Get documents about "Volume Issue January March VOLUNTEERS LEADING THE WAY TO
Document Sample
Volume 1, Issue 1 January — March 2008
VOLUNTEERS LEADING THE WAY TO THE “BIG-M” OF
4-H/YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
By Marian Beck
Since the restructuring of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama has
become a Volunteer-Led State program. Alabama has a training mechanism in place to
certify volunteers through a screening process. The purpose of the 4-H volunteer is to
enrich the youth development program through teaching, developing 4-H programs,
projects, securing resources and providing positive life experiences for youth.
Marian M. Beck
4-H REA
1109 W. Market St. A 4-H volunteer is anyone who contributes time, energies or talents to the 4-H Youth
Suite A Development program and is not paid by Alabama Cooperative Extension System funds.
Direct Volunteers are the volunteers who may be leaders of Special Interest Clubs or
Athens, AL 35611
Community Clubs and will be along with youth with out the presence of Extension
Office: 256-232-5510 staff. In-Direct Volunteers are volunteers who will be in the presence of Extension
Cell: 256-541-1506 staff such as In-School Club Leaders, judges, facilitators, etc. Middle Managers are
Fax: 256-230-0015 ACES employees who work with the 4-H/Youth Development programs in their particular
email: mclinmr@auburn.edu county or region. Some of the 4-H volunteer roles may include Direct or Indirect
volunteers:
*Club leaders
Inside this issue: *Key leaders
*School enrichment
volunteers
Volunteers “Big-M” *Special emphasis
Kilby 6th Graders volunteers
Senior Impresses Judges *Judges
Adopt-A-Family *Overnight Chaperons
4-H Energy Program *Committee members
*Resource volunteers, etc.
National Egg Contest
4-H Volunteer/Parent
Colbert, Lauderdale and
Forum
Limestone Counties have a
Mid-Winter Retreat total of (190) volunteers
4-H Events in which sixty (60) have been trained,
4-H Volunteer Update screened and received their “Acceptance Letters”. These volunteers were entered in the
4-H Plus data base as certified volunteers. There are sixty (60) Direct Volunteers, one
hundred twenty (120) In-Direct Volunteers and ten (10) Middle Managers. This is
an on-going process in which volunteers will be trained on a need basis. The majority
of the volunteers were trained for Overnight Chaperons or Special Interest/Community
Club leaders.
The 4-H Volunteers are valuable to youth because they provide a place for 4-H members
to belong and have a caring relationship which helps them gain independence, master
project work and work to benefit others. As volunteers are trained throughout
Limestone County and the state, the success of the 4-H Youth Development program will
be due to volunteers providing positive life experiences and making a difference in the
quality of life for youth in Alabama.
1
MUSCLE SHOALS SENIOR Kilby 6th Graders Explore Lego Robotics
IMPRESSES JUDGES AT NA- with Lauderdale County 4-H
TIONAL COMPETITION By: Janet Lovelady
By: Katernia Cole
Twenty-four 6th graders at Kilby School have had the opportunity over
Will Gotcher, a senior at Muscle Shoals High the past three weeks to experience one of the newest projects Lauder-
School, placed third in the nation in a 4-H dale County 4-H has to offer. In August, Alabama 4-H placed Lego
Lawn Tractor competition. For Will Gotcher, Robotics kits in 22 counties, including Lauderdale, for use with their 4-
the smooth handling of a lawn tractor, or any H clubs, after-school activities, and school enrichment programs.
tractor for that matter, is not big deal. The 17 “Alabama 4-H is involved in educational programming in science, en-
year old Muscle Shoals High School senior has gineering, and technology in response to the need to improve our
been doing it since he was 5 years old. But youth’s literacy in those areas,” said Dr. Tony Cook, Alabama Coopera-
there was a panel of judges at the National 4- tive Extension 4-H Program Specialist. According to Dr. Cook, studies
H Competition in September at Purdue show the demand for science and engineering related jobs increasing,
University in Indiana that thought it was a while the number of college students graduating with those degrees
very big deal. Gotcher placed third at national decreasing over the last few years.
in the Lawn Tractor competitive event.
The Lego Robotics program helps students develop life skills in addi-
Will has been in 4-H for nine years and has tion to meeting science, math and technology curriculum needs. The
learned discipline through the 4-H programs, Kilby students have been working in teams of 6 learning how to build
activities and events. It has helped him de- and program their robot. Each student is given a specific role on the
velop a strong work ethic and a desire to team, such as leader, builder, programmer, or communica-
achieve high goals. As an honor student, he tions specialist. After a few short sessions of instruction learning how
has maintained a 3.9 grade point average and to use the robot’s sensors and how the software operates, the
wants to become a radiologist. teams were given a challenge to develop a presentation using a
robot of their own design. Janet Lovelady, agent assistant with
As for life on the farm, Will states that he was Lauderdale County 4-H, who conducted the Lego Robotics program
fortunate to have the farm life as a better way with the Kilby students, said “As soon as they were comfortable with
of living. He said that it has definitely the new technology, the students wanted to forge ahead on their own.
prepared him to work hard to achieve suc- They’ve really put their minds to the task and stepped up to the chal-
lenge.”
Mrs. Debbie Christopher, Gifted Specialist, and Mrs. Sharon Warren,
Media and Technology Specialist, at Kilby School coordinated this op-
portunity for their students. “The challenge presented by the Lego
Robotics program has created the opportunity for students to use
higher order critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It is our de-
sire to implement similar programs throughout the school year in col-
laboration with Lauderdale County 4-H,” said Mrs. Christopher. Kilby
students each have a laptop assigned to them for their personal
use throughout the year, and Mrs. Warren believes the Lego Robotics
program was a great extension of Kilby’s technology program. “The
students are able to advance their technological skills as they create
and evaluate software programs for their tankbot on their laptops.”
For more information on this or any other Lauderdale County 4-H
program, please
contact the
Lauderdale County
Extension office at
(256) 766-4846 or
Marian Beck at
(256) 541-1506.
2
TIS’ THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY 4-H ENERGY PROGRAM
The Northwest Regional 4-H Advisory Council completed their ADOPT-A- Maximum Power—4-H Energy Edu-
FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS Community Service Project just in time to give cation Program is designed for school
families in the Northwest Alabama Region (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, clubs, after-school clubs, community
Lawrence, Limestone and Morgan counties) some “joy” during the holiday clubs and camps. There will be
season. educational kits available with numerous
lesson plans, activity ideas and
NW Regional Council members both youth and adults from the six counties background information that will be
in Northwest Alabama collected canned food, non-perishable food items, user-friendly.
clothing, blankets, sheets/pillow cases, toys, etc. for needed families
selected from local agencies within the six counties. Six youth provided The 4-H Regional Extension Agents will
leadership for their particular county to achieve the success of the receive the 4-H Energy Education kits at
community service project. The following youth serve as the lead individual the January 4-H PPT training meeting
for their county: and the kits can be check out after
January 25, 2008 on a first come/first
Colbert County – Will Gotcher serve basis to county staff and
Franklin County – Shelby Smith volunteers leaders who leads community,
Lauderdale County – Salora Wright special interest and after-school clubs.
Lawrence County – Allen Last
Limestone County – Brenna McCullough Colbert County and Lauderdale County
Morgan County – Kristen Baker will pilot the 4-H Energy Education
program during January 4-H Club
Once the lead individuals have selected a meetings. Counties throughout the state
family from a local agency in their county, they reported the information for will be asked to pilot this educational
each family such as ages, gender, sizes and the number of family members program during the months of January
to the NW Regional 4-H Advisory Council and their County 4-H Council that and February 2008. For more
assisted with getting the items collected for each family member. The 4-H information, you may contact Marian
members, extension staff, parents and volunteers played a major role in Beck at (256) 541-1506.
making sure the families would have enough gifts and food to have a
joyful Merry Christmas on December 25, 2007.
Through this community service project the 4-H’ers gave back to their
community displaying generosity to mankind during the holiday season.
LIMESTONE COUNTY 4-H’ER ATTENDED THE
NATIONAL POULTRY AND EGG CONTEST
Anna Leigh Peek, a sophomore at West Limestone
High School, placed 4th at the National Poultry
and Egg contest during November 13-16, 2007
in Louisville, Kentucky. For Anna Leigh this was a
great accomplishment to be able to attend the
national competition and place 4th in the competitive
event. She has achieved numerous awards at the
local, county, regional and state level through her
work and involvement in the 4-H Club program.
Anna Leigh is very active in her local 4-H Club
program and the Junior Leaders Club in Limestone
County. She has been a member and involved with
the 4-H Club program since 4th grade and has grown
up in a family which has a rich heritage in the
background of the 4-H Club program.
Anna Leigh continues to strive to achieve her life
long goals and to make the best better!!
Congratulations to her on the success of her
accomplishments!! 3
2008 4-H VOLUNTEER/PARENT FORUM
February 22-24, 2007
Columbiana, Alabama
The 2008 4-H Volunteer/Parent Forum will be held at the
Alabama 4-H Youth Development Center in Columbiana, Radon Awareness Month - January 2008
Alabama (Shelby County). There are several planned Lauderdale County Public Speaking Storytelling Contest
workshops listed below: January 28, 2008
*Club Management Skills Volunteer Update/Training Meeting
*Jr. Master Gardening (Colbert, Lauderdale & Limestone) February, 12, 2008
*Sci-Tech & GPS Club Activities
*Electric Celebration Lauderdale County Blocks Rock, Present It With Power,
Science Fair - February 25, 2008
*Sport Fishing
*Renew our Rivers Lauderdale County Woodworking & Photography
*Shooting Sports Clubs March 10, 2008
*and Much More
4-H HORSE-N-AROUND Show & Educational Clinic
Poster Session: Bring a poster that shows off your club!! Fayette, AL - March 14-15, 2008
Up to $500.00 will be awarded to best posters. For Citizenship Alabama Focus - March 17-19, 2008
poster details go to: http://www.aces.edu/fourh/ (More Information to Come)
volunteers/
Lauderdale County Bicycle Rodeo & Lawn Tractor Event
The Alabama 4-H Volunteer Leader Association raises March 24, 2008
money every year to give to the top 4-H’ers to help with Limestone County Events/Registration - March 31, 2008
their college expenses. Please bring your donated items
to the auction and your check books to make a purchase.
The cost for registration, meals and lodging will be If paying lodging fees by check, make payable to the Alabama
$140.00 for the 2 night event when sharing a room. 4-H Youth Development Center. The 4-H Center can direct
Saturday ONLY registration will be $40.00. Late bill counties.
registration will incur a $50.00 penalty. REGISTRATION
IS POSTED ON-LINE at www.alabama4h.com. The Total Cost: $100.00 for Registration & Lodging
deadline date for registration will be Wednesday,
Dress Code: Youth need to follow guidelines of the Alabama 4-H
January 30, 2008. All registration must be sent to Bill
Dress Code. Youth can bring 80’s costumes for Saturday night.
Garrett; P.O. Box 2641; Birmingham, AL 35291; You may
For the rest of the event, they will need casual or sport clothes.
contact Bill Garrett at (205) 664-6168; fax number
Please encourage them to prepare for cold weather and rain.
(205) 664-6309; e-mail: wegarret@southernco.com;
Chaperones: Each county is to send at least one adult agent or
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact volunteer (age 21 or older) with county delegation. Volunteer
Marian M. Beck, 4-H REA at mclinmr@auburn.edu or leaders must have been screened and received letters of
(256) 541-1506. acceptance from the county CEC or appropriate REA.
Forms: Each youth should bring a copy of the Alabama 4-H
MID-WINTER TEEN LEADERSHIP RETREAT Youth Consent Form.
February 15-17, 2007
Columbiana, Alabama
The 2008 Retreat will be at the Alabama 4-H Youth 4-H VOLUNTEER UPDATE/TRAINING MEETING
Development Center. The theme for 2008 is…”4-H There will be a meeting on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 5:30
Member’s Only: The 20080’s!” p.m. at the Limestone County Extension office in Athens, AL. for
volunteer leaders from Colbert, Lauderdale and Limestone
The registration cost will be $20.00 per person non Counties. This meeting is to keep volunteer leaders abreast of
refundable registration fee. Checks should be made out current issues/trends in relationship to 4-H/Youth Development.
to ACES and MUST accompany the county registration Volunteers will have a chance to interact with other volunteers,
form which is due on Monday, February 4, 2008 to receive information about policies/procedures of the 4-H
Lynda Montgomery at the State 4-H Office in Duncan
program, information from 4-H REA meetings, and valuable
Hall at Auburn University.
information from the January 4-H PPT meeting. Please contact
Lodging: Rates are $80.00 for two nights and 5 Marian Beck at (256) 541-1506 if you have any questions or
meals including the banquet. 4-H Center will accept concerns.
cash, check, Visa, Master Card or American Express. 4
Related docs
