Clover Reporter
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October/November,2008
PLEASE READ: Leaders Council Meeting for November AND December has been rescheduled for Monday, December 1, 2008, at
INSIDE
- Learning and Leadership
- Know Your Government
- Fair Photographs Available
- Achievement Night Re-cap
- Leader’s Council – NOTE: NEXT MONTH ELECTIONS FOR VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND TREASURER WILL BE HELD. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2008,
- State 4-H Information
- NEW DIRECTOR HIRED!
LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP
This past summer, 30 Washington 4-H families hosted a summer exchange delegate! They experienced a different culture without leaving home-and learned how quickly their delegate became a family member! These summer delegates learned about 4-H and what it means to "learn by doing". Most of them spoke limited English when they arrived. By the time the 4 weeks had gone by, they had no trouble in expressing their appreciation and gratitude to their host families.
Can't find the time and money to travel? Enjoy the exposure to different cultures which traveling brings? Looking for a low-cost project or experience in which the whole family can participate and grow together? The 4-H International Exchange Summer Inbound Program allows families to gain the benefits of international travel right here at home by hosting an exchange delegate from Japan, Korea and other participating countries/destinations such as Finland, Puerto Rico, etc. Families often find they are drawn closer together and see their lives in a whole new perspective as they welcome a new son, daughter, brother, or sister in their circle.
Hosting Summer Inbound Program Delegates
Japanese and Korean youth ages 12 - 18 will visit the U.S. and Canada from the third week of July to the third week of August. (The majority of the delegates are ages 12 - 14.) They are members of one of three Japanese organizations devoted to the study of foreign cultures and languages, and the benefits of international exchange. Youth delegates are placed in homes with a host sibling of the same gender and similar age. Finnish and other participating international youth ages 15-19 will visit the U.S. from mid June to mid July. Most of them have an association with the 4-H in their home country. Youth delegates are placed in homes with a host sibling of the same gender and similar age.
Being a 4-H International host family is easy, fun, rewarding and educational. Just welcome the delegate into your home and treat him or her like one of the family. The delegate will want to join in everyday activities, help with chores and otherwise fit in as a brother, sister, son or daughter. No special activities need to be planned, although many families and visitors enjoy the opportunity to take occasional sightseeing trips to local attractions and landmarks during the visit. Host families appreciate the chance to develop friendships that reach around the world. They find that the delegate teaches them not only to understand other ways of life, but to understand and appreciate their own way of life, as well.
Expectations of host families are:
- Have fun!
- Provide the delegate with meals and lodging.
- Include the delegate in all family activities.
- Read the materials sent by the 4-H International Exchange Programs Coordinator.
- Attend an orientation session(s). (Host Family Orientations are held in the spring.)
- Contact your 4-H International Exchange Programs County Coordinator or the State Coordinator immediately if illness or other major problems arise.
- Be flexible, patient, and willing to communicate both verbally and non-verbally with your delegate. Most of the participants will have limited English communication skills. The host sibling of the delegate must keep the exchange uppermost in mind during the hosting month, and make sure the delegate feels comfortable around friends and is included in activities.
What's in it for the counties participating? There is the cross-cultural experience, for each accepted host family the county program receives a $30.00 stipend at the end of the exchange. These funds are meant to off set some of the cost of travel to do in-home interviews, background checks, faxing or phone calls.
Some County contacts that you can get first-hand information from are: Ann Fagerlie (Ferry & Okanogan Counties), Sarah Butzine (King County), Mo MacCracken (Mason County), and Nancy Baskett (Pierce County), and Jeanie Fulton (Walla Walla County).
We need your commitment for the number of youth you would be willing to place in your county
Thank you for your time and support, I look forward to hearing from each county. Please advise Sally Mansur at the Skamania County 4-H office - (509) 427-3932 - immediately if you are interested in hosting a student.
Carol Beckman,State 4-H Program Coordinator,Washington State University, 4-H Youth Development, 7612 Pioneer Way East, Puyallup WA 98371-4998. Phone: 253.445.4623, Fax: 253.445.4587, Cell: 253.670.3412 or beckmanc@wsu.edu
Know Your Government
Know Your Government is starting up! The program is open to all High School Students and runs now thru Presidents’ weekend in February. The focus of this year’s program is, "You be the Judge" a look at the American Legal System. We have a great group of youth and would like to welcome any others who would like to join. They may contact either Marie Dixon: 360-903-9965, Charline Wright: 360-835-1331 or Martha Suronen: 360-944-0991. An informational meeting was held Tuesday, November 12, 2008 in Vancouver. Please contact us for more information.
Fair Photographs Available
Many, many beautiful photographs available from this photo gallery of our 2008 Fair:
Go to www.windowsonlife.com
Click on "Proofs"
Click on "Fair"
User name is "skamania"
Password is "fairgrounds"
Skamania County 4-H Horse State Participants
Achievement Night
Achievement night was held Sunday, October 19, 2008, at the Rock Creek Center. Hands and Hooves and Pups and Pals Clubs were the hosts. They did a beautiful job of setting up and decorating. Over 100 people were in attendance as trophies and awards were handed out. Year end awards were as follows:
4-H Supporter of the Year: Tony Birkland
4-H Leader of the Year: Kay Day, Debbie Mansfield and Brandy Audette
4-H Boy/Girl of the Year: Kirsti Garwood
Special Recognition: Jessica Goodnight, Katie Bradley, Nicoletta Pearce and Kristen Hermance
Minutes are not approved -
for information only!
SKAMANIA COUNTY WSU EXTENSION 4-H LEADERS COUNCIL
(And sub-committees)
Leaders Council
October 13, 2008
Called to order: 7:00 pm. followed by Pledge of Allegiance, 4H Pledge
Present:
Sally Mansur, Cindi Gonser, Jeannie Sizemore, Bev Gadbaw, Sandy Haigh, Kay Day and Sherril Allen
Approval of minutes: July minutes not available
Treasures Report: No report
Office Report: Sally reports there are two candidates for Ole’s position, interviews are set up. Sally brought three enrollments that have no club listed; one was identified during the meeting.
Fair Board Report: Bev reports that the fair board was happy with the success of this year’s fair. Paul Pearce was recognized for his assistance in the timber tax approval. The fair board has made a suggestion for having horses/age groups rotate in and out every two days for the next fair. The horse advisory group will be adding this to their meeting agenda and look for ideas to create the best experience for the horse kids. Fair Board meets every 2nd Wednesday at 7:00 pm Rock Creek Center. Next meeting is February 18th.
Livestock Report: No report
Horse Barn Report: No report
Exhibit Hall Report: No report
Old Business: None
New Business: Time to elect new officers for Vice President, Secretary and Treasure. Submit your nominations and plan to attend next month’s meeting for voting.
Nominations so far are: Vice President - Kay Day, Secretary – Sherril Allen, Treasure – none yet
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 pm
Please go to: http://www.skamaniacounty.org/4H/4h%20con%20and%20bylaw.pdf to read the complete Leaders Council Constitution and By-Laws.
Horse Advisory Committee
October 13, 2008
Called to order: 8:00 pm
Present:
Jeannie Sizemore, Bev Gadbaw, Sandy Haigh, Kay Day and Sherril Allen
Old Business: None
New Business:
Green cards need to be updated to include dressage and international flag. Need further discussion around Skamania 4H horse rules. Important: We will be working on a proposal for the fair board concerning scheduling/age groups in the horse barn, this needs everyone’s input for solutions and ideas. So please attend the next meeting, your thoughts and opinions matter!
Horse Camp:
Dates have been penciled in. Counselor/teen camp July 9th – 12th, youth camp July 16th – 19th. Bev reports $843.00 left in horse camp budget. The costs for Horse camp(s) ran a little higher this year, there was discussion around looking at breakdown of costs by areas i.e.: food, prizes, crafts, t-shirts to help in next years planning.
Silver Buckle Open Show: Dates are June 26th and 28th
Meeting Adjourned: 8:45 pm
State 4-H Information/Links
Premium checks for the 2008 Washington State 4-H Fair are written, stuffed into envelopes, and will be delivered to the post office this afternoon. We wrote just over 2500 checks for a total amount of over $72,000.00. Please notify your State 4-H Fair participants to watch for their check and to cash within 180 days.
New Program Director
We are very pleased to announce that WSU has hired a new Director, Mr. Todd Murray. He has an extensive background administering programs for WSU Extension in King County. The Hiring Committee feels that Mr. Murray brings energy, dedication and a sincere interest in what is best for the Skamania County Extension program with him to our community. Starting date to be announced.
Todd Murray
Please use: http://www.skamaniacounty.org/4H/4h_cooperative_extension_office.htm for links to the State 4-H Calendar, other county newsletters, forms, green cards, and WSU’s unlimited database.
Cooperating agencies: Washington State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Skamania County. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through you local Extension office. If you require special accommodation, call W.S.U. Extension Skamania County at (509) 427-3930 at least two weeks prior to the event.