January 2002 – IEPYE News
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January 2002 – IEPYE News
IEPYE … Making The Best Better
by: Diane Baker, IEPYE President
We all know that the 4-H motto is “To Make the Best Better.” That motto applies to our 4-H kids, our 4-H volunteers, our 4-H clubs, and the work we do with 4-H at the county level and beyond. But do we remember to apply that motto to our professional association? That is a question we must all answer for ourselves, individually.
I am a member of IEPYE because I believe it is a good organization where I can benefit both personally and professionally. But, I have become actively involved in our association, because I believe we can take a good organization and make it even better. In cleaning out files recently, I came across this parable – and thought it was a good example of our association.
“The Obstacle in Our Path”
In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where theboulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.
IEPYE has certainly faced some obstacles over the past decade with Extension reorganization and a sub-sequent downsizing. During that time, our association committees and regional activities struggled.
Your current IEPYE Board of Directors is taking a close look at our “boulders” and is looking to the opportunity with-in each challenge. They are talking about committee structure and how it can best meet the needs of our membership. They are looking at ways to revitalize IEPYE at the regional levels. They are brainstorming creative ways to re-structure the fall and spring state-wide IEPYE meetings so they are even more beneficial to our changing membership.
What are the real boulders that keep you from being more actively involved in your professional association? Is it taking the time to fit IEPYE into an already busy schedule? Is it the risk of trying new things and meeting new people? Yes, these are boulders that we all face. But behind those boulders are wonderful opportun-ities for you to get involved with your profession at new levels and to work with people that you otherwise would never meet.
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January 2002 – IEPYE News
Highlights of NAE4-HA
Definitely the "Happy Feet" program is worthwhile to be introduced to the 4-H clubs in our state as well as to the public. This successful program speaks for itself how 4-H youth can make a difference! It will be inspiring to our youth that 4-H can do "big things" starting from one pair of shoes. ~Virginia Kuo
Sally Hamlin, Leanne Million, Judy Schumacher and I all participated in a Tomahawk throwing activity, and we were HIGHLY successful in hitting our targets on their mark - watch out! ~Carolyn Ashton
Research Seminar:Societal Trends Which Will Impact the way Extension Utilizes Volunteers
This seminar shared results of a research study conducted by Ken Culp, III, Ph. D. (Kentucky) and Michael M. Nolan, M.S. (Ohio). Volunteer administrators from three national organizations (the State Volunteer Contacts from the NAE4-HA, the Association of Volunteer Administrators, and the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action) were surveyed to determine their predictions of current and future societal trends which could potentially impact volunteerism over the next ten years. The top five ranked trends identified (from a list of 25 trends total) were: (1) technology/virtual volunteers; (2) volunteer administrator's professional development; (3) corporate/workplace volunteers; (4) short term/episodic volunteers; and (5) volunteer interests, skills and abilities.
Submitted by Steve Wagoner
Seminar:Does Your 4-H Program Need a Few Good Men?
This thought provoking seminar examined men as a potential target audience for 4-H volunteer programs. Specific examples of gender bias were shared that impact volunteer recruitment efforts. Tips were also shared on how to define volunteer roles for men, how to identify potential male volunteer audiences, and how to learn to speak the "male vernacular."
Submitted by Steve Wagoner
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January 2002 – IEPYE News
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January 2002 – IEPYE News
Member Recognition Award Categories
by Cathy Deppe, Member Recognition Chair
You’ve worked hard all year, now it’s time to celebrate your accomplishments and share your success stories. NAE4HA/IEPYE Recognition Program Book will be arriving in your mail soon. You can also access the book through the NAE4HA website at nae4ha.org. Under Items of Special Importance, click on 2002 Member Recognition Program Book.
Award applications are due to the Woodford County Extension Office, 117 W. Center, Box 162, Eureka, IL 61530 no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2002. Please note that the deadline is a month earlier than in the past.
Begin collecting supporting data for the award application now. Eligibility for submitting applications are those IEPYE members who have information to submit or conducted programs between January and December 2001. If a team application is submitted, only one member of the team is required to be an IEPYE member. Categories include:
25 Years of Service – members who have completed 25 years or more of service to Extension 4-H youth work.
Achievement in Service – members who have served more than three, but less than seven years in Extension youth programs.
Air Force Recruiting Salute – members who have created a positive Extension image through his/her leadership and citizenship as it relates to the development of the 4-H program.
Distinguished Service Award – members who have served seven years of more in Extension youth programs.
Meritorious Service Award – members who have served fifteen or more years in Extension youth programs.
Diversity Award – members exhibiting outstanding effort and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity in programs.
Educational Technology Award – members who utilize technology in delivering or managing educational programs.
Excellence in 4-H Club Support – members who support and strengthen their 4-H club program.
Excellence in Teamwork – teams that demonstrate effective performance and significant results (impact) at community, area, state or multi-state levels.
Natural Resources/ Environmental Stewardship Award – members who make a significant contribution in Natural Resources/Environmental Stewardship.
Power of Youth Award – members that exemplify youth and adult partnerships which engage young people in decisions that affect them and their world.
Professional Development Opportunity Award – members planning to attend workshops, seminars, professional study tours, individual educational experiences applicable to the youth development profession.
Stiles Memorial Scholarship – members enrolled in a college or university degree program.
Mary Ann Krug Innovative Program Grant – members designing an innovative program in youth development.
Search for Excellence in Teen Programming – members conducting outstanding programs for and with teen audiences.
Educational Package (Individual or Team) – members who educate through accurate, research-based information on one subject using two different mediums.
Educational Piece (Individual or Team) – members who educate through accurate, research-based information on one subject (this is not a promotional piece).
Exhibit/Display – members who provided educational and/or promotional material that is accurate, concise and makes the audience respond in a positive way.
Feature Story/Series – piece used to capture the mood of the event or person(s) and create reader interest (this is not a news story).
Media Presentation – educational/promotional information that holds the audience’s attention (must be produced by Power Point, Corel Presentations or similar presentation software package).
News Story – piece used to present factual information or results in a manner clear and understandable to the reader.
Periodical Publication (Individual or Team) – newsletter, magazine, tabloid, etc. designed to inform, update, and make the reader respond in a positive way.
Personal Column – members who develop a personal style of writing for publication in any type of print media.
Promotional Package (Individual or Team) – two or more pieces (video, brochure, poster, bookmark, tabloid, electronic media, etc.) used to attract the audience’s attention and make them respond in a positive manner.
Promotional Piece (Individual or Team) – piece used to attract reader’s attention and make them respond in a positive way.
Published Photo – tell a story through a photo.
Radio Program – program that attracts and holds the listener’s attention, uses accurate and concise information and makes the listener respond in a positive way.
State Association Publication – informational piece designed to inform, update and make reader respond in a positive way.
Video Program – program that attracts and holds the listener’s attention, uses accurate and concise information and makes the listener respond in a positive way.
Research and Programs
by Chris Hill, Programs Chair
The research and programs team is comprised of eight task forces that include Animal Science, Camping and Environmental Education, Character Education, Global/Multicultural Education, Limited Resource Audience, Volunteerism, Workforce Preparation and Youth in Governance. By joining one of these task forces, you are able to help “support, share, partner and communicate” up-to-date information with other members. Following is a list of current members who extend a enthusiastic invitation to join us!
Anne Wend, Shelby County; Debbie Moser, Ogle County; Wendy Badarello, Grundy County; Carroll Rodgers, Clay County; Janis Blout, Fulton County; and Chris Hill, Gallatin/Pope/Hardin/Saline Unit, Chair
Character Education Materials List on Web Site
by Judy Taylor
The Character Education Task Force of the Programs Committee of NAE4HA has begun compiling a list of character education materials developed by Extension professionals. With the help of Allan Smith, USDA, that list has been posted on the following web site: 4h/curricul/character-edu.htm
The site is an alphabetical list of materials by title. Each item on the list includes a brief description, target age, cost and directions for ordering. The list includes both juried materials and materials that have NOT completed that process. The committee makes no specific recommendations. The list will continue to change as materials are developed and posted to the web.
Please contact Karen Hatch-Gagne from Maine karenhg@ umext.maine.edu or Cody Stone from Texas c-stone@ tamu.edu for additional information about the Task Force. Please contact Judy Taylor, . uiuc.edu if you would like to place additional information about character education materials developed by Extension professionals on this site.
Please forward this information to other Extension professionals who could benefit.
4-H Public Relations: A Blueprint for Expansion
A Little Book with Big Ideas for Promoting and Expanding Youth Serving Organizations
A Review by Ruth Ann Vokac
Want a good book to spur on your creative juices for ways to expand your 4-H program? 4-H Public Relations: A Blueprint for Expansion will do just that. Written by Judith S. Baillere and Marilyn Mozenter-Spiegel, 4-H agents from New Jersey, the book shares really practical advice and a philosophy that comes from knowing the 4-H program well.
As the term “marketing” has expanded from promoting goods to also promoting intangible services and information, educational and non-profit organizations have learned the necessity of maketing themselves. However, I’m reminded many times that Extension is the best-kept secret in the educational market; how long has 4-H been active in urban areas and in school programming, but how many people still think of 4-H as that club for rural kids, especially for those who want to show animals? To expand the 4-H program, those of us in Youth Development must work diligently to dispel that myth, and 4-H Public Relations: A Blueprint for Expansion book can show the way.
Baillere and Mozenter-Spiegel begin by discussing the foundation blocks of marketing: Product, Price, Promotion and Post Sales Service: To be successful we must “develop and deliver an excellent educational youth development product available at a reasonable price.” Next it is necessary to “promote” with a good external public relations plan resulting in action (recruitment) and retain enrollment with outstanding post sales service (internal PR)” (4). They suggest that we classify our marketing audience into two groups: internal—those with whom we work on a regular basis, ie, members, parents, volunteers, advisory groups, and external—those who have little knowledge of 4-H. The book suggests ways to communicate with each group and ways to start to evaluate that communication. Does the internal group “receive, read and understand newsletters? What is the rate of volunteer turnover? Is there a welcome system in place? Is there effective new leader orientation? … Are families satisfied enough with 4-H to help sell it?” In the external audiences, “do people in your area know about 4-H and is their perception accurate? What is the level of the private sector support? Do legislators, decision makers, and other organizations know about 4-H? How difficult is recruitment of both adults and youth?” (14).
After a thorough evaluation of the present state of your 4-H program, Baillere and Mozenter-Spiegel suggest setting long and short goals that will take the program where you want it. They remind us that “those who must work toward goals must help set them,” so “staff, volunteers and others” must be involved in the planning (15). (Is anyone else thinking Expansion and Review? In fact, this section and others would be great as a guide for the Expansion and Review Committee.) Next comes the strategic plan; the book has help to formulate the plan and offers some simple ideas for keeping everyone on track as the plan unfolds.
The next section of the book gives ideas for polishing our professional image and for having good relationships with the people with and for whom we work. The authors give suggestions for good networking, being able to explain our jobs, administrating our 4-H programs, collaborating with decision makers, serving schools, and respecting and supporting our volunteers. They include a list of the top 11 reasons 4-H leaders quit and give practical suggestions to keep them active (25-35).
“Media Matters” is a chapter that gives lots of practical help in communicating the 4-H message. To accompany this information, the authors include chapters on writing effective news articles and newsletters. They also have suggestions for accompanying photos and for video presentations and exhibits.
The last chapter tells how to measure customer satisfaction and programming impact and then suggests revising the strategic plan to meet the needs revealed in the evaluation.
4-H Public Relations: A Blueprint for Expansion is only 98 pages, so some sections don’t have as many details as I would like; for example, the last chapter on evaluation needs more specifics. However, each time I look at the book, I am reminded of the fundamentals of 4-H expansion. As we rush from one programming opportunity to the next, sometimes the strategic plan is lost; we move away from the map we’ve established to focus our efforts. Baillere and Mozenter-Spiegel’s ideas can quickly remind us what we need to do and help up reach our expansion goals.
4-H Public Relations: A Blueprint for Expansion is available through the National 4-H Source Book, 7100 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815-4997. Web:
Email:
Judith S. Baillere and Marilyn Mozenter-Spiegel are now consultants with Public Relation Programs for non-profit organizations. Reach them at or .
Building Positive Staff Relationships in 4-H Youth Development
by Mary Kay Munson and Sheri Seibold
With the addition of new unit youth development educators in many offices over the past eighteen months, it has changed the dynamics of staffing and programming in 4-H youth development. This article addresses three common themes that are essential to building positive staff relationships in unit 4-H youth development programming. The authors of this article interviewed a number of experienced Extension staff members to gain ideas or to reconfirm ideas for the content of this article. Our thanks to Chris Anderson, Sangamon-Menard Unit; Carolyn Ashton, Peoria County; Jessie Crews, Clark County; and Cheryl Geitner, Knox County, for sharing their experience and insight into this topic.
Communication and Access to Resources
Communication among all staff members doing youth work is crucial. Clerical staff, para-professional staff, and professional staff need to feel that they are in the “communication loop” at all times. Staff members need to feel adequately informed about programming efforts and initiatives, so that they can field questions from clientele, volunteers, or other staff members and reduce conflicts in planning other events. Customer service is key to good public relations, good programming and to building of positive relation-ships with clientele. In a “seamless” organization, everyone needs to have enough knowledge about unit programming, so they can correctly talk about programming and do their part. This does not mean that everyone has to be involved in everything, but they need to know about what’s going on.