The Effingham County 4-H Youth Ambassador's did a tremendous job in planning and decorating for this year's Achievment Night. The place looked great and you did a great job on your presentations. Michael Goldstein did a terrific job as being master of cermonies for the evenings event.

Congratulations to all our lucky winners that evening!

The 4-H Premier LCP Award is sponsored for older 4-H members in Illinois to reward members exhibiting outstanding leadership, citizenship, cooperation, and professionalism during the past 4-H program year. Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by December 1, 2009. Application deadline is December 15, 2009. For more information contact the Extension Office.

The purpose of the Speaking for Illinois 4-H program is to provide 4-H members with advanced training in public presentations so they may effectively promote the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Program to various audiences, including elected officials on local, state, and national level; potential donors; and civic groups. Youth are selected on a Extension Unit level, and then provided training on a regional or state level by the Illinois State 4-H State Youth Leadership Team. Contact the Extension office for more information.

February 20-21, 2010 is the date for the Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference for 4-H members who are in the 7th or 8th grade. While learning new things to take back to your club, delegates also have a great time meeting other junior high 4-H members from across the state. Workshops, special activities, a speaker, and loads of fun will keep participants happy and motivated to go home and try all the things you will learn. For more information, visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/events/juniorleadership.cfm

Each year, ten Illinois 4-H members are selected to attend this elite conference sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau and Affiliates Youth Education Committee. They are joined by ten Illinois FFA Section Presidents to become the "premier 20" leadership conference delegation. Selection for this conference is based upon completion of the 4-H LCP (Leadership, Citizenship, & Professionalism) Award Application.

The P-20 Conference offers an intense, hands-on leadership development experience for the youth attending. For more information visit: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/events/premier20.cfm

International 4-H Exchange Programs provide 4-H youth an opportunity to connect with the global world around them by:

• hosting international visitors or
• providing travel opportunities to another country.

Some of our exchange opportunities find participants living with 4-H families or with families in organizations that have similar values and goals as 4-H – providing opportunities for families to do things together with other families. Traveling or hosting through 4-H International Exchange Programs require some work and preparation, but the benefits realized by the individual and host families are priceless.

Travel opportunities await 4-Hers 12 – 18 years of age (varies by program) to destinations in Australia, Costa Rica, and Japan. For more information visit: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/members/international.cfm

Effingham County is awarding two Effingham County 4-H members to attend this event. We sent you an email with the proper forms that needed to be filled out. Return them to the U of I Extenison Office by December 15 and two lucky Effingham County members will be chosen. If you are not chosen you still can register and attend this event. Don't forget Effingham County 4-H Foundation awards a 25% scholarship.

Sign up today! Teens from across Illinois are invited to converge in Springfield to debate bills and learn about the legislative process. The 4-H Great Debate is for all high school age youth interested in learning about how Illinois state government works.

During the two-day event, teens will:

• Learn persuasive speaking
• Develop an understanding of the legislative process
• Meet people from other areas of the state

Besides all the work, participants will meet youth from across the state and enjoy games and music on Friday night. For more information look for the email we sent to you on November 12, 2009.

4-H House Cooperative Sorority at the University of Illinois provides women a place to reside and to be a member of the University's Greek system. It's also an affordable housing option for campus. The application can be found online at www.4hhouse.com. To become a member of 4-H House, at least five years of 4-H club work must be completed.

As we start a new 4-H year, clubs will have new officers. With these positions come new responsibilities and leadership roles. Below is a brief description of each office.

The President keeps the meeting running smoothly. Calling the meeting to order on time and conducts the meeting in an orderly fashion. The president appoints committees.

The Vice President will be prepared to conduct the meeting in case the president is absent. He/she also introduces speakers and other guests.

These are two club officers whose office requires them to pay close attention to what is discussed and decisions that are made.

The club Secretary is responsible for taking minutes and attendance at each meeting. An accurate record of motions made and who made them is necessary for the minutes. The secretary keeps records of talks, demonstrations and business conducted. They also write thank you notes on behalf of the club.

The Treasurer handles all club money and keeps accurate records in the treasurer's book. They report at each meeting how much money the club has; and completes a financial summary at the end of the 4-H year to be audited.

The club Reporter attends meetings and reports business minutes to local newspapers keeping people informed about 4-H activities.

The Recreation Leader has one of the biggest jobs, to arrange activities or games at each club meeting, and plans special parties and events with the help of leaders.

Committees are essential to any group or club, including 4-H. Aside from getting everyone involved, committees allow individuals who do not work well alone the chance to become part of a team and learn about responsibility.

All of these offices and jobs are very important, but another job that is just as important even if you are not an officer, is to attend and participate at your club's meeting.

By now, eligible Effingham County 4-H members should have received their 4-H premium check. There are a few who have not yet cashed or deposited their checks. Please do so soon, so that our records can be completed on the past 4-H year. Your premium check is only good for 60 days, so please cash or deposit your check today!

1. Member Enrollment Forms - Turning in your 4-H enrollment forms NOW is very important. Current information lets the office get 4-H materials and information to you. Information going into news releases and for many other purposes comes from a complete enrollment form. A check list for up to date information includes:

e-mail address
correct phone number
photo release authorization
both parents names
correct address

Club leaders have the enrollment forms. When you have completed your enrollment forms, return them to your leader.

2. Project Enrollment

A common question is what project level should I sign up for? Choose your project skill level according to your experience. If you are starting a new project with little experience, start at the beginner level. Choose a more advanced level if you are more experienced. 4-H'ers could be in one level for more than one year before progressing to the next step, but progression is the goal.

If you're not sure about taking a new project, talk to your leader, 4-H'ers who have had the project or call Patti at the office.

May 1 is the deadline to add/drop projects and to be eligibile to exhibition at the Effingham County 4-H Exhibitions. You must enroll through your leader. No enrollments will be excepted at the Extension office due to the new $20 program fee. Please pay your club treasurer and the club will write one check for your club.

Club Reporters are also reminded to send in club meeting minutes and activities for the monthly newsletter. The newsletter generally is printed and sent out the last week of each month for the upcoming month. Not to mention it is a great way to share what your club is doing with the other 4-H clubs in the county. You may email them to: logan1@illinois.edu By submitting your monthly reports, you could win the 4-H Top Reporter Award.

Your cooperation is needed: Anyone with a manual that was not used/written in and that no one else in the family intends to use, please return those manuals to the Extension office. Due to the budget cuts, we are trying to pinch pennies wherever we can while still giving all 4-H'ers the full benefits of the program. So, if you have a relatively recent project book that is unused, please consider returning it to the office for someone else to use. Thanks for your help!

Some projects have Helper's Guide books that expand on the information found in the project manual. These are listed in the Clover along with the project. If you would like a Guide, please write Guide by the project you are enrolled in, or include the order number given in the Clover so we are aware of that and can include them in our order.

As clubs are now organizing for the new 4-H year, now is the time to invite a friend, school mate or relative to join 4-H! Just invite someone to your next meeting. Rules for joining are: they must be enrolled by May 1, 2010. Most clubs participate in community service and fun events also, so don't forget to mention those as well. Show your enthusiasm for 4-H and include a new member in your new 4-H year plans.

Does your club have a member who demonstrates outstanding volunteer community service? Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognizes youth in grades 5-12 on the basis of their volunteer activities. Check out www.prudential.com/spirit.

Sometimes it's hard to decide which project to take. You can take as many as you like. You can always add more projects later if you finish early in the year. You have many years of 4-H ahead of you and lots of time to try more projects.

Where do you find out about 4-H projects? The Illinois Clover has all the details that you need. The Illinois Clover looks like a magazine. Look the projects over with your family. Then choose the ones you are most interested in. There are all kinds of projects.

When you are choosing a project, think about these things.

Some projects have more than one level. For example, there are projects for members who are just beginning to learn about gardening. And, there are other projects for members who have had a little experience in gardening. You will probably want to start at the beginner level. As your skills increase, you can enroll in projects at more advanced levels.

· Take projects that are recommended for your age group.

You can do most 4-H projects on your own, working at your own speed. Some projects have county workshops or classes. Watch our county 4-H newsletter to learn more about these workshops.

· You can take animal projects even if you don't own an animal.

· Talk to your club leader or other club members if you want to find out more about a project. Other members can tell you about their experiences. They can also show you their project books.

You can add or drop most projects any time during the 4-H year until May 1 to be able to exhibit at the fair.

Click on the link to look at the 2008-09 Effingham County Award Winners book.

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/effingham/downloads/20361.pdf