University of Illinois Extension Stephenson County
Focus
http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/stephenson/focus/
For more information, please contact:
Stephenson County Unit
Highland Community College Building R
2998 W Pearl City Rd
Freeport, IL 61032
Phone: 815-235-4125 / Fax: 815-232-9006
E-mail: stephenson_co@extension.uiuc.edu
Has your family thought about how all of you might be involved in the 4-H program? The 4-H program is a family organization. We encourage youth to be members, serve as officers and volunteers, join committees, and take part in many of the opportunities that we offer you through the 4-H program.
While we encourage youth involvement in the 4-H program, we also encourage parental involvement. There are many ways 4-H parents can get involved. You can apply to become a club level volunteer. You obviously would have to go through our volunteer screening process, but it's a fairly painless process! At the club level you can help the Organizational Leader (Head Leader) with many different aspects of the club, like: Fair Coordinator, Enrollment Coordinator, Officer Team Mentor, Cloverbud Leader, New Family Support Coordinator, and many more! You could apply to become a county level volunteer. There are many different committees you can serve on; there may be a Superintendent position available, or some other volunteer opportunity. Or, you could simply attend the club meetings and help out wherever possible. Keep in mind though, if you don't go through the volunteer screening process and get approved, you CAN NOT operate in a volunteer capacity. This rule is for the safety of the children in our 4-H program.
No matter what way, or to what level your family, both youth and parents, choose to be involved, remember that 4-H is something fun AND educational for the whole family! 4-H gives families an opportunity to spend quality time together and in a variety of ways!
So, be thinking about how you would like to get involved in the
4-H program today and then tell a friend and their family about 4-H too!
Peace to your and your's,
Kim
You Spoke, We Listened
These are some of the comments we've received recently.
Concerns/Ideas:
ˇJr. leaders want more responsibilities.
ˇBehavior control is a problem in all clubs.
ˇMaybe have an officer read just a few of the really important things from the newsletter.
ˇParents talking is an issue in most clubs.
ˇLack of parent attendance is an issue in some clubs – there was a suggestion given to ask parents to be involved in a project in order to get them to come to meetings.
ˇSuggestion given: set up a family box with folders and put all information in there; families are responsible to check the box each meeting and get their information.
ˇMost club representatives expressed that they need more training on Parliamentary Procedure.
ˇPresidents/Vice Presidents enjoyed the opportunity to share ideas!
Items that youth want to communicate to leaders:
ˇLet youth lead the meetings; it gives them an opportunity to gain leadership experience.
ˇLetters, thank you notes, etc. need to be read by youth, not leaders.
ˇWhen new members fumble with talks and demos, let them work through them, don't have a leader or parent "coach" them through it.
ˇYouth need to be allowed/encouraged to mentor younger kids so they are ready to step into leadership roles.
Aerospace Resources
Are you interested in learning more about space? Well here are some great websites that might interest you!
There is an error in the Wildlife B Project Manual. On page 8 of the book, it refers to a list of species on page 3. It is not page 3, it is page 4. We are sorry if this caused any confusion.
Volunteer Screening
This is a reminder to all 4-H clubs and their leaders that the state requires all county 4-H volunteers and leaders to complete an application packets (volunteer screening forms.) These forms are required for all individuals who volunteer in any way to help with the 4-H program. The purpose of this screening process is to protect youth from individuals who may physically, sexually, or mentally abuse them. While it is our hope that the volunteers here in Stephenson County do not fit this category, for the safety of all youth it is an important task to complete. If a club has new leaders, volunteers, or active parents, please be sure that everyone has completed the necessary paperwork and interview. All volunteers' files are updated every five years. These forms are a must when it comes to working with youth in the 4-H program. The Extension Office has all the necessary forms, so stop by and pick some up if they are needed.
**NOTE: Anyone who is not screened should not be acting as a volunteer!
LABO Coordinator
Japanese Exchange Coordinators are adult volunteers who enjoy meeting new people and facilitating a cultural exchange opportunity. Volunteer coordinators publicize the opportunity, recruit, interview, and orient host families and work with the families during the actual exchange. Time commitment varies, but would range from 5-10 hours/month for March - May and then observation during the homestay from mid-July to mid August. Coordinators receive reimbursement for travel and program expenses associated with the Japanese Exchange Programs. Exchange coordinators are provided training and support for their role.
LABO Host Families Needed
Labo families are needed to host Japanese exchange students, ages 12-18, for four weeks this summer as part of a two-way exchange program sponsored by 4-H. The Japanese teenagers will stay with their American host families from mid-July to mid-August. The program is open to families living in Stephenson County with children close in age to the Japanese participants. Families without children in this age range will be considered as hosts for adult chaperones from Japan. The program gives host families a chance to share their culture, friendship, and family life with an exchange student and at the same time learn about Japanese life. The home stays only last a month but the effects last a lifetime. If your family is interested in hosting this summer, please contact the Extension Office.
ACES Open House
Mark your calendars and plan to bring a group of young people to ExplorACES on Friday, March 10 or Saturday, March 11 in the College of ACES. The hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. ExplorACES is a once-a-year chance for prospective students to take an up-close look at the College's labs and classrooms, get the "real scoop" on life at the U of I from current students, learn more about the admissions process, and meet faculty members who have a real interest in undergraduate education. ExplorACES is an event that was designed with older youth in mind -- those who are already thinking ahead to college. Families are welcome, of course, but the emphasis is on tours and one-to-one interactions for college-bound students who are in high school, junior college, or middle school. One final note: Because ExplorACES is a student-run event, and the students were off for a month-long winter break, the 2006 program details are still being finalized. The 2005 program is still up on the web, so you can get a general idea of what kinds of tours and activities will be offered in 2006.
Program Book Thanks
The 2006 Stephenson County 4-H Program Book is ready, thanks to the efforts of some AWESOME volunteers. We wish to give HUGE THANKS to the following people who came and put the book together:
