"Polishing the Diamond of Leadership!" is the theme for the second annual Southern Illinois Leadership Convention sponsored by University of Illinois Extension. The exciting convention is set for October 11-13 at the Touch of Nature Environmental Center in beautiful Southern Illinois, just south of Carbondale. The convention is open to ANY Illinois high school student or teen not yet 19 by September 1, 2008.

To better prepare for modern leadership in today's world, attendees will participate in workshops on time and stress management, mentoring younger youth, working with people with special needs, communicating and speaking in public, personality traits, appreciating diversity, making meetings fun, and sacrifices and rewards of leadership. Participants will also experience team building activities, dances, trivia night, a dutch auction, and great speakers!

High school students need to prepare themselves for their futures, and learning leadership and citizenship skills is one way for them to do that, reports Cindy Bauman, with U of I Extension in Franklin County. Cost is $140 if registered by August 29 and $160 by September 6, which includes lodging, meals and all program activities.

The Southern Illinois Leadership Convention is for all Illinois high school students or teens not 19 by September 1, 2008, says Bauman. Youth do not have to be 4-H members to attend the convention. The convention is staffed by Extension professionals, adult volunteers, and trained planning committee members.

For more details, contact U of I Extension in Benton, 618-439-3178, or log on to http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/4h/silc. If you need disability or dietary accommodations to participate in the Southern Illinois Leadership Convention, talk with your local Extension staff.

Records are Due

The 4-H year ends August 31, and with it comes the time to turn in your 4-H records. Every 4-H member must turn in a record on at least one project.

To be considered for an award, you must also turn in the highlights record, activities record and a project story for each category that you will be applying for.

The categories are: Achievement; Animal Sciences; Community Involvement and Global awareness; Environment and Natural Resources; Food, Nutrition and Health; Home and Family; Engineering and Technology; Personal Development; and Plant Soils.

The Electricity award is for anyone enrolled in the electrical project.

For the Outstanding 4-Her award, you need to write a story about your 4-H experiences.

Upcoming Events

September 16 - Flower Arranging class taught by Charlotte Jackanicz

October 8 - Achievement Night