Anne Arundel County 4-H Happenings

"Good fortune is what happens when opportunity meets with planning." - Thomas Edison

This time of the year is often when we organize, set goals and plan. As youth and club leaders determine annual activities, this is a great opportunity to set personal goals to develop over the next 12 months.

• Diamond Clovers - The Diamond Clover process is a relatively simple process that involves goal setting, planning, acting and then reflection. Forms are easy to use (Levels 1-5) and most requirements are activities youth already participate in or can easily add to current activities!
• Record Books - Set yourself up now. Plan out what activities you would like to participate in, download the forms and fill in as you go. Plan out where you can enhance your communication skills (hint: Public Speaking), how you can promote 4-H (set up a 4-H table, wear your shirt, etc.) and don't forget to start taking pictures (not just for Instagram-lol).
• Enhance your 4-H experience - if you are only participating in camp, consider joining one of our clubs and vice versa. Or simply start a new project area and share what you learned with others.

Activities in your club, community, and school can be documented/shared in any or all of these formats. Youth interested in jobs or scholarships have a ready-made resource when they fill out their applications!

We value your opinion and are looking for ways to youth needs in AA county! If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to complete a 2023 feedback form. Adults/Volunteers click here; youth members click here.

Regards,

Gretchen & Joy

P.S. The AAC 2024 CALENDAR is now available on our website and there's a link in the 'History in the Making' section below.

*********************************

Adult Club Leaders, Volunteers, Youth Club Officers, Club Members, and those interested in Public Speaking. We're starting 2024 off with a 'bang'. Join us for an upcoming workshop...

**********************************

2024 Re-enrollment through 4-H Online

All 4-H Member, Clover, and UME Volunteer re-enrollments must be completed between early January - March 1 via 4-H Online. A message will be sent out when the system is open, please watch for the email.

Re-enrollment: To enroll, simply log into your family 4-H Online profile and click 'Enroll Now' next to your name. Remember to use your family account from last year (same email & password) and re-enroll each person listed on your account. *Please do not create a new account* 4-H Youth Members and Clovers can submit $10 participation fee through 4-H Online. Volunteers are always free!! :)

Youth: Enrollment is the same as prior years.

Volunteers: Most volunteers are "Club Volunteer" (unit volunteer no longer exists); choosing this allows you to pick your leadership role(s) and the club(s) you are affiliated with; if you cannot choose a club you may have picked the incorrect role. Roles chosen online must match the Role description you signed, i.e. Organizational leader, Activity leader, etc. NEW for 2024 Re-enrollment is a 3-step process; Enrollment, Screening, and Training Refresher (an 8 min. video). You must complete all sections; total time to re-enroll is ~10 - 15 mins.

New Volunteers: please reach out to Christie ckneipp@umd.edu for guidance on getting started.

Please join us Monday, Jan 29th at 7:00 p.m. for a virtual 4-H OnLine enrollment session (link below). You can enroll along with us!

In the first part of the meeting, Joy & I will work through enrollment step by step (including viewing the volunteer video, which is new this year) - you can enroll at the same time on your device. We will demonstrate enrolling both youths and adults. After completing the process, we will answer questions and ensure everyone is enrolled.

If you cannot attend, please find a buddy! Pair up with a fellow 4-H'er who will attend and share information.

Please be prompt as logging in to 4-H Online will be the first step.

Topic: AAC 4-H Enrollment Session
Time: Jan 29, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://umd.zoom.us/j/5175557049?omn=92533933322

Meeting ID: 517 555 7049

Club Leaders please collect all record books for your club and bring them to the Extension Office by 2/1/24. Juniors and Intermediates complete the standard book while Seniors have the option of completing the standard or the Senior Portfolio.

All 4-Hers that hold an animal project must complete a Record Book/Portfolio.

4-Hers holding other projects, refer to your club expectations.

All Books should include a title page, table of contents, story/essay, photos/drawings, summary/resume, and Project Record components. Specific details, additional information, and the grading sheets are on the county website. Youth may use the sturdy 4-H cover (purchased online or at the extension office) or a 3-ring binder.

The collection of these Books covers the AAC requirement, this is not for National trips. See below for trip application details.

*** JUDGES NEEDED. No experience/special credentials needed. Join us for a fun experience. Please email Gretchen for more info: gsumbrum@umd.edu.

10am, Saturday 3/9/24 at Baldwin Early Learning Center (Baldwin United Methodist Church)

Through the 4-H Public Speaking Contest, youth have an opportunity to write a speech or a public service announcement (PSA) and deliver it to an audience. This event helps youth develop skills for communicating with real audiences, organizing and preparing a speech, practicing speech delivery skills, learning presentation skills, and developing self-confidence. Ribbons awarded by 4-H age category (Jr, Int, Sen) for 1st-3rd place. Please check out our webpage for more information, rules, etc... Register here by March 1, 2024.

County winners will be able to advance to the State Public Speaking Contest held at Maryland Day on 4/27/24 at the University of MD, College Park.

*** JUDGES NEEDED. No experience/special credentials needed. Join us for a fun experience. Please email Gretchen for more info: gsumbrum@umd.edu.

Market Steer Weigh-In will be on Saturday 1/13/24 at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds from 9 - 10 a.m. The Maryland 4-H Livestock Registration Form must be completely and accurately filled out for each animal by Jan. 5, 2024. A copy of your registration responses will be emailed to you from google, feel free to print a copy and bring it with you. Note: Anyone who carried an animal project MUST turn in a record book from the previous year to carry an animal project in the current year. For more information, please see our Animal Science webpage or reach out to your Club Leader.

Calling all 4-H'ers who are interested in learning more about Dairy Cattle!!

No experience/prior dairy knowledge necessary. The group will meet on Sundays in the Firehouse on Dairy Lane (across from the Extension building) from 2 - 4(ish) p.m. starting this Sunday, Jan. 6, 2024. You just need to show up and be engaged, all materials will be provided.

Reach out to Mr. Ed for details: ejmccab@gmail.com

Annual Variety Show

The 4-H Foundation will hold the annual 4-H Variety Show on Sunday, February 4, 2024 (snow date is Feb. 18) at the Baldwin Memorial United Methodist Church Educational Building in Millersville. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. with the show starting at 4:00 p.m. The event is free for both participants and audience members. Club members can show off their talents by either doing group or individual/duet acts such as skits, dancing, singing, playing instruments, and much more. Unique acts are appreciated! Club leaders or adult volunteer act coordinators must submit a registration form for each act that will be participating. The registration form, rules, judges’ score sheet, and flyer are here. Deadline for registration is Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Thanks to the 4-H clubs who responded to our 2024 Variety Show survey to help us in the planning process. Your input was very much appreciated!

For further information, contact the 4-H Foundation Act Coordinator at aaco4hfoundation@gmail.com.

National 4-H Trip Scholarships

The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation Scholarship, Recognition and Awards Fund sponsors youth leadership opportunities based on available funds generated through various fundraising activities throughout the year. The AAC 4-H Foundation asks that potential recipients, after accepting a formal National Trip invitation, fill out a National Trip Scholarship Application to receive payment/reimbursement for their trip fees (the amount varies depending on the cost of the event and the number of scholarship applicants). Applications can be found in our National Trip Scholarship folder.

4-H Foundation Meetings

The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation meets the third Wednesday of each month at the County Fair Office at 7 p.m. (please contact them before attending). If you are interested in helping support our county 4-H program, please join us at our next meeting. Please contact the AAC 4-H Foundation for further information at aacounty4hfoundation@gmail.com.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The Anne Arundel County 4-H Foundation Inc. supports the county 4-H program by providing scholarships to county 4-H members and volunteers, as well as hosting county-wide social events (like the 4-H Cookout and 4-H Ice Cream Social at the Anne Arundel County Fair). For further information, check out our AAC 4-H Foundation webpage. Questions: aacounty4hfoundation@gmail.com.

SUBMITTING YOUR SENIOR PORTFOLIOS FOR NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TRIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Maryland 4-H Program is proud to offer senior level 4-H members the opportunity to participate in Leadership Trips at the National Level. All enrolled and dues-paying club members ages 14-18 (as of January 1st the year the trip takes place) from all counties are eligible to submit an application and portfolio packet for any of the following national leadership trips. To be considered for a Leadership Trip, a 4-H member must complete a portfolio package which includes:

• Leadership Trip Application

• 4-H Resume (Example)

• Essay: The 2024 Essay Prompt is "How has your involvement in 4-H changed in your life?"

More information can be found on the state webpage: https://go.umd.edu/nationalleadership, scroll to the National 4-H Leadership Opportunities.

Due Dates:

• Nov 15 - Jan 15 - Portfolios must be submitted to 4-H Online for National 4-H Congress (Atlanta/Nov), Virginia 4-H Congress (June), and West Virginia Older 4-H Members Conference (June), National Leadership Conference (Camp Miniwanca, MI/June).

*** Please note that portfolios must be submitted to 4-H Online by 1/15/24. Seniors must be enrolled in 4-H for the 2024 year prior to submitting (if submitting sometime 1/1/24-1/15/24) AND that 4-H Online is often shut down from mid-Dec to mid-Jan.

The Maryland 4-H State Achievement Program will be held on Sunday, February, 18, 2024, at the MD State Fairgrounds in the Horse Sales Pavilion. More details next month.

Information about all state-sponsored Animal Science programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences or contact Chris Anderson, AS specialist: canders2@umd.edu for more info.

The 2024 Winter Dog Advisory Webinar Meeting, will be held on Sunday, January 7, at 6:00 p.m. During the webinar session, we will discuss plans for 2024 4-H Dog Project events, including the State Fair Dog Show, Dog Bowl, and Dog Skillathon. Any interested Individual wishing to join the advisory/planning session should send an email to Ashley Travis at ashley90@umd.edu or Chris Anderson at canders2@umd.edu to request connecting information.

Interested individuals are invited to join the 2024 Maryland 4-H Dairy Advisory Meeting, which will be held on Friday, January 12, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. During the webinar session, we will discuss State 4-H Animal Science updates pertaining to the dairy project area and plans for 2024 4-H Dairy Project events, including Dairy Bowl, Dairy Judging, Dairy Skillathon, the State Fair Dairy Show and other opportunities. Register to participate at: https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcodu2urDgiGdBbSEiOUHeAXAwaV0IZJVRU

Please join us in supporting the Maryland 4-H State Fair Horse and Pony Show by becoming an award donor!

The purpose of the Maryland 4-H State Fair Horse and Pony Show is to provide an opportunity for 4-H Horse project members to exhibit their horses in English and Western riding classes, showcasing their efforts in training and riding over the past year. Horse projects are a year-round endeavor for 4-H'ers, with skills building upon each other every year. To provide prizes appropriate for these hard-working young riders, we are seeking donations to help us purchase champion and reserve champion awards for each division at the horse show, as well as a high point award given each day.

Contributions and donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations are the key to helping 4-H make these experiences possible for youth across the state. Maryland 4-H Foundation is a non-profit 501c3; donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. This year, we hope we can count on your support! Questions can be directed to Rebecca Bittner at regunder@umd.edu and Jennifer Reynolds at jenreyn@umd.edu. Please click the following link to our donation form: Donation Form.

The 4-H Horse Bowl provides an opportunity for two teams of three to four players to face off in front of a panel of judges and the moderator, who asks questions during the matches. Each match consists of One-on-One questions, which are limited to one player from each team to answer, and Open questions, which may be answered by all players of each team. Players must be quick on the buzzer to earn the chance to answer the questions. Correct answers score points for the team.

The 2024 Horse Bowl Contest will be held in person at the Plant Science Building (tentatively) in College Park, MD, on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Registration for the contest will be open in February 2024. Contest eligibility, rules and regulations will be posted soon at https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/animal-sciences/4-h-horse-program.

The 2024 Maryland 4-H Horsemen’s Party will now be held in October. The official date is TBD. This year we will be having a fall achievement program with a silent auction. Stay tuned for more details!

Information about all state-sponsored Environmental Science programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/environmental-sciences or contact Amanda Wahle, ES specialist: awahle@umd.edu for more info.

The Maryland 4-H Camp In-service will be held Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 9-4 at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Join us as we kick off the 2024 season! This is open to educators, camp directors, current adult staff, new camp volunteers, or counties considering a camping program. This training will cover the latest updates in the field, administrative requirements, hot topics, American Camp Association highlights and much more. Look for additional information and registration through the 4-H Online System when it opens in early January. Contact Amanda Wahle, ES specialist: awahle@umd.edu for more info.

Information about all state-sponsored STEM programs can be found on the state webpage: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/4-h-youth-development/program-areas/stem

or contact Mark DeMorra, STEM specialist: mdemorra@umd.edu for more info.

2023 4-H STEM Challenge kits ARE AVAILABLE on the Shop 4-H website. More info about the kit and theme is available via the National 4-H STEM Challenge website. Some basics:

• Theme: “Renewable Energy”

• Cost: $21.95

• Each kit has materials to serve 12 youth

• 3 activities Included

• Superhero Hideout (Self-reflection & home energy use activity)

• Amped Up Engineering (Creative, Design, & Maker activity)

• Energy Island Adventure (Board game in teams)

Information about all state-sponsored International programs can be found on the state webpage:

https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/92010-States-4-H-International-Exchange. For more information on both Inbound and Outbound Opportunities, please contact Joseph Y. Cho at jcho8@umd.edu.

Do you know any families wanting to experience the world all in the comfort of their own home? We are seeking families to open their homes and hearts to a Japanese delegate between 12-17 years old and show them the American Culture. We need 14 families to host a Japanese Delegate this summer from mid-July through mid-August. The program is open to any family with a child 9-18 years old. No special trips or accommodations are required; simply let a delegate change you and your children's cultural awareness for the better! If you are interested, please submit an application (link).

*** Be sure to share your club's next event with us so we can help you spread the word! ***

Please share this donation opportunity with others: Combined Federal Campaign - 9/1/23-1/15/24 - https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/welcome. Giving campaign for federal employees and retirees. Select the Maryland 4-H Foundation CFC Code: 13436

The notification to renew your background check will come from Sterling Volunteers. Their email address is “theadvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com”.

In 2021, UME initiated a new volunteer background check policy in order to provide for the safety and well-being of University of Maryland Extension (UME) volunteers and constituents (e.g., staff members, program participants, and the community) as well as to protect UME’s assets and reputation as a service provider. The policy requires that volunteers be background checked every 3 years. Calendar year 2024 would be the first recertification period for individuals who completed their background check in 2021. In order to align the background check process with the annual re-enrollment process through 4-H Online, we will begin the volunteer background check renewal process this fall. This should allow for a smooth re-enrollment process and reduce the chance of gaps in protection or appointments.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

We have been experiencing an issue with some volunteers receiving their renewal invitations. After a discussion with the Sterling IT department, they believe that the issue is due to updating many email providers' security settings that can't be bypassed by Sterling.

To combat this issue at this time, I have been told to request that volunteers add the Sterling email address "TheAdvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com" to their email contacts to ensure the renewals will not be filtered out by the email providers. If the problem continues to exist, please request that your volunteers reach out directly to Joan Ranario at joan.ranario@sterlingvolunteers.com to troubleshoot. Every email provider is different but the directions for adding the email address to contacts for Gmail can be found here.

We wanted to include a quick reminder that annual club plans are due no later than February 12, 2024. Please consider completing this in January as we must have all the information uploaded to 4-H Online by 2/12/24. The hope is that youth and adult leaders work together to establish the plan allowing officers to step up and take responsibility. It may take more time to work through the process, yet once established you will find the time spent it well worth the effort in teaching the youth valuable leadership skills. Please see our county webpage: Unit Leader Annual Requirements. Established clubs are required by Maryland State 4-H to send the county office annual forms; one set in October and a different set in February. Please see below for dates and forms. These are the forms due by February 12 - Club Program Plan and Officer Roster AND ByLaws (but only send if a change was made).

See our "AAC 4-H 2024 Calendar' for more details. Updates will be made as they become available. All newsletters are uploaded to our AAC website.

* Re-enrollment will begin soon!!!

9/1 - 1/15 - Combined Federal Campaign

11/15 - 1/15- Nat 4-H Congress, Virginia 4-H Congress,

WV Older 4-H Members Conf, Nat Leadership Conf. application period

1/7 - MD State 4-H Dog Advisory Meeting, 6pm, Zoom

1/12 -MD State 4-H Dairy Advisory Meeting, 7pm, Zoom

1/13 - AAC Fair Livestock Beef weigh in

1/16 - MD State 4-H Animal Science Advisory Meeting, 9-11am, Zoom

1/22 - Volunteer and Club Leader Workshop, 6:30pm AAC office

1/29 - 4-H Online Enrollment Workshop, 7pm virtual

February

2/1 - Record Books due to County office

2/3 - MD 4-H Camp In-Service, 9a-4p at the Howard County Fairgrounds

2/4 - Annual Variety Show

2/6 - Public Speaking Workshop, 6pm, AAC office

2/7 - Dairy Bowl Team practices begin (open to all), AAC office "firehouse building'

2/11 - MD State 4-H Dairy Fun Day

2/12 - Club Annual Forms due to AAC Educator

2/18 - Maryland 4-H State Awards Gala (Achievement Program) @ MD state fairgrounds

2/21 - Youth Club Officer Workshop, 6:30pm, AAC office

2/24 - MD State 4-H Dog Skillathon Contest

March

3/9 - Public Speaking Contest

3/13-3/17 - Ignite by 4-H

4-H Inclement Weather Policy: If there is no school, or there is early dismissal in Anne Arundel County due to inclement weather, ALL 4-H events will be canceled.

4-H Health Policy: MD 4-H activities must comply with local directives for indoor or outdoor gatherings, following AACPS advisories.

Have questions, ideas or news to share? Please email Joy Sim, jsim1@umd.edu, to be included in our UME - AAC 4-H monthly newsletter. For programing questions, please email Gretchen Sumbrum, UME - AAC Educator, at gsumbrum@umd.edu.

Website: https://extension.umd.edu/locations/anne-arundel-county/4-h-youth-development

Location: 97 Dairy Lane, Gambrills, MD, USA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AACO4H
➡ Phone: *** NEW PHONE NUMBER/SYSTEM*** ⬅

• Gretchen direct: tel:301-226-7477
• Main Number: 301-226-7470

University programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

Unsubscribe from a newsletter/emails

Hi there, if you're here, we're guessing that you would like to unsubscribe from a newsletter (or from our marketing emails 😢).

To unsubscribe, just scroll down to the bottom of one of our marketing emails and click "unsubscribe."

If your recipient accidentally unsubscribed from your newsletters, you can learn how to re-subscribe them by clicking here.