As you all know our Annual Achievement Program is coming up. Since you are Federation members you are all expected to attend. Please dress nice and neat, many of you will be presenting awards and all of you will be on stage at one point or another during the evening.

Even though Federation members are expected to attend, you still need to call and make reservations. If you have been unable to attend any Federation meetings so far this year but are still interested in joining please let me know. We would be happy to include you.

The t-shirt sale is under way. Please talk it up at your next 4-H meeting. One of the hats we had selected is on back order so I removed it from the sale sheet. Logos and More was happy to help with the shirt design you suggested. The price is very reasonable and they will not charge us any set up fee since it is for 4-H.

Enclosed you will find a copy of the sale sheet for your use. Remind 4-H parents that these items would make great holiday gifts for their children. Keep in mind that some 4-H alumni and grandparents might also be interested in some of the items as well.

If you were a camp counselor last year and have any ideas about activities for camp this year please let me know ASAP. I will be attending a Camp Association Meeting on Dec 4 to work on 2009 plans.

Camp Counselor Applications will probably be available soon after that meeting-so if you are interested let me know.

The 4-H Premier LCP Award is sponsored for older 4-H members in Illinois. The purpose of the award is to reward members exhibiting outstanding leadership, citizenship, cooperation, and professionalism during the past 4-H program year. Although all members can apply, the program is designed to recognized and promote achievement in the agricultural industry.

Applicants must be 4-H members who are at least 17 years of age by December 1, and can not have reached their 19th birthday by September 1. A maximum of two applicants per county may be submitted for the state competition.

Three distinct awards are available through this program. The two entries submitted by a county will receive the county LCP Award.

The 4-H members with the highest cumulative point total will receive the State 4-H LCP Award, which will be presented at the Illini Summer Academies.

The final award is the opportunity to attend the ILFB Premier 20 Conference. The top 10 scoring applicants will be invited to attend .

Applications are available at the Extension Office or from the ILFB web site. They must be returned by Dec 1 for county judging to select the two that will compete at the State level.

This application requires three to five references so don't wait until the last minute to start on it. If you have any questions please give me a call.

I am waiting on building use approval from District 12 for the Valentine Dance on Feb 15. We need chaperones over the age of 21 to help at this event. Start asking your parents at club meeting-we especially need extra male chaperones.

Jeana-will you check with your brother about DJ-ing and let me know?

I am thinking of setting up a 4-H display in the hallway for kids to look at during the dance. Do you think this is a good idea?

4-H International exchange programs are now accepting applications. Travel opportunities include Australia, Costa Rica, Finland, and Japan. Cost and age requirements vary by exchange destination. For more information contact Elaine for an application packet.