4-H NEWS

1- Youth in Governance Takes another Step Forward
(Denver, CO) Youth and adult 4-Hers met on July 26-28, 2004 in a partnership to move forward on the Youth in Governance national initiative. Those in attendance included members of the National 4-H Youth Directions Council, State 4-H Leaders, National 4-H Council, Collegiate 4-H, and youth development research experts. Shaped by the National 4-H strategic plan and the National Conversation on Youth Development in the 21st Century, the Youth in Governance concept involves youth directly in creating policy and making decisions at all levels of government and society.

Andrew Dunckelman and Amber King, Executive Directors of the National 4-H Youth Directions Council (N4-HYDC), attended the meeting. King believes that 4-H is in the best place to make the youth in governance initiative happen. We are the means in which we are able to walk the talk, she stated.

However, in order to walk the talk, the youth in governance focus team realizes there are steps needed to fully implement the initiative. These steps became the five key paths where the team needs to:
recognize existing and new needs to support the initiative,
name the skills and competencies that must be emphasized,
find the most helpful curriculums and tools available,
identify programs that will need to be modified or created,
and distinguish the organizational changes needed to support the plan.

In order to carry out the mission, the Youth in Governance team members will focus on one of the five paths to ensure a continuous effort toward implementation. California State Leader, Carole MacNeil, feels there are silos of effort in regard to youth in governance. The mission of the initiative is to link the groups involved and put everyone on the same page.

Considering that 4-H is one of the nation's largest youth organizations, the idea of youth in governance comes naturally. Now, with the creation of N4-HYDC, 4-H is in the best position to employ the plans. N4-HYDC is represented in every state, creating a national web of communication completely through youth.

Dunckelman knows the initiative is going to benefit more than just 4-H. Other organizations will witness that youth involvement at all levels is beneficial and use 4-H as an example in achieving the same ideas in their structures.The end goal is twofold. Every element of 4-H will be able to have youth fully engaged, but we will also be able to be a resource to youth throughout the nation.

Members of the Youth in Governance Task force are: Sharon Anderson, ND; Lindsay Archer, OH; Alan Balch, AL; Jill Bond, MD; Linda Camino, WI; Jonathan Despain, WY; Andrew Dunckelman, LA; Don Floyd, MD; Greg Hutchins, WI; Amber King, MT; Eric Larsen, MT; Yaliltza Lucena, PR; Carole MacNeil, CA; Mita Patel, GA; Gerald Wakefield, TN; Linda Webb, ID; and Shep Zeldin, WI.


(Denver, CO) Some of the members on the Youth in Governance Task Force (from left to right): NeKeisha Randell, GA; Mita Patel, GA; Andrew Dunckelman, LA; Carole MacNeil, CA; and Amber King, MT.
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2- 4 Real Life Adventures of 4-H
-Gretchen Hilburger, Marketing Communications Coordinator
Join me as I journey into the field on a 4-H Marketing endeavor to build a photo library for future marketing purposes, including the soon-to-be-launched website, source book, annual report, and other newsletters and publications. Accompanying Ed Lallo, professional photographer based out of Austin, Texas (lallophotography.com), this first set of travels start in Oregon, lead to Ohio, and end in West Virginia.
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4-Hers Tackle GPS Technology
Thursday, August 5, 2004: Portland, Oregon and suburbs
Our adventure began in the suburbs of Portland one warm afternoon with a visit to the 4-H Tech Wizards. After an early start and a long day of travel, I arrived with little sleep but an open mind to the adventure that waited. Ed and I were journeying to a 4-H club in the Salem, Oregon area to shoot pictures of kids enjoying one of the adventures of 4-H.

The group was comprised of four Spanish-speaking teenagers, all part of the 4-H Tech Wizards group. Their project focused on GPS and GIS, and we were heading out to a wildlife reserve where they had charted some paths with their GPS and GIS equipment. Involved in the after school program that met year round, the three who joined us for the photo shoot impressed me with their knowledge in mapping the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve using GPS technology. Although they had created the map a few months before, they showed us just where they had been and explained how they worked on the project.

4-Hers Mix Fun and Nature Education
Friday, August 6, 2004: Salem, Oregon and outskirts
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water, Jack fell down and broke his crown, and- we threw it out the window! chanted the 4-H campers on stage at the camp as they sang songs at the start to their morning assembly. The day dawned rainy and cool, yet it was a great adventure to return to my 4-H camp days. This second day of adventure took place in the middle of the woods. As the roads we took from Salem went from major to rural, they twisted and turned more and more as well as became more gravelly. We were heading to the 4-H Wildlife Stewards Camp in rural Oregon, close to the capitol of Salem for the day.

We arrived right after breakfast and flag rising, in time to start with morning assembly, cabin cleaning, and the first time-slot for their different group activities. The activities included archery, recreation, swimming, canoeing, and other hands-on activities. By the end of the day I had driven a golf cart around camp, swung on a huge bungee cord around a tree (equipped with the helmet and harness and safety watchers), and even sung a number of old camp songs that flooded my memories with other songs. Ed was having a ball running around taking pictures of the youth involved while dodging intermittent raindrops mixed with streams of sun. The temperamental weather held up though, and we were able to get some great shots.

Truly Agricultural
Tuesday, August 10, 2004: Ohio State Fair, Columbus, Ohio
I was a state fair novice. Until today, that is. The smell of fried dough, freshly popped popcorn, and sausages doused in fried onions and peppers invaded my nostrils as Ed and I pulled into the fair grounds near downtown Columbus and Ohio State University. It would soon be replaced by smells of cow dung and wet horse.

The fair was much what I had expected traversing barns filled with people setting up for their own animal competitions, observing cows being milked by machines and lovingly groomed in preparation for showing later in the week, walking through hay-filled stalls occupied by sheep and horses, food and game booths and a Ferris wheel out in the field area. What I was not expecting was the dog show and the fashion show put on by talented 4-H'ers who had constructed their own clothing (with impressive fashion sense!) Ed captured much of the agricultural side of 4-H. Overall the day was a lot of fun to feel like a country girl hanging out at the country's second largest state fair. The only thing I wish I could have done was milk a cow by hand.

ATV Adventure in the Mountains
Wednesday, August 11, 2004: Matewan, West Virginia
My heart was pounding, adrenaline rushing through my veins as I maneuvered my way down the mountain on the all-terrain-vehicle (ATV). I gripped the handlebars tightly and concentrated on the terrain right in front of me, carefully twisting and turning the vehicle with the lay of the land and leaning into the hill to be sure not to veer off the path into the underbrush below. Equipped with a helmet and proper instructions on how to ride the vehicle, I knew that I would be fine.

The photographer and I were on yet another adventure, this time on the border of rural West Virginia and Kentucky, shooting pictures of 4-H members safely riding ATV's. After initial training before taking the vehicles out, we were having a great time in the muddy and vegetation-filled paths of the mountains. There are more ATV's located within an eight-hour radius of Matewan than anywhere else in the world. After witnessing so many deaths due to the misuse of ATVs, the youth in 4-H started up the program. Over the past year the participation in the program has taken off.
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My adventures gave me the tiniest glimpse into everyday 4-H life. Not even touching on half of what 4-H provides, I was impressed by the breadth of activities and opportunities for the youth. 4-H has a variety of choices to offer youth all over the United States. Look for photos in future publications so you too can enjoy a glimpse.
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3- National 4-H Youth Directions Council Executive Directors Return Home
(Washington, DC) Although two poised 4-H youth leaders have just completed a summer working at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center, their job is far from finished. Amber King and Andrew Dunckelman are serving as the Executive Directors of the National 4-H Youth Directions Council (N4-HYDC). The work of NYDC was advanced by their summer in Washington working with their fellow 4-H leaders.

King has been involved in 4-H for 11 years. She comes from Helena, Montana and studies Political Science at Montana State University in Bozeman. She serves in several 4-H leadership roles including the Trust and Council's Board of Trustees. As Executive Director for N4-HYDC, King focuses mainly on Administrative needs. Dunckelman, however, focuses on Public Relations and Finance needs.

Dunckelman has been a leader in N4-HYDC for two years now. A 4-H member since he was in the 4th grade, he hails from Houma, Louisiana and studies Political Science and German at Louisiana State University. His future plans include corporate law or working for the State Department. Being raised in 4-H families, both King and Dunckelman have been involved for years. As Executive Directors on the N4-HYDC, they are working together on a two year rotational term, overlapping with each other just for this year.

The National 4-H Youth Directions Council is the national youth leadership body for 4-H. Working hand in hand with National 4-H Council, the United States Department of Agriculture, and State 4-H Program Leaders, it is a youth-led, youth-driven group aiming to provide youth representation and feedback to the whole 4-H system. N4-HYDC is a growing organization with three main priorities:
-To provide support and leadership to 4-H's Youth in Governance Initiative, a broad plan that envisions young people across the 4-H system prepared to be engaged in decision-making.
-To recognize motivated and enthusiastic 4-Her's who have demonstrated a passion for youth involvement, and share with them skills to further develop their leadership potential.
-To identify and promote meaningful national leadership opportunities for young people in the 4-H system.

One of their big projects is trying to connect 4-H members with state program leaders. The two have been attending all the state program regional lunch meetings in an attempt to do this. Some of the groups they are trying to connect with include the National 4-H Congress, National Youth Summit, and youth involved in collegiate 4-H. They lead 48 state representatives as well as Canada and Puerto Rico.

"Andrew and Amber are terrific examples of 4-H youth leaders who have done much to advance the 4-H movement," says Don Floyd, National 4-H Council President and CEO.

Peering into the future for N4-HYDC, King and Dunckelman are excited to be involved in the continued growth and movement forward of the program. They encourage individuals interested in N4-HYDC to contact their State 4-H Office or current N4-HYDC Representative.


(Washington, DC) Executive Directors of the National 4-H Youth Directions Council, Andrew Dunckelman, LA and Amber King, MT.
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4- Youth and Adult Judges Sought for National 4-H Grant Selection Committee
National 4-H Council seeks volunteer judges for the National 4-H Youth in Action/Community Tree Planting Grant funded by Deft, Inc. Serving as a judge on the Selection Committee is a great way to educate yourself about the proposal writing and evaluation process.

Judges read through all submitted proposals, score them, and participate in a conference call to discuss scores and recommend awards. Judges MUST be available for a conference call, which will be approximately two to three hours long, between October 4, 2004 and October 6, 2004. Please indicate the time that you are available, between 1:00pm and 3:00pm on those days. Also let us know as soon as possible if you can volunteer as a judge. To apply to be a part of the Selection Committee, simply reply to wngenge@fourhcouncil.edu with the following information:

1. What is your name?
2. Are you a youth (21 and under) or an adult?
3. What is your professional title, and who is your employer?
4. If you are a student, please list your year in school, major, and the name of the school you are attending.
5. Please list any applicable volunteer position(s) and/or your participation in community/professional organizations.
6. What is your address? (If you have a box number, please also include a street address.)
7. What is your telephone number?
8. What is your e-mail address?
9. What is your fax number?
10. How did you hear about this opportunity, and why are you interested in participating?
11. Briefly tell us something about your background that you believe would make you a valuable member of the Selection Committee.
12. Will you be available on for a two-to-three-hour conference call between October 4, 2004 and October 6, 2004? Please indicate the time that you are available, between 1:00pm and 3:00pm on those days.

Please Note: We will only contact those people that are selected to be judges. However, all judge applicants are kept on file and may be contacted to judge a future grant. You are not eligible to be a member of a Selection Committee if your group currently is applying for the grant.

We very much appreciate your time and efforts in this process. For more information about the Tree Planting grant or to sign up for the grants listserve, go to http://www.grants.n4h.org/ or contact Wawa Ngenge, Program Coordinator, at wngenge@fourhcouncil.edu or (301) 961-2858.
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5- Program Assistants needed for Wonders of Washington Program
Are you between the ages of 18 and 23? Have you recently graduated from college or are looking to take a semester off to work? Are you interested in government, political science, or youth development? Well, then we have the perfect opportunity for you! Apply today to become a Program Assistant (PA) at National 4-H Council in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Positions begin January 31, 2005 and run through mid May, 2005.

As a PA you will lead groups of today's youth into the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and teach them about our nation's history and culture. While on campus, you will greet groups, familiarize them with campus, lead discussions, and facilitate workshops. All of these activities occur after a rigorous 4-week training period where you will learn more than you ever dreamed possible about our nation's capitol and working with youth. During the training period you will also receive your tour guide license upon successful completion of all the requirements of the D.C.R.A.

The hours of a PA are long, but we reward our staff with free room and board in Warren Hall, the intern house on campus. You also receive a weekly stipend, better than most Washington, D.C. interns. Applicants must have excellent communication, leadership, and public-speaking skills. Experience in 4-H is not required.

To receive complete application materials, visit our web site at http://www.wowwashington.com. Please send completed application along with cover letter and resume to: Lita Haarer, National 4-H Council, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Questions should be directed to Lita Haarer at (301) 961-2898 or lhaarer@fourhcouncil.edu. Deadline is November 1, 2004. Don't delay, apply today!
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RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

6- Healthy Communities & Healthy Youth Conference
November 4 - 6, 2004
Radisson Riverfront Hotel, St. Paul, MN
Theme: Assets in Action Making a Difference

This year's Healthy Communities & Healthy Youth Conference with its theme, Assets in Action Making a Difference, will be your opportunity to gain practical strategies to help you transform your community or organization, connect with asset builders nationally and internationally, renew your energy for and commitment to asset building, and be challenged and equipped to grow and change the way you build assets in your personal life. In addition, the Conference will showcase the ways communities are making change, measuring change, and creating tools and processes to keep the asset-building movement going.

Registration is available now online at: http://www.search-institute.org/hchy/ If you would like a conference registration booklet sent to you, please call 800-888-7828 or send an email message to: conference@search-institute.org The deadline for early bird rates is September 17.
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7- National Youth Service Day Grant Available
The first grant for National Youth Service Day 2005 is now available! Youth Service America is pleased to announce the availability of the State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grant to enable youth and educators to bring the benefits of service-learning to more people. One hundred grants of $1,000 each are available to teachers, youth (ages 5-25), and school-based service-learning coordinators to implement service-learning projects for National Youth Service Day, April 15-17, 2005.

To apply, take advantage of the ON-LINE APPLICATION by visiting www.ysa.org/awards/partnerag/sf05/overview_parent.cfm. To learn more about National Youth Service Day and find resources to help you develop an outstanding service project and a quality grant application, visit www.YSA.org/nysd. Applications must be received by October 18, 2004.
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8- Learn about Healthy Sleeping Habits on New Website
Children who want to learn about sleep and healthy sleep habits now have a new Internet resource just for them from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). The SleepforKids.org website will help children ages 7 and up explore the importance of sleep and share important information about a child's sleep habits and sleep problems.

Our 2004 Sleep in America poll shows that too many children aren't getting the recommended amount of sleep they need, and more than two-thirds of them experience sleep problems at least a few nights a week, says Richard Gelula, NSF's chief executive officer. SleepforKids.org talks directly to children and provides age-appropriate tools to promote the necessity of making healthy sleep a daily priority. We hope that children will have a fun educational experience on our site that keeps them coming back to learn new ways to get a refreshing night's sleep.

P.J. Bear, NSF's sleep ambassador, guides children through SleepforKids.org which includes educational games and activities and a sleep diary made just for kids. The site also features a page for parents and teachers where they can access more detailed information on children's sleep habits, and the possible connections between sleep problems and other health issues such as obesity and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

For more information, visit sleepforkids.org and sleepfoundation.org.
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