May 2010

My kids are coming home with grass stained knees and I can't help but be happy for that!! Here is a bit of an update on what is happening, deadlines to watch for and some project related information.

What has happened recently..
At Selections we had two new ambassadors for the NE appointed: Jenalyn Myggland of Wainwright District and Janice Tymofichuk of St. Paul District. Congratulations to both girls and also to the many other equally deserving members that attended Selections this year. As always I was so proud of each of you!! The following is a summary of trips that were won by members of our region:

• National 4-H Citizenship Seminar in Ottawa - Rebecca Joseph, Lamont
• National 4-H Conference in Toronto - Jenalyn Myggland, Wainwright and Janice Tymofichuk, St. Paul and Aaron Wasserman-Bitzer, Wainwright
• California 4-H Exchange - Severn Litwin, Minburn
• Seminar on the United Nations and International Affairs, Goldeye Centre - Grant Roberts, Vermilion River and Caitlind Smook, Minburn

A few deadlines you don't want to forget about....
1. Moose Lake Camp deadline was Friday, May 14th - we do still have space available so please make sure you hurry to get those in as these camps always fill up quick. This camp is the exact same program that will be administered by the summer staff from Airdrie but it is open to NE members and provincial programs are open to members from all regions. The NE Regional Council has heavily subsidized this camping program beyond the already strongly supported sponsorship, this is the reason it is only $60 per member per week!
2. Provincial Summer Programs - there is still spaces available if you are interested in attending a provincial camping program this summer. Make sure you apply soon though as most will fill up quickly.
3. WPCA 4-H Mentorship Opportunity - applications are available in the magazine and on the 4-H website. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 20, 2010!
4. LABO - Host families needed! If you would like a chance to get to know more about Japan and host a member from another country this is a wonderful opportunity. Give Joan a call at 780-847-3067
5. NWT - We still have one opportunity for a chaperone for the NWT Tour that will run from July 12 - 21 of this summer. This is an amazing and unforgettable experience!! If you are interested please give Leila a call ASAP as the opportunity will be turned over to another region if we don't have a leader interested from the NE.
6. Great Kids Awards - deadline is June 14 for more information visit www.greatkids.alberta.ca

4-H offers:
Photography offer - Photographer Doreen Kirk would like to extend an offer to all 4-H clubs to have photographs taken. She has specialized in horse photography but would also be glad to do group pictures and they will be ready by the end of the session! Reasonably priced. For more information you can call Doreen Kirk at 780-942-3995.

Project Related:
1. Invitation to attend a Doug Huls Clinic near Duffield (Jim Merrill Quarter Horse facility) on June 13, 2010. The cost of the day is $250.00 per rider or $25 as a spectator. For more information give me a call or email and I will forward all the information to you.
2. Past 4-H member, Yoland Garnier, has been working on developing her own horse training and instruction business as a result she would like to offer 4-H members an opportunity to have her provide some instruction. Check out her website at http://www.discoveryhorsemanship.net

Leila Hickman, 4-H Specialist

Apr 2010

Highlights of the April NE Regional Council Meeting - April 17th, 2010

The following deadlines were identified:

• 4-H Leader Opportunities – April 30, 2010 (extra forms on the table or website) Note the dates of the NWT trip will be July 12 - 21
• Youth and Agriculture in Action Showcase – (Calgary Stampede) April 30
• 4-H Polocrosse – Clinic and Tournament near Stettler May 1st
• Scholarship Deadline is May 5th
• Award of Distinction Nomination forms – May 14th
• Moose Lake and Provincial Camp Deadlines are May 15th
• NE Horse Camp – Deadline June 1st
• Great Kids Award – June 14th
• UFA Ball Tournament – deadline June 15th
• Danielle Charron will be joining the 4-H team working out of the NE Office for the summer!!
• UFA Club Sponsorship Packages are available at the local UFA store between now and April 30, 2010.
• We have one club in the NE piloting the Underage member project, the Kitscoty Beef – Provincial Council voted to call these “members” Cleaver Kids.
• Provincial council requested that regions consider having the number of representatives attending meetings be decreased, the NE Regional Council declined this suggestion and will send a letter outlining our concerns regarding this to presenting our position.
• NE Horse Camp forms are available on the 4-H website and have been directed mailed to all horse project members in the NE.
• The NE Horse Show is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 8th at the Vermilion Ag Society following horse camp, more information to follow.
• Provincial Horse Show is scheduled to happen in Olds on August 10-12 More information to follow.
• Let Karen Allen (780-875-2688 or Yvonne Churko (780-826-4392) know if you have ideas of what the horse clubs would like to see, and possible locations to hold clinics and who suitable clinicians would be.
• The Provincial Beef Heifer Show will be July 11 – 14 in Olds
• BUD will be October 22 – 24, 2010 at Battle Lake
• Award of Distinction – please nominate your deserving leaders by May 14, 2010
• The new promotions coordinator will be Jenalyn Myggland of Wainwright District her contact number is 780-842-4975
• Project Book Competition – Bonnyville this year, books due to Sept 15
• UFA Ball Tournament will take place in Lac La Biche on June 26th
• Key Member
  • Need Key Members resumes in soon
  • Key Member Training will be August 20 – 23 at Lakeland College
  • Recommended to have 2 per district
• St. Paul Heifer Show will be June 13th – deadline for early bird is May 15
• Reminder that if you are planning an exchange you can apply for some funding through the NE Exchange Grant
• NE Forum will be at Tofield this year.
• Fall Fling will be held at Irma School
• Ear Tags will be taken over by Don Sware (780-662 – 3080) new guidelines for ordering will be introduced in the fall.
• Regional Council voted to increase the Senior member impromptu at the Regional level to be 2-3 minutes in line with the Provincial competition..
• Only members from more than one club can substitute emceeing for a communication event at one of the club level events and they must prepare a 3 minute continuous script in order to fulfill the requirement. This will be added the policy handbook for the fall package.
• Casino will be in Summer of 2011 and Vermilion River /Bonnyville will find volunteers
• Daphne Schurner will be collecting for the Shilo Youth donations 780-724-4206 by June 15/10
• Congratulations to Evelyn Bourbeau for accepting the position as the Provincial Council alternate.
• Next meeting will be November 6 at Vegreville Elk’s Hall

Leila Hickman, 4-H Specialist

Mar 2010

As ski pants get put away and rubber boots come out it can only mean spring in rural Alberta....

Update on what has been happening...

1) Most recently, our Communications was held on March 13th at Waskatenau, hosted by the Smoky Lake District. We had 51 members participate in the day and Smoky Lake district did a fantastic job of providing us with quality judges, exceptional food and a welcoming environment. Each and every one of our speakers and presenters did an amazing job and kudos to the leaders and parents that have mentored them along the way. The following is a reflection on the winners in each category:

Presentations:
Junior 1st - Robin Urichuk and Sarah Melenka - "The Red Planet"
Junior 2nd - Karley Dieken - "The Symbol of Eternity"
Intermediate 1st - Bailey Hlus - "Rancher ID"
Intermediate 2nd - Kathleen Dieken - "Oh Dear, Where Has My Dog Gone?"
Seniors both finishing first and advancing to Provincial level at Lethbridge on April 10
Autumn Loewen - "Come Dance with Me, Horsey"
Rebecca Moon and Brandi Turner - "The Beatles"

Public Speaking:
Junior 1st - Tyler Holland - "What is a Farmer?"
Junior 2nd - Spencer Graling - "Small Town Successes"
Intermediate 1st - Taylor Cox - "Honey, Honey"
Intermediate 2nd - Shayla Dargis - "Turning Thirteen: Thriving or Barely Surviving"
Seniors both finishing first and advancing to Provincial level at Lethbridge on April 10
MJ Wowk - "Bailouts"
Rebecca Joseph - "Murphy's Law"

Congratulations to everyone for getting through to Regionals and BEST of LUCK to the five advancing!

What will be happening....

1) Be on the lookout for the following documents to be updated on our NE section of the website any day now!
Leader Travel Opportunities
NE Award of Distinction Nomination Forms
Moose Lake Camp Applications
NE Horse Camp Application
UFA Ball Tournament

2) Marketing Workshop - There is still time to plan on coming to the workshop that will be held on Friday after the judging portion of Western Canadian. The workshop will be a hands on marketing session and will be a LOT OF FUN! The session will take place at Lakeland College from 1:00 - 4:00. For more information or to let me know you are coming please call or email so we can have snacks available for you!

3) Deadline for Spring Fling is right around the corner. The complete application and forms are available on the website at www.4h.ab.ca under the Regional Calendar (click on details and scroll down.) Please bring the completed health forms etc with you to the program!

4) Farm and Ranch Show - 4-H Day - deadline to register is coming up on March 19th. Go to www.4h.ab.ca for the registration form when you look under the Provincial calendar for April.

5) Exciting opportunities with Gord Bamford. As a past 4-H member, Gord wants to give back to 4-H and has created many ways for clubs and other levels of 4-H to benefit. Please check out the attached PDF for more information on the exciting things happening this spring!

6) Scholarship Application is up and ready for your to fill out. Remember all applications must be postmarked by May 5th, but start early to ensure you have time to fill it out and recheck your application. It is available on the web at www.4h.ab.ca

Project Specific Information...

Alberta Beef Producers - What does Alberta Beef Producers mean to you? If you are between the ages of eight and 21, and are involved in Beef 4-H, junior cattle shows or beef production – this is your opportunity to win one of three prizes in the Carl Lewring Contest. Tell us what Alberta Beef Producers means to you, in your own unique way. An entry may be submitted as an essay, YouTube video, radio advertisement, social media campaign, poster, cartoon, press release or any other form of communication tool. Three prizes are available:

1st Place - $1,500
2nd Place - $1,000
3rd Place - $500

Send your entry form (available at www.albertabeef.org/consumers/contests) and contest submission to:

Lori Creech
Communications Manager
Alberta Beef Producers
320, 6715-8th Street, NE
Calgary, AB T2E 7H7
E-mail: loric@albertabeef.org

We must receive your entry by midnight, May 14, 2010 to be eligible to win. The winners will be determined by a panel of judges at the ABP Semi Annual Meeting on June 9, 2010 and will be contacted on or before June 14, 2010.

Leila Hickman, 4-H Specialist

Feb 2010

Even though the Ground-hog says "6 more weeks" the snow is dripping off the roof top today.

A few items that I want to bring to your attention:

Deadlines and Upcoming Events:

1) Reminder that the deadline for registrations to Western Canadian are coming up next week and all members are eligible to attend. Please make sure that you send those into the College as soon as possible. This registration is available on the website at www.4h.ab.ca / regional info / northeast / march calendar then click on details. This is the qualifying competition for the NE to attend Provincial 4-H Judging that will be held once again at Lakeland College on August 6 & 7, 2010, members must turn 16 by August 5th in order to attend the Provincial program. Because this competition is in our backyard it is very important that we send a full slate of judges to the Provincial competition.

2) Marketing Workshop - don't miss out on the opportunity to attend the Marketing Workshop after the Judging and before the banquet for Western Canadian Judging. Held at the Lakeland College from 1- 4 pm on March 19th, this workshop will be open to all members and leaders. To pre-register please contact Leila with the names of those interested or indicate on your registration sent to the College.

3) If you are looking for extra practice it is also the deadline for the Olds College "Judge It" competition on March 1. If you want more information on how to register for this competition please send me an email and I will ensure that you get the information.

4) Spring Fling - registrations are pouring in and we are excited about this upcoming program hosted by the Lamont district. Registration is available on the website at www.4h.ab.ca / Regional Info / March calendar then click on details. Thank you to all the Senior members that have applied to be Junior staff for this program. Due to a high level of applications we will be reviewing the application forms to determine the fit for our program and making those selections shortly.

Other Points of Interest:

5) All interested Adults - If you are interested in receiving free training on hazard awareness in agriculture with a possibility for you to provide this training to farmers and farm workers in your community, we may have the perfect opportunity for you. Give me a call as Alberta Agriculture is conducting a Leaders in Safety workshop in March and would love to make you a part of it.

6) There is a 4-H club in Ontario that is collecting Postcards from all over the world and would appreciate it if interested members could send them a postcard of your hometown, or if you are visiting family or on a holiday etc. The postcards can be sent to:
4-H Art Club, 19 Baird Avenue, Lemington Ontario, N8H 3K5 Canada.

7) Leaders be on the lookout for the Leader Travel Opportunities coming out very soon. We have a chance at the some fantastic trips this year and it would be great to have as many people interested as possible.

8) Call for Key Member applications!! We are going to be recruiting for the 2010 - 11 club year Key Members. If you are interested or know someone that would be great for this please send your resume and coverletter in to apply, or give me a call or email and I will share all the details with you.

Leila Hickman

Jan 2009

Happy New Year!

Hello Everyone.

As you have probably noticed you have not yet received your December package and it is January . . . funny how that happens. We are waiting on the great calendars that will be here next week so please be on the watch for your packages soon. The information contained within those packages is also available on the web and attached to this email. I would like to thank the Regional Council for the getting the calendars done up, we had a few unforeseen delays in the printing, but I know it will be worth it.

A few things to keep in mind:

1) Summer Staff applications are posted on the website and the deadline is rapidly approaching. Check it out or tell someone that might qualify as it is a great summer opportunity. www.4h.ab.ca

2) Scholarship applications will be posted mid to end of February. The deadline is May 5th but don't leave it to the last minute!

3) Have a great weekend to those leaders that are attending Leader's Conference this weekend. If you are one of the unfortunates that are not, please make sure and ask leaders that did on their return what they thought of it. I am pretty confident I know the answer already as the program looks to be as fabulous as always.

4) You Be the Judge and NE Adventure Days are combining this year. We are also adding on a bring a friend component to the day. Check it out on the website as well.

5) Western Canadian - this is a qualifying judging competition for the NE to advance on to Provincials for judging. The NE Region will also be hosting a Marketing Workshop that day during the space between the judging competition and the banquet. The session is free you just have to contact the office to let us know you are interested in attending. Check out the website for me information!

6) Spring Fling - will be hosted by Lamont District and will be held at the Lamont High School. This program is for intermediate members. Check out the website for full registration and forms.

Dec 2009

Seasons Greetings Everyone!!

December is a great time of the year for members, leaders and families to all come together and celebrate the past year events and to welcome in the New Year.  I hope that each of  you are able to enjoy this festive time of the year and have a very safe and enjoyable holiday season.  A few things to look forward to in the upcoming 4-H year:

1) For those of you that are attending the Alberta 4-H Leader's Conference in Red Deer, the packages have been sent out and you can look forward to receiving them shortly.  Within the package is a bussing schedule, if you have been left off this list and wish to be on it please contact the 4-H office ASAP to ensure a seat, likewise if you are on the list but have since decided to drive yourself please let me know as I can reassign a seat.  We are sharing transportation with the NW so seats are at a premium!  

2) Sadly I will not be joining  you this year as I have a fantastic opportunity to take the Provincial 4-H Judging Team to Denver to compete in the competition there.  The dates of that conflict with Leader's Conference this year, but I know that I will have a great time with the 8 members and one other chaperone.  Here is your first of many gentle reminders that I will be sending out a leader travel and chaperone opportunities sheet in the very near future, so be on the look out as the opportunities are unforgettable!!  This sheet will be posted on the website by mid December so check out the website at www.4h.ab.ca to see if you qualify.

3) If there is anyone interested in participating in a Curriculum Development meeting for Green Certificate on January 14 and 15th in Leduc please give me a call for more information.  They are specifically looking for individuals that:  

• Current or Past Green Certificate / 4-H participant
• Work within the agriculture industry
• Utilize skills learned through past Green Certificate / 4-H experience

4) Our next Regional Council meeting will be occurring in St. Paul on February 6th.  At this meeting we will be electing some new positions for Regional Council, one they are still seeking further nominations for is Vice President.  If you are interested in being a part of the regional executive team or have a few extra hours a year that you can devote to another position offered please let Brent Christensen (780-688-2267) know and he will share the information with the other members of the nominating committee.  

5) You Be the Judge and NE Adventure Days are combining this year to offer one jam packed day of learning, comradery and good times.  The applications forms will be posted on the website by mid December and will also be available to clubs in the December package.  This is a fantastic value for the day and members are encouraged to bring non-4-H friends along for an additional $10.

6)  New!  I am so excited to announce that we will once again be having a NE Marketing Workshop, but this time it will be offered on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at Lakeland College from 1 - 4:30 pm.  This workshop will be offered in the Mead (Animal Science) building at Lakeland College immediately following the judging during the Western Canadian Judging competition and prior to the awards banquet.  The forms for this and Western Canadian Judging are available on the website for you to register.

Once again, I wish each of your a very safe and jolly holiday season and I look forward the upcoming 4-H year.

Nov 2009

The following is highlights and comments to send back to Clubs and Districts from the Regional meeting that was held at Vegreville on Saturday, November 7.  A full set of the minutes will be available on-line later this month.  If you have questions regarding any of these points please give me a call or email to the office for clarification as this is really a sketch to remind reps of the things to address but I thought it might be valuable to share with everyone.

• Encourage parents and members to realize the importance of staying at camp for the entire program.
• Don’t take our donated facilities for granted, be sure to thank and acknowledge the cooperation and support given.
• 4-H month is November
• Remember the donations from District and Region for Leaders Conference for the silent auction go to Leader Member Travel fund.
• Fall Fling and Forum applications are due
• We need dates for the 2010 Calendar by November 10
• Summer staff in Vermilion
• Suggestions for Regional Skill training clinic for older members in the horse project, or any project.
• Is there interest in a Sr horse member drill team?
• NE Adventure Day and You Be the Judge Feb 13 @ Lakeland College
• Communications on March 13 @ Waskatenau hall
• Need a new promotion person please be thinking about it.  (could be done as a Creative Options project.)
• Encourage families to attend Ball Tournament in Lac La Biche – great full family event
• BAC – looking at simplifying market steer record book
• Suggestion for session for the BUD workshop
• Ideas for record book changes can be sent to Lyndon Mansell (basicman@telusplanet.net )
• Update the Judges list to start let Barb know (granigab@xplornet.com )
• Encourage members that are 15 plus to apply to become a key member training will be held at Lakeland College on August 20 – 22
• Casino – Fort McMurray if you are interested in being an alternate let us know.
• Becky Pedersen is our NE MAC committee representative – contact Becky at pedersenlivestock@yahoo.com or 780-755-3160
• Nominating committee is Brent Christensen, Teresa Bitzer and Lyndon Mansell if you know of someone that would like to fill the President or Vice President executive positions please put their name forward.
• Need an Ear Tag coordinator

Thank you to everyone that attended, what a great crowd!

Show Your Colours!

Just a quick reminder of a few things:

1) Wednesday, November 4th is wear your 4-H colours day so please set out your clothes tonight so you don't forget to wear your 4-H Colours.  This is National 4-H Awareness month.  If you have received a locker magnet from a key member, please remember to put those out for all to see.  

2) Regional meeting on Saturday, November 7 at the Elks Hall the meeting will begin at 1:00.  There will be both horse and beef meetings in the morning at 10:30 AND I am still recruiting for a few more volunteer leaders for the focus group that will be meeting from 9:30 - 11:30.  We are looking for a range of leaders from experienced to new, so please give me a call if you are interested in helping us to answer a few questions with regards to the 4-H program so we can make it stronger for future generations.  There is an incentive involved so give me a call for details!!

3) Applications for the NE Forum, Fall Fling and information regarding the Invitational Volleyball are attached.  Please make sure you send them in ASAP so we can confirm for numbers.  

We have a busy month ahead, please give me a call or email if you have questions.  

Oct 2009

To everyone else... WELCOME BACK!

As this seasons TV shows get started, so does our own reality series, 4-H in the NE.  Your regional executive is back in full force and have already been putting their heads together to make this another successful year.  Here are a few things to set us up for the next month ahead:

1) BE SEEN IN GREEN - November is 4-H month!  Our key members have locker magnets to pass out to members that would like to display on their school locker for November 4th.  This first Wednesday of November has been designated as the official wear your 4-H Colours throughout all of Canada.  If  you have a green shirt or even a camp shirt that you could wear on that day to show your 4-H pride that would be great.  Feel free to contact your key member for more information.  If you don't know who yours is, or need help in getting a hold of them, please give me a call!

2) Focus group - calling all leaders...Alberta 4-H through the Marketing Advisory Committee is conducting a series of focus groups.  I "desperately" need to have 12 leaders ( any adult registered as a volunteer) from first year to double digits that could come out on Saturday, November 7 for a couple of hours from 9:30 - 11:30 am at the Elks Hall in Vegreville.  We will provide a meal to you for your inconvenience, please let me know ASAP if you can be persuaded.    We need a full scope of leadership from brand new to well experienced so everyone is eligible.  Thank you so much for your continued volunteer efforts!!

3) Regional Meeting - Reminder to all district reps and members at large interested in attending, the November Regional meeting will begin at 1:00 pm at the Elks Hall in Vegreville.  There will be both Horse and Beef Committee meetings in the morning.

4) CFR and Farmfair 4-H Day - Northlands Park is once again hosting Farmfair International.  They have designated Monday, November 9th as the 4-H Day.  For more information you can call Brenda Campbell at 780-491-3407 or email her at bcampbell@northlands.com.  If you are interested in CRF group rates on tickets you can also contact Tyler Waye at 780-491-5533 or twaye@northlands.com.  On a personal note, myself and family will be exhibiting once again this year so please stop by and visit us if you are in at the show, or if you are coming in on Wednesday, November 11 come by the Gelbvieh Booth at 10:00 and participate in a youth scavenger hunt, open to all youth.  

5) NE Forum - I will be sending out an additional email with attached application.  Please note the upcoming deadline on this event!  This is a fantastic 4-H day of information, celebration and friendship.  This year's event is being hosted by the Wainwright District and will be held at the Irma School with registration starting at 9:00 am.  Come out to Irma and enjoy!!

6) NE Fall Fling - Reminder to all juniors to get their application in for Fall Fling that will be held in Vermilion on November 27 and 28th.  This overnight camp is a great way to meet or reunite with 4-H friends from around the region.  Find the registration attached to the second email.

7) Thank you - I would like to send out a personal note of thank you to all the many of you that have called or emailed with concerns for Avary.  My little girl had an accident at school at the start of the month and has done severe damage to her knee.  She is doing very good and gets around better on her crutches than most of us on two operating legs.  I really appreciate the patience during this trying time and all the warm thoughts.  4-H is truely an extended family and it is so evident at times like this.  

As always please remember that we at the 4-H office in Vermilion are here for you.  If you have questions don't hesitate to call and ask and we will try to seek the answers for you.  

Have a great NOVEMBER!!!

Leila Hickman