4-H Family News header 

December 4, 2015   
Macomb County 4-H News
4-H Shooting Sports Certification Renewal 
This is a reminder about renewal certification for leaders in the various disciplines of shooting sports. If your shooting sports certification is expiring and you have not sent in renewal applications yet, please do so ASAP to avoid certifications lapsing into 2016.  Applications are not accepted after December 31st!!  Certifications that lapse are required to renew by attending another shooting sports workshop training. Applications received in December may not be processed/renewed until the new year and therefore leaders may not be certified until well into 2016.  Leaders must not supervise live fire until they have certification cards!

Pending Enrollments
Youth Enrollments: There are still a number of youth enrollments pending for 2015-16, either because they have not enrolled online, enrolled improperly, or because they have not paid their State 4-H participation fees. Remember, member registration is only considered complete when you're enrolled/re-enrolled through 4-H Online and have paid the State 4-H participation fee.

Adult Volunteer Enrollments: A handful of adult volunteer enrollments are still pending. Adults should only enroll online if they have completed the 4-H Volunteer Selection Process (VSP). If you completed VSP in another county, please let the Macomb 4-H office know so that we can request verification.

Club Registration: Club leaders, please submit the following to Macomb County MSU Extension if you haven't already:
  • Annual Summary Financial Statement for 2014-15 (returning clubs only)
  • Club/Committee Inventory Reports for 2014-15 (returning clubs only)
  • Civil Rights Compliance Statement (all clubs)
  • Bylaws (all clubs)
Your club's status will not be considered active until these forms are received.

4-H Fun, Fitness & Smoothies Drop and Shop
Drop and Shop! Youth ages nine and older can join 4-H at MSU Extension, 21885 Dunham Road, Clinton Township, on December 12, 2015 from 2-5 p.m. for  4-H Family Boot Camp & Smoothies , a FREE family fun program in honor of Fun and Healthy Living! Youth will have fun being active and making smoothies while parents enjoy holiday shopping. Register online at  http://events.anr.msu.edu/4HBootcampandSmoothiesDropandShop   by December 9th. For more information, contact Kea Norrell-Aitch at  knboyd@anr.msu.edu  or 586-469-6264 or B'Onko Sadler at  sadlerbo@anr.msu.edu  or 517-432-7618.


4-H Day at the Breslin - January 16, 2016

MSU Spartan Women's Basketball team will host the Iowa Hawkeyes Women's Basketball team in East Lansing on January 16th, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. Macomb County 4-H members, volunteers, staff and their families are invited to attend FREE. Contact Jeran Culina at culinaje@anr.msu.edu or 586-469-5979 with your ticket requests. Those requesting tickets will be notified when the tickets are ready for pickup at Macomb County
MSU Extension.



Join Michigan 4-H and the Detroit Pistons at the Palace 
of Auburn Hills on March 19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. as the Pistons take on the Brooklyn Nets! A portion of the proceeds will benefit 4-H. Pre-game activities will be held. Order specially discounted tickets at  pistons.com/4H . 
For additional information, contact Nicole Laidlaw at 
248-375-4065 or  nlaidlaw@palace.net .
Macomb County 4-H Staff
District 11 Coordinator
 
4-H Extension Educator
 
4-H Mentor Program Coordinator
  
4-H Program Coordinator
 
4-H Extension Educator
 
Program Coordinator, 
4-H Tech Wizards
 
Extension Educator, 
4-H Tech Wizards
 
Computer Maintenance Clerk
 
Email:
 
Web Site:
 
Locations:
MSU Extension
21885 Dunham Road, Ste. 12
Clinton Township, MI 48036
Phone: (586) 469-6431
 
MSU Extension
11370 Hupp
Warren, MI 48089
Phone: (586) 469-7614
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Percentage of families to open the November 18, 2015 Macomb County 4-H Family Newsletter:

27%

Roughly 63% viewed it on a mobile device. 

County Awards Event
The Macomb County 4-H Awards Event is at 2 p.m. 
on December 13, 2015 at Macomb County MSUE, 21885 Dunham Road, Clinton Township. Macomb County 
4-H'ers and their families are encouraged to attend and support this year's applicants! Refreshments will be served. R.S.V.P. to 586-469-6431 or macomb.4h@macombgov.org
 by Wednesday, December 9th.
Embryology Training for 4-H Leaders and Teachers
Embryology offers a unique experience for youth to observe and experience the miracle of life! There are many ways that you can incorporate embryology in your local 4-H program through classroom programs, spin clubs and club work.
 
This training is for you if you are interested in l earning how to properly incubate eggs, t eaching the West Virgina Cooperative Extension Beginning of Life curriculum, u tilizing best practices for embryology and youth development; and b ringing a new, exciting program to your local community!
4-H staff, teachers, and volunteers are invited to the 4-H Embryology Staff and Volunteer training on Wednesday, January 13th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, 4825 E. Mt. Hope Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. The training cost is $50 per participant, which includes curriculum, training materials/information, and lunch. Partial scholarships may be available. Please register at http://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?folder=Embryology. Registration will close on December 30th. Please share with other leaders and teachers who may be interested in this opportunity.

Macomb County 4-H Welcomes New Clubs
Macomb County 4-H is excited to welcome its newest clubs, Sharper Focus, Crevolution, and Riley Raiders. Sharper Focus 4-H Club is led by Tiffany Stevens. The Warren/Eastpointe club will focus on community service and expressive arts, including photography. Crevolution 4-H Club in Sterling Heights will focus on robotics and community service. Leaders of that group are Bryan Battaglia and George Chene. Riley Raiders 4-H Club is led by volunteer Beckie Kavanagh. Livestock, clothing and textiles, dogs, horticulture, shooting sports are among the projects her club is working with.

Clubs can Host 4-H Town Hall Meetings Against Under-aged Drinking
If a 4-H club or group is interested in hosting a town hall meeting against under aged drinking, they will have the support of the statewide 4-H Healthy Living team. The planning stipend can help pay for space for the meeting, promotional items and refreshments.  This is something that a club, committee, military or mentoring group could take on and be youth/teen led. 

If you are interested in signing up to hold a Town Hall Meeting, please submit the state, club name, contact person, and email to Amy McCune (amccune@nifa.usda.gov) by December 14th. That information will be shared with SAMHSA and SAMHSA will make the final determinations on stipends. 

4-H Horse Program's Annual Banquet Well Attended 

Alarro Boots & Spurs 4-H Club members and volunteer Gina Colombo attended the annual Macomb County 4-H Horse Program Banquet on November 16, 2015. 

The Macomb County Horse Program had its annual banquet on November 16th at Zucarro's Holiday House at 21 Mile Road and Gratiot in Chesterfield Township. We had nearly 200 guests in attendance this year! At this event, the 4-H kids are presented with certificates, award plaques, trophies and participation gifts.

Article and photos submitted by Gina Colombo, 4-H Volunteer

Reflections on the 2015 Macomb County 4-H Horse Program Banquet
Fall is full of new beginnings and, as we start a new 4-H program year, we take the time to reflect on and acknowledge the many accomplishments of the previous year. For the volunteers and youth who participate in the Macomb County 4-H Horse program, November is time for the annual Horse banquet. I was very fortunate to have been able to attend this year and what a wonderful event it was! As I arrived at Zuccaro's Chesterfield location, I was very pleased to see a packed parking lot. Inside were a bustle of activity and smiling familiar faces.
 
As attendees enjoyed their meals, they were treated to a slide show presentation. The entertaining slide show was very well done and included a variety of clips from the year in the horse program and a mash up of the song "Happy" from members of Midnight Riders 4-H Club. The awards program began with greetings and introductions given by Macomb County 4-H Horse Program Committee president Mike DeFour, followed by a brief statement from Kea Norrell-Aitch, Macomb County 4-H Supervising Educator. Finally, the actual dispersing of awards  began. Horse Program Committee members Gina Colombo and Sandi Pallas facilitated the handing out of the many awards. There are also two special awards, the Bill Collins Outstanding Horsemanship Award and the Jane Sylvester Sportsmanship Award. This year, Elizabeth Barone was the Bill Collins Award recipient, and Caitlyn Pichette received the Jane Sylvester Award. In addition to awards were some very lovely prizes, including Carhart coats and folding stadium chairs. All of these items were engraved with Macomb County 4-H Horse Program.
 
The event is funded by a theme basket silent auction. All of the baskets were beautifully packaged. All in all it was a wonderful day full of good food, good fun, and great company.

Article submitted by Elizabeth Duran, Macomb County 4-H Program Coordinator

Photos submitted by Kea Norrell-Aitch, 4-H Supervising Educator


Ray Community 4-H Club Members Collect Canned Goods for Veterans

In honor of Veteran's Day, the Ray Community 4-H Club collected canned goods for the Veteran's Food Pantry in Clinton Township. They also made cards and wrote letters for the VA Hospital in Detroit.

Article and photos submitted by Leanne Stallmann

Lambs For Sale
Volunteer Jenny Depa-Karl has 2015 Shetland Lambs (DOB April 2015) looking for fiber home: two ewe lambs ($150 each) and two weathered lambs ($75 each). Pleaes call  586-784-8328 for more information .

Help MSU Extension Sharpen Its Focus!
Michigan State University Extension has long been a source of information and education for Michigan residents. To help define the needs and priorities of those residents, MSU Extension professionals throughout the state are asking Michigan citizens to help them determine where they should place their future emphasis through a short online survey. 

Michigan 4-H parents, alums and volunteers (anyone over the age of 18) are encouraged to take the survey. Although not collected in the survey, input from youth will be solicited through a series of face-to-face meetings.
 
Michigan 4-H Night at the Palace of Auburn Hills
Join Michigan 4-H and the Detroit Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on March 19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. as the Pistons take on the Brooklyn Nets! A portion of the proceeds will benefit 4-H. Pre-game activities will be held. Order specially discounted tickets at pistons.com/4H. For additional information, contact Nicole Laidlaw at 248-375-4065 or nlaidlaw@palace.net.
 
National Bee Keeping Essay Contest
The 2016 National Bee Keeping Essay Contest is now open for 4-H youth to submit their essays. The deadline to submit in Michigan is February 19, 2016. The winning entry from Michigan will be forwarded for National consideration by March 4, 2016.

Community Service Idea for Clubs
World Wear Project is a used shoes and clothing recycling company in Dallas that partners with organizations across the nation in order to assist them in raising money. World Wear Project can help you raise money by holding a shoe drive. The organization will send you boxes to hold the shoes and boots, buy the shoes that you collect, and then recycle them.
                       
The Shoe Box Program is an easy way to make additional funds. You simply fill the box with 60 lbs. of gently worn shoes. When you are ready to ship your shoes to us, contact the organization to send UPS to pick up the used shoes. There is no cost to you for shipping. Checks are issued the first week of the month following the receipt of the boxes.
                         
One of the missions of World Wear Project is to divert shoes and boots from our nation's landfills. The shoes that are collected are sold to developing countries at affordable prices. For more information, contact Joy Gilbert at Joy.Gilbert@worldwearproject.com or 214-352-5551 ext. 207 or visit the organization's web site, www.worldwearproject.com.

4-H Calendars of Events
Macomb County 4-H Calendar of Events:
 
December 10
Macomb County 4-H Youth Council Meeting

December 11
Mentor Mingle Jingle
 
December 12
2-5 p.m., Macomb County MSU Extension, Clinton Township

December 12
Mentor Training

December 13
Macomb County 4-H Awards Event
2 p.m., Macomb County MSU Extension, Clinton Township


State 4-H Calendar of Events:

Online
 
Online
 
Online
 
Online
 
January 8-10, 2016
Michigan 4-H Horse Judges & Show Superintendents Conference
Kettunen Center, Tustin
 
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, East Lansing
 
National 4-H Conference Center, Chevy Chase, Maryland

January 16, 2016
4-H Day at the Breslin
Breslin Center, MSU, East Lansing

January 29-31
Green & White Youth Event & Open Hog Show (Contact  Carla McLachlan)
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
 
January 30
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
 
Kettunen Center, Tustin
 
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
 
February 6-7
4-H Winterfest
Kettunen Center, Tustin
 
February 19-20
 
February 20-21
Kettunen Center, Tustin
 
February 26-28
Teen & Adult 4-H Horse Leaders Workshop (Contact Taylor Fabus)
Kettunen Center, Tustin
 


Other 4-H Events
 
January 16, 2016
4-H Day at the Breslin
Breslin Center, MSU, East Lansing
 
January 29-31
Green & White Youth Event & Open Hog Show (Contact Carla McLachlan)
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing
 
January 30
MSU Pavilion, East Lansing

 
 
For the most up-to-date events listing, go to http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events
Statewide 4-H News
Our 4-H Members Are Doing Great Things - Let's Recognize Them!!!
Whether you're a younger or older 4-H'er, if you're doing great 4-H work, there are some very
special ways to be recognized for it! Check out the awards listed below for examples. Then contact your local 4-H staff to see which awards are available where you live.
 
4-H Mark of Excellence Award
4-H'ers who are 11 or 12 years old are eligible to apply for the 4-H Mark of Excellence Award. To apply, a 4-H member needs to write an essay on the theme, "Because of 4-H, I can . . . ." Counties select their representatives, and submit their names and essays to the State 4-H Awards Committee. For more information and instructions, see the  Overview and Instructions link on the Michigan 4-H web site. Deadline for submission is February 1.
 
Project Medals
Outstanding 11- to 13-year-old members are likely to be considered for one of these awards that celebrate excellence in a specific project area. With no statewide process for awarding project medals, each county establishes its own criteria and procedure.
 
State 4-H Awards Program
The State 4-H Awards program, the highest honor bestowed on Michigan 4-H youth, is for 4-H'ers aged 13 and up who have at least three years of 4-H experience. We encourage all young people who meet the requirements to apply for this program. Youth compete in 19 different recognition areas showcasing their knowledge, skills and experiences. To apply, youth submit the State 4-H Awards application, found on the 4-H web site to State4HAwards@anr.msu.edu by February 1. Applications are carefully reviewed by selection committees. Delegates, who are announced by March 15, are invited to participate either in an advanced leadership-development program (juniors), competitive interviews (seniors) or presentations (groups) at the State 4-H Awards Assembly held during 4-H Exploration Days State 4-H Award winners are announced at the 4-H Recognition Program, also held during 4-H Exploration Days at the prestigious Huntington Club in Spartan Stadium. Complete instructions and the application, are on the Michigan 4-H web site.
 
Michigan 4-H Key Club Award
The 4-H Key Club Award is intended to be the top county 4-H honor and selections are made at the county level. To be eligible, a 4-H member must be 15 years old by the beginning of the project year. Other eligibility requirements are listed on the application.

Have you taken the survey? 
Your responses are important to us! Help MSU Extension determine future programming based on community needs and priorities by taking MSU's  short online survey. 

Have You Heard About Michigan 4-H Workshops?
In Kettunen Center Workshops Enhance 4-H Experience for Youth and Volunteers, Melissa Elischer, Michigan 4-H youth dairy educator, discusses how important local 4-H group activities are "for youth to connect with peers and positive adult role models through common experiences."

However, Melissa also points out that there is much more that Michigan 4-H'ers and 4-H volunteers can participate in. For example, Michigan 4-H also offers one-, two- and even three-day workshops that can "enhance the 4-H experience for youth and volunteers."
 
Read about the idea behind these workshops in Melissa's article and then check out the upcoming workshops on the Michigan 4-H web site.

There just may be one waiting for you!

4-H Capitol Experience
4-H Capitol Experience is a four-day conference held in Lansing that focuses on civic engagement and public policy. The program is open to ALL high school students in Michigan. Each year, 75 to 100 youth use their voices to collaborate on issues that matter to them and learn how they can have an influence on policy and community! This event fills up quickly so register online ( http://events.anr.msu.edu/4hcapex/) today!
 
Event dates: March 20th at 1 p.m. until March 23rd at 3 p.m.
 
Registration for 2016: Open NOW until February 5, 2016
 
Cost: $315.00 for 4-H or MFB youth members, $325.00 for non 4-H or MFB youth
 
Full Registration Payment due: February 12, 2016 
            note: registered participants who have not paid in full by 02/12/16 will be subject to cancellation to make space for waitlist participants
 
Scholarships: 
Michigan 4-H scholarship applications are online at http://4h.msue.msu.edu/uploads/files/Capitol_Experience_CE_scholarship_form.pdf. Applications are due by January 8, 2016.
 
Check with your local MFB office to see if scholarships are available.

New this year: 
  • CE has an email! It's 4hCapitolExperience@anr.msu.edu.
  • youth will select their issue group during registration (rather than being assigned by CE staff)
  • all participants will visit both the state capitol and the supreme court
  • we hope to have the schedule available via Yapp
  • evening time will offer more specific fun, networking building activity options
  • payment deadline is due before the event (see note above) - an additional payment reminder will be sent to county staff listing the youth from their area that are registered, so payments can be added to events management before the deadline
  • We're extending the program until 3 p.m. on Wednesday 03/23/16
4-Hers currently enrolled in 4-H online do not have to fill out another media/medical/conduct form. They only have to send in their parent permission form:  http://4h.msue.msu.edu/uploads/files/Capitol_Experience/CE_Parent_Permission_Form_2016.pdf


4-H Exploraton Days - June 22-14, 2016
Mark your calendar! 4-H Exploration Days is June 22-24, 2016! This popular statewide youth conference is held annually at MSU in East Lansing and is for members and non-members ages 11-19 as of Jan. 1, 2016. Registration begins in March. Watch future 4-H newsletters for more information!