The essential elements of Positive Youth Development and the four concepts of BIG-M (Belonging, Independence, Generosity and Mastery) will be presented to 4-H Volunteers on Thursday, January 12th, at the Marion County Extension Office, beginning at 7 p.m.

More in-depth discussion will be held on the first of these 4 concepts, Belonging. There should also be time for some sharing of programs and ideas.

All 4-H volunteers in Unit 23 (Bond, Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington Counties) are encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by contacting the Clinton County Extension Office no later than January 6th at 526-4551. Refreshments will be served.

1.  It was great to see so many smiling faces at Achievement.  And new faces too:)

2.  Leaders and adult volunteers don't forget the e-forums on the 17th and the 22nd.  The more the merrier. This will be a great learning experience and a chance to meet some leaders from other counties and share ideas with them.

3.  Enrollment-is yours turned in?  If not the December newsletter will be your last one.  Get your paperwork to your club leader or our office ASAP.

4.  When your newsletter comes in the mail, don't forget to read it.  There are so many things happening in 4-H all the time, but you'll never know if you don't read the newsletter.  You could be missing out on some pretty great things!

1.  Today I met the new Director for Unit 23 (that's our unit).  Her name is Lisa Wait and I am sure you will have some chances to meet her this winter at different 4-H activities. 

2.  The November newsletter is in the works, get those reporter articles in now!

3.  We are still looking for more committee members for all four of our 4-H committees.  These are open to parents, alumni, and youth.  If there is one you might be interested in then give me a call at 526-4551.

4.  Did you miss a club meeting?  If a member misses one of their club meetings it is their responsibility to contact a club leader or club officer to find out what they missed. 

5.  Enrollments are starting to trickle in to the office.  Reminder, we would like them all by Dec 1.  So make sure you turn them in to your club leader at your November meeting.

6.  Do you have a neat idea for a workshop?  The give me a call, we love to have 4-H friends and family teach workshops.

7.  As you attend 4-H meetings through-out the year, you will have an easier time staying organized if you take along a folder and save all the meeting agendas.  You will also have useful information handy at the end of the year when you sit down to fill out award applications. Keep all your newsletters in the same folder and you will know where everything is when you go to look up dates and information.

8.  Turn off your phones, ipods and any other electronic devices at meetings (both youth and parents) it is rude and distracting to use them during meeting time.

9.  There have been some changes in the way the Illinois Department of Ag pays 4-H Premiums to counties.  This has caused a delay in premium checks being written to members this year.   I am hoping to have the checks out to members in November.

10.  There are still some tickets available for the HEA Christmas in October program, they will be on sale at the office until noon on Thursday or until we run out, which ever comes first.  Call Barb at 526-4551 for details.

1.  Are you ready for National 4-H Week?  It's right around the corner, October 2-8.

2.  If you didn't make it to your September 4-H club meeting, make sure to get in contact with one of your club leaders.  They have your enrollment paper work. 

3.  If you are a club officer be sure eto check out the guide from your leader.  It has a lot of helpful information.  Need another copy?  Call or e-mail Elaine.

4.  Get your enrollment paperwork done this month.  It need to be back to your leader ASAP so we can get it filed and get books ordered.

5.  Did you get your September newsletter a few weeks ago?  Did you read it?  If not you probably missed out on some important information, like the fact that the newsletter is going to a montly format.

6.  So that means, the October newsletter will be in  your mailbox by early next week.  Keep and eye out.

7.  As you decide what projects to take, set some goals for the year.  Try to step above where you were last year with your projects.  Have you alreaady completed all the different  levels of your favorite project?  If you are 15 you can do the Clover Challenge.  Look for information in the Clover, or call or e-mail Elaine.

8.  Do you like to take pictures or make videos?  Are you good with computers?  We are looking for 4-H members to make some videos of our 4-H activities for youtube.  Want to get an idea of what members in other states are doing, go to youtube and search 4-H.  You will be impressed with some of the things you find.

9.  If you have an idea for a workshop, let us know.  We are always looking for fun interesting things to offer to our members.  Do you want to teach it?  Better yet!

10.  We are still (always) looking for new volunteers in some specific areas.  If you know a person that you think would be a great volunteer ask them to give us a call and we will talk to them about available volunteer openings and the application process.

1.  Show season has come to an end. How did it go?

2.  This year we had the best weather I can ever remember on our day at State Fair.  Couldn't have asked for a nicer day.

3.  Award applications are due the 26th.  Remember they get turned in to club leaders, and leaders will turn them in to the office after they have signed them.

4.  As you start back to school keep your 4-H club in mind.  If you make a new friend, or are catching up with an old friend, be sure to invite them to your next club meeting.

1. Carlyle KC Breakfast Fundraiser on April 17th from 8 to noon. Hope to see you there.

2. Egg Hunt and Petting Zoo on April 17th at 2 p.m. open to all county youth ages 10 and under.

3. Thinking about going to camp? There are still some spots open, so if you would like to attend contact the office ASAP.

4. Illini Summer Academies registration is open and the early bird registration closes on April 15th. It is open to High School aged youth, so check it out and register today.

5. Regional Dairy Judging is on April 22nd at Nashville Fairgrounds. If you are planning to attend let me know by the 15th so I can arrage to get you some judging cards.

1. Friday is the big day. April 1. Is your enrollment in? Anyone enrolling after April 1 will not be eligible to show projects this year.

2. At your April meetings leaders will be double checking your project selections so we can get any additions or corrections ironed out ASAP. If you want to add or drop a project, or forgot to request books please let your leader know at your April meeting, or call the office at 526-4551.

3. The Leader's Newsletter and a Federation Letter are going out in the mail this week. If you are a leader or in federation be watching for them.

4. I've talked to some members who already have part of their projects done. Do you? If not you will want to start planning now for your projects so you have plenty of time to finish. Waiting until the last minute is hard on you and hard on your parents. Plan ahead!!

1. A great Federation meeting on the 8th. Got a lot of business accomplished, followed by a fun game. Don't forget Federation is open to all members in the 8th grade and older. Contact me for details.

2. Camp registration is open. We have 5 registered so far from Clinton County. If you are planning to attend be sure to get your registration in soon, space is limited this year.

3. Registration is also open for Illini Summer Academies. ISA is open to youth ages 14-18. It will be June 27-29 at U of I. Contact me, or check out the state 4-H web site for details. Early bird registration discount ends 4/15/11.

4. Is your enrollment turned in? Did you recieve the books you needed? If the answer to either of those questions is no, then contact me to get them taken care of. Anyone enrolling after April 1 will not be eligible to show projects this year.

1. Great turn out for Federation Lazer Tag on the 15th. We had 18 people play!

2. Don't forget the Valentine Dance is coming up on Feb 20th at Aviston Elementary School. Hope to see you there.

3. Committee meetings are taking place over the next month, if you are on one of the 4-H committees keep an eye out for your meeting notice in the mail.

4. The next Federation meeting is Feb 8th at the office from 6:30 to 8 p.m. all members in the 8th grade and older are invited to attend.

1. Happy New Year!!! Hope you all had a great Holiday Season.

2. It was great to see so many people at Winter Play Day. Hope you all had fun swimming and playing at the rec center.

3. Be sure to read your newsletter, that is the best way to keep up with important dates and deadlines in 4-H.

4. If you signed up to be on any committees last year keep your eyes open for meeting notices. Over the next couple of months each committee will be meeting to work on plans for Spring and Summer. The county 4-H handbook will be ready for members on March 1, after all the committees have met and reviewed their sections.