Published: June 20, 2009 03:51 pm      

2009 State Parent - Volunteer Conference

“Oklahoma 4-H Volunteers: Honoring, Celebrating and Envisioning” is the theme of the 2009 State Parent-Volunteer Conference. The conference is scheduled for July 11 in Stillwater. The conference objectives are:

1. Celebrate past, present and future traditions as part of the Oklahoma 4-H Centennial.

2. Enlighten volunteers as to how diverse 4-H opportunities and experiences develop capable youth.

3. Encourage volunteers to establish and nurture a support network with fellow volunteers.

4. Motivate parents and volunteers to serve as project leaders, committee members and club leaders.

The “Share Fair” will be a showcase of county centennial projects and programming. County parent-volunteer associations will be asked to participate by sharing examples of fair exhibits, educational programs, alumni programming, special events, community involvement, etc., which have taken place or are in the works for their counties.

The focus for workshops will follow different tracks this year and they are as follows:

Track 1- We will be “honoring” our past. Workshop topics will include those ideas which are a rich part of our history and still viable to today’s youth and our communities. Workshop titles include Pack Your Bags, Discovering Entomology, Farm to You, Small Animal Projects, Junior Master Gardeners, Talk it Up, Leather Craft, Quilt Camp, Students Tackling Environmental Problems, 4-H Record Books.

Track 2- We will be “celebrating” our present. This will feature current trends and interests of youth and youth development programming or volunteer development. Workshop titles include Collecting Insects for 4-H Fair Entry, 4-H Rabbit Project, Power of Body Language, Food Science Technology, Parliamentary Procedure, Working with Faith Based Groups, Operation Respect, 4-H Centennial Garden, Leather Craft, Are you ready to YAP?

Track 3– “Envisioning” our future is the theme of track three. This will feature an introduction of new and unusual programs, projects, and coming trends which will put our youth programming out on the cutting edge. Workshop titles include Garden Insect Identification, Connecting 4-H STARS and FIRST, Operation Military Kids, Fun Fibers to Tasteful Textiles, Companion Animal Programs, Wired Volunteers, Learning about Horses, Filmmaking, The Arts are Important to 4-H Project Work, and Go Green.

Track 4– “100 years of Service" is the theme for this invitation only track. The top recipients of the 100 years of Service project will be invited to present the innovative service learning program their club conducted.

The County 4-H Volunteer Leader of the Year Award winners will also be recognized at a special luncheon in their honor at this conference. Our award winner this year for Pittsburg County is Rachel Willis, of Canadian 4-H. Please look for a follow-up article about her efforts at a later time.

The cost for this event is $40 and may be paid for at the door the day of the event. This event is set to be held on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

For more information about this and other 4-H activities call 423-4120 or e-mail greg.owen@okstate.edu.