Honing Youth-Adult Partnership Skills through 4-H Project Development

Committee PlanningOctober 25, 2008

• Introductions• Committee Purpose & Structure Overview• 10-Minute Break• PDC Activity & Planning in Focus Areas

for 2009• Questions & Answers – Anything 4-H!

Agenda

Extension Educator: Heidi Haugen (hauge350@umn.edu, 218-828-2345)

Program Coordinators:• Aitkin County – Beth Haasken

(stran017@umn.edu, 218-927-2538)

• Cass County – Chris Trout (trout022@umn.edu, 218-587-8280)

• Crow Wing County – Jeanne Rohr (Interim) (rohrx022@umn.edu, 218-824-1069)

Introductions

The purpose of a PDC is to provide educational experiences for youth and adult leaders through workshops, trainings, and events.

• Main purpose is not to create and implement policy and/or rules.

• Policy and/or rule additions/changes can be proposed to Extension staff and county 4-H federation or council.

PDC Purpose:

Defined Project Focus:• Today: Dog, Horse, Shooting Sports/Wildlife,

Livestock, Fine Arts, etc.• Tomorrow: New Focus Areas for 2009 include:

– Science, Engineering, and Technology (One Million New Scientists. One Million New Ideas.™)

– Healthy Living (chemical health, mental and emotional health, foods and nutrition, physical health and safety)

– Citizenship (civic affairs role and community decision-making)

County Committee Structure

Defined Committee Membership:• 8-10 people – even split of youth & adults (but

more can come to meetings)• Two-year terms for officers who can serve two

consecutive terms• Applications/interest submitted to the PDC• committee chairperson(s) and recorder

(secretary) selected by group

County Committee Structure

Meeting Expectations:• 4 to 12 meetings per year• Avoiding time of regularly schedule club

meetings• Avoiding months when federation or council

meets, if possible• Sign-in sheets used• Minutes submitted to the county extension

office within one week of meeting

County Committee Meetings

Extension staff support PDCs through:• Mailing out correspondence (email and postal)• Providing materials, information upon request• Keeping committee informed• Attending meetings when necessary & available• Working with committee to draft policy for

approval by county/state 4-H staff and federation or council

Expectations of Extension Office

Equipment purchased or received by our 4-H program should be for the purpose of conducting 4-H educational programming and/or fundraising efforts for educational programming.

Inventory steps:• Generate a list of items owned by 4-H• Know where items are stored• Label all equipment:

Board of Regents – University of MinnesotaCenter for 4-H Youth Development[Aitkin or Cass or Crow Wing] County 4-H

Property Inventory

Budgets:• Need: sound financial stewardship of dollars

raised in the name of 4-H• Funds stay in the county 4-H federation or

council account

Goals:• Short term (within the program year)• Long term (within next 2-4 years, or beyond)• Action steps to accomplishing the goal

Committee Budgets and Goals

Committee Folders/Notebook:• Lists of members & leaders enrolled in the

program year• Committee Meeting Reports• Committee Goals• Position Descriptions• Equipment Info & Inventory form• Budget form

Organizing PDC Resources

1. Split into special topic areas:– Science, Engineering, & Technology – Healthy Living – Citizenship

2. Engage in Project Activity3. Look over resources in topic area4. Brainstorm goals/activities/events5. Pick a recorder and a reporter

What’s Next?

• SET • Healthy Living • Citizenship

Group Report Out

Q & A

Ask Us Anything!

Wrap Up

• Please fill out your evaluation forms.• Have a great 4-H year!