4-H Leaders Letter

January, 2003

Date Saver 2003

January 27 - Jr.  Livestock Show & Sale Committee Meeting

March 6-4-H Board of Directors Mtg.

March 7-9 - SW Regional Teen Leaders Retreat

March 7-9 -  PA State 4-H Horse Forum

Martin Luther King Day 

January 20, 2003 commemorates Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. This is a great opportunity for clubs to do a fun diversity activity. This activity is so fun that you don’t really consider it a learning experience. Try it as an ice breaker at your next meeting. It is called “First Impressions.” The enclosed blue page gives you some talking points for the experience. The grid page is the worksheet.

Leaders Kick-Off Evening

Mardi Gras Westmoreland

A festive evening with a Mardi Gras splash is scheduled for February 11th at Mt View Inn, Route 30, Greensburg, PA. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m.

followed by honoring our volunteers of the evening. The Hempfield Senior High School Jazz ensemble and band will perform. The evening will be light hearted but heartfelt in appreciation for everything that you, the 4-H leaders, do for the youth of your community.  Andy Stofan, Latrobe Chamber of Commerce, will be our celebrity guest of the evening and present the Certificates of Appreciation for the leaders.

This year's honorees are as follows.

 First Year Honorees:  Christina Ahearn, Melonie Androstic, Margaret Anthony, Margaret Barron, George Bush, Melissa Ciesielski, Paul Ciotti, Pastor John Custer, Vivian Foster, Traci Golkosky, Daniel & Leanne Griffith, Elly Hill, Mary Hoza-Dorazio, Wayne Jones, Kevin & Sandra Keller, Amy Klosky, Alesia Lauffer, Renee Logan, Mark Lucas, Mandy Lutska, Kelly Masciantonio, Robin McLaughlin, Jeffrey Pardus, Sandy Patterson, Tonya Perfetta, Debbie Sarault, Paula Sullenberger, Donna Thorpe, Greg Vidakovich, and Shari Wright

Five Year Honorees:  Connie Blystone, Gary Blystone, Ray Charley, Shawn Himler, Gloria Johnson, Kristy Kelly, Scott Lail, Lee Lenhart, Lonnie Lenhart, Tom Logan, Barbara McMillan, Diane Murphy, James Shusko, Samuel D. Smail, Jr. and Vicki Snyder

Ten Year Honorees:  Todd Frescura, Ronald Hodoba, Craig Lash, Eleanor Lash, John Morrison, Esther Seranko, Kimberly Smith, and Joan Thompson

Fifteen Year Honorees:  Jane Emanuele, John Squib, and Becky Wolinsky

Twenty Year Honorees:  Dorinda Baker, Diane Ebert, Rick Ebert, and Carole Hellein

Thirty Year Honoree: Shirley Acosta

Thirty-Five Year Honoree: Glenn Harris

Forty Year Honoree: Emma Dunmire

Forty-five Year Honoree: Ken McQuaide

Reservations are due by February 3^rd.   Return the enclosed reservation form a.s.a.p. Those receiving the year marker awards are complimentary of the Westmoreland County 4-H Development Fund. Other 4-H leaders are asked to pay $5.00 to offset the dinner costs and guests will pay $18.00. You’ll be surprised with the annual leader's favor, don’t miss it!

The 4-H Leaders Kick-off Committee of Todd Frescura, Heidi Kozar and Bev Gettemy extend a personal invitation for all to attend.  We also will be electing 4-H Board of Directors members this evening. 

Organizational Leaders Meeting “Take Two” 

A countywide organizational leaders meeting was held on January 6^th to update club leaders on club management policies for 2003. Due to the weather many club leaders could not make it to the meeting.  Therefore, another meeting has been set for February 18th at 7:00 p.m. at the Extension office.  This is geared for the organizational leaders that were unable to make the January 6^th  organizational meeting.

2003 SW Regional Leaders Symposium 

“4-H Pieces the Puzzle Together” will be the theme at the Southwest PA 4-H Leaders Symposium, February 28 - March 1, 2003.  The symposium will take place at the Indiana Holiday Inn.  Friday night’s opening program will feature a keynote speaker that will address innovative ways of dealing with stress, and then 4-H alumnus Jeff Sarault will present a magic show for everyone’s enjoyment.

Workshops will be offered on topics such as:  horses, rabbits, clothing & textiles, scrap booking/stamping, livestock, environmental projects, working with club officers/teen leaders, 4-H policies, and community service.  As always there will be exhibits, door prizes, give-aways and networking. 

Registration for early birds will be $32.00 due by February 3rd.  Six scholarships for screened volunteers are available.  First time attendees will be given preference.  Please note when sending in your registration if you would like a scholarship, and we will let you know if you receive one. Enclosed is the registration brochure for the symposium. Don’t miss the deadline and the fun.

Colgate Youth for America Community Service Award Program 

The Colgate Youth for America campaign is offering more than 350 cash grants, for up to $2,000 dollars, to youth organizations like 4-H for conducting community service projects from March 1, 2002 to March 1, 2003. Entry forms are available at the office or by visiting the youth for America

web site at www.youthforamerica.com. The application is as simple as writing a descriptor of the community service project and add some pictures or support items that describe the event that you may have.

Applications are due by March 15, 2003. If you apply, please let us know so we can give support.

Organize Your Club

Lady Lions Basketball 4-H Day is Coming 

Tickets are offered free to 4-H members, leaders and families to attend 4-H Day at the Penn State Lady Loins Basketball game.  This year’s game is scheduled for March 3^rd at 2:00 PM. Tickets will be available at the Extension office after February 15th. This is a fun day and it makes us proud to be in 4-H.

Member Enrollment Forms Are Changing 

We are replacing the old member enrollment cards with a one page form that will have the member’s information along with a place for the member to sign off on the 4-H code of conduct and the photo release form. We will keep these on file at the Extension office. Leaders may make a copy of the form for their local club members if they wish to have a copy of the code of conduct and photo release signature with them.

Orange, Pink, Green Forms

… Start NOW!

It’s time to encourage your members to complete the record achievement forms for recognition. Many times deserving 4-H members miss the opportunity to apply for the trips and awards that are available to them. Your suggestions to a member to apply often is the spark that is needed.

The Orange, Pink and Green Forms track a member's experiences in 4-H.  Everything from a listing of projects, to their club involvement, to their leadership roles as they age. The forms are available from the office or members can download them from the web page Westmoreland.ext.psu.edu, go to the 4-H section and click under forms.

Suggestions Needed NOW for Changes to 4-H Fair Classes 

This is the time of year that we are asked for any new classes/clarifications, etc. for 4-H classes at the Westmoreland Fair. If you have a good idea or noticed something that was not clear from last year please contact the office by February 1, 2003 so we can change items for the 2003 4-H opportunities at the Westmoreland Fair. You can email them to Joann Logan (Jel3@psu.edu) or just to the office.

Club Treasurer’s Books Due

A reminder that club treasurer’s books are due to the office. Presently we have the books from:

• Llamas R Us
• Trailblazers
• Westmoreland County 4-H Travel All
• Westmoreland County 4-H Beef Club
• Mt View 4-H Ag Club

Thanks for your cooperation. 

Extension Calendars Available for Club Families 

The Westmoreland County Extension Annual Report/2003 Calendars are available at the Extension office for you to pick up to give to your club families. Many of the county and regional 4-H opportunity dates are listed. Give them to your 4-H families to record your local club meetings. Stop in and pick some up while they last.

Sincerely,

Joann E. Logan

Extension Agent/4-H Youth

Cindy Arblaster

Extension Agent/4-H Youth

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The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities.  If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Westmoreland County Cooperative Extension Office at (724) 837-1402 in advance of your participation or visit. This publication is available in alternative media on request.