• Oct. 3-9: National 4-H Week
• Oct. 8-10: 4-H Leaders' Forum, Steamboat Springs
• Nov. 1: IFYE Representative applications due, State 4-H office
• Nov. 25-26: University holidays, offices closed

• County Survey (WORD document)

4-H Survey

Earlier this week a survey was sent to counties requesting input on how to improve relations between the State 4-H office and counties, and also on how we could improve the Colorado 4-H Program at the county and state levels. Please take a minute to respond to this three-question survey. A copy of the survey is attached if needed. We would appreciate your response by Oct. 20 by fax (970.491.5108), snail mail or e-mail. Thank you. - Ellen Butler

4-H Handbook Update - Legal and Liability Issues

The 4-H Handbook was updated Oct. 1 to include links to the documents Judy Barth provided concerning our involvement in county fairs. The Web site is Section 9 - Legal and Liability Issues. Below is the information Judy shared. - Jan Carroll

To County Extension, Directors, County 4-H Livestock Agents, and other interested parties:

CSUCE's involvement in a prolonged legal case regarding a livestock show at a county fair has prompted CE to examine its relationship with county fairs, and specifically livestock shows. It is clear that legally Extension must work toward a clear separation between what is the responsibility of the fair and what is the responsibility of CE, especially relating to livestock activities and shows.

In an attempt to bring clarity to these responsibilities, a task force of Celina Johnson, Tom McBride, and myself reviewed and revised the "Extension Involvement in County/Area Fairs" and the "Fair Treatment of Individuals and Conflict Resolution" (both taken from the Extension Handbook). The task force also created two new documents, "The Role of Extension Agents in County Fairs" and a sample "Memorandum of Understanding Between the County Fair Board and the County Extension Office."

These four documents were introduced to agents responsible for 4-H livestock programs at the 4-H Conference in June for comment and questions. Following that meeting, the documents were revised and approved by CSU legal counsel.

The four documents (as approved) are:
4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/handbook/cf_ce.pdf
4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/handbook/cf_mou.pdf
4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/handbook/cf_conflict.pdf
4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/handbook/cf_role.pdf

Please review these new guidelines, file copies in your Extension Handbook and 4-H files for ready reference. We expect that counties will begin to incorporate the guidelines outlined in these documents in the coming year. While we realize that the conversion to a more deliberate and defined relationship between CE and county fairs is an evolutionary process, it is one that must take place (from a legal and philosophical stand- point).

If you have questions on the content or implementation of these guidelines, I would encourage you to visit with Tom McBride, Celina Johnson, or myself. It is VERY important that we begin implementation of these new policies in the coming year.

Outstanding 4-H Volunteer Awards

Please nominate the outstanding volunteers from your county to be recognized at the Leadership Development Conference. Six individuals or couples will be honored at the banquet. The nomination form can be found on the web at 4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/scholarship/handbook.shtml. The deadline to respond is Oct. 29. Thanks! - Katy Kohnen

Promote the Cyberchase Online Contest Now

The CYBERCHASE Online Contest is underway, with entries streaming in. Don't be left out - a 4-H participant in YOUR county could be a winner!

The CYBERCHASE Online Contest is Sept. 13 - Oct. 11, 2004. Entries must be postmarked by Oct. 15.

Please pass contest information to interested parents and youth in your 4-H program. A downloadable Cyberchase Online Contest promotional flyer is available. To access this flyer and other back-to-school materials, go to www.thirteen.org/pressroom/cyberchasebacktoschool.

In case you missed it, here's a repeat of the 2004 Cyberchase Online Contest details:

What & When: CYBERCHASE and Intel Corporation are teaming up to offer another exciting online contest for kids. The 2004 CYBERCHASE Online Contest (www.pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase) came to cyberspace starting Sept. 13 and is running through Oct. 11, 2004. Entries must be postmarked by Oct. 15. Kids will be challenged to use brain power to tackle ten math-based puzzles and riddles. Streaming video clips from brand new episodes of CYBERCHASE will provide tips and clues to help fans figure out the answers.

Prizes: Exciting news!!! Twenty-two INTEL(r) CENTRINO (tm) Mobile Technology notebook computers will be provided by the Intel Corporation to all Grand Prize and First Prize winners AND to those winners' schools or community groups. The grand prize winner will also receive a visit and performance from series stars "Digit," "Harry" and "Bianca" at their school! All contest winners, one grand prize, 10 first prize and 50 second prize winners (with correct answers), will be chosen at random from throughout the country. Winners of all three prize levels, and their school or community group, will also receive a selection of CYBERCHASE products and goodies. Winners will be announced in November.

How: Youth will be required to print an online entry form, answer the questions correctly, and have their parents sign and mail the completed entry to the designated address. Complete rules and regulations appear with the contest entry information at: www.pbskidsgo.org/cyberchase.

For more information, contact CYBERCHASE at: Cyberchase@thirteen.org or 877.290.9912. - Jan Carroll

4-H Afterschool

4-H Afterschool and Junior Achievement exhibited at the National Boys and Girls Clubs of America Conference in San Antonio last spring. BGCA participants were asked to complete a survey. There were 300 usable responses.

• Twenty-seven percent reported they are currently working with 4-H Afterschool. (Expansion of service possibilities for this group, entry opportunities for 73 percent of BGCA).
• Sixty-one percent of the same students attend BGCA sessions four or more days/week, 73 percent attend three or more days/week. (It's more likely than not that you would be working with the same youth when you go.)
• Ninety-seven percent said they would find additional hands-on, youth development curriculum helpful for their after-school and/or summer program. (Start with the activity sheets at: 4hweb.ext.colostate.edu/schoolenrichment/activity.shtml or use the resource guide described below. Move into more traditional 4-H projects if volunteers are available.)
• Training needs with 50 percent or more responding included elements of quality after-school programs; youth development; helping youth develop a life skill; and safety, health and nutrition. (Use the resource guide described below. It outlines 11 hours of training for after school providers, including all these listed topics).
• Fifty-six percent said they would like to hear from 4-H Afterschool. (Over half of the BGCA would welcome a call from you to explore the additional curriculum they would find helpful.)

For training and activities, please see the resources from National 4-H Council - a series of user-friendly resource guides that help those working with youth build the skills and knowledge they need to deliver quality educational and developmental experiences. The resource guides include:

• Starting 4-H Clubs in After-School Programs - This step-by-step guide helps you establish 4-H clubs in after-school programs.
• Guiding Growth: Training Staff for Working with Youth in After-School Programs - This introductory resource guide provides youth development principles to train after-school providers, staff, and volunteers.
• Extraordinary Learning Opportunities: A Sampler of 4-H Afterschool Activities - This sampler provides a wealth of diverse, proven "learn-by-doing" curricula to implement in after-school programs.

Each region has copies of the resources. Or, you can order them at www.fourhcouncil.edu/ for $10 each, or $25 for the boxed set of three. - Jan Carroll