4-H Connections
A Newsletter for 4-H Volunteers and Families September, 2005

YORK COUNTY 4H NEWS

Thanks so much!

Another fair season has come and gone and huge thanks are due to everyone who participated in so many ways to make this season a success.  There are many different youth programs around, but only one that provides (and runs on) the depth of family involvement – a family that extends from preschoolers to grandparents, neighbors and friends!

Thanks for the time spent in the Food Booth – a bonding experience if there ever was one!  Thanks to Diane Qualey, Barbara Petersen, Deb Cole, Deanna Thompson and David Michaud for planning and coordinating the Food Booth.   Thanks to all of you who built pens, hauled shavings, ran events, taught, and in every other way helped out.

Thanks to our members who helped each other, engaged with the public, modeled good sportsmanship and character, and did their best every day.  Thanks to the officials of Acton Fair who help to make the event such a success each year and who work hard to make 4-H a visible presence during fair week.

4-H is a community of young people, but it also is a community of people who actively care about young people and their futures.

Thanks for caring!

Acton Fair 4-H Photos!

There are over 40 photos featuring youth and leaders at Acton Fair 2005.  They are published online at the York County Extension website. 

New 4-H Year Begins October 1

The new 4-H year begins October 1.  Please be sure to get your club leaders and members enrolled as soon as possible after October 1. For newer members, please note that you have to sign up for 4-H each year.

Know someone who may want to join?  Sign them up!  We want to increase our active membership this year, so we are encouraging every current 4-H member to think about asking your friends to join.

If your friends are interested have them call the Extension office or your club leader, and we can get them started.

Project Records Due October 14

2004 Project records will be due to the Extension office by October 14.  Remember, these records help us to make decisions on special awards to be presented at Fallfest.  They are also a great way to keep track of what you’ve been involved with in 4-H for the past year, and eventually will make you eligible for 4-H scholarship and travel opportunities.

Olive Treadwell Memorial Rosebush at Acton Fairgrounds

On August 23 A memorial rosebush was planted at the flagpole at Acton Fairgrounds to honor Olive Treadwell who was a 4-H leader for over 65 years, and an active community member.  The Rosebush was a gift of the York County 4-H Leaders Association.

Olive lived her life with a deep love of children and a belief that caring communities are essential to the growth of children in body, mind and spirit. In 4-H we were fortunate that Olive worked with so many youth and adults to exemplify love in action.

 There is a quote which reads:

I dreamt that life was joy
I awoke to find that life was service
I acted and found that service was joy

Olive lived her life in service.  To her family and friends, to Acton and her larger community, to Acton Fair and the 4-H club and members that she served for over 65 years.

We all dream that life is joy.  How many of us awake, like Olive did, to the realization that life is service, and that service and joy are finely intertwined. 

It is a fitting memorial for Olive, especially when you think of the ways that she contributed to the community and to 4-H.

·         Strong roots, firmly planted in the soil of farming, traditional values and community

·         Branches reaching toward the warmth and light – the joy – of service

·         The flowering that occurred in ways we will never fully know in the hearts of the lives that she touched while she was with us.

If you have a chance visit Olive’s rosebush at Acton Fairgrounds.

Reserve Bus Seats for Maine Day at Eastern States, October 1

The purpose of this trip is to take 4-H youth not presently participating in Eastern States Exposition (ESE) to view the activities in hopes of bolstering their enthusiasm to participate in the future.  This is a day-long trip.  Bus pick-up stops are at several points along I-95.

Since this event is primarily for youth, seats are limited to no more than two adults per child.  The bus and admission to the “Big E” are free but all individuals on this trip are expected to march in the parade at 5 pm.  It works well if you wear your 4-H tee shirts if you have them, and for clubs to bring their club banner to display during the parade.

Items you might want to bring along with you are:  light snacks, water, a good book, movies, pillow, and a blanket.  Rest stops will be included along the way.  Other items to consider bringing are: clothing to identify your club, a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a hat with a visor, sun glasses, sun screen, a backpack, personal spending money, a camera, and a watch.  If you have a cell phone, it will be helpful for logistics.  Please include your cell phone number when registering.

Please leave valuable items at home.  We will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.  Bus stops will be determined based on location of riders.  Chartered buses are provided by the Maine Trustees of Eastern States.  Reservations must be made in writing or by email to: Michaele Bailey, UMCE, 103 Libby Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME  04469, or mbailey@umext.maine.edu

When you register, please give your name, address, home phone and cell phone number if you have one.  Please give the names of all people in your group.  Reservations are due by September 12.  A confirmation letter will be sent at a later date. 

For questions contact Michaele Bailey or Pat Maher at 1-800-287-0274 or 207-581-3872. 

Dates of Big E 4-H Shows

Big E 4-H Animal shows will on the following dates:

Dairy                 September 15-18
Horse                September 22-26
Beef                  September 22-26
Working Steer  September 22-26
Dairy Goat        September 22-26
Sheep               September 22-26
Dog                   September 22-26

The Four H’s and the Essential Elements of 4-H

Do you know the 4-H pledge?  The National 4-H Council has translated the four H’s into four essential elements that provide a framework to the 4-H program.

All young people will find some way to meet their basic needs, to build their skills and values, and to use their skills and energies in ways that will make them feel good. The ways they find, however, may be positive (filled with promise and success) or negative (blemished with loss and trouble).  4-H helps youth to meet their basic needs in positive ways.  4-H givers youth opportunities…

To experience INDEPENDENCE – I pledge my head to clearer thinking.  Youth need to know that they are able to influence people and events through decision-making and action.  By exercising independence through 4-H leadership opportunities, youth mature in self-discipline and responsibility, learn to better understand themselves and become independent thinkers.

To experience BELONGING – I pledge my heart to greater loyalty.  Youth need to know they are cared about by others and feel a sense of connection to others in the group.  This “fellowship” has always been an important part of a 4-H experience.  4-H gives youth the opportunity to feel physically and emotionally safe while actively participating in a group. 

Current research emphasizes the importance for youth to have opportunities for long-term consistent relationships with adults other than parents.  This research suggests that a sense of belonging may be the single most powerful positive ingredient we can add to the lives of children and youth.

To experience GENEROSITY – I pledge my hands to larger service.  Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose.  By participating in 4-H community service and citizenship activities, youth can connect to communities and learn to give back to others.  It’s clear that these experiences provide the foundation that helps us understand the “big picture” of life and find purpose and meaning. 

Community service projects allow 4-H club members to see that their effort to help is important and valuable.  Youth learn that they do not live in a secluded world, but instead it is indeed a global community, which requires awareness and compassion for others. 

To experience MASTERY – I pledge my health to better living.  In order to develop their self-confidence youth need to feel and believe they are capable and they must experience success at solving problems and meeting challenges to develop their self-confidence. 

By exploring 4-H projects and activities, youth master skills to make positive career and life choices.  To do so, youth must have access to quality research-based content and have the opportunity to learn by doing. 

Additionally, youth need to have a safe environment for making mistakes and getting feedback, not just through competition but also as an ongoing element of participation.  Finally, youth need the breadth and depth of topics that allow them to pursue their own interests.

The Essential Elements

In York County the “Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development” provide the foundation of our programs and help us to make strategic decisions as we plan programs. 

Whether it is with Vaughn Island 4-H Camp, Discovery Arts programs, club activity, county fairs, afterschool programs, community leadership programs, or any of our other varied 4-H programs, you will find at its core an educational program helping youth to develop the essential elements of Independence, Belonging, Generosity and Mastery.

York County Extension Office is Moving to Springvale

The York County office of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension is moving this fall from our current location on Shaw’s Ridge Road in Sanford to the Anderson Learning Center at the old Nasson College campus in Springvale, 2 miles up the road from our current location.  Our target date for the move is November 1, but we’ll have to wait and see how the preparations on our new space go. 

There are some exciting opportunities that will be available in our new space – stay tuned for more information on those. 

Meanwhile, we will be using this move as an opportunity to streamline and to create forward momentum for our fall and winter programs – which will include another 4-H Art Saturday series during the winter, as well as a 4-H Community Storytelling Project.  Keep your eyes open for details this fall.

4-H Fall Fest and Awards Celebration planned for November 12

Fallfest, our annual 4-H celebration and Awards Night is months away but we’re making plans now. 

This year’s 4-H Fallfest will occur, Saturday, November 12, so please mark your calendars now and plan on attending!  We’ll have fun workshops, new arts programs, a pizza dinner, awards and recognition and lots more.

Are there any special workshops or activities you would like to see this year?  Any suggestions on the dinner and awards celebration?  Help us make this day fun for you – your opinion counts!

If you have suggestions, please tell your club leader, or send them to Jon by phone or mail or email.  We value your ideas!

Stay tuned for more details in The October newsletter.

We Would Like to See More Volunteers Helping Out with Our Programs

If you know what burn-out is, you can appreciate how wonderful it is to have the help of others.  If you know what it is like to have other people’s work added to your own work load, you can appreciate how it feels to have others help. 

Participating at the county level in the Leaders Association is an opportunity to learn about group dynamics, about personal; growth, and learn new organization skills that you can use in other aspects of your life.  Being part of a group can seem challenging, but it can be very rewarding. 

Cooperative Extension is committed to helping volunteers grow and benefit from their experience as 4-H leaders.

So if you aren’t already involved in the Leaders Association or other aspects of Cooperative Extension, consider increasing your activity level.  You’ll not only be helping out others, you’ll be giving yourself an enriching experience.

Do You Know the Difference: Leadership & Citizenship?

What is Leadership?

There are various levels and kinds of leadership:

Helping an individual on a one-to-one basis.

Helping several individuals with a project in a group situation.

Helping individual learn about a project through displays.

Planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating an activity.

Serving as leader for a project or activity.

Serving as a committee chairman or officer.

What is Citizenship?

Citizenship is the relationship between you and others, as shown by the following:

The way you think, feel, and act toward your family, other 4-Hers, your school and church groups, and other people in your community.

Activities that help foster greater understanding of the role of a community citizen.

Activities that contribute to the welfare of your local 4-H club, individuals in your community or the community as a whole.

The 4-Her shows good citizenship by working with people to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a good citizen.

Citizenship activities can include helping an individual or a group or carrying out a project individually.

Representing 4-H while working with others to deal with significant community issues.

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