K-State Research and Extension

The 2016 4-H year is nearly over. As we wind
down with the current and get ready to gear up for the new, I encourage you take some time to look back and reflect over the past 12 months. If you could put a mirror on the wall for 2016, what would you see?

Highs and lows, happy and sad, trial and error, and
lessons learned may well be a few images you see.

All good things eventually come to an end and bad/sad/unhappy times serve as stepping stones to help us grow as individuals/families/clubs. As you take time to think about the reflections as you look in the mirror, take some time to write them down and use them as tools for 2017 and the years beyond. Use those tools to better yourself, get involved, help improve a system, practice servant leadership, and become a solution where a solution is needed.

If you worked hard, put your best effort forward, helped others, and were involved, you should be proud of your accomplishments!  When I look in the mirror, I see 4-H’ers who have grown and matured over the last year, leaders who gave their heart and soul to their 4-H clubs and club members, parents who worked hard to help their children, 4-H’ers, leaders, and parents having fun, events that have taught us all lessons and provided us stepping stone, and situations that encourages others to get involved.

2016 is winding down and the next newsletter will be ringing in the new 4-H year. As you finish reflecting on 2016, imagine what image you will reflect in 2017. Let’s step into 2017 with both feet forward and arms open, embracing the new year!

~Charlene

It’s time to get your record book, pin applications, club seals and scholarships on!

All KAP’s (record books), pin applications, club summaries, college scholarship applications, reporter and secretary notebooks, and special award applications are due into our office no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 23rd.
Don’t miss this deadline! All forms can be found online at http://www.butler.k-state.edu/4-h/recordsawardsetc.html

WANT TO HELP JUDGE RECORD BOOKS?

If you are interested in helping judge record book, we will be judging record books on Tuesday, October 4th starting at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP to the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30th if you will be able to help judge.

Exciting News 4-H volunteers and Teens 14 & Older! The Butler County 4-H Council voted to pay for up to 5 youth (14 & Older) to attend the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KYLF) and 2 adult volunteers to attend the Kansas Volunteer Forum (KVF) Nov. 18-20^th. More information on the event can be found here: http://www.cvent.com/events/2016-kansas-4-h-leadership-weekend/event-summary-affee4088ebe452893e1557d03b76de9.aspx

Youth

If a youth (14 & older) is interested, they will need to fill out the 4-H Event Scholarship located here: http://www.butler.k-state.edu/docs/4h/scholarships_specialawards/Event%20Scholarship%20App%20DRAFT.pdf. If we have over 5 youth submit Event Scholarships, we will draw for the 5 names. Applications are due into the Extension Office at 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 23^rd

Adult Volunteers

Adult volunteers must be a current VIP and have completed the full VIP training (Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Neglect Registry Check) to be eligible to apply. If Adult Volunteers are interested in attending and applying for one of the 2 scholarships, they will need to submit a document that provides the following information:

• Name, Club, Phone Number & Email
• Describe your 4-H Volunteer role and activities within your club and at the County level
• Why is 4-H Volunteering important to you.
• Why should you be selected to attend the Kansas Volunteer Forum

This information can be dropped off at the Extension Office or emailed (as a separate attachment and not in the body of an email) to cmmiller1@ksu.edu. This information is due into the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m. on September 23^rd. If volunteers have any questions as to if they have completed the full VIP process, please contact Charlene for verification.

I sincerely hope every 4-H Club in our county will join in this fall in seeing just how much we can give back to our communities! The weekend after National 4-H Week, is the perfect opportunity to setup a service project. Invite your friends, clubs, adult volunteers and 4-H Alums too! Find all the information on the state 4-H website and start planning your projects.

If your group wants t-shirts they must be ordered online by September 19. Lots of information can be found online at: http://www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/conferences-events/48-hours-of-4-h/index.html

48 Hours of 4-H will be on Oct. 8th & 9th. In conjunction with 48 Hours of 4-H, the 4-H Ambassadors will be hold a 4-H Expo for those who are interested in learning more about 4-H. They will also be holding a community service project in conjunction with it.

If you are a leader, read on for your September check-up!

Continue reading “Leader’s Lounge” →

4-H Ambassador’s—What are they? They are a group of 4-H’ers between the ages of 14 & 18 (as of January 1) who are interested in being the face and voice of promotion for Butler County 4-H Activities.

They participate in and host events. Some events include Ambassador Day Camp, Barnyard Olympics at the Fair,  Mini-Fair, help with the achievement banquet and officer training. They also help promote   4-H and help deliver promotional material to every third grader enrolled in school! They have a lot of fun!

If you are interested in applying to become a member of the Butler County 4-H Ambassadors, applications are due in the Extension Office on September 23rd by 5:00 p.m. The Ambassadors are an energetic, fun group to be a part of. The application can be found online at www.butler.ksu.edu oryou can pick one up at the Extension Office. Join this fun group today!

It is the time of year when our office starts getting more calls and web inquiries of people wanting to join 4-H. When you have visitors, remember, impressions last. Here are a few helpful tips for you:

– Greet your visitors at the door when they arrive.

– Introduce them to your family and other 4-H members.

– Tell them about the opening ceremony of your club so they know what to expect and give them a copy of the 4-H Pledge to follow along.

– Introduce them to the club. You can do this during roll call. If they are joining another club member, have that club member help introduce them.

– Involve them in the recreation activities.

– Invite them to go first with refreshments.

– After the meeting, send a Thank You note fore attending and invite them to the next meeting.

– Have a New Family Coordinator who can sit next to them at meetings and answer any questions they have.

– Develop a buddy system. Team a new 4-H family with a current 4-H family who can help explain and understand 4-H.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call our office and ask! Let’s help make new families feel welcome, as least confused as possible, and continue to grow the 4-H program!