Jasper County 4-H families received information earlier this year concerning the upcoming "Program Fee" for the 2009-2010 4-H year. Families received detailed information concerning the need for the fee and were provided a survey to complete so the county Extension Staff could get a clearer indication as to the impact from the county.

Following are the notes from the meeting April 23 for review. You will notice some of the suggestions are being put into practice during the 2009 Fair to make sure we have ample funds to provide the program to area youth next year.

Please Note: The Jasper/Cumberland Extension Council will take the suggetions of the 4-H families and 4-H foundation into consideration when making the final decision as to how the program fee will be handled in the county.

April 23 Meeting Notes:

Some surveys were returned with the following results; most would help with a fundraiser and/or pay the fee, but there should be a cap on the fee per family. The alumni have been VERY supportive and some have contacted me to say they would pay extra to sponsor a 4-H member.

Here are the points discussed at the meeting.

They would like to see the money raised and paid by the Jasper County 4-H Foundation.

They don't want to have a fundraiser away from the fair

Some would pay more to NOT have to do a fundraiser

After a lot of discussion with these points this is what they are suggesting.

When Alumni pay their dues and as new alumni is asked to join alumni will have the option to join the 4-H alumni only or pay $10 a couple for the alumni with an additional $20 added to sponsor a 4-H member. Making Alumni dues for a couple $30 and singles $25 if they want to sponsor a member, if not, $10 a couple and $5 a single. This way the foundation and program fees are being covered.

And, if families felt they wanted to contribute they would become an alumni member for $30 and that would cover a family, if 4-H families could not contribute it would be covered through the foundation, but no family would be "billed" per say for the program fee.

During the fair the money from the food stand will go to the program fees and they are going to have a "Grandparents Day" at the fair. Kids will invite grandparents to come and have lunch at the fair with them and they will eat together and show them their projects etc. And we will have a pulled pork "meal" for those attending for a free will donation and those donations would go to the program fee.

If by the time they are taking the money out for the state and we need the extra funds then we will let the clubs handle the rest if there is a need. And the clubs will decide if the money comes from the club as a group or individuals.

Families didn't mind doing a little extra, but didn't want it at another time of the year. They wanted to do it during the fair.

Most indicated they would just pay a little extra, but they thought $20 per member was too high. And, if that meant Cloverbuds also, they would not enroll the Cloverbuds,

Foundation Information

Please note at a separate Jasper County 4-H Foundation Board Meeting the Board voted to pay the $20 per member program fee, using funds from the 4-H Food Stand at the Jasper County Fair and by utilizing the Alumni donations. This would enable the Jasper County 4-H members to participate in the Jasper County 4-H program without paying a direct program fee.

4-H families would be contributing by assisting with the 4-H Food Stand and other fund raisers sponsored by the Jasper County 4-H Foundation.

The Foundation will be paying 1/2 scholarships for members wishing to participate in out of county events as well as once again sponsor the popular "Family Fun Events" during the Jasper County Fair.

The support of the Jasper County 4-H community has been great and your participation and ideas are greatly appreciated.. THANK YOU!