The turkeys and pumpkin pie have been served and now we're onto finding the perfect tree and decorating it with lights and ornaments.

During this busy month, please try to keep in mind family and friends that may need a little extra assistance due to the changing weather. This may give you and/or your club the opportunity to do a service project during the holiday season. Even the smallest act of kindness may mean the world to the recipient of your kindness.

Also included in this newsletter are numerous opportunities that are available to you during the coming year. Read through these carefully as deadlines will approach quickly. If you have questions on these opportunities, feel free to contact me at our office (853-1533).

Happy Holidays Henry-Stark Unit!

Angela Krause

Community Worker 4-H/Youth

Read the newsletter and win a prize! Hidden in the newsletter is the sentence, "You've found it. Good job. Call the office to be entered into a drawing for a prize that will be chosen in December". Only active 4-H members should call. We do have an answering machine, so you can call after business hours. Just leave your name and tell us where you found the sentence. You could be the next winner so give it a try!

Congratulations! Alyssa Watt of the Stark County Century Clovers is the winner of the November reading contest! Congratulations!

Are you or someone you know a skilled hunter, archer or sport shooter? Would that person be interested in teaching those skills to youth?

We have an opportunity for you to work with youth on a short-term basis to teach youth your mastery skill of shooting sports; that could be bow & arrow, archery, hunting, or skill shooting.

We would like to speak with you about the details of this opportunity and how you could help youth learn or further their education in these skill areas.

For complete details or to get started, contact Kelly or Angela.

If the weather is looking bad and you're wondering if an Extension or 4-H program has been cancelled, call the Extension office. Also, if you hear that Black Hawk College East Campus has been closed, then our office will also be closed and all programs will be cancelled. Be sure to listen to WKEI (1450 AM), WGEN (1500 AM), WYEC (93.9 FM) or WJRE (102.5 FM) for the most up-to-date weather-related closings and cancellations.

What's a SPIN clubs? Well we're glad you asked! 4-H SPIN (Special Interest) clubs are a new delivery method. Structural elements of the club are very similar to a community club but aim to capture the attention of youth with interests that are more "out of the box" such as computers, music, drama or martial arts.

SPIN clubs don't have to use state recognized 4-H project books or even show at fair. They need 2 adult volunteers, at least 5 youth members and meet at least 6 times. The club decided how they want to show their efforts. Volunteers are able to share the "expertise" or hobby they have. SPIN clubs are a way to reach youth that aren't involved in any organized sports or clubs to find a niche. Yet current 4-H members can join a SPIN club too.

We are looking for the following:

· Adult volunteers to lead a SPIN club

· Youth to join a SPIN club

· Your ideas for SPIN clubs

If you have questions or comments, contact Kelly (klaffert@illinois.edu ) or Angela (basehoar@illinois.edu).

We have also enclosed a quick survey for you to share what you are interested in (for both youth and adults) but are not currently doing in 4-H. If you would like a copy of the survey, please contact the Extension office.

4-H parents are a very important part of the 4-H program. Here are some tips for parents:

· Take an interest in 4-H.

· Encourage and support the 4-H'ers and leaders.

· Serve as a "helper" to your child.

· Don't do the work for the child, but instead, guide and assist them.

· Encourage record keeping.

· Attend some or all 4-H meetings with your child.

· Read the 4-H mail that comes to your house. This will help you stay up-to-date on what's happening in your county.

· Share a hobby or interest with your child's club or give a talk about your job/career.

· Keep in mind that the most important goal of 4-H is personal growth of the young person, not winning the most blue ribbons.

· Phone the leader if there are any questions or problems, so the situation can be clarified.

· Encourage your 4-H'ers when they succeed and even more when they aren't as successful as planned. Help them to see progress, not just the results.

· Make 4-H a family activity and have fun!!

Adopted from Whiteside County

Do you remember when you first became a 4-H member and didn't quite understand everything that went on during your 4-H meetings or activities that you do now?

There are new families coming into clubs in the Henry-Stark unit that feel the same way. As we are getting geared up for this 4-H year, please be courteous of those members in your club that may ask a few extra questions or need a little more information. Help them understand the process and feel welcome so they can be a part of the group as well. Remember, we're all in this together!

Henry-Stark 4-H is now on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galva-IL/Henry-Stark-Extension/212417403355

This will give you another opportunity to find 4-H information quickly and easily on the web. It will also let you share your 4-H knowledge with others from our unit that you may not normally get to interact with. Go online and check it out today!