Here are some 4-H basics that all members should know about related to Positive Youth Development and the 4-H program. The definition of a 4-H Club is one or more caring adult(s), with 5 plus youth members that participate in six plus meetings. The 4-H club should be focusing on the following issues: Leadership, Communication, Community Service, and Science, Engineering, & Technology (SET). Next month the next parts will be shared. As the 4-H clubs plan their yearly goals, please spend some time on how you are going to address the above issues. Know that information about any of these issue areas are available from your local Extension Office.

BIG M =

Belonging-positive relationships with a caring adult in an inclusive, safe, appropriate, structure/environment.

Independence-opportunity for self determination and knowing ones own strengths and skills.

Generosity- opportunity to serve others.

Mastery-opportunity for mastery in a certain area.

It is so great to know that many of our 4-H clubs in the Henderson, Mercer, and Warren Extension Unit are already addressing some, if not all, of these areas and will be moving into more areas as the year continues. 4-H families - please help your club move forward on the road to real success.

Sincerely,

Carol E. Wilcoxen

Unit Educator, Youth & Family

The Henderson-Mercer-Warren Extension Unit offices will be closed from December 24, 2009 through January 1, 2010. We will reopen the offices at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 4, 2010.

For those of us growing up in 4-H families we sometimes forget that not everyone knows as much about 4-H as we do. The special parts of 4-H that we know, understand, and act on can be very confusing to new families.

As we go through another 4-H year, try to be conscious about those members of your club who may need a little extra information. Likewise, if you are a new person to the 4-H program, don't be afraid to ask questions at the club meetings, county activities, or at the Extension Office. We're all in this together and everyone needs to be comfortable with our program.

December

1 Club, Member, & Project Enrollments due (M & W)

1 Club Goals & Program Schedule due (M & W)

8 4-H Premier LCP Award Applications due

8 Mercer County 4-H Federation Meeting (M)

14 Salute to Excellence Nominations deadline

15 Club, Member, & Project Enrollments due (H)

15 Club Goals & Program Schedule due (H)

15 Food Pantry Items due (H)

15 Club Reports due for January Newsletter

15 Citizenship Washington Focus Application due

18 Registration for Shepherd's Clinics due

25-31 HMW Extension Offices Closed for Holidays!

31 4-H Stories due (deadline extended)

January

1 HMW Extension Offices Closed for New Year's!

4 Shepherd's Clinic

11 Shepherd's Clinic

15 Club Reports due for February Newsletter

16 4-H Night with the Peoria Rivermen

26 Leader's Meeting (W)

February

6 Steer Weigh-in (H)

12-13 "Who Did It: CSI" 12-14 Conference

12-13 The Great 4-H Debate

15 Club Reports due for March Newsletter

20-21 2010 Jr. Leadership Conference

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Jessica Abrego

Stephanie Ackerman

Nicholas Brokaw

Ashleigh Brown

Justin Carey

Robert Carey

Tyson Carey

Kelton Cheline

Victoria Collins

Justin Davis

Emily Edwards

Jareth Goderis

Stephanie Haneghan

Kaitlynn Harkey

Alana Henson

Tara Hyett

Lorraine Kinsey

Christina Kirwan

Peggy Kulczewski

Blake Lampo

Anthony Leary

Austin Line

Carol Ray

Ashley Reichert

Corrine Sargent

Jeremy Soseman

Cayley Staker

Kaitlyn Staley

Brianna Strickler

Jessica Hall

Megan Thorndike

Meg Yoke

Elaine Zelenin

If showing at the ILLINOIS STATE FAIR, please be aware of the following ownership deadlines:

Dairy Cows- January 1

Goat Milking Does- January 1

Premiere Wethers- owned by date of weigh-in; lambed on or after January 1

Premiere Swine- owned by date of weigh-in

Premiere Beef- owned by date of weigh-in

Beef Steers- February 1

Horses- May 1

Market Sheep- May 15

Dairy Calves & Heifer- June 1

Goats; Kids & yearlings not in milk- June 1

Beef Breeding Females- June 1

Breeding Swine- June 1

Barrows- June 1

Dogs - June 1

Rabbits - June 1

Poultry - June 1

Pygmy Goats - June 1

Breeding Sheep- June 25

Application Deadline: December 8, 2009

The 4-H Premier LCP Award was created to reward members exhibiting outstanding leadership, citizenship, cooperation, and professionalism during the past 4-H program year (September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009). Applicants must be 4-H members who are at least 17 years of age by December 1, and cannot have reached their 19^th birthday by September 1 of the year they submit the application. A maximum of two applicants per county may be submitted for the state competition.

The Application Form is available at your county Extension office or you may download the Application at the HMW website. www.extension.uiuc.edu/hmw Click on any of the county 4-H icons, scroll down the page, and find the 4-H Premier LCP Award link. Applications must be submitted by December 8, 2009 to your local Extension office. THIS IS NOT A POSTMARK DATE!

Application Deadline: December 15, 2009

Citizenship Washington Focus is a weeklong program (July 10-17, 2010) that will provide participants with many insights into the workings of our federal government. Through small group sessions at the National 4-H Center participants will learn about federal legislation, the political parties, the Bill of Rights, and how to make a positive impact in your community. Participants will also have appointments with some of our Illinois Congressmen and share information with them about 4-H and University of Illinois Extension. A theater performance and tours at various Washington locations will also be provided.

Delegates must be 14-18 years of age by May 1, 2010. Only two delegates per county will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, so register early! All registrations must be made online at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=3650 For additional information on program fees and schedules, please contact your local Extension office.

The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents is collecting stories for a book from the entire 4-H family including members, volunteers, Extension staff, donors, family members, and others. Stories must be submitted by December 31, 2009.

For additional information, contact your local Extension office. You may use your local Extension office's computer to submit your story. Please call in advance to schedule a time to visit the office.

January 4 & 11, 2010

Registration Deadline: December 18

Henderson & Mercer Extension offices will be hosting the Shepherd's Clinic Teleconferences again this year on January 4 & 11, 2010 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. You may elect to take the teleconference at either office, or from your home. Participants must dial in using an 800 number and use an i.d. code and a password. Speaker phones are recommended for this purpose.

In order to receive program material from Urbana before the teleconference date, please contact your local Extension Office by December 18 to register. Reminder: Our offices will be closed from December 24-January 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year's.

January 16, 2010

Ticket Order Deadline: January 2, 2010

The Peoria Rivermen hockey team will be sponsoring a 4-H Night on Saturday, January 16, 2010. Game starts at 7:30 p.m. with the Rivermen taking on the Rockford IceHogs. Special guest David Henrie "Justin Russo" from Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place will be in attendance signing autographs from 6:30-9:00 p.m.

The ticket order form can be downloaded at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/hmw/downloads/20390.pdf or contact your local Extension office.

February 12 & 13, 2010

Nauvoo, Illinois

Hancock County Extension is again offering the 12-14 Conference on February 12 & 13, 2010 at the Nauvoo Family Inn & Suites. You MUST be ages 12-14 to attend. You will learn skills of investigating, exploring, examining personal traits, and much more. This will be an interactive, fun-filled, overnight stay with hotel accommodations, food, and entertainment included. Register by contacting your local Extension office. Final deadline for registering is January 22, 2010. Slots for this session usually fill up quickly, so call early to secure your reservation.

February 12-13, 2010

Registration Deadline: January 22, 2010

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

During the two-day event, youth will:

· Learn persuasive speaking

· Learn how to find information on the legislative process

· Develop an understanding of the legislative process

· Meet people from other areas of the state

The deadline for registration is January 22, 2010. Lodging will be at Lake Springfield Christian Academy.

More details on the conference and the registration form are available on the web at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/greatdebate/ or contact your local Extension office.

February 20 & 21, 2010

All 7th and 8th grade 4-H members are invited to the 2010 Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference…and you can bring a friend! Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, February 20-21 at the Lake Williamson Camp and Conference Center near Carlinville, the weekend conference will be exciting, fun, and full of workshops, games, and activities! The Viva La Leadership! theme promises a strong focus on building leadership skills with hands-on workshops on self-defense, horticulture, theater, filmmaking, and more.

A discount is available if 4 or more 4-H members attend from the same Extension unit. (Sorry, the discount doesn't apply to non-4-H friends.) Registration is open until Monday, January 25. A limited number of $25 scholarships are available for 4-H members. Scholarship application deadline is January 8. And why should youth have all the fun? Adult chaperones are needed for this event.

Please contact your local Extension office if you are interested in attending the conference.

Through traveling or hosting, individuals and families learn about other cultures and perhaps gain a better understanding of their own culture. Tentative offerings for 2010 include:

· Australia

· Costa Rica

· Japan

4-H'ers interested in traveling or families interesting in hosting should contact their local Extension Office or visit: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/members/international.cfm for details.

The USDA's Farm Service Agency makes operating loans to individual rural youth age 10 through 20 to establish and operate income-producing projects. These projects must be of modest size and be initiated, developed, and carried out by rural youth participating in 4-H clubs. For additional information on the Rural Youth Loans program, please contact your local FSA office.

If you have not had the opportunity to purchase a Favorite Recipes of Illinois 4-H Through the Years… cookbook, we still have several copies available at our offices. Cost is $15 each. Contact your local Extension office to reserve your copy today!