Oahu 4-H Newsletter Online

Welcome to Oahu 4-H's online newsletter.

January 2007

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Contents
Contents:



President’s Message
Happy New Year!

     I hope you enjoyed a festive holiday season filled with great memories with your friends and family!  The Executive Board and chairpersons have been working hard in planning a great 2007.  I look forward to seeing new as well as familiar faces at our upcoming events.

     We will begin the year with a council meeting on January 14, 2007 at 3:30 pm at the Urban Garden Center.  Please come and join us in discussing the upcoming Food Show on February 17 and Communication Fair on April 21.  Remember the new Food Show forms are due on January 5, so it is not too early to start researching your recipes and working on your food pyramid.  I hope the Food Show workshop helped you with new ideas on displaying your delightful entries and provided useful insights on preparing your meal plan.  Thank you to Aunty Linda and members from the Farrington High School FCCLA Chapter for planning this informative workshop.

     I would like to acknowledge Mari Chung and Hannah Wong for coordinating the Foster Kid’s Christmas Party service project.  They did a fantastic job and we had over 30 representatives from our organization who helped by serving the foods to the foster kids and their families.  Great job Mari and Hannah!

     My apologies to Ross Shibata from the Just Us Club… in last month’s newsletter, I misstated that he was from Clover Kids.

     As we begin 2007, remember to include 4-H in your New Year’s resolutions.

  - Amber Kuitunen

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Calendar of Events

JANUARY

5
 Food Show forms due
14
 Council Meeting, 3:30 pm, Urban Garden Center

FEBRUARY

11
 Executive Board Meeting, 3:30 pm, Urban Garden Center
17
 4-H Food Show, 4:00 pm, Pearl City High School

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Oahu Events

  National 4-H Congress Highlights

     At the end of November, I went to National 4-H congress with 15 other Hawaii delegates.  The 10 hour flight to Atlanta, Georgia was the worst, but it was all worth it once we landed.  National 4-H Congress was an experience of a lifetime.

     Everyday was full of activities; we were up by 6:00 am and sleeping at the earliest by 1:00 am, but even though I was lacking sleep and black circles were forming around my eyes, I didn’t really care because I was having the time of my life.

     I spent two days experiencing workshops and talking with 4-Hers from around the nation.  It was very interesting to learn how 4-H varies through out the United States and the projects that they participate in are sometimes similar or sometimes completely different and unique.  Everyone in our delegation had to randomly pick workshops and I received The Healthy Gourmet, Pilates, and Control Tower.  In these workshops I learned from the Hyatt’s main chef how to make Steak Diane, I also learned how to work out and stretch in extreme pain and exhaustion, and I learned how to be a good leader and have visions in life.  Also during the day we listened to many motivational speakers who were interesting, funny, and exciting.  At night we had an International Dinner and Dance, Atlanta Cultural Night, and a Congress Gala to end our week.

     Other than workshops we also were able to experience Atlanta Georgia, home of CNN, Martin Luther King, the Falcons, and the world’s largest aquarium.  I was able to see the church where Martin Luther King was a pastor, where he lived, and where his burial spot was.  I also got to see the behind the scenes of CNN and actually see the reporters in the studio giving a broadcast.  I also got to do some community service at a local middle school in the area.  Unfortunately, I was unable to see the Falcons play the Saints, but just watching the Falcon’s fans heading towards the stadium with their flags and jerseys was just incredible.  I also got to see a beluga!

     Being from Hawaii made us very popular among all of the other delegates.  One night we had a pin exchange where every state could trade with others.  We were practically mugged by other people wanting to introduce themselves and trade with us, and then ask us the common questions:  What is it like in Hawaii?  Do you surf?

     Since we stayed an extra day, we were practically able to shop until we dropped!  The best part of the shopping was that since nobody wears tank tops in the winter, many were on sale.  At night we were also able to ice skate.

     I could talk for hours on this experience, but I’ll stop.  4-H National Congress was worth every hour I spent working on my portfolio, I hope more Oahu 4-Hers apply to be a Hawaii delegate, because being in Atlanta and experiencing this conference was just incredible.

                                                                                       Hannah Wong
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Join the 4-H Leaders’ Federation for 2007
  • A working state 4-H leaders’ organization composed of county 4-H leaders.
  • Assist CES as an adult counseling body in considering 4-H club policies, arranging for leader-training meetings, conferences and the exchange of ideas.
  • To help develop the social, educational and professional growth and development of 4-H leaders throughout the state.
  • To assist and aid in securing public approval and financial support for the 4-H club.
  • To acquaint parents and the public with the roles of volunteer adult leaders.
  • To work with CES and other organizations in helping to develop a coordinated Extension youth program.
Oahu 4-H Org. will pay for your dues.  Call Maryknoll at 453-6053 by March 2007 and she will register you as a member.

                                                                                Maryknoll Spotkaeff
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 I Want To Join 4-H

     A fifth grade boy is interested in joining a 4-H club.  Would you like to have him join your club?  He lives in the Honolulu area and would really enjoy a club that delves in aerospace and other science interests.  Please call me!

                                                                                 Maryknoll Spotkaeff

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Leaders Training Opportunity

Come and learn with your 4-H Oahu leaders!
Friday, February 9, 2007
UGC garage classroom
6:30 pm

Featuring “Tofu Delite”
by Julia Cabatu

We will all have fun preparing pork tofu, tofu salad,
tofu gelatin pie and soy drink.
Bertha Kau’I and Renee Chung will share a fun, hands-on
experience with us.
Maryknoll and Rose will wisk you away
with adventures about 4-H.

Bring your appetites and positive dispositions.
Call Maryknoll at 453-6053 or Rose at 622-4185 for
headcount for dinner.

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Military 4-H Club Updates

Archery Comes Back to Hawaii 4-H!

Hickam AFB has started a 4-H archery club.  There are presently 15 children, ages 8-11 years old involved in this project.  Danielle Pierce is the 4-H leader.  The club is using equipment provided by Go Archery!  The children are learning safety skills and learning to work together.  Danielle reports that the project helps teach the club members respect, patience and concentration skills.

Army Children Send Holiday Cards to Soldiers

Members of Bennett Youth Center’s Health, Cooking and Fitness 4-H club spent their December meeting designing holiday cards which were sent to injured soldiers at the Walter Reed Medical Center.
Much thought and effort went into creating the cards!

Site Visit to Camp Zama

This past month, I had the opportunity to travel with our USDA Specialist, DeAnn Acosta to visit with Army staff at the school-age and teen program at Camp Zama.  Besides providing training for the staff and 4-H’ers, we also held a mini 4-H kickoff/recognition for the staff.  BUT the best part of the visit was being able to see a couple of clubs in action.  While I was doing an Officer’s training session, DeAnn was able to watch the Teen Video Club members actually tape their TV segment.  Do know that the Camp Zama 4-H clubs are doing well!  The Camp Zama 4-H’ers are anxious to be able to participate in the Oahu Communications Fair this year.


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Other Opportunities

4-H at the Movies

Share this information with friends, family and others in your community!

For every ticket purchased through www.fourhcouncil.edu to see Paramount Pictures and Walden Media's production of Charlotte's Web (opening December 15 in theaters across the country) a donation of $1 will be made by Hollywood Movie Money to 4-H to support your state's 4-H program.

Please note: Charlotte's Web tickets will be available for purchase beginning December 8th through www.fourhcouncil.edu, but start spreading the word NOW!

Visit www.fourhcouncil.edu to download a variety of promotional materials or to buy the 4-H t-shirt that Fern wears in the movie!See a great movie & help support 4-H:  visit www.fourhcouncil.edu!

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Complete the Charlotte’s Web: Become a True Friend Program

     Charlotte's Web, a Paramount Pictures, Walden Media, Nickelodeon Movies and Kerner Entertainment picture, is the latest movie to be featured as part of F.I.L.M. (Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies).

     As part of the 3-step program around Charlotte's Web, youth are encouraged to read the book and see the movie, participate in activities from the free, downloadable youth development activity guide, and complete a related service-learning project.

     The activity guide, Charlotte's Web:  Become a True Friend is now available.  The guide includes interactive group, individual, and partner activities for youth ages 8 - 12.  To learn more, visit http://www.youthfilmproject.org/film/charlottesweb.htm

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January 15 - Day of Service

     Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in 2007 is a very important day.  Everyone is encouraged to plan a volunteer project to help honor Dr. King.  You may wish to coordinate a project with your 4-H club or with any volunteer organization you may work with.  To assist with the planning and operation of a project there are resources available, including a tool kit, at www.MLKDay.gov

     Among these resources the Corporation for National and Community Service has developed an MLK Day of Service project registry and volunteer management tool.  This tool can be used to do something as simple as just list your project in a national registry or you can also use it to register volunteers, communicate with them, produce a photo gallery, add video, and roll up results. 

     The registry system is relatively simple, but if you need training to use this tool, we are offering webinars on December 7, 12 and January 4.  You can sign up for the trainings at www.MLKDay.gov.  We hope that you will immediately go to http://www.mlkday.gov/ and register your project.

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Disney Minnie Grants Coming Soon!

     Disney and Youth Service America (YSA) are pleased to announce grants of up to $500 to support youth-led service projects.  These grants support youth (ages 5-14) in planning and implementing service projects in their community.  Teachers, older youth (15-25), youth-leaders, and youth-serving organizations also eligible to apply, provided that they that engage younger youth (5-14) in planning and implementing the service event.

     A significant component of the project must take place on National & Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007.  Projects can address themes such as the environment, disaster relief, public health and awareness, community education, hunger, literacy, or any issue that youth identify as a community need.

     There will be another round of Disney Minnie Grants in the summer of 2007.  Applicants selected for awards in this cycle will also be eligible to apply for the summer grants.

Please check www.YSA.org/awards in June 2007 for details on how to apply for the second grant cycle.

Questions?  ---  E-mail:  MinnieGrant@ysa.org.

Receipt deadline: January 24, 2007 -- 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time (12:00 noon Hawaiian Standard Time).

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A Lion In The House Community Service Grant

     Mini Grants Available to Address Childhood Cancer:  Youth Service America is proud to offer A Lion in the House Community Service Grants.  Complementing the highly-acclaimed film by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, these grants of $300 are designed for youth (ages 12-25) and youth-serving organizations (schools, youth groups, clubs, etc?) to design service projects addressing pediatric cancer.

Projects should be youth-led and take place as part of National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007.  To learn more, download application materials at www.YSA.org/awards or email MyLion@ysa.org.

To learn more about pediatric cancer, including great service project ideas and resources, go to the online A Lion in the House Youth Community Service Toolkit at www.MyLion.org.

Funding for this grant program has been made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Fund for American Studies.  Postmark deadline: February 1, 2007

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4-H Clover Corner News
For additional articles on 4-H youth development nationwide, check out the National 4-H Clover Corner News at http://www.4hblogs.org/ccn/

If you have a disability and require special assistance during any of our planned 4-H activities, please call the applicable County Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent two weeks prior to the event.

We welcome your story ideas and 4-H job listings.  Please e-mail them to nakatsuk@hawaii.edu