Ceremonies have always had a place of special importance in society and organizations. In 4-H they are a celebration of special occasions that club leaders and members feel are important. This University of Illinois Extension website includes general information about 4-H ceremonies as well as scripts for over 30 common 4-H ceremonies Why Use a Ceremony? Ceremonies are used to highlight or recognize special accomplishments and goal attainment. Ceremonies can be used: ·To convey a message or lesson. ·To challenge and inspire all the members to reach greater heights in personal growth and the 4-H organization. ·A ceremony must convey that "you" and "this moment" are special. To achieve these goals a ceremony must be more than a ritual; it must be a communication of the 4-Hers' thoughts and feelings about their ideas. The ceremony must say something that matters. Ceremonies can: ·Meet a greater part of the youth's basic fundamental needs for personal growth. ·Provide peer interaction and recognition. ·Encourage positive self-discovery through exploring new social roles. ·Create a feeling of affiliation with and acceptance by an ever expanding circle of acquaintances. Group loyalty and personal identity are enhanced by the formal membership, and reinforced by the use of ceremonies. Recognition is a basic human need that is more meaningful when it is presented in front of "Significant others" – peers, family and friends. When planned and executed properly, a ceremony can allow for all these things.

March

1 BC Leaders Meeting (CANCELED)

3 State 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

3 All Youth Horse Judging Contest

10 Carroll Co. Dairy Judging

17 4-H Volunteer Forum-Springfield

20 Adams Co. Equine Committee

22 4-H Leader Telenet Recruiting New Members

24 McDonough Co. Livestock Judging

27 4-H Legislative Connection

29 Galesburg Meats Judging Contest

30 4-H Teen Lock-In

April

14 Brown Co. Healthy Kids Day

15-21 National Volunteer Week

19 Morton Meats Judging Contest

28 Horse Day Camp

May

5 4-H Day with the Cardinals

17 4-H Riding Clinic

These entries are due in the State 4-H office May 1, 2007. The windows are available in the Illinois Building and the Displays are available in the Exposition Building on the mezzanine level. Application may be made by a club or county. Window displays should portray a representative selection of county 4-H projects and activities. A theme will be determined and notification sent to all window coordinators in May. In addition, the IL IFYE Association may present up to fou $25 cash awards to displays that include 4-H international activities, programs or exchanges in the display. For complete information consult the 2007 Fair Book.

The Adams Co. 4-H Equine Committee has been working hard to provide an award for those who participate in their camp and clinics. The committee has decided to create this award and place it into a point basis. The criteria for winning this award (which will be a silver buckle) are: *attending Horse Camp (2 or 4 pts.), *attending Riding Clinic (s) (1 pt. for each; up to 8 possible), *1 pt. for either showing in the Horse Show at the fair or assisting with the show, *and completing records (based on a 1 - 7 pt. scale). The committee is hoping to give two of these awards this year.

Congratulations to the Adams County Firecrackers for winning the New Member Contest. The club will receive a $25 award for a pizza party.

Congratulations to the Adams County Firecrackers for winning the New Member Contest. The club will receive a $25 award for a pizza party.

We are pleased to announce an updated and revised Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification website. 4-H and FFA youth can go to http://qaec.extension.uiuc.edu and go through their training. When they log-in and complete the training, their county Extension office will receive notification. Complete information is available on our website.

There has been some discussion from the Fair Board and the Beef Superintendents about requests for stalls during the fair. If you are requesting stalls, please be sure to only request what you will actually need. It has been a problem in the past and if it continues, you may have to start paying a fee for unused stalls.

Uune 15-16, 2007

4-H members who will have just completed 6th or 7th grade are invited to participate in a fun-filled adventure to Chicago. **Adult chaperones are also needed!

They will:

·Visit Rainforest Café to learn about the environment, conservation, endangered species, and rainforests.

·Take a trip to space at the Adler Planetarium to learn about careers and space science.

·The group will also laugh and learn at ComedySportz. This is an audience-interactive comedy competition between teams of professional comedians, all based on suggestions from the participants.

·They will watch "Hurricane in the Bayou" in the Omnimax Theater at the Museum of Science & Industry.

The two-day event includes round-trip transportation from Springfield, accommodations, most meals and attractions. This trip is popular and a lot of fun, but will fill up FAST. Please call for the complete registration packet.

May 17 Riding Clinic, Western Pleasure

May 24 Riding Clinic, Halter

May 31 Riding Clinic, Showmanship

June 7 Riding Clinic, English Pleasure

June 13 Electricity School

June 14 Riding Clinic, Barrels

June 21 Riding Clinic, Trail

June 28 Riding Clinic, Poles

July 5 Riding Clinic, Pattern

July 12 Bicycle Rodeo (Anyone may come!)

July 14 Fashion Review

Food Demonstrations

Public Presentations

July 26 Adams Co. Fair Begins

August 1 Brown Co. Fair Begins

August 13 Adams/Brown Day at the State Fair

Experience the POWER of Leadership

This event will be returning to the University of IL campus this summer. Registration will open on April 2 at www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/annual004. There will be an early bird discount for registrations received before April 22. This event is open to all IL high school teens who are 14-18 years of age as of Sept. 1, 2007, not just 4-H members. Final registrations deadline is May 21.

Saturday, May 5

The Cardinals will play the Houston Astros at 12:10 pm. Tickets are $18 which includes a special t-shirt featuring 4-H and the Cardinals emblems. Ticket orders must be postmarked by March 26. Call our office for an order form or go online to: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/adamsbrown and click on the 4-H emblem. Otherwise, stop by the office.

Community Improvement Grants

Congratulations to Adams County Firecrackers for receiving $200 for their Community Health Improvement project!

Would you like to have your 4-H members trained in CPR? Crystal Jenkins, Certified Instructor, is available to clubs who are interested. The cost is $5 per person. If you'd like to know more, call Crystal at 222-2477 and she will fill you in.

Application deadline is April 16.

4-H Clubs are invited to submit an application for an Action Presentation opportunity in the Exposition Building of the Illinois State Fair. Action Presentations, 1 day with a 5 hour time slot, should represent a specific 4-H project area and include hands-on activities that will involve the general fair audience. Premiums will be awarded at a rate of $100 per day to the club.