |
| Tennessee 4-H Dog Classic - Franklin |
December 6
| State Junior Sheep Leadership Retreat - Lebanon |
| State YF&R Annual Meeting - Franklin |
Tennessee 4-H Home Page: 4h.tennessee.edu
Online version of Ideas: 4h.tennessee.edu/ideas08
Ideas index: 4h.tennessee.edu/ideas08/08-index.htm
4-H DOG CLASSIC SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 29 IN FRANKLIN
It once again time for our 4-H Dog Classic scheduled for Saturday, November 29 at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park. The show is open to all 4-H members statewide. Information about the show is available at central.tennessee.edu/4h/animalshows.htm. This link will lead you to the entry form and all of the rules and guidelines for the show.
There are several changes in our show this year. We have changed many of our classes and levels in each category. Also, we have added rally classes to our show. Please make sure your dog project volunteers are aware of this information. We will have a promotional brochure available on the Web site within the next few days.
Jim Stewart
Extension Program Leader
Central Region
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COMMUNICATION SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Many of you teach communication skills development as part of your in-school 4-H programming. One activity I found useful as a 4-H agent was the Play Dough Pictionary game. The great thing about this activity was, not only did it promote teamwork and communication skills, it was a lot of fun. To download a copy of Play Dough Pictionary lesson plan go to 4h.tennessee.edu/ideas08/attach/PDPictionary.pdf I hope you find this resource useful in your programming!
Justin Crowe
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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COUNTY 4-H DAIRY PROMOTION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association (SUDIA) has announced the scrapbook winners in its annual County 4-H Dairy Promotion Contest. The winners are listed below.
Division I - Jamie Hudson, Greene County ($500 savings bond)
Division II - Allen Betschart, Warren County ($500 savings bond)
Division III - Michelle Sadler, Sumner County ($500 savings bond)
Media Award - Jamie Hudson, Greene County ($250 savings bond)
Best Use of Theme - Michelle Sadler County ($250 savings bond) |
In addition, a cash award will be given to the counties of the three division winners. Greene, Sumner and Warren counties will receive $200 for use in their 4-H youth development programs.
SUDIA will be keeping all scrapbooks until after their fall board meeting, November 5. Scrapbooks will be returned to the county UT Extension offices after that date. The winners’ scrapbooks will be kept until next year so they might be displayed at the 2009 June Dairy Month Kick-off in Nashville.
Steve Sutton
Interim Director
4-H Youth Development
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ENERGIZING TENNESSEE 4-H GRANT
Crude oil prices. Biofuels. Wind energy. Energy independence. Offshore drilling. ANWR. What can be more timely than to teach youth about the science of energy? Your county/center 4-H program has the opportunity to participate in the Energizing Tennessee 4-H Grant Program. The deadline to return the agreement form is October 10 and can be downloaded at 4h.tennessee.edu/ideas08/attach/EnergizingTN.pdf. This program is associated with the NEED kits that were featured at 4-H inservice this past spring.
Many counties and 4-H centers have expressed an interest in this program. This can be a large SET focus for this year, and can fit easily into your IAA. This may also be a great way to make that big impact with your local school systems. Please download the attachment which provides instructions on how you can get involved. Please notice that there are some training dates associated with the program.
This program is being funded primarily by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of Energy Policy. Other partners are the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC). Many 4-H programs in other states are involved in this as well.
If you want to see more about the curriculum visit www.need.org/EnergyAwarenessMonth.php. Scroll down the page and read about the four different education modules for 4-H. Speaking again of timeliness, notice on the Web page that October is Energy Awareness Month as declared by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Daniel Sarver
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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HISTORIC 4-H RESOLUTION PASSES U.S. HOUSE
 On a day when the Congress of the United States was debating major economic reform, members of the U.S. House of Representatives took the time to show their support of 4-H. Please read the message below from Andy Ferrin of National 4-H Council regarding this resolution. To see the press release, go to 4h.tennessee.edu/ideas08/attach/PressRelease.doc and to see the Congressional Record go to 4h.tennessee.edu/ideas08/attach/CongressRec1.pdf.
| “We are pleased to share the news that the House passed a resolution this week officially recognizing October 8, 2008 as 4-H National Youth Science Day. The bill was introduced by Congressman Dennis Cardoza of California and had 35 co-sponsors by the time it went to the House floor. Attached is a press release about this significant occasion as well as the Congressional Record which captures some wonderful comments from the House floor.” |
- Andy Ferrin, National 4-H Council |
A big part of the National SET initiative is a philosophical call to action. We, as Extension professionals, 4-H volunteers, 4-H supporters, and 4-H members should take note and recommit ourselves to the modern mission of 4-H. Although we are making a difference in the lives of many families in every corner of the nation, we should recognize that with success comes responsibility. If we are to truly “make the best better,” we must recognize the obligation put before us. Because of the SET initiative, many, including the U.S. Congress, are now watching us to see if we are truly committed to the future of America. Please note the words of Congressman Ralph Hall of Texas:
| “As we discuss frequently on this floor, and as the newspapers reflect almost daily, our innovative spirit is the stronghold of the Nation’s success. But we must do a better job of energizing our children to be interested in science, engineering and technology if we are to remain the world’s leader in innovation… Through this special day and through its science, engineering and technology programs, 4-H has a goal of preparing one million new young people to excel in science, engineering and technology by 2013. I applaud them for these endeavors, and encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.” |
- Congressman Ralph Hall of Texas |
Daniel Sarver
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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JUNIOR HIGH RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITY
Many counties do not take advantage of the Junior High Continuing Service Award provided by the Tennessee 4-H Alumni, Inc. The award is to recognize junior high 4-H members who have:
1) made significant contributions in the area if 4-H promotion;
2) shown leadership ability on an individual basis and with an organized group;
3) participated in activities of value to their family and community;
4) and shown consistent personal growth through participation in 4-H activities. |
Each county may recommend two members. In addition to these two members, you may recommend one member for each 100, or major fraction thereof, junior high 4-H members in your county. This number is based on the junior high enrollment on July 1 of the current calendar year. You should recommend your recipients to us on the Tennessee Junior High 4-H Continuing Service Award Nomination Form available from the state 4-H office or the 4-H forms page at 4h.tennessee.edu/forms&materials/index.htm.
Each recipient will receive a Tennessee Junior High Continuing Service Award certificate. There is no cost to the county. A member can receive the award only one time.
Steve Sutton
Interim Director
4-H Youth Development
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY UPDATE
Many of you are working hard to plan and promote a successful Make a Difference Day in your county. After further research and discussion, I have discovered that there are a couple of local chapters of the American Red Cross that do not accept tangible, in-kind donations. That being the case, please check with your local American Red Cross chapter to see if they accept in-kind donations prior to collecting. If they do not, I would encourage you to provide the donations to another local agency which would benefit from the donations. In addition to collecting items, I would ask that you still report in SUPER and complete a F591 service form (if the project involved 4-H All-Stars).
Justin Crowe
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING VOLUNTEER FORMS
| Q. |
Why do volunteers need to complete applications? |
| A. |
As an educational organization, our first responsibility is to offer a safe and nurturing
environment for the audiences we serve. This includes youth as well as adults. Our
goal is to provide a safe environment for youth, volunteers and agents.
Our organization is responsible and accountable to make every effort to involve skilled
and safe adults in our program. Due to the liability issues in today’s society, we are
obligated to request pertinent information from applicants that will assist in determining
if the person qualifies as an Extension volunteer that can work with youth. Additionally this information will help to determine if the person is willing to abide by our mission and guidelines. |
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| Q. |
What needs to be on file for each volunteer? |
| A. |
The following should be on file for every 4-H volunteer: |
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4-H Adult Volunteer Application Form (either F809 or F832) - Make sure the volunteer is entered in SUPER Enrollment module as a volunteer. Volunteers will need to be activated in SUPER each year. |
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Reference Check Form (F811) - Agents should have documentation of references contacted. If a letter of recommendation was sent, it should be kept on file. |
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Tennessee 4-H Youth Development Volunteer Standard of Behavior (F833) |
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| Q. |
What is the difference between form F809: Adult Volunteer Application and F832: Short-Term Adult Volunteer Application? |
| A. |
Form F809 should be completed by any adult who wants to volunteer with our
organization and will be working with youth. Usually this adult is involved as a club or
project leader and attends several events and activities through out the year. Screening
is detailed - references are required and checked. They must be willing to attend
training session as offered and maintain communication with the county 4-H agent
regarding services as a 4-H volunteer. If the person is accepted as a volunteer with this
application, they can also be responsible for youth at overnight events or be responsible
for youth without other adults present (ex, training a judging team, meeting a project
group, etc.).
Form F832 should be completed by a person that is providing volunteer services for a
very specific event for a very short term. When they are with youth there should be
other 4-H volunteers and/or agents present. Completing F832 is optional for teachers.
Any person volunteering for the program should have one of these forms on file in the
county Extension office. These files should be updated periodically. All files are
considered confidential and are to be kept in a secure (locked) location. |
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| Q. |
The Volunteer Leader Application (F809 and F832) has a blank for the applicant to provide their Social Security number. Why is this on the form? |
| A. |
The application form is being updated and the revised form will only ask for the last
four digits. You can use the current form and ask the applicants to only provide the last
four digits or a copy of their drivers license. All youth organizations are required to have
one or a combination of the following: the last four digits of the social security number,
finger prints, references, and a photo copy of the drivers license. The mentioned pieces
of information can assist (but are not the only indicators) the organization in determining
if the applicant is acceptable to work with youth. |
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| Q. |
What is the difference between the information requested by Risk Management and 4-H volunteer leader applications? |
| A. |
Risk management created their form based on information required for UT liability and state reporting needs. They had no knowledge of our forms. Our forms were developed based on UT liability plus our liability with youth and adults working with youth. With an approved 4-H Volunteer Application on file, a risk management form is not needed. Please write “entered - SUPER” and date to document the volunteer is entered in SUPER. |
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| Q. |
Do short-term volunteers need to be entered in SUPER? |
| A. |
All volunteers are to be registered as a volunteer in SUPER. Volunteer enrollment entry will need to be activated every year. |
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| Q. |
Do teachers need to complete a 4-H volunteer application? |
| A. |
A teacher can be a volunteer in the school and not have to complete form F809 IF they meet during class time and have no contact with the 4-Her's outside of school hours. However, some basic information should be collected on them. This will allow you to have enough information for communications and for volunteer reporting. Teachers can complete the short application form (F832).
Please keep in mind that if a teacher is training a judging team, holds a meeting outside of regular school hours, attends any overnight 4-H camp or transports youth to a 4-H activity.... they will need to complete F809. F809 is a liability protection for the volunteers, youth in our program, the agent, the county office, the state 4-H Youth Development program and Extension.
Teachers can and should be counted as volunteers. To be counted in the 4-H Annual Youth Enrollment Report they need to be entered in SUPER Enrollment module and identified as a volunteer. Inform them of training opportunities (county, regional, state, and southern region). Often teachers can get professional credit for attending our training sessions. |
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| Q. |
Do we still use the Tennessee 4-H Volunteer Leader Enrollment Form? We
cannot find it on the 4-H forms page. This is the way we enrolled teachers. It asks if they were an activity leader, project leader, etc.? If not, what form do we use to enroll teachers? |
| A. |
The Tennessee 4-H Volunteer Leader Enrollment Form is no longer on the Web site. It was taken off to avoid duplication and confusion. If you have a copy of the form and want to utilize it as a means to obtain information from teachers who do not fill out an application you can do so. Again, entering your teachers in SUPER ensures that they are counted in the 4-H Annual Youth Enrollment Report. |
Carmen G. Burgos
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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SOUTHERN REGION VOLUNTEER LEADER FORUM THIS WEEK
As you read this article, 40 delegates from across Tennessee are at the Southern Region Volunteer Leader Forum at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, Georgia. Louisiana is the host state.
One aspect of the forum that is new this year is having a service project determined before hand. This gives states an opportunity to do some service projects at home in addition to the activities that will take place during the forum.
Information pertaining to the service project was published in Ideas in May. The project, "Developing Dollars for a Cure," focuses on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a terminal disease that strikes someone every 90 minutes. The project is in honor of a Tennessee volunteer and the official forum photographer, Ralph Meacham. You can find details for the service project in the promotional booklet on the Web site at 4h.tennessee.edu/volunteers/rockeagle/index.htm. Delegates attending the forum have two opportunities: an ALS Silent Auction and ALS Walk for a Cure.
We want to help raise awareness of this disease and raise funds for research to aid in finding a cure. If your county has raised funds or if you would like to contribute to this project you still have time! Go to web.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=4H_Event and make a donation. All monies raised will go to research for a cure. There will be a running total of each state’s totals for the Saturday night announcement of the final grand total.
Carmen G. Burgos
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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STATE FALL JUDGING DAY IS OCTOBER 11
Fall judging day is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, on the University of Tennessee, Agriculture Campus, Knoxville. Registration will be at 12:45 p.m. in the lobby of the Hollingsworth Plant Science Auditorium with competition at beginning at 2:00 p.m. for all contests except consumer decision making and forestry (which will begin at 1:15 p.m.). The event will conclude with an awards banquet at 6:00 p.m.
Consumer Decision Making Judging - Claiborne (2), Coffee, Crockett, Fayette, Hancock, Knox, Robertson and Sumner counties
Forestry Judging - Bradley, Carter (2), Claiborne, Coffee, Hickman, Putnam (2), Sequatchie and Shelby counties
Outdoor Meat Cookery (Teams) - Clay (2), Madison, McNairy, Morgan, Rhea,
Unicoi and Van Buren counties
Outdoor Meat Cookery (Individuals) - Kevin Beaty, Overton County (Poultry), Scott Southard, Warren County (Lamb) and Alyssa Maloney, Hancock County (Poultry) |
Counties pre-registering for the open state competition include:
Dairy Products Judging - Anderson (3), Coffee (2), DeKalb, Hancock and Robertson (2) counties
Plant and Seed Identification Judging - Carter (2), Crockett and Henry counties
Poultry Judging - Claiborne (2), Cocke, DeKalb, Hickman, Knox, Overton, Sumner (2) and Wilson counties |
Pre-registration is required for those participating in the open competition. If you have questions about the event, please contact the state 4-H office or appropriate subject matter specialist.
Steve Sutton
Interim Director
4-H Youth Development
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THIRD QUARTER HONOR CLUB SUMMARY
Go to 4h.tennessee.edu/honorclub/howmany.htm for a summary of the 2008 Honor Club initiates through September. The Central Region leads the state with 155 initiates. Knox is the top county in the state with 27 initiates, followed by DeKalb with 17, Madison with 17, Warren with 17, and Humphreys with 16.
Nocona Canady, one of our student assistants, is working with Honor Club this year. If you have Honor Club applications to be approved, be sure to use a summary form to list the applicants and allow enough time for her to review and approve the applications in time for your initiation ceremony.
Steve Sutton
Interim Director
4-H Youth Development
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WE’RE MAKING PLANS FOR 4-H WEEK
The state 4-H staff is busy getting ready for National 4-H Week, October 5-11. We would like to share the things we have planned with you.
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The 4-H flag will be flying on the pole in front of Morgan Hall. |
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A banner proclaiming National 4-H Week will welcome everyone at the east entrance to the ag campus. |
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Favors will be delivered to each department recognizing specialists for the support they give to 4-H. |
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Marketing and Communications has produced a video to be released to media outlets. |
 How about you? Has your county made plans for celebrating and promoting 4-H? We want to recognize Tennessee counties who celebrate National 4-H Week. Simply email dsarver@tennessee.edu with a brief narrative of your county’s National 4-H Week celebration. Send photos if you have them. Just decide who will be responsible for emailing the information after your celebration is completed so there will be no duplication. Your celebration will be publicized on the Tennessee 4-H Web site.
Steve Sutton
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Criticizing another's garden doesn't keep the weeds out of your own.
~ Author Unknown
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