Feb 1, 2012

We’re a month into 2012 and things are really getting into gear now! 

 

This email has been sent to the south region key leaders, club leader contacts, the Regional Council executive and district council representatives. 

 

And new this month – I hope it works – this email is going to all club leaders within the region (I apologize if some of you now get it twice).  Hopefully, this will enable more people in each club to have this information to share with club members and families. 

 

I am hopeful that next month I might have a members distribution list done as well.  Keep your fingers crossed…..

 

 

1. 2012 Southern 4-H Regional Judging Competition in Brooks, sponsored by Farming Smarter – Saturday, February 4^th.  Registration starts at 10am, with an informative CLINIC at 10:30 am, followed by Judges’ critiques, LUNCH and then the Judging competition.  New this year, will also be an additional section on Identification Traits – come see what this is all about!  It will be a great day for ALL members and judging abilities (did you know that you judge everyday?)  Lots of fun too!  SEE YOU THERE!

• Attention all marketable project clubs and committees (beef, sheep, swine):  I am in need of the dates of your 2012 Shows and Sales, and the names and contact information for the members who will be advertising the beef shows. 

Please submit to me immediately (February 1^st is the deadline – so please send as soon as possible), so that the provincial list can be completed and distributed.  I have attached a copy of the sheet that was supplied in the fall mailout package in case it was misplaced.  Thanks for your help!

• Communications 2012 –

Attention District Councils – I have a few but for most districts, I still need to know who your contact is -  information (email and phone)  - who will be collecting and passing along information for District Speaking winners following the District competitions?  For some districts I also need to know who will be the contact for the districts looking after your section of the 2012 Southern   4-H Regional Communications Competition?

This event,  sponsored by KPMG, AltaLink and Medicine Hat College, will be taking place at the Medicine Hat College on Saturday, March 31, 2012.  I will be forwarding forms to your appointed district person so that the correct information comes forward, but need to please know right away who to correspond with – thank you.

 

Contacts for the 2012 Host District (Cactus Country District) – Wendy-Ellen Nittel and Cheryl Stenger

 

As per the rotation schedule, the following districts are in charge of the various segments for 2012, and just a “pre-reminder” for 2013 (competition taking place in Lethbridge):

Year	Host	Jr Public Speaking	Int Public Speaking	Sr Public Speaking	Presentation
2012	Cactus Country	40 Mile	Warner	Taber	Newell
2013	Pincher Creek	Lethbridge	Cardston	Willow Creek	Vulcan

 

•  Snowfest  - I am currently compiling information on a spreadsheet about delegates, counselors and staff.  Emails will be sent next week, with the delegates packages, bus schedule etc.  It will be another great camp!

• For multi-club consideration, or any club, if you were looking to do something different:

The Canadian Heritage Breeds Association is hosting a poultry, small animal, crafts etc sale and heritage poultry breed display at the Wetaskiwin Drill Hall on June 16th.  While we have booth areas available for rental, we would like to offer FREE space to any 4H clubs or project groups. The space could be used for displaying projects, promoting the club, and or selling. We are considering holding a Jr. Showmanship poultry show during the sale and display, perhaps a small Youth Rabbit show as well. We are keenly interested in involving youth in heritage breed preservation, homesteading crafts, and farm life skills and believe that working with 4-H is important towards these goals.
 
The sale and display itself is open to the public from Noon - 4:00. There is ample time for set up before and after. We really do hope that we will hear back from 4H with regards to this event and other opportunities throughout the year. It is our intention to have a Farm and Homestead Crafts and Skills display at our November show in Red Deer, at the Agricenter in the Westerner.
 
Canadian Heritage Breeds is a not for profit association dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Heritage Breeds.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask! Our website is http://CanadianHeritageBreeds.com 

•  USA National 4-H Conference - Washington, DC March 24 to 29, 2012

Applications must be received by 4:30 pm on February 6, 2012

A last minute opportunity has become available for an Alberta 4-H member!!!

You, along with a group of nine other 4-H members from across Canada, could be off to Washington, DC this March for the USA National 4-H Conference. This program offers the opportunity to interact with over 300 4-H delegates in a conference that seeks to enhance leadership skills, develop international friendships and build awareness of 4-H.

• In addition to the conference activities, 4-H delegates also have a chance to tour Washington, and visit some of the nation’s famous cultural and political sites, including Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian Institute, Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Hill. 

Application is attached as a pdf or contact Mark Shand mark.shand@gov.ab.ca

• Cargill’s VICTORY® Hybrid Canola is once again launching its Reaping Returns Community Outreach Program, designed to inspire local 4-H club members to develop creative projects that make a positive impact in their communities.

Each 4-H project team is eligible to receive up to $2,500 to conduct projects that focus on health and nutrition, education and/or the environment.

Community projects must fall into one or more of the following three categories:

• Health and Nutrition

• Education

• Environmental Sustainability 

Cargill is asking participating teams to create videos that explain their project and goals. 

For more information on the Reaping Returns program, contact Rick Wiebe at 204-947-6414 or Rick_Wiebe@cargill.com, or visit www.victorycanola.com/reapingreturns .

• This may be of interest to some beef clubs and the members:

Kirk Stierwalt Cattle Clinic in Ponoka on March 9 - 11.

This is the first time that a Kirk Stierwalt clinic has ever been offered in Alberta.

 

The clinic will cover everything from daily hair care, to clipping, showday fitting ,showmanship and what ever else you think to ask him in the question and answer period. Kirk is a fabulous instructor taking time with each and every participant no matter their level of expertise. Kirk developed many of the products we use today for getting our animals ready to show. He also now has an exciting new showday product line out that contains no carcnogenics ( cancer causing agents). He has exhibited numerous champions across the United States, judged both steers and heifers around the globe and is a very strong supporter of youth and 4-H .

 

Participants will learn with their own animals and Kirk will help them work with that animal's strengths and weakness.

Kirk only takes 25 participants so anyone that is interested needs to contact me right away either by email lsangus@telusplanet.net or by phone at (403)887-2285 Val Townsend

 

• Youth Judging Clinic presented by BFL Canada Insurance Services Ltd. 

March 22, 2012, 5:30pm to 7:30 pm

The Calgary Stampede Dairy Classic Committee is pleased to offer an enhanced youth judging workshop at this year’s show. 

Open to all youth.  A great chance to improve your judging skills! 

Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to judge a class of top quality milking cows, a class of dairy heifers and how to give reasons with instruction from some of the best dairy people and judges in the industry.

The clinic will start in the International Room at 5:30 pm and then move down to the Barns. 

The cost is only $10, and includes beef on a bun.  A special price of $5 is available for parents and chaperones, with one parking pass per vehicle at no additional charge.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.  Registration deadline is March 5, 2012. 

Please visit www.calgarystampede.com/ag or call 403-261-0127. 

•  A quick reminder that the deadline for the Alberta 4-H Magazine – Spring Issue is quickly approaching! 

 

***Please let Jalisa Barnett (magazine@4h.ab.ca )know if there are any great stories coming out of our region that you think she should follow up with and try and get a story submitted for.  Ex. Club doing a great fundraising or community service activity, member or club with an entrepreneurial venture, awesome member that should be highlighted in “My Alberta 4-H”, etc. etc..***

 

February 27^th, 2012 is the deadline for:

• Members or leaders in our region who wish to submit an article (gentle reminder - much more likely to be highlighted if they include a write up that talks about something other than who their executive is, for example, AND if they have great photos). 

Quick Note: Please make sure the photos that are chosen for submission are at least 1MB or higher in quality.  Many of the photos are unusable because they’ve been taken on a cell phone or aren’t high enough resolution.  Thanks for your help with taking high quality photos!

• Upcoming dates:  remember ALWAYS  confirm district event dates with your district council, and if you are aware of any updates or date changes, please let me know so that I can update the calendar accordingly.  If you have questions about REGIONAL events, please call this office.

 

February	2, 2012	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
February	4, 2012	Saturday	Regional	Southern 4-H Regional Judging Competition, Brooks Silver Sage Arena
February	7, 2012	Tuesday	Cactus Country	Cactus Country District Beef Council meeting
February	9, 2012	Thursday	Cactus Country	Cactus Country District Council meeting - Sierra Room, Cypress Center 7 pm
February	10 - 12, 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Provincial Equine Leaders' Forum (PELF) - 4-H Center, Battle Lake
February	14, 2012	Monday	Pincher Creek	Pincher Creek District Council meeting - NOTE DATE CHANGE
February	13, 2012	Monday	Willow Creek	Willow Creek District Council meeting
February	15, 2012	Wednesday	Green Certificate	Green Certificate Testing - Cow/calf, Feedlot, Swine - DA Electric Barn, Lethbridge College Campus
February	16, 2012	Thursday	Green Certificate	Green Certificate Testing - Field, Irrigation, Dairy, Sheep, Equine - DA Electric Barn, Lethbridge College Campus
February	17-19, 2012	weekend	Regional	Snowfest Junior and Intermediate Winter Camp - Whispering Pines Camp, Elkwater
February	27, 2012	Monday	Cardston	Cardston District Council meeting 7:00 pm
March	1, 2012	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
March	8, 2012	Thursday	Taber	Taber District Council meeting
March	12, 2012	Monday	Cactus Country	Cactus Country District Scholarship Workshop
month	date	day	district, regional or provincial	event
March	12, 2012	Monday	Cardston	Cardston District Communications competition
March	14, 2012	Wednesday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Council meeting
March	17, 2012	Saturday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Communications Competition
March	17, 2012	Saturday	Newell	Newell District Communications Competition
March	17, 2012	Saturday	Taber	Taber District Communications Competition
March	17, 2012	Saturday	Warner	Warner District Communications Competition
March	19, 2012	Monday	Warner	Warner District Council meeting, 7 pm, Warner School
March	22, 2012	Thursday	Regional	Southern Region Council meeting, 10 am Lethbridge Research Station
March	31, 2012	Saturday	Regional	Southern Region Communications competition (Public Speaking and Presentations) - Medicine Hat College

 

Interesting tidbit for your enjoyment:

2012 is a Leap Year. In the Gregorian calendar, a year lasting 366 days rather than 365, with February 29 (leap day) added as the extra day; this occurs in years whose last two digits are evenly divisible by 4; e.g., 1996. Leap Years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the sun.  It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days (a tropical year) to circle once around the Sun.

Ginny Smith

4-H Regional Coordinator - Southern Region

Phone:  403-381-5815    fax:  403-382-4526

 

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Jan 2011

Happy New Year everyone!  This email blast should, hopefully, be going to all of the Southern 4-H Region club contacts (from the electronic 2011-2012 club registrations), all of the key leaders, Regional council and several people on each of the 10 district councils, in order to ensure the information gets out there. 

I am still hoping to create a member contact list and a complete leader contact list, but haven’t quite finished those ones yet, so please bear with me and everyone – please share all of the information with your club leaders, members and families.  And anyone else who may be interested.  Many thanks!

We should have another OUTSTANDING year here in the South, and I have been bean counting, coming up with a total of 1108 members in our region this year, if my math is correct, up from 1058 members last year, so congratulations and welcome to everyone!!

•  Hurricane Hockey Night – coming up on Saturday, January 28^th.  Tickets will be available at the Enmax Center from 6pm, probably outside, if it is the same setup as last year.  I am hopeful that the weather will be better, but please note that it is preferable if each club has just one representative picking up the club’s tickets, and then redistributes to the club’s families from there.   Thanks.

• The next Southern 4-H Regional Horse Committee meeting – Tuesday, January 17^th starting at 7pm at the Taber Agriplex.  Please remember that the Attendance ruling - NOW in effect:  each horse project club has representation by an adult (leader or parent) at two out of four regional horse committees meetings per club year to enable their members to be eligible for any horse related events ( Record Book Competition, Regional Horse Show, Horse learning day, Horse Scholarship, and Raffle). If the representation requirements are not met then the club members will be ineligible for all the horse related events that take place through that club year. This will have a start date of October 1 of the 2011/2012 year.

Also - Regional horse committee dues – due now $5.00 per member, after January 2012 meeting a late fee will be applied so $10.00 per member at that time.  The January 17^th meeting will also take place at the TABER AGRIPLEX. 

•  2012 Southern 4-H Regional Judging Competition in Brooks, sponsored by Farming Smarter – Saturday, February 4^th.  Registration starts at 10am, with an informative CLINIC at 10:30 am, followed by Judges’ critiques, LUNCH and then the Judging competition.  New this year, will also be an additional section on Identification Traits – come see what this is all about!  It will be a great day for ALL members and judging abilities (did you know that you judge everyday?)  Lots of fun too!  SEE YOU THERE!

• Snowfest camp in Elkwater will take place February 17^th to 19^th, 2012.  Applications will be accepted only until January 20^th.  Once delegate numbers have been determined, we will be able to determine how many counselors will be required, and contact them as well.

• SELECTIONS 2012 – Senior members should submit their application form and diaries to this office by January 15^th please.

• PELF 2012 – Provincial Equine Leaders’ Conference - We still have a few spaces available for PELF 2012, so we are extending the deadline of January 11, 2012.  All applications received by that time will be considered on time. 

The information about PELF is here:

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/4h6499/$FILE/PELF.pdf

• Many of you are aware of the troublesome winds and fires that have hit the Southern part of the province over the past while.  Some of our 4-H families, past and present, existing and extended, have been adversely affected and there will be setbacks for many for a long period of time as they rebuild their lives and homes.  I know that our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.  Please feel free to lend a hand etc. wherever you can, if you wish to.  Even hugs are welcome! 

I know that there is always great community support from our agricultural communities but 4-H is a big family, and sometimes our paths don’t cross as often as they should so we may lose touch but always want to know what is going on elsewhere.  I am passing along these stories and links and will pass along others as I discover them:

Sandy and Gordon Hester, and son Brady, past leaders and member in the Fort Macleod Midnight Riders 4-H Horse Club, are very active in the horse community.  They lost their arena, barn, contents, hay etc..  Their house was saved but has severe smoke damage so they are living in a motel for now.  There is a trust account set up at CIBC in Fort Macleod for donations.  You can follow their news on the link:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-for-SR-Training-Hesters/123575844427578

Another site is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Save-Bambi/332043953486001

Bambi is a 4-H project horse owned by Chantelle Legault (Stavely Stampeders 4-H Horse Club) that suffered 1^st and 2^nd degree burns on 15% of her body during the fire.  The Legault family has been displaced and they also lost other horses and sheep, as well as property.  ATB Financial in Stavely is taking donations.

The following paragraph adds perspective, as it highlights the experiences of Teresa Russian (leader, Stavely Stampeders 4-H Club and President of the Southern 4-H Regional Horse Committee) -  While at work on Wed afternoon I was contacted by my mother-in-law that her acreage was in the midst of being ravaged in the horrific fire and wind storm here outside of Nanton.  I rushed home to be with her and was myself evacuated.  I was given a short amount of time to exit my residence but made time to hook up my trailer and evacuate my horses, personal computer and camera.  The fire came within a 1 1/2 mile from our place but we escaped any major damage (mostly smoke and the usual wind damage).  My husband’s mother (Kristina Brown) lost everything.  Her house is leveled.  I have been busy making room in a tiny three bedroom house with one bathroom, a poor well which we already rationed water on, a tight budget etc.. etc…  It is just nuts getting her settled down and on the road to reorganizing her and Bill’s (her husband) life etc…  They also have livestock that I have rounded up and am housing as well…….. 

There are many other stories and experiences out there – I will inform you as best I can as we carry on.  I also know there was a fire the same day in the Walsh area but have no further details at this time.

• Communications 2012 – Note to each of our District Councils – please let me know contact information (email and phone) for the person collecting and passing along information for District Speaking winners following the District competitions, and also who will be the contact for the districts looking after particular components of the 2012 Southern 4-H Regional Communications Competition sponsored by KPMG, AltaLink and Medicine Hat College, taking place at the Medicine Hat College on Saturday, March 31, 2012.  I will be forwarding forms to your appointed district person towards the end of January.

Contacts for the 2012 Host District (Cactus Country District) – Wendy-Ellen Nittel and Cheryl Stenger

As per the rotation schedule, the following districts are in charge of the various segments for 2012, and just a “pre-reminder” for 2013 (competition taking place in Lethbridge):

Year	Host	Jr Public Speaking	Int Public Speaking	Sr Public Speaking	Presentation
2012	Cactus Country	40 Mile	Warner	Taber	Newell
2013	Pincher Creek	Lethbridge	Cardston	Willow Creek	Vulcan

 

• Upcoming dates:  remember ALWAYS to confirm with your district council, and if you are aware of any updates, please let me know so that I can update the calendar accordingly.  If you have questions about REGIONAL events, please call this office.

 

January	11, 2012	Wednesday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Council meeting/ Public speaking workshop
January	13, 2012	Friday	Regional	deadline - Hurricane Hockey Night tickets
January	13 - 15, 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Provincial Leaders' Conference - Edmonton
January	16, 2012	Monday	Warner	Warner District Council meeting, 7 pm, Warner School
January	17, 2012	Tuesday	Regional	Southern Regional Horse Committee meeting - Taber
January	21, 2012	Saturday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Judging workshop
January	26, 2012	Thursday	Taber	Taber District and Beef Council meeting
January	27 - 29 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Senior Members' Conference
January	28, 2012	Saturday	Regional	11th Annual Hurricane Hockey Night
February	2, 2012	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
February	4, 2012	Saturday	Regional	Southern 4-H Regional Judging Competition, Brooks Silver Sage Arena
February	7, 2012	Tuesday	Cactus Country	Cactus Country District Beef Council meeting
February	9, 2012	Thursday	Cactus Country	Cactus Country District Council meeting - Sierra Room, Cypress Center 7 pm
February	10 - 12, 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Provincial Equine Leaders' Forum (PELF) - 4-H Center, Battle Lake
February	13, 2012	Monday	Pincher Creek	Pincher Creek District Council meeting
February	13, 2012	Monday	Willow Creek	Willow Creek District Council meeting
February	15, 2012	Wednesday	Green Certificate	Green Certificate Testing - Cow/calf, Feedlot, Swine - DA Electric Barn, Lethbridge College Campus
February	16, 2012	Thursday	Green Certificate	Green Certificate Testing - Field, Irrigation, Dairy, Sheep, Equine - DA Electric Barn, Lethbridge College Campus
February	17-19, 2012	weekend	Regional	Snowfest Junior and Intermediate Winter Camp - Whispering Pines Camp, Elkwater
February	27, 2012	Monday	Cardston	Cardston District Council meeting 7:00 pm

 

Happy 4-H ing!

Ginny Smith

4-H Regional Coordinator - Southern Region

Phone:  403-381-5815    fax:  403-382-4526

 

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Merry Almost Christmas everyone!

I haven’t quite finished updating the Council district representatives for 2011-12, so would appreciate if you are still receiving this as a retired representative, if for one last time, you would please forward this to the new representatives.  I have listed all of the 2011 club contacts, from the club registrations completed online, so this list should be correct.  As always, it would be appreciated if you could forward information to your club and district members, other club leaders, and families, plus anyone else who may be interested. 

•  Fantastic finish to the Farming Smarter Conference!  Many thanks, and congratulations to the 4-H speakers who either presented their 2011 speech, presentation, or introduced the speakers!  The reviews of the participation were exceptional, and THEY ALL DID A FANTASTIC JOB!  If you see any of them over the next while please congratulate them!  They include:

Becky Domolewski (Taber District), Leanna Santangelo (Lethbridge District), Shelby Pierson (Newell District), Curtis Nester (Newell District), Laura Welsch (Pincher Creek District), Renae Saunders (Taber District) and Kayley Dueck (Lethbridge District)

The Farming Smarter Fun, Food and 4-H Auction was a wonderful evening venture, and many thanks to Perlich Auction (Bob Perlich and Darcy Moorhead) for facilitating the auction and taking bids.  Our own Leanna Santangelo worked hard as “Vanna” showing off the live auction items, and between the silent and live auction, the region benefitted incredibly well!  We are undergoing discussions as to how to utilize the funds raised – our region always has so many programs that can definitely use funding, but the major one will be the 2012 Southern 4-H Region Judging Competitions, which will both now be sponsored by FARMING SMARTER!  As the other decisions are made, we will let you know where the funds are assigned.

Another huge part of this day, was the donation of his speaker fees by Mr. Tom Droog, co-founder along with his wife Emmy of the Spitz (sunflower seeds) company.  A fantastic story teller, speaker and entrepreneur.  If you ever have the opportunity to listen to his story, you would be amazed at his experiences. 

The Southern 4-H Region was a huge winner during this conference.  The members had an opportunity to actually demonstrate to the agricultural business and producer community, the fantastic skills that 4-H is teaching our youth, and it shows that these young people are our future!  A great opportunity all-around! 

Check out www.farmingsmarter.com for the innovative spirit of this organization, our newest Southern Region 4-H partner, and an organization that will lead the way in agriculture in the future (sounds like 4-H youth too!).  Looking forward to working with everyone!

•  Hurricane Hockey - Game day is Saturday, January 28^th, 2012.  Remember that tickets and money must be in to the 4-H office by January 9^th.  If you don’t still have your registration form sent with the two previous email blasts, please let me know and I will send it again.

• Snowfest in Elkwater will take place February 17^th to 19^th, 2012.  Applications will be accepted only until January 20^th.  Remember that last year filled up very quickly.  It’s a great weekend adventure!  A reminder to those senior members interested in counseling – please complete the application form and submit it to this office.  Counselors will be chosen based on the number of delegates that attend and apply by the deadline.

• Please welcome our newest KEY LEADER in the Southern Region, for our EQUINE PROJECT – Nina Conners.  gnconners@xplornet.com is her email address, should you have questions about the diverse horse project within our region.

• Upcoming dates:  remember to confirm with your district, and if you are aware of any updates, please let me know so that I can update the calendar accordingly.

 

January	5, 2012	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
January	11, 2012	Wednesday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Council meeting/ Public speaking workshop
January	13, 2012	Friday	Regional	deadline - Hurricane Hockey Night tickets
January	13 - 15, 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Provincial Leaders' Conference - Edmonton
January	16, 2012	Monday	Warner	Warner District Council meeting, 7 pm, Warner School
January	17, 2012	Tuesday	Regional	Southern Regional Horse Committee meeting - Taber
January	21, 2012	Saturday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Judging workshop
January	26, 2012	Thursday	Taber	Taber District and Beef Council meeting
January	27 - 29 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Senior Members' Conference
January	28, 2012	Saturday	Regional	11th Annual Hurricane Hockey Night
February	2, 2012	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
February	4, 2012	Saturday	Regional	Southern 4-H Regional Judging Competition, Brooks Silver Sage Arena
February	7, 2012	Tuesday	Cactus Country	Cactus Country District Beef Council meeting
February	9, 2012	Thursday	Cactus Country	Cactus Country District Council meeting - Sierra Room, Cypress Center 7 pm
February	10 - 12, 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Provincial Equine Leaders' Forum (PELF) - 4-H Center, Battle Lake
February	13, 2012	Monday	Pincher Creek	Pincher Creek District Council meeting
February	13, 2012	Monday	Willow Creek	Willow Creek District Council meeting
February	15, 2012	Wednesday	Green Certificate	Green Certificate Testing - Cow/calf, Feedlot, Swine - DA Electric Barn, Lethbridge College Campus
February	16, 2012	Thursday	Green Certificate	Green Certificate Testing - Field, Irrigation, Dairy, Sheep, Equine - DA Electric Barn, Lethbridge College Campus
February	17-19, 2012	weekend	Regional	Snowfest Junior and Intermediate Winter Camp - Whispering Pines Camp, Elkwater
February	27, 2012	Monday	Cardston	Cardston District Council meeting 7:00 pm

 

Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Ginny Smith

4-H Regional Coordinator - Southern Region

Phone:  403-381-5815    fax:  403-382-4526

 

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Dec 2011

Happy almost December everyone. 

Please share this email with your club members, families, leaders etc.  I have updated the South leader club contact list according to the registrations completed so far, but there are a few remaining.  As they are updated, I will update the leader contact list, and as our on-line registration system progresses, I hope to create an email blast list for the members too – stay tuned!

Things of interest:

• THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all club leaders or club registrars for your patience with our new registration system!  It has been a bit of a climb, and we are still ironing out some issues, but everything seems to be working pretty well. 

 

The South has 8 clubs that have not yet completed their registration.  Several of these are in process, but a reminder to those who haven’t yet started, please work on it as soon as possible.  If you have questions, I may be able to help or I will refer you to Julie in Edmonton at 780-427-4426.  She is doing a fantastic job at answering and assisting, along with all of the other people working behind the scenes with the system, club supplies, etc., and we are all committed to helping you get started in your 2011-2012 club year.  “Learn to do by doing” is a great thing to remember…..

• Reminder to Regional and District councils and their treasurers – the deadline for Regional and District grant applications is DECEMBER 1^st.  Each district has received the grant application form, but please let me know if you have misplaced it, so that you can submit your application right away to this regional office.  Thanks.

• Hurricane Hockey form is again attached.  Game day is Saturday, January 28^th, 2012.  Remember that tickets and money must be in to the 4-H office by January 9^th.

• Snowfest camp application form is again attached.  Snowfest in Elkwater will take place February 17^th to 19^th, 2012.  Applications will be accepted only until January 20^th.  Remember that last year filled up very quickly.  It’s a great weekend adventure!  A reminder to those senior members interested in counseling – please complete the application form and submit it to this office.  Counselors will be chosen based on the number of delegates that attend and apply by the deadline.

• Because I am very proud of everyone who has stepped up to be part of this opportunity, here’s another blurb about it:

The 2011 “Farming Smarter” Conference, at the Lethbridge Lodge, December 6^th and 7^th will feature 4-H members who were among the top placing speakers at the 2010 Southern Regional Communications competition!  This will be an exciting opportunity for some junior, intermediate and senior members from across our region!  There will also be an auction on Tuesday evening, December 6^th, with all proceeds benefitting the Southern 4-H Region!  For conference details, or if anyone is interested in attending the conference either day, please visit www.farmingsmarter.com

We also welcome “Farming Smarter” as our new 2012 title sponsor of our Southern Regional Judging competitions in Brooks (February 4^th) and in Claresholm (April 12^th).

•  Our next Southern Regional Council meeting will take place on Saturday, December 3^rd at the Lethbridge Research Station (west entrance) starting at 10am.  This is the annual Christmas meeting so you know what that means – gifts, laughter, ELECTIONS…..  It will be a good meeting.  Please ensure that every district is represented, and contact Ginny to confirm attendance so that lunch can be ordered.

•  The Lethbridge 4-H District is hosting an interdistrict invitational 4-H dance on Saturday, December 10^th in Coaldale.  It was fun last year with members attending from many different clubs and districts, and South Ambassador Leanna Santangelo is seeking some assistance to make it another great success.  Please contact her at leanna-santangelo@hotmail.com if you might be available to help, or for further information about attending. 

• Upcoming dates:  remember to confirm with your district, and if you are aware of any updates, please let me know so that I can update the calendar accordingly.

 

December	1, 2011	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
December	3, 2011	Saturday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District fun event
December	3, 2011	Saturday	Regional	Southern Region Council meeting - elections and committee formation, 10 am Lethbridge Research Station
December	6 & 7, 2011	Tuesday & Wednesday		2011 SACA Conference:  Weathering Agriculture Together - featuring 4-H speakers each afternoon!
December	12, 2011	Monday	Willow Creek	Willow Creek District Council meeting
January	5, 2012	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
January	11, 2012	Wednesday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Council meeting/ Public speaking workshop
January	13, 2012	Friday	Regional	deadline - Hurricane Hockey Night tickets
January	13 - 15, 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Provincial Leaders' Conference - Edmonton
January	16, 2012	Monday	Warner	Warner District Council meeting, 7 pm, Warner School
January	17, 2012	Tuesday	Regional	Southern Regional Horse Committee meeting - Taber
January	21, 2012	Saturday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Judging workshop
January	26, 2012	Thursday	Taber	Taber District and Beef Council meeting
January	27 - 29 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Senior Members' Conference
January	28, 2012	Saturday	Regional	11th Annual Hurricane Hockey Night

 

Please have a wonderful December, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Ginny Smith

4-H Regional Coordinator - Southern Region

Phone:  403-381-5815    fax:  403-382-4526

 

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Nov 2011

It’s midway through a short week, and a few items of information need to go out to clubs and members.  I know that there are some district meetings coming up, so please share this information. 

For those clubs still undergoing new 2011-2012 registration, please forward this to the new leader or club contact, as this email is still going to last year’s club leader contacts.  I am updating the list, as things go along, so it is changing a bit at a time but it is a moving target.  It would be appreciated if club leader contacts would please share this information with your club leaders, members and parents.

 

 

 

Notice to ALL clubs with a horse project of any kind, from the Southern 4-H Regional Horse Committee – the next meeting is in Taber, Tuesday, November 15^th at 7 pm.  Note that the location is the TABER AGRIPLEX.   A copy of the agenda is attached and please make note of the following which WILL AFFECT your club:

Attendance ruling - NOW in effect:

each horse project club has representation by an adult (leader or parent) at two out of four regional horse committees meetings per club year to enable their members to be eligible for any horse related events ( Record Book Competition, Regional Horse Show, Horse learning day, Horse Scholarship, and Raffle). If the representation requirements are not met then the club members will be ineligible for all the horse related events that take place through that club year. This will have a start date of October 1 of the 2011/2012 year.

Also - Regional horse committee dues – due now $5.00 per member, after January 2012 meeting late fee applied so $10.00 per member.  The January 17^th meeting will also take place at the TABER AGRIPLEX. 

Another FYI – for those 4-H members with horses, in level 4 to 7 – the Provincial 4-H Horse Show will take place in Olds on August 4^th to 6^th, 2012.  (It missed the calendar, but more details will come later – just make note of the date as it is over the long-weekend in 2012).  

• Hurricane Hockey  Game day is Saturday, January 28^th, 2012.  Remember that tickets and money must be in to the 4-H office by January 9^th.

• Snowfest camp in Elkwater will take place February 17^th to 19^th, 2012.  Applications will be accepted only until January 20^th.  Remember that last year filled up very quickly.  It’s a great weekend adventure!
•  The 2011 “Farming Smarter” Conference, at the Lethbridge Lodge, December 6^th and 7^th will feature 4-H members who were among the top placing speakers at the 2010 Southern Regional Communications competition!  This will be an exciting opportunity for some junior, intermediate and senior members from across our region!  There will also be an auction on Tuesday evening, December 6^th, with all proceeds benefitting the Southern 4-H Region!  For conference details, or if anyone is interested in attending the conference either day, please visit www.farmingsmarter.com

We also welcome “Farming Smarter” as our new 2012 title sponsor of our Southern Regional Judging competitions in Brooks (February 4^th) and in Claresholm (April 12^th).

• Our next Southern Regional Council meeting will take place on Saturday, December 3^rd at the Lethbridge Research Station (west entrance) starting at 10am.  This is the annual Christmas meeting so you know what that means – gifts, laughter, ELECTIONS…..  It will be a good meeting.  Please ensure that every district is represented, and contact Ginny to confirm attendance so that lunch can be ordered.
• Remember Green Certificate Testing – November 23 and 24^th at the DA Electric Barn (on the college campus).  Check with your school advisor for more details.  

• Members interested in attending SENIOR MEMBERS’CONFERENCE – should register right away as it is almost full.  Registration details on the 4-H website.  www.4h.ab.ca is a great source for information about registration for programs etc.  Check it out!

• Upcoming dates:

 

November	9, 2011	Wednesday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Council meeting
November	15, 2011	Tuesday	Regional	Southern Regional Horse Committee meeting - Taber
November	19, 2011	Saturday	Cactus Country	Cactus Country District Color Night - Seven Persons Hall
November	23, 2011	Wednesday	Green Certificate	Green Certificate Testing - Cow/calf, Feedlot, Swine - DA Electric Barn, Lethbridge College Campus
November	24, 2011	Thursday	Green Certificate	Green Certificate Testing - Field, Irrigation, Dairy, Sheep, Equine - DA Electric Barn, Lethbridge College Campus
November	28, 2011	Monday	Cardston	Cardston District Council meeting 7:00 pm
December	1, 2011	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
December	3, 2011	Saturday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District fun event
December	3, 2011	Saturday	Regional	Southern Region Council meeting - elections and committee formation, 10 am Lethbridge Research Station
December	6 & 7, 2011	Tuesday & Wednesday		2011 SACA Conference:  Weathering Agriculture Together - featuring 4-H speakers each afternoon!
December	12, 2011	Monday	Willow Creek	Willow Creek District Council meeting
January	5, 2012	Thursday	Newell	Newell District Senior/Junior Council meeting
January	11, 2012	Wednesday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Council meeting/ Public speaking workshop
January	13, 2012	Friday	Regional	deadline - Hurricane Hockey Night tickets
January	13 - 15, 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Provincial Leaders' Conference - Edmonton
January	16, 2012	Monday	Warner	Warner District Council meeting, 7 pm, Warner School
January	17, 2012	Tuesday	Regional	Southern Regional Horse Committee meeting - Taber
January	21, 2012	Saturday	Lethbridge	Lethbridge District Judging workshop
January	26, 2012	Thursday	Taber	Taber District and Beef Council meeting
January	27 - 29 2012	Friday - Sunday	Provincial	Senior Members' Conference
January	28, 2012	Saturday	Regional	11th Annual Hurricane Hockey Night

 

Ginny Smith

4-H Regional Coordinator - Southern Region

Phone:  403-381-5815    fax:  403-382-4526