ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Harlem Globetrotters Upcoming Performances in Indiana
Please view the links below regarding discount ticket opportunities being made available by the Harlem Globetrotters to 4-H members across the nation. Performances will be conducted in Indiana as follows with detailed information for each city on the flier that carries that city’s name. Feel free to share with 4-H families in your county.

- Renée McKee

Operation: Military Kids
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
On behalf of the children of military personnel and their families, we want to thank all the Extension staff and local volunteers for their dedication and hard work to provide OMK programs and activities throughout the year. Sometimes we don’t see the faces of the children who receive the Hero Packs, or activities get so hectic at family or community events that we may not see or hear appreciation for all of our efforts. Hopefully the pleasure comes from knowing we have given generously to military families who have made great sacrifices on behalf of all of us so we may enjoy our many freedoms.

However, we want you to know that we do hear many heartfelt thank you’s and expressions of disbelief that people in the community are willing to give so generously of their time and talents in support of the military families. Together we have made a positive difference in their lives and we will continue to do so in 2009 by continuing to show them our support and appreciation for all the personal and family sacrifices they make for our country.

Deployments and Reunions
In the past few weeks, units from the 76th Brigade have started to return to Indiana from their time of active duty in Iraq. These reunions will continue during the next couple of months. Typically, there are not opportunities for OMK to assist at these actual reunion celebrations, but later we may be called upon to provide activities for youth while their parents take part in military briefings designed to help the transition home go as smoothly as possible.

While these units are returning, we have received word that an additional 9 units will be deploying starting on January 3 and continuing through mid-March. Our military partners have asked us to provide Hero Packs to the children of these military families. An estimated 500-700 Hero Packs will be required to meet these needs.

If you have a group or groups in your county who would be interested in assembling these packs, please let us know. We are able to provide many of the supplies and additional financial resources to make these projects a reality. 4-H Jr. Leaders, 4-H Clubs, Homemakers, Scouts, and church youth groups are just a few examples of groups who have previously enjoyed the opportunity to serve our military families via Hero Pack projects. Thank you for any help you can provide!

- Judy Hauser and Steve McKinley

2009 State 4-H Jr. Leader Conference
Below is a letter written by State 4-H Jr. Leader Council member, Amanda Downey, regarding State 4-H Jr. Leader Conference. The 2009 conference will be held June 16-19 at the University of Indianapolis. Registration is $160 per person and is due by May 15. More information will be coming in future CCC’s and is also available at: http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/sjlc/index.html. Thank you in advance for helping to promote this conference to your 4-H Jr. Leaders!

Dear Extension Educators of Indiana,

If enthusiasm, participation, and great leadership are qualities you want in your program, then State 4-H Junior Leader Conference is the place to be! Junior Leader Conference provides workshops to enhance leadership performance. Sending kids through a string of wires without ringing a bell requires teamwork and cooperation.

The best parts of Junior Leader Conference are the fun you will have and the people you will meet. With mixers like water games and events like the dance, it is nearly impossible not to make some life long friends. The conference teaches you how to mix fun with learning through amazing workshops, like etiquette and trust building. The enthusiasm, leadership and fun do not stay in Indianapolis. It is taken back to your 4-H program by the delegates you send.

Amanda Downey,
State 4-H Jr. Leader Council Member
Warrick County

VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT

4-H Volunteer Vision
Download the The December “4-H Volunteer Vision” here for your use with volunteers.

- Steve McKinley

Volunteer Resources Posted to Web Site
We have posted some additional volunteer resources on the State 4-H Web site under the
Volunteers tab. You can now find the following at http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/volunteer/index.html:

* VolunteerIN...4-H Toolkit for Success lessons from 2007 and 2008
* 2008 4-H Congress Lesson Plans for both the Youth and Adult sessions

Hopefully these files will be helpful to you as you prepare lesson for your youth and adult audiences in the coming year.

- Steve McKinley

VolunteerIN…4-H Toolkit for Success
Shortly after the first of the year, each County Extension Office will receive a CD with the 2009 lesson plans for “VolunteerIN…4-H Toolkit for Success.” The lessons this year focus on the Independence concept. To begin the third year of the materials, an IP Video program will be held on Thursday, January 29 and on Tuesday, March 10 (the same program will be offered on each date). Each program will be held from 7:30-9 p.m. Eastern Time (6:30-8 p.m. Central Time). The 2009 program is expected to include portions of the following lessons: Goal Setting, Time Management, Skills to Live on Your Own, Independence through Technology, and Utilizing Older Members.

IP Video sites may be enrolled by visiting: http://1144sms/ipevents/. Look for programs #1478 (Jan 29) and #1479 (Mar 10).

- Steve McKinley and Kathleen Koch

North Central Region Volunteer Forum
Sixteen volunteers and staff attended the 2008 North Central Region Volunteer Forum in Columbus, OH, November 6-9. Those who attended participated in several outstanding educational sessions and heard from inspiring speakers. They are now ready to share this information with their counties and other interested groups. Please invite one of the individuals listed below to share the information they learned with volunteers in your county:

The 2009 Forum will be held in Lincoln, NE, October 1-4.

- Steve McKinley