• October 13 – 4-H Leader Learn & Fun Day Registration
• October 15 – Operation Santa Stockings due to Extension for HCE
• October 22 – 4-H Volunteer Screening & Orientation date (please register in advance)
• October 30 – 4-H Club Audit form return
• October 30 – 4-H Club Re-enrollment Form return
• October 30 – 4-H Learn & Fun Day workshop presenter form return
• October 30 – 4-H Learn & Fun Day presenter forms due
• November 12 – 4-H Multi-County Officer Training Registration
• December 10 – 4-H LCP Applications Due
• January 4 – Illinois 4-H Award Applications & 4-H Key Award Applications Due
• January 13 – 4-H Learn & Fun Day Registration

4-H National Youth Science Day Kick-Off – October 3, Children's Discovery Museum, 9-12 am

On 4-H National Youth Science Day – October 7, 2009 – millions of young people across the U.S. will participate in a live demonstration of how organic materials can be converted to fuel to supply energy. McLean County will kick off National Youth Science day on Saturday, October 3 from 9:30 – 11:30 am.

The experiment offers several activities to showcase how cellulose and sugars in plants can be used to create ethanol. The National Science Experiment will encourage a national youth debate to discuss the "best" biofuel based on experiment outcomes. Youth will be engaged before, during and after the experiment via several popular communication mechanisms and through the www.4-H.org web site. To download youth and facilitator guidebooks go to www.4-H.org/NYSD.

A kit will be available for clubs to check out this year to complete the experiment. Please be sure to report your results right away!!

4-H Leader Learn & Fun Day, October 17, 8:30 am - 2:15 pm

(BIG-M) + U = 4-H…Formula 4 Success

Why?

• Great presentations from State, County, Local Leaders AND 4-H'ers
• Share Best Practices
• Get some new ideas or be reminded of things you knew but forgot or didn't know what to do with
• The 4-H'ers shouldn't get all the good stuff – we leaders deserve some fun, too!

What?

• Find out how learning about your own Personality Type and those of others can help you become a stronger 4-H Club and be more effective as a leader
• Learn about how the principles of the BIG – M (Belonging, Independence, Generosity and Mastery) have already had an effect on our McLean County 4-H members
• Six workshops (during two sessions) designed to help you enjoy your role as 4-H leader more, gain confidence and "Learn by Doing."

Who Should Come?

• New leaders
• Jr. Leaders (older 4-Hers in a leadership role in the club)
• Old, er, "Seasoned" leaders
• Parents who might be interested in becoming leaders (if you bring a prospect you'll receive something special)
• People who care about our McLean County 4-H members and programs (examples – superintendents, alumni, etc)

How Do I Register?

• October 1 registration will open at www.mcleanextension.org
• Register by Tuesday, October 13
• Cost is $10 and will include workshop materials, continental breakfast and sack lunch
• Registration and space are limited to the first 85 leaders

4-H Hippology Dates set for rest of program year next up - October 22

Hippology is an activity that can make learning fun for 4-H members, by letting them exhibit their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a friendly but competitive setting. The group meets once a month at the UNITY Community Center, 632 Orlando Ave, Normal from 6:30 – 8 pm. Meeting dates are set: Oct 22, Nov 19, Dec 17, Jan 14, Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb 25, Mar 11, Mar 22. For more information contact Jill or Bill Schenk, volunteer coaches at jillnbill90@msn.com.

Team Youth October 23, 6:30 – 8 pm at UNITY

4-H members 10-14 are invited to the UNITY Community Center 632 Orlando Ave in Normal to attend service learning sessions regarding Animal Shelters in the fall. The group will eventually volunteer at one, but we will be researching and learning them first. Fall dates for Team Youth are –October 23, and November 13. These are Friday's. Special thanks to Ann Clary, of Home Spun for assisting with this group! If you have a High School age 4-H member that would like to help lead activities with team youth, contact Theresa.

Register online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=3371

4-H Leader Update scheduled for October 29 is CANCELLED

The next scheduled update is January 26, 2010.

4-H Officer Camp – November 21, 9-12 pm, Crossroads Methodist Church, Washington IL

Join 4-H members, leaders and Extension staff from throughout Central Illinois for a morning packed full of information, activity, food and fun. The Multi County Officers Training is open to any 4-H member, leader, parent or volunteer. There is no charge for attending the training. Pre-registrations are required for each person planning to attend the training. Register online to attend: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=3544

The training will include:

1. Parliamentary Procedure
2. Making 4-H meetings fun
3. Break out sessions for each officer group
4. A special breakout session for leaders, volunteers and parents
5. A mock meeting
6. Refreshments and Recreation
7. Opportunities to get new ideas from 4-Hers in other counties

To encourage member's attendance from McLean County: If a screened volunteer (that has license and insurance information on file with the Extension Office) transports FIVE 4-H members, they can be reimbursed the mileage. Please call the Extension office for more information, as paperwork will need to be filled out in advance. Reimbursement MUST be taken care of through the McLean Extension Office PRIOR to the event! Names of 4-Hers riding in your vehicle need to be on file with the Extension Office.

4-H Find Out Party/New Member Meeting, November 21, 9:30-11 am

Please pass along this opportunity for 4-H members to learn more about 4-H. This is for 4-H members 8+ and their families. Hands-on activities for the 4-Hers while the parents get to ask questions about 4-H and learn more about the Illinois Clover, picking out projects, forms and deadlines.

Register online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=3370

Leadership Opportunities for 4-Hers and adults

We need 4-Her and adult assistance for the following activities. If interested please contact Theresa ASAP.

• November 15 – Recognition of Excellence, Central Catholic HS Auditorium
• November 21 – 4-H Find Out Party/New Member Meeting, Extension Office, 9:30 - 11 am
• January 23 – Learn & Fun Day, Heartland Community College, 9-2:15 pm
• March 6 – 4-H Technology Academy, WDC, HCC, 9-2 pm

• Inquire by emailing: techamb@illinois.edu

4-H Learn & Fun Day – Workshop Presenters NEEDED!!

Have your club members led a workshop at Learn & Fun Day? If not, why not? 4-H Learn & Fun Day is successful because of the adults, leaders, parents, and 4-HHHHers that volunteer their time to lead workshops! This is a good leadership opportunity for 4-Hers 13+. We have over 50 workshops each year and need more presenters. The form is included in the packet and can also be downloaded online under Forms & Downloads on the 4-H program page. All workshop submission requests are due before October 30.

Access the form online: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth2795.html

New or Revised 4-H Curriculum for 2010

Check out the new projects and/or curriculum resources listed below.

• Bicycle 1 & 2: Bicycling for Fun, Wheels in Motion, and Helper's Guide
• Cloverbud: Exploring Farm Animals; Vegetable Gardening A—See Them Sprout and Helper's Guide; and Veterinary Science 1—From Airedales to Zebras and Helper's Guide
• Foods & Nutrition: 4-H Cooking 301
• Horticulture: Vegetable Gardening A-D—See Them Sprout, Let's Get Growing, Take Your Pick, Growing Profits, and Helper's Guide
• Leadership: Leadership Skills You Never Outgrow 1: for Grades 3-6
• Veterinary Science: Veterinary Science 1-3—From Airedales to Zebras, All Systems Go, On the Cutting Edge, and Helper's Guide
• Video: Filmmaking (available online only)
• Wind Energy: Power of the Wind and Facilitator's Guide

2010 4-H Great Debate Conference, February 12-13, 2010

The Great 4-H Debate is a conference for 4-H'ers from across Illinois who converge in Springfield to debate bills and learn about the legislative process. The 4-H Great Debate is for all high school age U of I Extension 4-H youth development program participants 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

Besides all the work, participants will meet youth from across the state and enjoy games and music on Friday night.

This conference is open to Illinois 4-H youth. Registration fee for the conference is about $60. The deadline for registration is at the end of January. Lodging will be at Lake Springfield Christian Academy. Delegates will need to bring bedding, towels, and toiletries in addition to clothing. Conference Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/greatdebate/index.html

2010 Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference, February 19-20, 2010

Help motivate junior high 4-H members into exploring their leadership abilities. Encourage them to attend the 2010 Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference! This event, designed for 7th and 8th grade 4-H'ers, is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, February 20-21, 2010. The Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team will again be hosting this event at the Lake Williamson Camp & Conference Center near Carlinville, Illinois. More details and registration information will be appearing on the new 4-H website at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/events/juniorleadership.cfm and in the next issue of the Illinois Leader.

4-H Million Trees Project – Good Service Learning Opportunity!

Members of the Pacifica (California) 4-H Club launched the 4-H Million Trees (4HMT) project, a large-scale service-learning project with the goal to plant 1,000,000 trees across the United States to beautify America, absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, and combat global climate change. www.4hmilliontrees.org

Watch how the International Space Station has formed…

http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/iss_timeline/flash.htm

Virtual 4-H Filmmaking Studio & Workshop

The Virtual 4-H Filmmaking Studio & Workshop, located at www.4-H.org/curriculum/filmmaking. was developed in collaboration with Montana State University. The Filmmaking Studio and Workshop is the online place to find tools and resources about video production and "how to make your own film". On the home page of the site, you'll find the main Filmmaking Workshop—an 11 module "virtual workshop", geared toward youth interested in making Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) films. The workshop discusses SET as a primary topic area and delivery mode, but the learning modes and principles apply across mission mandate areas—SET, Healthy Living, and Citizenship.

This is a BETA release and feedback is encouraged, via the "Give Feedback" button on the home page. Additional resources will be added and tweaked over time, so stay tuned. Happy Filmmaking!

Looking for Democracy: How to Make It, How to Sustain It 2nd Annual Film & Video Contest

In this historical moment abuzz with potential, many are grappling with the possibilities for change. As we face economic crisis and calls for racial, environmental, and human justice, how are we creating and sustaining democracy?

Do you have an idea for a provocative remix that challenges the concept of ownership or a thought-provoking public service announcement that describes what it means to be green in your 'hood? Where do you see democracy in your life, where you work, go to school, or in your community? Now is your chance to be radically creative and show the world what democracy, making it and sustaining it, means to you!

Submit a short film to our Looking for Democracy: How to Make It, How to Sustain It 2nd Annual Film Contest. Any genre is fair game: documentary, narrative, experimental, remix, music video, public service announcement, etc.

You can submit more than one video. Videos must be 5 minutes or less in length. Postmark deadline: Tuesday, December 1, 2009. For rules, resources, prizes and submission information visit www.prairie.org/DemocracyFilmContest, or please contact Charlotte King at The Public Square at 312.422.5580 x232 or cak@prairie.org. This program is part of The Public Square's Looking for Democracy series, made possible in part by the Woods Fund of Chicago. Chicago Public Radio - WBEZ 91.5FM is the media sponsor of this contest.

IL 4-H Shooting Sports coming soon! (2011 4-H year)

Youth development will be the number one goal of the Shooting Sports Program. The program is an excellent way to provide life skill development and to establish a caring relationship with an adult mentor. The program is an active program, attractive to both youth and adult audiences. 4-H curriculum will be designed to assist young people in personal development, personal environmental ethics, and lifelong vocational and avocational activities. The program will help to promote self confidence, responsibility, teamwork, self esteem, decision-making and the identification of realistic personal goals. If you are interested in being a part of the program in McLean County, please contact the Extension office.

Lonestar Steakhouse has started a community outreach program called Take Steak. You can work with Lonestar to pick a day, Monday thru Thursday, where you distribute flyers for your participants. The flyers are then brought in to us and collected. 10 % of all sales (pre tax) are then given back to the organization by way of check. That is just the basics. If you are interested in more info, please contact either Mike, John, Heather at the 309-663-7827, or email Mike Johnson at: lonestar.bloomington@steakco.com

Love your Lungs, Central Illinois Walk for a Breath of Hope

Come out November 7, at Tipton Park in Bloomington for a walk for the Lungevity Foundation. Over 9,000 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer in the past yea and in that past year over 6,400 people died from lung cancer. 50% of people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked or are former smokers. 4-H clubs can sign up at www.lungevity.org/walk4breathofhope

Toys For Tots Needs 4-H's Help

The Salvation Army is expecting a 25% increase in families in need for Toys for Tots this year. Most of these will have never been part of the Toys for Tots program before. Funding losses from major corporations make a need to increase toys. Hope you will help. Please e-mail Katrina Whalen (4-H alum & Parent) at kattap2000@yahoo.com or the director is Matt Drat his e-mail is mattdrat@mac.com.

Support our Troops Care Package Drive, Operation Santa AND Cookie Drive

Operation Santa Informational Flier: http://www.operationsanta.info/html/OperationSanta_PanelCard.pdf

Your club can donate hand made "Thank You" cards in addition to the items on the list. They are also accepting stockings for Operation Santa. Get your scraps of fabric together and sew some stockings for the troops! Over 35,000 stockings will be sent this year! Deadline for stockings is October 15 due to Extension Office.

Holiday Cookies for the Soldiers Project

The McLean County Home and Community Education packed holiday cookies on Tuesday, Dec. 2 to send to soldiers overseas. Over 505 DOZEN cookies and goodies were brought to the Extension office at 402 N. Hershey Rd. in Bloomington. About 20 volunteers packaged the donations (cookies, candy, money, popcorn) that came from 4-H clubs, HCE members, State Farm employees, IAA employees, GFWC ILLINOIS Woman's Club of Heyworth, Bloomington-Normal Junior Woman's Club, retired teachers, and many other individuals in McLean County. 147 BOXES of cookies were mailed out this year! It costs $11 a box to ship to the soldiers. HCE appreciates any donations toward postage expenses. Send donations to McLean County HCE, 402 N. Hershey Rd., Bloomington , IL 61704. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this project so successful. If any questions, contact Leatha Poshard, 309-452-9164.

HCE Donation List

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth542.html

Operation Santa Website

http://www.operationsanta.info/

HCE Website

http://www.mcleanhce.org/

Favorite Recipes of Illinois 4-H Through the Years…

Remember snickerdoodles, wheat bread, funny cake, or chocolate crinkles? Do you remember these goodies from your 4-H experience? These and many more recipes from 14 University of Illinois Extension 4-H foods project books can be found in a new "favorites" cookbook available through the Illinois 4-H Foundation. Cost: $15

More than 150 of your old favorites from 4-H foods project books such as You Learn to Bake, ABC's of Food, Adventures in Cooking, It's Fun to Cook, Milk and Eggs, Meat in Your Meals, Pastry in Your Meals, and Yeast Breads in Your Meals are included in this 8 ½" x 11" spiral bound cookbook. Recipes are listed by 4-H project book, alphabetically, and by food category for easy reference.

Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hfoundation/. Proceeds from the cookbook will support current 4-H foods project resources and training for 4-H volunteers and can be purchased at the Extension Office.

4-H CAMPaign

You can help improve the facilities at 4-H Memorial Camp! Construction has started on the kitchen at 4-H Camp. This is a great opportunity for your 4-Hers to support Camp. There are several ways your club can get involved with this CAMPaign!! http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hmemorialcamp/campaign.html

4-H LCP Award & Premier 20 Leadership Conference

This award conference is for ten 4-H members and ten FFA Section Presidents. Leadership development is the focus of training. The event is sponsored by Illinois Farm Bureau & their Affiliate Companies. The conference is April 23-25, 2010. The target audience is outstanding teen leaders; 2 per county, age 17 by December 1, 2009. The application is due December 10, 2009 to the Extension Office because the state deadline is December 15. Applications are available through your local Extension office or via the web: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/members/recognition_awards.cfm. Each Extension unit determines how they select their two nominees for the state competition.

4-H Key Award – Revised for 2010

The 4-H Key Award has been revised. It will be a separate application process and is January 4, 2010. 4-Hers that have received the county key award metal may apply for this award. The application is available online.

International 4-H Travel Opportunities

2010 summer outbound opportunities: 4-Hers age 16 and older can travel to Australia, Costa Rica and/or Japan. Please help us advertise these opportunities to the youth in your units and areas. All applicable forms and more information are available 4-H website http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/members/international.cfm.

Interested youth should download the package labeled "Forms Summer Outbound Delegates". This year, the forms can be completed electronically and printed out and signed after everything is inserted.

COLLEGE 101 series offered through U of I Extension and Compact

Session 2 – November 18th, 2009 – 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. at the ISU Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main, Normal

What Students Want Their Parent to Know About Preparing for College

This session is designed to assist students in communicating to their parents and parents in communicating to their students in preparing to attend college. Students may feel pressure from parents about the selection process and selecting a specific major. Parents may feel college is a huge financial commitment and may want the student to take this opportunity very seriously. Are there ways the two can discuss their concerns and where are the answers to the questions each poses? Can the answers to the questions each group has be answered somewhere in this community? Do you need the answer now??

Session 3 – December 2nd, 2009 – 6:00 to 7:15 p.m., at U of I Extension Office, 402 N. Hershey Rd. Bloomington

How to Seek Financial Investments in Your Education with Scholarships and Grants

This session will give tips on the financial aid process. Students and parents will hear from those in the educational system who deal with financial investments in the education of young people. Places to look for other investments will be discussed.

U of I Crop Sciences looking for new students

Do you know students who are interested in plants and science? We need your help in recruiting students interested in biological sciences into careers in Crop Sciences. If students have an interest and aptitude in biology please make them aware of career opportunities in Crop Sciences and encourage them to apply for admission to our program at the University of Illinois. Our department also includes programs for students who are interested in horticulture.

Crop Sciences is a diverse discipline in which biological sciences provide the basis for agricultural production of the world's food supply. It's plant physiology, entomology, mycology, and bacteriology. It's molecular biology and transgenic plants. It's more efficient use of nitrogen and other plant nutrients to protect the environment. Crop scientists use knowledge about agriculture, biology, genetics, biotechnology, ecology and other disciplines to improve plants and their products. Crop science students learn to integrated pest management techniques that preserve crop yields from weeds, diseases, and insect pests. Students learn about application of global positioning systems. Students interested in classical or molecular genetics can be involved in our plant breeding programs that combine plant breeding with molecular genetics. The priority application date for the University of Illinois is Nov.1^st. If you have questions about our program in Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, please contact me by phone at 217-333-9485 or by email at: f-kolb@illinois.edu.

Illinois Leader – State Publication

Edutopia – free website links

Edutopia is an educational website geared mainly toward classrooms but they have many wonderful (and free!) resources that relate well to our work with youth in 4-H. I just downloaded Edutopia's Ten Top Tips for Teaching with New Media, and thought you might find this resource useful, too. They have lots of links to free online communication tools with tips on how to use these with students. Again, the examples are classroom-based but I thought it might give you some ideas for use in your programs. You can download the free report at http://www.edutopia.org/ten-top-tips.

Treasurer's Book - Club Audits – Important!

4-H Clubs that have a treasury are required to complete an audit and turn it in to the local extension office each year. Starting for the 2007-2008 4-H year the Extension office is required to file a 990-N e-postcard for ALL 4-H Clubs. All club audits for 2007-2008 must be received by October 30^th, 2009 – no exceptions. A fact sheet is available online from National 4-H at: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/library/fs-electronic_filing_v2-08.pdf. If you have questions please contact us.

4-H Volunteer Orientation & Screening

• Who? Parents, leaders, superintendents = 4-H VOLUNTEERS
• When? October 22, February 17, and May 11 6:30-8 pm
• Where? Extension Office, 402 N Hershey Rd.
• Why? To ensure that all 4-H youth in McLean County are with caring screened adults who are concerned about their safety. The U of I Extension State 4-H Office requires youth to be with screened volunteers at ALL times at 4-H events. Please help us protect our 4-H youth. You cannot be recognized as a 4-H leader if you have not gone through screening. This process involves CANTS screening (child abuse and neglect), criminal background check, and personal reference checks. Please RSVP online or call the Extension office.
• Register online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=3374

Fall Program Planning – Have one meeting at HCC!

IMPORTANT – opportunity! Heartland Community College – Use of Facilities by 4-H Clubs

Through a great relationship with HCC I am excited to announce that 4-H clubs have been given the opportunity to schedule a meeting at their facility for special programs/speakers. Have you ever wanted to have a speaker come, but they wanted to show a Power Point or needed an overhead projector? Want to use a computer lab to have your 4-Hers learn about Geospatial/Robotics project activities? Would you like to have an Extension Staff member teach your 4-Hers a workshop? This is a one or two time per year opportunity for your club to use an HCC classroom or computer lab for a 4-H meeting. IF your club would like to schedule a meeting at Heartland Contact Lisa Sleevar at 309-268-8016.

You will need to contact her 4-6 weeks in advance.

When Electing Officers in your club….

If your club Reporter or Secretary is interested in being an "author" on the 4-H Club Chatter Blog, please pass along their email. They can then post their own articles on to the 4-H Club Chatter blog. It's really easy and fun! All posts will be monitored. Articles posted may be put in an Extension newsletter if there is space. If you have club reporters or other members that are into blogging send their names to the Extension office!

The website is up: http://mclean4-hclubchatter.blogspot.com/

National 4-H Council Grants portal

National 4-H Council is pleased to announce our new grants portal! This portal will be a one-stop resource, housing a wide variety of funding opportunities and related forms (applications, reports, etc.). The site can be found at http://grants.4-H.org. You will need to register to begin using the system and to review the benefits this new software provides (there is a brief instructional guide on how to register and apply for grants).

You must have your Club FEIN number in order to create an account. Grants that are being offered are also on this page: http://4-h.org/programs_mission_mandates.html.