4-H CLUB MEETINGS
It is Friday afternoon as I sit here writing this article. Liz, Alyse, and I have just completed meeting with 49 in-school 4-H meetings this week, telling excited new members and returning members about opportunities available to them in 4-H. It’s always exciting to deal with the first timers in 4-H. They have so much excitement shining in their eyes (and five THOUSAND questions).
4-H VOLUNTEERS
Our staff would like to let parents know that 4-H is only possible because of our volunteer leaders who help with 4-H activities. We cannot put on a 4-H event without enough adult supervision. Because 4-H is a part of the University of Georgia, our volunteer leaders must meet UGA’s volunteer guidelines. These guidelines include: 1) complete a volunteer leader application and a volunteer leader agreement (available on our website at coffee4h.org or at our office); 2) have two positive character references; 3) pass a criminal background and motor vehicle records check; and 4) review the 4-H Risk Management Training video and pass a quiz over this information. These procedures usually take two to four weeks to complete and must be done BEFORE you can volunteer.
Cloverleaf 4-H dances are one of the main sources of income for the 4-H program to succeed. Without adult leaders, we will not be able to hold these fundraisers. If you are a parent of a current 5th or 6th grade student, we really need you to sign up to help out. We have a dance scheduled for Thursday, October 6, and need you to get the paperwork completed now so that you will be cleared to help at this upcoming dance.
4-H OFFICER TRAINING
In addition, I would like parents to know that we have 4-H officer training scheduled this year. There will be separate trainings for each of the club officers in a club. The club presidents will meet on Tuesday, September 6, while the vice-presidents will meet on Thursday, September 8, secretaries on Tuesday, September 13, and record keepers on Thursday, September 15. The trainings will all be held in the 4-H office conference room beginning at 6 p.m. Dinner will be provided to these officers at their training.
GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR
It’s almost fair time! And that means it’s time for 4-H members to think about entering the many contests and events available to them at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. The dates for the fair are October 6-16, but the entry deadline is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14. There are a few contests that 4-H members can prepare their exhibit, turn in to the 4-H office by September 14, and we will enter them in the fair for the 4-H members. Other contests will involve 4-H members registering for the contest and going to the fair to compete. Parents will be responsible for getting the 4-H members to these contests at the fair. 4-H members need to come to the office ASAP to get a copy of the rules for the contests in which they are interested in competing. Don’t forget that the sign up deadline is September 14!
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY WORKDAY
The first workday for 4-H’s Adopt-A-Highway program will be on Thursday, September 8. We will meet at the 4-H office (709 E. Ward Street in the Agricultural Center) at 4 p.m. We should finish cleaning up our section of highway by 5 p.m. Parents can pick up their students at the 4-H office at 5 p.m.
If you have questions about the Coffee County Extension or 4-H program, please feel free to contact the Coffee County Extension office at (912) 384-1402. Remember, we are YOUR local connection to the University of Georgia.
– Submitted by Kevin Tatum, Coffee County Extension Coordinator