by Heather Kent | Nov 6, 2015
Florida 4-H offers hundreds of events and activities to support 4-H clubs and members. 4-H events are specialized programs designed and conducted to SUPPORT a 4-H members projects at the club, county, district, state, and national levels. Events and activities are typically tied to a project (or curriculum) area and help the youth develop and demonstrate mastery; one of four essential elements that must be present in a young person’s life in order for positive youth development to occur. Last month, Tracey Tesdall and Travis Shepard shared resources and tips for navigating Florida 4-H Events and activities to help parents and volunteers guide their 4-H members. You can watch the 45-minute presentation online, but here are some key points and pieces of information that they covered:
What resources are available?
Policies, Rules, and Guidelines for 4-H Events:
- General 4-H Policies on membership and participation can be found online. Note that the 4-H Age policy did change this year on September 1st. Rules related to specific contests and competitive events can be found on the events page.
- Overnight Events Policy- 4-H Members “real age” 19 have elevated risks associated with their attendance as a participant. Members “real age” 19 will not be housed with youth age 18 or younger. Otherwise members are housed within 2 years of age. Members who are real age 18+ are considered an “adult” in all illegal activities and conflicts.General Tips and Reminders:
- State Level Competitive Event Rules– Youth must be enrolled in 4-H at least 30 days prior to the events and they much have completed at least one year of 4-H work including the current year, as established by the 4-H Agent. 4-Hers on a state level winning team may not compete as FFA members the next year or vice-versa.
- Cancellation policy– Participants who register for an event and cancel before registration closes will receive a full reimbursement of any associated fees. Once registration has closed, no refunds will be awarded unless a documented medical emergency or natural disaster inhibits a participant from attending.
General Tips and Reminders:
- Pay close attention to state event deadlines
- Payment should always come from your county, unless otherwise specified (contact your local 4-H Office to be sure!)
- Make sure that your participation form is updated and current before an event (in case of an emergency). This applies to both youth and adult chaperones and volunteers. Forms can be updated electronically in 4HOnline or you can print and complete a paper participation form.
- Make sure you are familiar with event schedules, directions, dress codes, and what to pack (if overnight). Your local 4-H Office is a great resource. State-level event information can be found online and is updated often.
We hope that this information will help you and your 4-Hers plan a successful project this year in 4-H. If you have any questions, please contact your local UF IFAS Extension Office, or view the Make a Difference Monday presentation. On November 16th, join us at 7PM Eastern/6PM Central to learn about Mastering 4-H Project Records, Portfolios and Awards. For more information about Make a Difference Monday, our online volunteer training series, visit our website at http://florida4h.org/madmondays.
by Heather Kent | Sep 25, 2015
4-H Projects are about developing blue ribbon youth rather than blue ribbon projects.
Make a Difference Monday, our online volunteer training series, kicked off this past Monday night! This year’s series focuses on helping youth develop a sense of Mastery, one of the Essential Elements of a positive youth development. Mastery is all about building knowledge and skills and being able to demonstrate those skills and knowledge effectively. Mastery is developed over time through intentional 4-H project work, events and activities. The main goal of the 4-H Project is to help youth develop life skills, regardless of the subject matter content. Some of the important components of a project include:
- The use of quality educational materials to guide youth through a planned sequence of learning activities (4-H curriculum and project guides)
- Project work is guided and validated by supportive, trained, caring adult project mentors or leaders (4-H project leaders and resource leaders)
- Youth have opportunities to share what they have learned with others through club or county demonstrations, exhibits, shows, and other contests. (Hint: tune in October 19th for an overview of 4-H events and activities and how they can support the project work of your club members)
- Provide youth with opportunities to self-evaluate and gain a sense of accomplishment through project reports and the Florida 4-H awards and recognition model (Hint: tune in November 16th for an overview of our awards and recognition system and how project reports can help members with their portfolios for scholarships).
Here are some additional resources about 4-H projects, and how to use experiential learning to help develop life skills through 4-H project work:
In case you missed our live session, it was recorded and can be viewed online at http://florida4h.org/.madmondays. You can also check out our entire series schedule and find out how to connect from the comfort of your own home. We hope to “see you” online in October as we work together to “Make the best better!”
by Whitney Cherry | Dec 6, 2013
4-H Volunteers strive to provide safe and secure learning environments.
From time to time new laws regarding youth protection are considered by federal and/or state lawmakers. As these new laws and regulations are passed their effects are wide-felt, and often they reach into the 4-H program. One such federal regulation on youth protection was recently passed, and while the new protection that it affords our youth is much welcomed, it does mean that 4-H volunteers will be seeing some changes in their county’s volunteer screening procedures.
What are the major changes?
- All club leaders must be “435 Level 2” screened. This means you will be fingerprinted.
- All volunteers who work with youth 10 hours or more in a month, even if they are not club leaders, will be “435 Level 2 screened. This means you will be fingerprinted.
- All camp counselors will be “435 Level 2” screened.
- All volunteers working directly with youth will be “Level 1” screened regardless of the number of hours spent with youth. This means you will be background checked, but may not fingerprinted.
What can new and existing volunteers expect?
- Existing volunteers may have completed some of these steps under our former system for volunteer screening. They will be asked to complete the steps that are new. New potential volunteers will need to complete each of the following steps in order before they should work directly with youth.
- 435 Level 2 screening:
- Register in 4HOnline (http://florida.4honline.com)
- Interview with your 4-H agent (Your 4-H agent will also obtain at least two letters of reference.)
- Complete the online youth protection training (YCS800)
- Return a notarized Affidavit of Good Moral Character to your 4-H agent
- Schedule livescan finger printing (Your 4-H agent will help you with this.)
- Be finger printed for 435 Level 2 screening
- Receive a letter of appointment from your 4-H agent
- Level 1 screening
- Register in 4HOnline (http://florida.4honline.com)
- Interview with your 4-H agent (Your 4-H agent will also obtain at least two letters of reference.)
- Complete the online youth protection training (YCS800)
- Be background screened (Your 4-H agent will complete the screening.)
- Receive a letter of appointment from your 4-H agent
- The new policy also places an emphasis on accurate and timely record keeping, so your agent may require additional training on this subject.
This policy is new for agents and volunteers alike, so please be patient with your local extension office as they try to work as quickly and efficiently as possible to get all of their volunteer screenings up-to-date.
A copy of the new UF/IFAS Youth Protection Policy can be found at: http://florida4h.org/volunteers/risk_management/files/Youth_Protection.pdf*
*The official policy takes precedence over any discrepancies which may be found in this article.
by Whitney Cherry | Aug 19, 2013
This is our final countdown post! I’m sure many of you who have been long-time 4-H supporters have seen this video before, but it pumps me up every time I see it! Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC90-fGzGuo&noredirect=1
Join us TONIGHT, Monday, August 19, 2013 at 6:00 PM Central for the first session of Make a Difference Mondays, where you can learn how to make positive differences in the lives of youth just like this!
Contact your local extension office for more information or go to: https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/4hn/make-a-difference-mondays/
by Whitney Cherry | Aug 16, 2013
Out of the mouths of babes:
- “4-H brought me closer to my grandfather.” – 9th grade 4-H member
- “I have developed a better work ethic and communications skills.” – 9th grade 4-H member
- “4-H has taught me leadership and commitment that I can use for the rest of my life.” – 9th grade 4-H member
- “4-H gave me the confidence to do more things.” – 7th grade 4-H member
- “4-H has helped get my family together.” – 5th grade 4-H member
- “4-H makes you think to help others and be kind.” – 5th grade 4-H member
And my personal favorite:
- “I can cook so my mom won’t have to all the time.” – 5th grade 4-H member
There you have it! Join us on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 6:00 PM Central for the first session of Make a Difference Mondays, where you can learn how to make positive differences in the lives of youth just like this!
Contact your local extension office for more information or go to: https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/4hn/make-a-difference-mondays/
by Whitney Cherry | Aug 15, 2013
You are making a difference:
- Studies done with 4-H youth show adults in their 4-H clubs make them feel important (65%) and listen to them (64%). (Perkins & Butterfield, 1999).
That’s all the difference in the world to child.
Join us on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 6:00 PM Central for the first session of Make a Difference Mondays, where you can learn how to make positive differences in the lives of youth just like this!
Contact your local extension office for more information or go to: https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/4hn/make-a-difference-mondays/
Florida 4-H offers hundreds of events and activities to support 4-H clubs and members. 4-H events are specialized programs designed and conducted to SUPPORT a 4-H members projects at the club, county, district, state, and national levels. Events and activities are typically tied to a project (or curriculum) area and help the youth develop and demonstrate mastery; one of four essential elements that must be present in a young person’s life in order for positive youth development to occur. Last month, Tracey Tesdall and Travis Shepard shared resources and tips for navigating Florida 4-H Events and activities to help parents and volunteers guide their 4-H members. You can watch the 45-minute presentation online, but here are some key points and pieces of information that they covered:
