Kitsap County Fair and Stampede 2008 UPDATE

Fair is less than one month away and preparations are well under way.  Thank you all for the hard work and dedication put into this years projects and clubs!  I am so proud to have been raised through 4-H as a youth and collegiate member (New Mexico) and to now be helping to make the best better through my career here in Washington.  If it weren’t for Leaders and members like you, this program wouldn’t be what it is today.  I appreciate your time, talents and suggestions in making Kitsap County 4-H the best!  Here’s wishing everyone a great fair!  Please see the important updates and reminders regarding fair below.   

LOCATION CHANGE—Record books are due this Friday, August 1st at the Fairgrounds Eagle’s Nest (12-7 PM) or at WSU Kitsap County Extension Office (before 4:30 PM).  Please consider volunteering to help judge record books on Saturday, August 2 at the Eagle’s Nest between 8:30-1:00pm.  Educational Displays are due August 15th at the Pavillion from 12-7 PM.

Fair entry forms need a mailing address (not physical address) so the Fairgrounds can get in touch with you after the event.

Not all judges’ budgets were cut but most requests for an increase were denied by the Fairgrounds.  Superintendents will receive ALL fair forms via email by August 7th.  Vicki Avery will be emailing the information you typically receive at the August Council meeting to you via email.

4-H Council Meeting is August 7th at 6:30 PM at the Eagles Nest.

We are also asking 4-H volunteers to sign-up and host a 2 hour shift at the 4-H Fair Office or our new 4-H T-shirt vendor spot during fair.  You are integral to the success and growth of our children’s 4-H program.  Please call 337-7162 to sign-up for a shift to pass out pencils, stamp the 4-H passport, share your 4-H experience or sell t-shirts.  

I look forward to seeing many of you at the fair!  
Kelly Fisk                                           
4-H Youth Development Educator

Update from Vicki’s Corner

In the past 10 years that I have been with Extension, things have changed dramatically.  When I came to work for WSU back in the “good old days” our office had a 4-H secretary, 4-H coordinator and 4-H agent.  Now we have a 4-H Youth Development Educator, no 4-H secretary and no 4-H coordinator.

My role in the office is Office Manager for 10 programs and I handle all the finances for County and WSU.  The role I play for 4-H is Enrollment.  When your enrollment comes into our office it is given to me to enter into our special 4-H enrollment software.  I am not the 4-H secretary, as I was in the past.

Any 4-H information needed, which includes, all contests, fair, 4-H general questions, etc. all go to one person and that is Kelly.  If you can’t find Kelly in the office, that is because she is out in the field 90% of her time.  She handles all 4-H programming and anything that deals with youth in all aspects of Kitsap County.

I know it is confusing for the members that have been enrolled for a long period of time because our office keeps revolving (I am working with our 5th 4-H person), front office staff come/go and programs change.

Our office is still trying to offer you help and guidance the best way we can.  We will be working more on email, so keeping your email up-to-date with the office helps.  We are putting more information on our Web site, www.kitsap.wsu.edu/4h. 

All newsletters, emails and letters that come your way, need to be read thoroughly to avoid duplication, frustration and explanation.

If we haven’t met, please come to the 4-H office on the fairgrounds during fair and introduce yourself to me or come into our office in Bremerton and say hi!

Enrollment Age Requirements

Reminder - A member must be 8 years old before January 1st of the current 4-H year (2007 enrolling) and in 3rd Grade to participate in competitive events or large animal projects.  If a member's birthday falls after January 2008 their actual age will be different than the 4-H age allowed for those certain project

The 4-H Needlecraft Department at the Kitsap County Fair encourages you to work on your knitting, crochet, needlepoint, cross-stitch, embroidery, appliqué projects and submit your beautiful work to the Fair this summer.  Prizes will be awarded for each 4-H age level.  Check out all the available categories for submission at:
http://www.kitsapgov.com/parks/Exhibition_Guides.htm
and find Needlecraft under the Still Life section of the exhibitor guide.

Fair Facility Reservations

With recent budget cuts and layoffs, our 4-H office will no longer be taking reservations for the fairground facilities for 4-H events.  Please visit www.kitsapgov.com/parks to download a facilities rental application and return to the Fair Office.

Financial Matters

The IRS and National 4-H report that those 4-H Clubs making less than $25,000 this year DO NOT need to file an ePostcard in 2008.

For all issues about status under GEN 2704, whether the club is requesting an EIN (SS-4 form) or inclusion under GEN 2704, or questions related to filing requirements, determination letters, or general status questions, all clubs should start with the State 4-H Program Office.  Do not contact 4-H National Headquarters.

If your club hasn’t completed an EIN request from the IRS, log onto www.irs.gov to begin the process.  ALL CLUBS are REQUIRED to have their own EIN number.  The general Kitsap County 4-H Council EIN can no longer be used.   

The 4-H TAG (Teen Action Group) teens have been busier than ever engaging in leadership opportunities, training and camps around Kitsap County. 

In June, a number of TAG teens participated in the TAG Regional Teen Leadership Training Day at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island.  The training consisted of activities such as:

                                    1.   Empowerment:  At the News Stand - reflecting on the future
                                    2.   Support:  The Zapping Maze - teamwork/independent work
                                    3.   Constructive Use of Time:  Mission Impossible
                                    4.  Commitment to Learning:  Group Juggle
                                    5.  Positive Values:  What I Value
                                    6.  Positive Identity

4-H TAG teens had fun working with the other five TAG youth development units (ex, NAACP, Bainbridge Teen Center) to grow in leadership skills and have a good time.  Friendships were formed, memories created and life skills increased...all in good day’s work!

The month of July brought about another set of our TAG teens discovering themselves as TC’s (Teen Counselors) and CIT’s (Counselors in Training) at the Twin Lakes 4-H Camp.  Each year, teens are trained to mentor and lead youth activities at 4-H Camp.  They pride themselves on providing fun, safe leadership in an exciting environmental education setting.

Up next—back to the drawing board with fun activities for this fall (rag blanket creations for a local shelter) and more leadership development at our monthly TAG meetings—1st Friday of every month (except August), 4:00 PM at the Poulsbo Fire Station.  For more information call 360-337-7162.

On May 22, The Rabbit Tree and Kids of Kitsap (rabbit and goat 4-H clubs) joined together to raise money and put together food packages for children around the world. Combined, the clubs raised $1,500 towards COTN, packing over 30 boxes containing 6,480 meals.  Imagine only working 3 hours with 40 people to feed 6,480 children around the world.  Without the help of our two 4-H clubs, these lives may not have been changed.

With other 4-H community’s help, Washington State could help contribute to world hunger and save children and their families from starvation.  As a great community service project and a good cause, 4-H and COTN are saving lives and reaching their goal, and you can help too.  Help to reduce suffering in our country, and many others, participate in Children of the Nations food packaging events.

WSU King County Extension will be hosting a 4-H Portable Challenge Leader Training August 12, 14 and 15, 2008 (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) 9 am – 5 pm in the Seattle area. Exact location TBA soon.

This three-day intensive program is designed to increase participants' knowledge about facilitating team building and leadership development activities.  Learning will take place through information sessions, involvement in cooperative Challenge activities as both a participant and a facilitator and opportunities for feedback and group discussion. 

4-H Challenge leaders are individuals who work with a group of young people, presenting games and problem solving activities in a manner which is designed to develop life skills.  FUN is a considerable element of this process, however, this is more than just a recreational adventure, it is an educational process.  The leader facilitates a process that allows participants to learn from each other and the experience.

Interested adults, teens ages 16 or older, 4-H club leaders and any adult that works with youth (church youth leaders, school counselors, prevention intervention specialists, etc.) can attend. Participants can gain valuable information from this training that can be used in classroom, boardroom, club, work and family settings.

A special registration fee of $60 is available for 4-H volunteers, 4-H members (16 years of age or older), and WSU Extension staff members. For all others, the registration fee for this training is $250 and includes copies of the Journey Toward the Caring Classroom and the WSU Challenge manual.  Clock hours are available.   If needed, please inquire about scholarships with volunteer payback hours.

For more information, please contact Sarah Butzine at 206-205-3108 or Sarah.Butzine@kingcounty.gov.

Auction
--Kevin Wright 

Once again this year the State 4-H Forum will feature both live and silent auctions. The live auction will take place on Saturday evening, October 18, 2008.

Be sure to fill out the form completely and mail or email it to the Snohomish County Extension Office. DO NOT mail the auction item to  Snohomish County - bring it with you to the Forum. The Auction Form can be found on the State Forum website: http://4h.wsu.edu/conferences/Forum/index.htm.

The auction is a great way to make money for your county 4-H program. The profits from the auction are divided between the 4-H entity that donated it and the State Advisory Board. More details about this division are on the donation form. Be sure to mail in your donation forms by September 30, 2008, so that your items may be included in the auction catalog.

Pacific Northwest 4-H Horse Judges’ Western Gaming Clinic
--Jerry Newman

A comprehensive training on western gaming for current and prospective 4-H horse judges, leaders and parents will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 4-5, 2008 at Trails End Arena in Olympia, Washington.  Registration fee is $60 (includes lunch on Saturday) and is due by September 15, 2008.  Registration materials may be obtained from the 4-H Judges' website: http://oregon.4h.oregonstate.edu/horsejudges/Horse_Judges_Training%20.htm.  
Session topics include:

• General Gaming Rules
• Setting up courses
• Tack and Equipment
• Conflict Resolution

For more information contact Roberta Lundeberg at 541-737-9295 or roberta.lundeberg@oregonstate.edu. 

Nebraska to Host National 2009 Youth Horse Leaders Symposium!
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs

The 32nd Annual National Youth Horse Leaders Symposium, presented by the American Youth Horse Council (AYHC), will be held on March 27 - 29, 2009 in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The University of Nebraska will host the event.  The 2009 event will boast more than two-dozen internationally and nationally respected presenters assembled to share their keys to successful youth horse programming and horse management.  Attendees will find resources, referrals, and networking to improve their ability to Help Connect Kids Through Horses. A weekend program for teen leaders is always a favorite bringing youth participating in many different horse disciplines and breed activities together to learn leadership skills and effective horsemanship techniques.

“The University of Nebraska is excited to be able to host the AYHC symposium and showcase beautiful downtown Lincoln and the Nebraska horse industry,” said Kathy Anderson, chair of the Symposium Committee and AYHC President. The symposium attracts a broad representation of youth horse leaders from breed associations, equine sport organizations, Cooperative Extension, universities, and the crucially important hands-on youth leaders from such groups as 4-H, U.S. Pony Club, National High School Rodeo, Future Farmers of America, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and more.   

The Symposium will again include a variety of presentations including live horse demonstrations, roundtable sessions, and classroom presentations on a variety of topics.  Additionally, kickoff reception, vendor booths, a silent auction and the Youth Leaders Celebration Awards Banquet allow attendees to have fun and interact throughout the weekend.  A pre-conference tour will provide an excellent kickoff to the Symposium and offer participants an extra day of educational activities in Nebraska. 

Make your plans to join the youth horse industry in Nebraska in 2009! The conference facilities of the Holiday Inn in downtown Lincoln coupled with the educational and networking opportunities offered by top notch presenters make this a must attend event! For more information visit: www.ayhc.com, call 800-TRY-AYHC or email info@ayhc.com.

 A Barn Raising Event to Rebuild Kiowa County , Kansas , 4-H Livestock Pavilion 
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs

Here's a fantastic opportunity for 4-H clubs, 4-H members and their families to be involved in a most unique community service project!  Taking place September 4-7, 2008 , will be a "Barn Raising" to rebuild the Kiowa County 4-H Livestock Pavilion at the county fair grounds in Greensburg , Kansas .  Greensburg was struck by a catastrophic tornado May 4, 2007, which wiped out nearly 95% of the town, including the county fairgrounds.  

What makes this project and event unique is that it has been selected by The New York Says Thank You Foundation as their annual re-building project to help others rebuild after a loss. Helping others' recovery efforts is a way of saying "thank you" for the many volunteers who extended a helping hand to New Yorkers in the days following 9/11.  Their projects are tackled by a volunteer corporation that includes New York City firefighters and others who either survived the September 11, 2001 attack or were affected by it in some way.  The volunteer group also includes survivors from communities stricken by disasters and assisted by The New York Says Thank You Foundation on previous anniversaries of 9/11.   

How can 4-H clubs, members and families get involved in this project? Funds, time and supplies will be needed by the 200+ volunteers to replace the 14,000 square-foot building in just 4 days.  Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to the Kiowa County 4-H Show Barn, in care of the Kansas 4-H Foundation, 116 Umberger Hall, Manhattan , KS 66506 . Contributions received prior to August 15, 2008 will be earmarked for building materials; contributions received after August 15, 2008 are earmarked for the project at the discretion of the Kiowa County 4-H Council for internal amenities/needs, such as stalls, tables and chairs.