Something to think about

Having recently participated in an historic national election, and anticipating great change in the nation (good or bad), I thought this quote was worth thinking about.

"We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don't let yourself be lulled into inaction. "
Bill Gates

A little closer to home, considering the recent administrative changes within Texas AgriLife Extension and our tendency to look for immediate results, these may be words to live by.

For what it's worth,
Kevin

Do You Need HELP?

10 TIPS to ASKING for the HELP YOU NEED
by Jim M. Allen

1. Remember, if you don’t make the request, it will NEVER happen.
Wayne Gretzky once said, “One hundred percent of the shots I don’t make don’t go in. Likewise the unasked question is never answered.

2. Don’t beat around the bush! Just ask!

3. If it’s an extraordinary request, say so. BIG requests are often the best request. Be 100% upfront and honest about what you want and what’s involved.

4. If the request is work that YOU normally (or should) do, explain why you can’t. You don’t need to provide tons of details, but again, be honest with the person you’re making the request of (and with yourself).

5. Don’t assume you know what the answer will be. Maybe they’ll say “No.” Of course, they might say “Yes”.

6. Recognize that the person *can* say “No.” You may not like it, but it will happen from time to time. Accept it and move on.

7. Make one request at a time. Asking for help, assistance, changes, etc., is fine, but don’t overwhelm a person with multiple requests all at once.

8. Make the request clear and distinct.
If there’s an exact way it needs to be done, let the person know. Give them all the information to make a good decision, but also so they can really do what you need them to do.

9. Trust the person to do the right thing. If you’ve made your request clear and the person has said that they’ll do it, expect they’ll do it correctly. Don’t follow them around and hound them about it.

10. Say “Thank You.”
(Even if they turn you down.)

Working for nothing?

To often we refer to volunteers in a flippant manner, almost like they are just an adult 4-Her, or another acquaintance. What they really are is the front line, unpaid employee of Texas AgriLife Extension Service. They are our co-workers. We do not bestow the privileged of representing 4-H and our agency to anyone. They must apply! They must be approved! they must be Hired! even if they are hired with no salary.

The development of our unpaid employees is every bit as important as the develpment of CEA's and Specialists. It's time we start thinking of them as our co-workers. we can hire 'em, we can guide 'em, we should train 'em, and on occasion we should fire 'em.

Something to think about,
Kevin

Keeping 'em safe

Inherently we know that as a professional youth educator one of our first obligations is to keep youth safe. that includes structuring a safe environment for learning and surrounding them with adults that will have a positive influence in their life. That "positive influence" maybe hard to gauge, but we have a system for gauging the converse. Texas 4-H Youth Protection Standards (volunteer screening) is our first line of defense against adults that could/would harm our children. It is also the standard we have created for keeping youth safe while under the supervision of 4-H Volunteers.

We must never let down our guard! It is with our best intentions that we make exceptions. Accepting late entries, including kids in the program that forgot to register, or reconvening the Validation committee to squeeze in one last validation. One place we can not make exceptions is volunteer screening.

Know that it takes a minimum of 48 hours for the state 4-H office to process a volunteer screening request. If today is Wednesday and a last minute change has created the need for an additional chaperon on Saturday, your only pool of candidates, are previously screened volunteers.

Be pro-active. Encourage even moderately active adults sign up as adult leaders early in the 4-H year, and turn in their screening paperwork as soon as possible.

For what it's worth,
Kevin

Can you FEED me now!!!!!!

We live in a country of abundance... don't believe me, look at my waste line (not a pretty picture). We also live in country where children go to bed at night hungry. When you see a bumper sticker that says the American Farmer Feeds the World, it's a lie. We are a net importer of food. But that does not mean we do not have enough to eat.

As a nation we are blessed. As individuals that go to bed at night without want for food, you and I are blessed. Let us pass that blessing on!!!!!

Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, has launched an initiative to fight hunger. His initiative is tailor made for the type of community service we offer through 4-H. It involves volunteer, community gardens, food drives, and resources to mount a coordinated community effort.

It's the type of activity we specialize in.... Why not get recognized for doing what we do well.

For more information on getting involved in the Initiative to fight hunger go to: http://tinyurl.com/fighthunger

Just something to think about,
Kevin

Show Me the $$$$$

It's never too early to start planning for college. That includes preparing for Scholarship Applications. We are lucky that the 4-H Foundation Scholarship Application closely follows the Texas 4-H Recordbook. This makes life a lot easier for graduating 4-Hers, if they have done recordbooks during their 4-H career.

The other big "if" that enters into the equation is if they prepared for the process by making good grades, taking the SAT early enough, Etc..... The time to start the process of preparing for the scholarship application is a child's freshman year, or earlier. When they reach their Senior year in highschool, there's not much we can do to help them, if they have not already started.

I know it's a hard sell, but the best audience for Scholarship Workshops is the freshman class, not the seniors.

For what it's worth,
Kevin

Vote early, and vote often!!!!!!

This now cliche quote, can be attributed to William Hale Thompson, Mayor of Chicago in the early 1900's, but it seems to fit today's politics.

News stories about ACORN, Joe the Plumber, Who does and does not wear a flag lapel pin, and Endless arguments over the deficit, are enough to make the most patriotic of us cynical. That along with the fact that many of you will be in Brownwood on election day could make it hard for you to make time to vote.

But do not let the negative campaigning, the constant bombardment by cynical adds, or the nasty nature of this years political campaign, keep you away from the ballot box. Also do not let the Texas 4-H Summit keep you from practicing your Civic Duty. Who you vote for in the national election is less relevant than the fact that you vote. It is also important that we all remember that there is a so called "down ballot" that needs our attention. The president is not the only position we are currently deciding.

As a reminder: Early Voting is open across the State, and if you are registered for the Texas 4-H Summit you will not be at home on election day!

So.... Vote early, and vote often!