TENNESSEE 4-H IDEAS

VOLUME 04 - Issue 43
October 29, 2004

Grant Opportunities
Professional Development Conference Deadline Extended
Sevier County “Hooked On Hunger: Tuna Drive
State Land Judging Contest To Be Held
Tamira Cole Named To National 4-H Council Board Of Trustees
Targeting Positive Youth Development: Building Relationships

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITY #1: SAM'S CLUB Offers Matching Grants to Local Nonprofits
The SAM'S CLUB Foundation develops and implements programs that support children and families in the company's local communities. The Community Matching Grants Program, the Foundation's largest program, provides grants of up to $1,000 to match the funds raised by nonprofit organizations at SAM'S CLUB locations. Local nonprofit organizations, including public schools, churches, and government agencies in communities with a SAM'S CLUB are eligible to participate. In addition, the Foundation's Be a Good Neighbor Environmental Grants Program provides grants of up to $500 for the environmental efforts of nonprofit organizations in communities with SAM'S CLUB stores. To learn more about receiving a grant from your local SAM'S CLUB, please see the community involvement coordinator at the location closest to you. Visit www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_foundation.jsp?stg=STG0 for more information.

OPPORTUNITY #2: Nickelodeon Let's Just Play Grants Program
The Let's Just Play Grants Program, a program of Nickelodeon, provides support to create or expand opportunities for physical play in schools and after-school community-based organizations. The program is committed to reaching the broadest and most diverse group of funding candidates possible. Applications are encouraged from urban, rural and suburban areas, and from small and large community-based organizations serving all ethnicities. Visit www.nick.com/all_nick/everything_nick/ for information. Applications are due November 1, 2004.

OPPORTUNITY #3: National Gardening Association Grant and Awards Programs
National Gardening Association supports programs across the country that actively engage kids in the garden and improve the quality of life for all. Except for the Mantis Award, to be eligible for the following grants and awards programs, your school or organization must plan to garden with at least 15 kids between the ages of 3 and 18. You may apply for more than one award. Application deadline: December 1, 2004. Visit www.kidsgardening.com/grants.asp for information.

Lori Jean Mantooth
Extension Assistant
4-H Youth Development
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE DEADLINE EXTENDED

The Southern Region Professional Development Conference scheduled for November 30-December 1, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia is extending the registration deadline to November 12, 2004. This is to allow those attending the NAE4-HA Pre-Conference on the RYD grants to receive registration information.

“Reaching for the Professional Peak” is a three-day professional development workshop focused for Extension educators, volunteers, and 4-H members to gain skills necessary for developing and expanding 4-H after-school and Youth in Governance programs in their state.

“Reaching for the Professional Peak” will feature some of the nations foremost presenters in the area of program development and implementation along with featuring speakers addressing the issues facing the youth of today and opportunities for the youth of tomorrow. Also, addressed will be the challenges facing youth development professionals. By offering two independent teaching tracks, After-school and Youth In Governance, workshop participants will receive over 15 hours of in-depth and advance training.

For more information, registration forms and detailed agenda visit the “Reaching for the Professional Peak” Web site at texas4-H.tamu.edu/professionaldevelopment.

Patrick Hamilton
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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SEVIER COUNTY “HOOKED ON HUNGER” TUNA DRIVE

Sevier County 4-H members have just completed another successful fishing expedition in the Third Annual "4-H Hooked on Helping Hunger" tuna drive. Eighty-three 4-H clubs so far have participated by donating 4267 cans of tuna along with $1563.64 to the Sevier County Food Ministry. Steve Streibig, director of the Food Ministry was on hand Tuesday night, October 26, at the 4-H officers workshop to accept the donation. "The ministry serves over 800 families each week in Sevier County. This donation will supply the need for tuna for the next couple of months," says Mr. Streibig.

According to the 4-H staff, the donation amount will grow during November as other 4-H clubs are visited. Sevier County 4-H is glad to partner with the Sevier County Food Ministry with this project. At the 4-H officers workshop, 222 officers received training for the upcoming club year. Photos follow:

Glenn Turner
Extension Agent
Sevier County
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STATE LAND JUDGING CONTEST TO BE HELD

The State 4-H Land Judging Contest will be held at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro on Monday, November 15. Counties participating in the event include: Cannon, Carroll (2), Clay (2), Grainger (2), Hawkins, Obion, Rutherford and Wilson (2). The top two teams in the state event will represent Tennessee in the national contest in Oklahoma next spring.

Steve Sutton
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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TAMIRA COLE NAMED TO NATIONAL 4-H COUNCIL BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Tamira Cole, a Madison County 4-H alumnus, has been named to the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees. She is currently a student at Austin Peay University in Clarksville majoring in English.

Tamira was a member of the Tennessee 4-H State Council and a state winner in the personal development project. She attended the 2002 National 4-H Congress in Atlanta and served as a member of the Youth Leadership Team.

Congratulations to Tamira! She will be a wonderful representative for Tennessee 4-H Youth Development.

Alice Ann Moore
Assistant Director
4-H Youth Development
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TARGETING POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Exploring the Life Skill of Building Relationships
In the September 10 issue of Ideas, the context promoting positive youth development was discussed, with supportive relationships noted as a key environmental component. When looking at national research studies examining positive youth development and making program recommendations, one continually sees opportunities to experience supportive relationships and build social skills as critical for adult success. All youth desperately need the support of caring adults and the social skills to succeed in their environment. Adult and teen leaders serve as constant role models for building relationship skills. Development of these successful relationships lays the foundation for learning more concrete skills such as decision-making or communication. Many of the problem behaviors associated with adolescence can be attributed to a void in the ability to form bonds and interact with others in a positive manner.

Building Relationships and County 4-H Programs
Relationships happen over time. Camps, conferences, exchange trips, Honor Club, All Stars, Sigma Lambda Chi and youth leadership programs are just a few of the methodologies that can help to build relationships. How 4-H agents and volunteer leaders relate to youth is critical for development in this life skill area. Many of the children who need the most nurturing and guidance are either the most demanding or least noticeable. Think about how you approach a group of 4-H’ers. Are you drawn to those who demand your attention? Do you pay little attention to the withdrawn or introverted child? Do you find that you acknowledge one gender more than another? Are the structure and expectations for your program such that all children feel safe from physical or emotional harm? Relationships will blossom when the environment is supportive with accepting diversity, honesty, respect and trust as non-negotiable expectations.

Jill Martz
Extension Specialist
4-H Youth Development
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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.
~ Abigail Van Buren