New Program Year Kickoff Edition
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Dear Georgia 4-H Volunteers,
As we wrap up the 2018 program year and head into 2019, it’s encouraging to see all the wonderful ways volunteers are serving youth throughout the state! From chaperoning at summer events to judging projects at State 4-H Congress, your work is so meaningful, and we’re grateful for your time given to impact the future of 4-H'ers. Thanks for another great summer- we are eager to see what is in store for program year 2019!
- Your Georgia 4-H Volunteer Development Team
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Making the Best Better at State 4-H Congress
July 24- 27, 2018
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Living up to our motto, each year Georgia 4-H’ers present their very best work at State 4-H Congress. In addition, the Georgia 4-H staff searches for ways to enhance the State 4-H Congress experience behind the scenes. This year, not only did we name fifty-two new Master 4-H’ers (the most to ever master), but forty volunteer chaperones supported the event (either throughout the week or as a special events winner), fifty-two served as portfolio judges, and forty-six served as presentation judges! Twenty room hosts, comprising of both staff and volunteers, kicked off this new role at this year’s Congress.
Rooms hosts were charged with enriching the experience of youth and guests by warmly greeting guests and competitors, calling roll to guarantee all registered youth had the opportunity to present, introducing judges and sharing their credentials, establishing a hospitable environment, assisting youth with technology set‐up, monitoring the flow and order of the room, and serving as the room coordinator of the contest to ensure consistency among projects and competition rooms. With this new role of room host, more volunteer opportunities are available at State 4-H Congress.
In addition to the room hosts, we were pleased to add the enhancements of an easel, projector, screen, adapters, and extension cord to every presentation room. Our hope is that these new additions add professionalism and convenience for 4-H’ers, staff, and volunteers alike so they can focus on their primary role –whether it be presenting, coaching, chaperoning, or judging.
At the end of the event, 121 volunteers completed hundreds of hours of volunteer service and made lasting memories for the youth involved.
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Wooten Scholarship Recipient
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Vienna Elmgreen of Columbia County is the recipient of the Wooten Scholarship, sponsored by Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leaders. Her project work has focused on Sports and Health, and this past summer she worked as a waterfront counselor at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. Vienna plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall, and wants to major in biochemistry and molecular biology. Congratulations Vienna!
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Twilight on the Lake
August 11, 2018
Written by Tonya Black Woody
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On August 11, three hundred 4-H alumni gathered at Rock Eagle to enjoy a day at camp. There were camp games, competitions for guests of all ages, and a a visit to the Rock Eagle mound. Several guests showed off their camp spirit and added to the fun by dressing in traditional costumes. Although winning competitors in each tribe were presented ribbons and prizes throughout the day, the big winner for the coveted tribal shield was the Cherokee tribe.
A unique highlight of the night was the Alumni Variety Show. Talent from multiple generations was on display in Talmadge Auditorium. The show line up included a visit from Sony and Cher, the Rocking Rock Eagle Band, Johnny Darden, the Blues Brothers, Scott Shell, the 4-H Singers, the Rock Eagle Washboard Band, and the Village People performing "YMCA", "Grease Lightening" and the "Irish Blessing." It was a FABULOUS show with perennial favorites and truly talented Georgia 4-H'ers.
Immediately following the entertainment, guests enjoyed a delicious Twilight dinner at the EMC Senior Pavilion and a dance through the decades at night recreation in Hastings. For the lucky guests who stayed overnight, a traditional Rock Eagle breakfast was provided to wrap up Twilight on the Lake 2018.
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State Council
June 22-24, 2018
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State 4-H Council, a Georgia 4-H core program, is the constitutional meeting of the Georgia 4-H Council and includes the election of Georgia 4-H State Officers. This annual meeting hosts multiple events, competition, and trainings throughout the weekend for youth and adults!
This year, 657 adults and youth attended the event with seventy-one volunteers who assisted with a variety of tasks over the weekend including: chaperoning youth, instructing coaches’ certifications, judging Dean's Award entries and conducting interviews, judging Project Achievement food labs, mentoring our State 4-H Board of Directors, leading our youth performing arts group Clovers & Company, and so much more! To the best of our knowledge, volunteers provided more than 2,624 hours of service during the event - the equivalent of nearly $65,000 in staffing resources plus a wealth of expertise, passion, and experiences!
Some volunteers attended the volunteer breakfast held Saturday morning for a time of reflection, connection, and celebration with fellow volunteers and state staff. We would love to have any volunteer join us next year at the breakfast!
A highly notable event this year was when Mr. Arch Smith, State 4-H Leader, got "slimed" by the 4-H State Officers to celebrate the successful fundraising campaign called "$4 for 4-H on April, 4". The original goal was to raise $4,000, but the successful campaign raised over $13,000! The money raised in this campaign will go to support the Georgia 4-H program in helping to impact youth across the state.
Thanks to all the Georgia 4-H volunteers and adults who served in making the event great for our youth.
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Music Education Matters Summit
July 17- 19, 2018
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Click above to view a recap of the Music Education Matters Summit from this year!
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Georgia 4-H Music Education Matters Summit was held July 17-19, 2018 at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. This event provided a wonderful opportunity for youth to come together from across Georgia and around the nation to participate in workshops that supported their growth in music education. The youth were able to learn from industry professionals and develop as a performer in their selected area of study. Through a partnership with National 4-H Council and the Country Music Association Foundation, Georgia 4-H shares a commitment to giving youth a voice through music.
Take a look at all the volunteers at work in the recap video above!
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STEM Videos with Dr. Cosmos
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Avery Douglas, our AmeriCorps VISTA at the Georgia 4-H State Office, designed a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) video that can help volunteers integrate STEM projects into their 4-H led activities. The title of Avery’s STEM video is IDEA Lab, and she plays the main scientist- Dr. Cosmos. Each episode consists of an introduction to a STEM activity, supplies needed, a visual enactment of the activity, and a career connection with a special guest star in a STEM profession. Volunteers may use these videos to excite youth about STEM and even recreate the activity presented by Dr. Cosmos at 4-H events.
Check out the first Dr. Cosmos video here and be on the look for more STEM-tastic episodes!
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As you may know UGA’s programs for minors policy calls for all program staff (including paid and unpaid) to receive training in our mandated reporting obligation (including child abuse awareness and prevention), UGA’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, the Board of Regents Sexual Misconduct Policy, Code of Conduct for program staff and minor participants, reporting requirements during the program/activity, disability accommodations and review and evaluation of special requests, safety and security protocols, and first aid guidelines and medication management. Fortunately, we’ve addressed this obligation through a brief 28 minute video module that can be completed at your convenience with an included quiz. This training (and 100% score on the quiz) is to be completed annually.
With the start of the new program year, remember volunteers working with youth need to complete the RMT 3.1 "Working with Youth and Managing Risk" online training prior to engaging in service or interacting with 4-H Youth this program year. Contact your local Extension office if you need the email with "the link" to gain the certification.
Thank you for helping us create safe environments for our young people!
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Good luck New Judging Team Coaches!
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Congratulations to new cotton boll, forestry, wildlife, and poultry judging coaches- Georgia 4-H wishes everyone the best of luck this year!
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Michael Reeves serves in two critical volunteer roles for Georgia 4-H. For one, he is a senior member of the statewide Georgia 4-H Advisory Committee with more than twelve years of dedicated service in this role. He also serves as a ranking member on the Advisory’s Facilities Subcommittee, providing helpful guidance and engineering expertise related to construction and site design for 4-H centers.
Michael’s other distinct volunteer role is that of lead volunteer advisor to the State 4-H Board of Directors, which he describes as “the best volunteer job in the state." Together with State 4-H Faculty advisors, Michael coaches, mentors, and provides leadership development to Georgia 4-H’s State Officers. He is especially adept at helping State 4-H Board members to hone their public speaking, script generation, and stage presence skills, giving our officers confidence when leading assemblies, rallies, and banquets. Michael is considered a "4-H script master writer" and has faithfully served in this role for 16 years. In total, he has coached and mentored 144 State 4-H Board members through more than 1,600 opportunities to preside at assemblies, rallies, and banquets.
Mandy B. Marable, State 4-H Faculty, states, "Michael Reeves is a tremendous asset to our statewide 4-H program. He has given selflessly to 16 State 4-H Boards and has positively influenced the lives of those youth leaders and made a significant impact on the total 4-H program. Volunteers like Michael are valued and considered an integral piece of the work we do – he truly ‘Makes the Best Better!’”
Thank you, Michael, for your service to Georgia 4-H!
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Welcome Dr. Courtney Brown
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Dr. Courtney Still Brown joined UGA Extension and Georgia 4-H as the Healthy Living Specialist on July 1, 2018. Dr. Brown will provide direction and vision to Georgia 4-H family and consumer sciences programs including coordination of 4-H state FACS and healthy living contests. She will also help train county-based faculty and design curricula and training materials. She has been a registered dietitian and nutritionist for more than five years, and most recently served as a postdoctoral research associate in the UGA College of Public Health as the project coordinator for the Healthier Together grant program.
Please help us welcome Dr. Brown to her new role!
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Volunteer Conference of Southern States
September 27-30
Rock Eagle 4-H Center
Don't forget to mark your calendars and register for the 2018 Volunteer Conference of Southern States on September 27-30 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center! This is a great opportunity to meet other 4-H volunteers from across the country, while learning and connecting with staff and volunteers from Georgia 4-H.
You can visit the conference website here for more details.
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Junior Conference
November 3 - 4, 2018
Rock Eagle 4-H Center
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Click above to check out this brief video about junior conference
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Junior conference is a state-wide event for all 7th - 8th graders involved in Georgia 4-H held at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center. The weekend include community service projects, classes, workshops, and more fun activities! Also don't forget to collect pop tabs and bring them to your local Extension office to support the Ronald McDonald house!
Have you signed up to volunteer for the conference? Contact your county office to register today!
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Don't forget to find Georgia 4-H Adult Volunteers on Facebook and Instagram!
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