Change!!!!

The District 9 4-H Web Page has changed!!!!!  I think you will like the look.  All of the old content you were accustomed to finding on the District 9 Web Page is there, but the layout has been updated to match the State 4-H Program.  The new page also allows us to do some things we could not with the old design, like, Blog.  So in the very near future this blog will discontinue :( and I will start posting all of my blogs on the new site.

At some point I hope to make updates on the new blog go out to County Extension Agents automatically.  Until then you may want to go to the Blog and include it in your favorite RSS.  In the interim I will try to be diligent about emailing you when I post items of interest in the new Blog.

So long eblogger, Hello Word Press,

Kevin

Leader College Open for Business

District 9 4-H Leader College is open for registration and will remain open until August 1st.  There will actually be registration available until the day before the event which is scheduled for August 14, 2010.  But there is a discount before August 1, or a penalty after August 1, depending on how you look at it.  Early registration is $15 and late registration is $20.

Most of you remember Kelsey Christian.  Her brother is catering the event, "Wannabe BBQ"  One of the more popular caterers in the Huntsville area.

This years sessions:

• Dog
• Entomology
• FCS Community Service
• Healthy Lifestyles Invitational
• Meat Science
• Recordbooks - Beginner and advanced
• Poultry showing and judging
• Scholarships 
• Consumer Decision Making
• Digital Storytelling
• Fashion Story Board
• Leaders 4 Life
• Rabbit
• Wild Life Skill-a-Thon

AND DON'T FORGET 4-H OFFICER TRAINING!!!!!

Any level officer, club, county or district can participate.  For that matter any child that want to be an officer can participate.  This training will be led by your current District Council Officers.

A more detailed brochure can be found on the District 9 4-H Website and registration can be done online on 4-HConnect.  As an almost post script, please remember we welcome everyone at this event.  They do not need to be enrolled volunteers to come and learn!  Give us a shout at the District Office and we'll help you register volunteers that are not enrolled.

Please comment on the blog or send me your questions,

Kevin

RecordBook Results

District 9 4-H Recordbook judging results are being posted to the District 9 4-H Web site in "Real Time"...Go to the District 9 website to see the results as they come in...

Isn't technology COOL!!!

Kevin

For the Record

Just a quick reminder:  Recordbook judging will be held tomorrow, July 7, 2010.  We have the names of those that volunteered for the event, but the more the merrier.  If you have extra volunteers bring them along.

Judges registration and serving of refreshment will begin at 9:00 am.

Bring your best attitude and be ready to be amazed at all the "stuff" our youth have done in this past year.

See you tomorrow,
Kevin

Leadership Lab is Upon us!!!!!!!

Leadership Lab Starts next week Tuesday, June 22!!!!!

Planning for the event has gone smoothly and we are ready for Lab on most fronts, but there are a few reminders for Parents, Participants and County Extension Agents:

• Parking on Sam Houston Campus during Leadership Lab is free but you will need to pick up a parking pass at the University Police Department prior to checking in at the event.  The Police Department is located at 2424 Sam Houston Ave, Huntsville, Tx
• There are costume dances both nights at Lab - 1st night is Sharp Thinkers (nerd) 2nd night is Sharp Dressers (we will be dancing after the Banquet)
• Bring nice clothes for the banquet
• The meet and greet for council officers has been moved up in the schedule to 1:30 pm on the first day at Olson Auditorium
• Don't forget the multitude of paper work you need to bring with you ie, Medical release, code of conduct...
• Don't forget bedding and toiletries.  The dorms have beds but no sheets.

For complete details go to the D9 Web Site.  If you have questions please respond to the Blog.  I'm sure you are not the only one trying to figure things out for next week.

Take Care,
Kevin

Hurry First come First Served, for 4-H Congress!!

Texas 4-H Congress is now accepting youth 14 years of age!!!!!  We only have 5 of these slots available to District 9.

I will approve the first 5 4-H Connect Registrations for youth 14 years old that I receive.  The timing of the submission will be based on the time stamp in 4-H Connect created when the 4-Her submits their entry!

Please make this known quickly!!! After the first 5, the offer closes!

Kevin

District 9 4-H: All Work and No Play....Not With TAE4-HA

District 9 4-H: All Work and No Play....Not With TAE4-HA

New Day...New Concept

At the District 9 4-H Agent training I shared with you a concept paper for changing the way we host contest in 2011.  With a few edits and the addition of Fashion Show (they forced me to add it) I have prepared an updated document.  The document is included in the enclosure link.

Please remember this is a concept at this point, and decisions regarding district contests next year, will be made at the District 4-H Program Planning Conference on July 8, 2010.

Feel free to share this concept with leaders and 4-Hers and garner what feedback you can.

Take Care,
Kevin

Something to Chew On!

Most of you are aware of the changes in the bit rule for district and state 4-H Horse shows.  Knowing that the rules have changed and being able to communicate those changes are two very different things entirely.  Photos to the rescue!  Brett Scott and Teri Antilley have created a slide show that shows what is legal and what is not.  That slide show can be downloaded at the State 4-H Horse Show web site or you can view the slide show on line at this link.

Bits and equipment

View more presentations from Texas Agrilife Extension Service.

This slide show should help those of us with a "bit" less knowledge about "Bits" explaine what the horse should be chewing on when they enter the ring at the District Horse Show.

Take care,
Kevin

All Work and No Play....Not With TAE4-HA

I have posted a few of the photos from the fun we had at the Spring 2010 District 9 TAE4-HA meeting.  Most of the photos I have posted are from the training an Shangri La.  Feel free to post any photos you may have taken.  I know you need an account with Shutterfly, in order to upload, if there are any other tricks you need to know, we'll figure them out together.

Enjoy the photos,
Kevin

Where is the new Customer

I am linking to an article referring to the post recession customer and what they look like.  I know your are busy, but I wouldn't post it if I didn't think it was important.  If you read nothing else read the last couple of lines posted here:

"...ask yourself this BIG question: Will your new customer buy from you, or your competition?"


Our business is a competitive business.  Will the post recession kids be coming to us?


Something to think about,
Kevin


http://bit.ly/9yJYvA

Do you really want to be there?

We have entered that retrospective time of the year for the District 4-H Program.  The District contests are over and the summer activities are about to begin.  This is that time when I look back and think, "What could we have done differently?"  Unfortunately it is easy to dwell on the negative when you look back, but it is also important to remember that WE had an impact on the lives of young people with no fewer 1039 entries in district events/contests thus far.

Looking ahead, we have recordbook judging in July, which brings its own set of issues.  Many of us do not like judging recordbooks, and it's really hard to get motivated to read the books if your heart isn't in it.  That being said, as a 4-H professional, it is our duty to give this task the same amount of attention and the same level of care that we give the exciting aspects of our program.  I hope you will join me in opening your mind to the value that this type of reflection (record keeping) has on the growth of our youth.  There are few opportunities available outside of 4-H to have this type of reflective experience.

Enough FLUFF....

We still need Recordbook judges on July 7, 2010.  If we are going to get them judged in a timely manner it is going to take a lot of people.  Please talk to your strong volunteers and your Ag & FCS coworkers and encourage them to sign up for recordbook judging this year.

We can use all the help we can get,
Kevin

S.E.T. ...Did you miss it?

Did you miss the District 9 4-H Science Engineering and Technology Poster Contest? 

If you did, go to the district 9 4-H Shutterfly account to get a feel for what took place.

The young people presented some really cool displays and the committee did an outstanding job of hosting this inaugural event.  A specila thank you goes to committee members:  Sheryl Nolen, Billy Zanolini, and Starla Garlick, for making this contest a success.

Next year this may be a big event!!!!

Kevin

Social Media

Got an opinion about Social Media?  I would bet that we all do.  Some people think it is the new industrial revolution, others think it's just a new way for teens to waste time and annoy parents.  Whatever your opinion, I think you'll find the facts in this video astounding.

Volunteer Orientation

Orientation of new Volunteers is critical to their success (and ours), and in a perfect world we would make this one of our top priorities.  We all know that our world is not perfect and often times when a new volunteer needs our attention is the same time our general program is screaming for our attention:  Technology to the rescue.

Online training is not perfect, but neither are we, and in the absence of one on one training, it is a far cry better than nothing.  The Texas 4-H Volunteer Orientation Course helps us fill that gap.  Before the 4-H summer programs kick off, take a little time to see what this Online Orientation has to offer.  Next time you are in a bind to get a new volunteer started this just might be the ticket!

For instructions for registering for the course and previewing the material go to the enclosure.

For what it's worth,
Kevin

Males Needed

Please remember the Male Chaperon needs for District 9 Leadership Lab.   We must have one male adult for every 8 male youth.  The female side of the equation tends to take care of itself, but we struggle to meet the male chaperon demands.

If boys are coming to Leadership Lab from your county please make sure you have men going also.

Kevin

Silent Auction Shaping Up To Be a HIT!!!

The Texas 4-H Roundup Silent Auction is shaping up to be a HIT!!!  Can you imagine a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Suite for 20 during the 2011 Stock Show, or maybe a Ted Nugent autographed guitar is more your style.

There is even going to be items for your Red Raiders, and Tea Sips.

Help the Texas 4-H Foundation reduce the cost of future Roundups by promoting the 2010 State 4-H Roundup Silent Auction.

Gig 'em,
Kevin

Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge

Reminder of the Texas 4-H Outdoor Challenge registration deadline of Saturday, May 22.  Please share this information with those interested.

 

The Outdoor Challenge will be held on June 17-18 in Brownwood at the 4-H Center.  More specific details about the contest (rules, costs, what to bring, etc.) can be found on our website at:

 

http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/youth/natural_resources/outdoor_challenge/index_natural_resources_outdoor_challenge.php

 

You can also get to the website from the Texas 4-H main page.  Either search for "Outdoor Challenge" or click on the "Youth" section down arrow, select "Natural Resources", and then "4-H Outdoor Challenge".

 

Kevin

Scholarship Prep

In years past I have conducted Scholarship Interview Preparation training for the 4-H Opportunity scholarship.  For a number of reasons that is not going to happen this year, but I still want our young scholars to be as competitive as they can be.  I also have confidence that each of you is more than capable of preparing your applicants to do their best in the interview.

To assist with that I am providing an agenda for the training that I provided in the past and a list of interview questions.  Over the years I have quizzed members of the scholarship selection committee and from this I have developed the resources you find attached.

Though these resources are aimed at the 4-H Opportunity scholarship I think you will find they can be expanded to multiple formats.

Good Luck Scholars,
Kevin

Congress Deadline is HERE!!!!!

The deadline for submitting Texas 4-H Congress Intent forms to the District 9 Office is Monday, May 17.

For complete details go to the D9 Website.

The short of it is this:  Every county is guaranteed one participant at Texas 4-H congress, but only if the intent form is turned in to the D9 Office.  After Monday May 17, I will begin the process of notifying standby participants of their ability to register.

Once we reach our District quota of 18, registration closes.

Don't let this one slip by you.

Kevin