K-State Research and Extension

…to be busy, falalalala lalalala!! I don’t know about you, but this time of year finds my mind going too many directions: planning and getting ready for the Holidays, helping with school classroom parties, children’s Christmas program, sports, and many other family activities while balancing work activities and planning for the new year 4-H activities! Since this is a very busy time of year for many, I’m going to keep this article short!

Don’t forget to complete the VIP process if you have not already done so, get the 4-H Online Enrollment done for volunteers and youth and also the Out of County Request for enrollment completed! Just remember as you go through the processes and have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask! We are here to help! Until next month’s newsletter, I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy New Year!

~Charlene

Dec. 25—Office Closed

December 31—Deadline for picking up State Fair premium money.

Jan. 1—Office Closed

Jan. 7—4-H Council

Jan. 8—Senior KAP champion books due to extension office.

Jan. 12—SE Area Record Book Judging

Jan. 15—Registration Deadline for 4-H Day with the Lady Wildcats basketball game in Manhattan on Feb. 27.

Jan. 22—4-H Day pre-entries due

Feb. 1—5:00 p.m.—deadline for enrolling in livestock projects – Must be enrolled online

Feb. 13—4-H Club Day

Feb 19-20—Ambassador Training at Rock Springs

March 5 – Jr. Beef Producer Day – Manhattan

March 12—Market Beef Weigh-in

March 12 – Regional 4-H Day

March 19 – Jr. Sheep Producer Day – Manhattan

May 1—deadline for enrolling in non-livestock projects. Must be done online

May 31-June 3 – Discovery Days

June 4-7—OzSome 4-H Camp

July 30-Aug 3—Butler County Fair

REMINDER!!!!

If you exhibited at the 2015 Kansas State Fair, we have received the premium money for your exhibits! Premium money is now available in our office and MUST be picked up by December 31st at 5:00 p.m. This will be the last day the office is open in 2015. After that, the money will be deposited into the 4-H Council. If you are unsure if you have money that needs picked up, please call the office at (316) 321-9660.

DECEMBER CHECK-UP

____Plan a Holiday gathering or community service project for the Holiday season

____Take time to Relax

____Encourage 4-H’ers to ask their friends to attend a meeting

____Ask your 4-H parents to encourage others to get involved

Review

____Read 4-H Forecaster for important dates.

____Review highlights from the 4-H Forecaster at your club meeting.

To-Do

____Make sure all families complete the 4-H Enrollment process

____Encourage Project Leaders to start conducting project meetings.

____Start generating ideas for the 4-H Fair Theme.

____Check club boxes at Extension Office.

____Plan Holiday party

____Have a Parents meetings

____Have a NEW parents meeting-welcome, encourage and let them know what to expect.

____Out of County Request to Join forms due before 4-H Enrollment accepted

____Hand out and return VIP Renewal Forms

____Have new volunteers contact the Extension Office to get the VIP Process started

Promote/Recruit

____4-H Days in February

____ CIA in February

Remember

____ Make it a Fun and Rewarding Year!

Rifle, Pistol and Archery meetings begin again in January.
Rifle and Pistol start on Jan. 5 and Archery on Jan. 7. New basic classes will begin in all three disciplines. Registration will be from 6:30 p.m. to
7:00 p.m. and meetings will be from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enrollment is required by completing the following PRIOR to the start of class:

1) Turning in a completed 4-H Shooting sports enrollment form to the Extension Office by Dec. 30.

2) Complete the 4-H Online enrollment and make sure you are enrolled in the respective project. You will complete the Health Participation Form as you go through the online enrollment.If you reside outside of Butler County, you will also need to fill out and submit a request for Out of County Enrollment when you turn in the shooting sports enrollment form.

All meetings are at the 4-H Building. Meetings will be held at the same time and days of the week through most of the weeks in January, February, March and April. All new participants are required to attend the first meeting in each discipline. If you have any questions please call Gene Maggard at 316-742-3746.

4-H Day will be here before we know it! 4-H Day is a great time to showcase your talents, get feedback on your presentations and learn from others about projects and topics you might not know about! The event will be held on February 13th, 2016 at Butler Community College. More information on sign up and deadlines will be following in future newsletters.

If you are looking for more information on 4-H Day and the different categories, make sure to visit www.butler.ksu.edu. There is a guidelines document under 4-H & Youth, 4-H Day. Other information can be found on the State website at: http://www.kansas4-h.org/projects/personal-development/communications.html.

Some divisions available are:

Public Speaking, Demonstrations, Readings, Gavel Games, Vocal and Instrumental Solos and Ensembles, Piano, Skits, Dance, and the list goes on! Your club leader can help you pick which divisions you might want to enter! There will also be fun events during the day like Pickle Power.

Make sure to save the date!