4-H NEWS

1- 4-H Afterschool in the National News

4-H Afterschool was mentioned in an Associated Press news wire story on Tuesday, November 16, 2004.

For several weeks, the National 4-H Council's marketing communications team has worked with the Associated Press education writers in DC and New York to generate interest in a story about 4-H Afterschool. Not only that happened, but Cerenity Miller at 4-H Adventure Central in Dayton, OH, was featured in the national wire service story along with a photo. It is appearing everywhere!

You can view one of the stories at the CNN website

The initial results are showing that the story appeared in about 155 news outlets with an audience reach of an estimated 16.5 million.
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2- From a New York 4-H Club to Iraq - The Thanksgiving Spirit Spreads across Oceans
Submitted by Patti Zellmer, New York

(Kingston, NY) This Thanksgiving, youth in the 4-H Feathered Friends Poultry Club know what it means to give thanks. Over the course of five months, they collected 450 pairs of sandals for the children of Iraq.

At the end of October, the sandals were shipped to Iraq. The sandals are currently being delivered to local sheiks in Iraq for distribution to the children.

In a thank you letter to the 4-H club, Command Sgt. Major William Wicks wrote, Generosity and caring is a universal language. I truly believe we are doing good things for the people of Iraq.

Accompanying the letter, the 11 members of the 4-H club were able to visualize the end result with photos that were sent to them from Iraq. They knew that their hard work was really making a difference for the young children living in a war-torn country.

Annie Mardiney of Rosendale, leader of the Feathered Friends Poultry Club, said her club members were moved by the photos. It really brings the reality home for all of us and for the 4-H kids that the project they just completed really makes a difference, she said.


Youth in the 4-H Feathered Friends Poultry Club show off the sandals they have collected.


U.S. Military soldier and Iraqi Sheik are grateful of donation.
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3- Kerr County 4-H Club Gives Back to Community Charities
Submitted by Cheryl A. Newberry, Texas

(Kerr County, TX)--The Kerr County 4-H Junior and Senior Councils saw an opportunity: Use a restaurant that is normally closed on Sunday nights to make some money for their local charities. The fourth annual Waiter's Night Community Service Fundraiser was a big success for the youth, ranging from sixth grade through high school.

In preparation for the event, the youth passed out invitations to friends, family and local businesses. They also conducted radio and newspaper media promotions to spread the word to the community. On the night of the event, the 45 members of the county councils served as wait staff, bus boys, kitchen help, door greeters and beverage servers.

This year they hosted 272 customers, with a total of $2,775 raised in tips. The proceeds are going to their chosen local charities: Any Baby Can, Sunrise Lion's Club Toy's for Tot's campaign and the Salvation Army Angel Tree Project.

A highlight of the fundraiser is their Wal-mart Shopping Night. Each of the 45 youth who participated in Waiter's Night are given a $20 budget to select an angel from the Salvation Army Angel Tree located at Wal-Mart. After they are through shopping, their gift is marked with their angel tag and put in the shopping cart. Not only do the youth learn how to budget their money, they learn the value of helping those in need. The balance of the Salvation Army money goes into the Salvation Army Charity Fund which helps families with their household bills, like electricity and gas.


Heather Gray, member of the Kerr County 4-H Council, cleans tables at the 2004 Waiter's Night Community Service Fundraiser.
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4- 75th National 4-H Conference Call for Workshop Proposals: Build the Future TAG, You're IT!

National 4-H Headquarters, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is pleased to announce a Call for Workshop Proposals for the 75th National 4-H Conference, Build the Future TAG, You're IT! April 1-6, 2005. Workshops will be led by teams of youth and adults, support the conference theme and be interactive in nature.

To access workshop information, visit the National 4-H Headquarters web site and click on Other National 4-H News. You'll find the announcement along with the Intent to Submit a Workshop Proposal form and the Workshop Proposal Submission Form. (This information will also soon be posted on the 75th National 4-H Conference web site.)

National 4-H Headquarters wants to ensure that state and institution 4-H program leaders are apprised of proposals from 4-H members, staff and volunteers from their programs. For proposals to be considered for National 4-H Conference, applicants are asked to inform their state and/or institution 4-H program leaders about their proposal and ask the program leaders to send an email message directly to National 4-H Headquarters confirming that they have been notified of the proposed workshop ideas and facilitators. This notification is due December 17, 2004, the same date that the Intent to Submit a Workshop Proposal forms are due. Proposals are due January 14, 2005.

Conference delegates are invited to submit workshop proposals. Applicants who are not conference delegates (visiting presenters) may also submit workshop proposals for consideration. If accepted, these presenters are expected to attend the conference only on the day they facilitate their workshop.

Please visit the web sites listed above to learn more about the types of workshop proposals requested and the application process. Questions? Contact Maria Parisi, youth development program specialist, National 4-H Headquarters, USDA, at 202-720-8857 or mparisi@csrees.usda.gov. (Send workshop forms to: Natl4hconf@csrees.usda.gov.)


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5- Apply to be a Citizenship Washington Focus Program Assistant in Washington, DC

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) for the Citizenship Washington Focus program at National 4-H Council in Chevy Chase, MD. Positions begin May 2005 and run through July 2005.

As a PA you will lead groups of today's youth into the Washington, DC, 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 four-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 DCRA.

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, DC 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.cwf.n4h.org/pa.html. 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. Deadline is Jan. 28, 2005. Don't delay, apply today!


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6- Youth Judges Needed for 2005 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Awards Program

Open Now: An opportunity to serve on a national committee for one of two volunteer recognition awards. This is great leadership experience!

The National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Awards Program rewards outstanding 4-H volunteers with a trip to Washington, DC, a plaque, national recognition and a monetary grant. At least one young person who has worked with 4-H adult volunteers will be on each judge panel.

Interested youth must be between 14 and 18 years old, have strong reading comprehension and writing skills and be available to receive and read applications between Jan. 31 and Feb. 18, 2005. The youth must have at least three years experience working with adult 4-H volunteers. The review process will end with a conference call on the phone with the other two panel judges and a National 4-H Council facilitator; the youth member will be asked to talk about his or her decisions in this meeting.

To apply, send your contact information, detailed 4-H history (location(s) and activities) and a brief list of other honors, hobbies and activities. These three items may be submitted in resume format.

Also submit a short paragraph stating why you are interested in this opportunity and a recommendation letter from an adult in your community who is not a member of your family.

Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Please apply ASAP if you are interested.

Panel judges will not be permitted to judge Salute to Excellence nominees from their own states or anyone that they know personally.

For more information on the National 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Awards Program click here. For questions or additional information, e-mail Karen Blaney.
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7- Proposals Requested for Building Community Inclusion Grants

National 4-H Council, in partnership with Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF), has selected four sites in Illinois, North Carolina and Texas and will select up to three additional implementation sites across the nation to receive National 4-H Council's Youth/Adult Partnership curriculum and an implementation grant of up to $5,500. The grant will be awarded to 4-H/Cooperative Extension System (CES) sites. 4-H groups with a desire to advocate for youth/adult partnerships and change the local, state or national view of inclusion of youth of all abilities in community programs. This will include youth roles in governance, working in partnership with adults.

Grant funds will assist 4-H programs in including youth with disabilities in youth/adult partnership initiatives, governance roles and community disabilities awareness activities. This program empowers sites to include youth with disabilities in youth/adult partnership initiatives, governance roles and community awareness activities that are jointly supported by a local program partner a community governance group. The community governance group could be a youth service council, county fair board, 4-H or other youth organization executive board, county government and city council committee, school board or other school-based committee.

4-H's youth/adult partnership curriculum will help the governance group and youth participants work together to develop strategies and implement action plans to create an environment of inclusion for youth of all abilities to take action in their communities.

For more details on the Building Community Inclusion Grant opportunities, please visit here and click Announcements. For more information, e-mail Wawa Ngenge. Complete application packets are due by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, December 24, 2004. Packets should be sent to: Wawa Ngenge, Building Community Inclusion, National 4-H Council, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.
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8- 2005 Healthy Lifestyles Grant Program Accepting Applications

National 4-H Council, with funding provided from Kraft Foods, Inc., and Cargill, Inc. is offering local grants of up to $7,500 to develop or expand innovative and fun programs that partner youth ages 5-12 with adults. The programs should help communities create educational programs and public awareness to confront and reverse the climbing trends of overweight and obesity. The January 14, 2005 deadline for these grants is quickly approaching.

Obese young people have a 70 percent chance of growing up to be obese adults. Being obese is as taxing on an individual's health as it is on society's bankbook. In 2000, the United States paid out more than $117 billion in medical care due to overweight and obese citizens. The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, Overweight Children and Adolescents reported that poor nutrition and a lack of physical activity results in 300,000 premature deaths each year in the United States. Many communities are largely unaware of the problem. However, by educating young people and adults on nutrition, fitness and positive lifestyles, we can reverse the trends of poor health related to obesity. For more information on applying for the Healthy Lifestyles grant and to download a copy of the application go to http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/pGrntHealthyLS.aspx.
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RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

9- Enter the Idea of America Essay Contest

The National Endowment for the Humanities announces their third annual Idea of America essay contest. The contest is open to all eligible high school juniors and 16- and 17-year-old home-schooled students.

The Idea of America Essay Contest offers a cash prize of $5,000 for the author of the winning essay and publication of the essay in a national forum. Five national finalists will each receive cash prizes of $1,000. The deadline for entries is April 15, 2005.

In the fall of 2005, NEH will transport all six finalists to a national ceremony at which they will receive public recognition and a medal honoring their achievement. All will enjoy the prestige that comes with an award bestowed by the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information, click here or call NEH at 1-800-NEH-1121 (TDD 1-866-372-2930). Send e-mail inquiries to ideaofamerica@neh.gov.
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10- Environmental Education Online Courses Offered

Two 10-week online courses about environmental education will be offered this spring (February 7- April 15, 2005 and February 21-April 29, 2005). The courses are both designed for both classroom teachers and for non-formal educators who work with students and/or teachers. Participants may obtain three undergraduate or graduate credits from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. All students, regardless of location, are eligible for the in-state tuition rate. The courses are also offered at a reduced cost for those who are not interested in obtaining college credit.

FWS employees should register online through the National Conservation Training Center at https://otis.fws.gov using the following course number (OUT8W02). Contact Georgia Jeppesen at 304- 876-7388 or georgia_jeppesen@fws.gov if you have questions. All others should register through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point by contacting Angela Arkin in the Extension office at 715-346-3854 or Angela.Arkin@uwsp.edu to request a registration form. To learn more visit the EETAP website at www.eetap.org and click on "Online EE Courses."
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11- Adobe Action Grants Program Guidelines Available

The software company Adobe supports programs and partnerships designed to help make Adobe communities "better, stronger, and more vibrant places to live, work and do business." The Adobe Action Grant program is providing one-time cash-only grants for general operating and program support through a competitive, quarterly online application process. Grant amounts range from $5,000-$20,000 and are for one year only. The deadlines are the following: December 31, 2004; March 31, 2005; June 30, 2005; and September 30, 2005.

To be eligible for support, non-profit organizations and schools must be located in one of the following areas: San Jose/Silicon Valley, California (southern San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, southern Alameda County); Seattle/King County, Washington; and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Complete program information, eligibility criteria and an online application form are available here. For additional RFPs in Community Improvement/Development, click here.
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12-Youth Development Libraries Offer Large Collection of Data for Research

You can now access more than 10,000 titles via the National Youth Development Information Center Library Web site. To view the libraries click here.
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13- DISCOVER Card Launches Search for Exceptional High School Juniors

Discover Financial Services and the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) are searching for exceptional high school juniors in the United States. Since 1991, the Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship program has been recognizing and rewarding high school juniors who have demonstrate excellence in many areas of their lives--not just academics.

More than $1 million is available to current high school juniors nationwide. Up to nine $2,500 scholarships are being offered in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia and up to nine $25,000 national awards--totaling nearly 460 scholarships.

To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled as a junior in an accredited public or private high school in the U.S.; have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on 4.0 scale, demonstrate accomplishments in the areas of special talents, leadership and community service and have faced a significant obstacle.

The Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship application packets have been distributed to high schools throughout the United States. Students can also download an application by going online at www.discovercard.com/tribute.htm; request an application at www.aasa.org/discover.htm; or write to AASA at 801 N. Quincy St., Ste. 700, Arlington, VA 22203.

All completed applications must be received by AASA no later than January 7, 2005, 5 p.m. ET. State and national Tribute Award winners will be announced on May 23, 2005.
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14- Connect America Releases New Publications

Connect America, an initiative of the Points of Light Foundation, has released two exciting new publications.

The Bridgeport Partnership is a narrative of a thriving multi-sector partnership in which staff and volunteers focus on capacity building for non-profit organizations. The booklet was published under the sponsorship of Shell Oil Company as part of the Connect America partnership's drive to provide leadership and resources that help organizations and communities develop successful multi-sector partnership.

Managing Spontaneous Volunteers in Times of Disaster: The Synergy of Structure and Good Intentions is Connect America's latest publication on disaster volunteering. It offers national principles, concepts and tips on how community organizations can prepare to engage spontaneous volunteers through all phases of a disaster, namely mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The booklet was created and printed with the support of The UPS Foundation.

Electronic versions of these publications can be obtained from the Points of Light Foundation website. If you have any additional questions, please e-mail ConnectAmerica@PointsofLight.org.
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