Bulletin Board

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R.C.W. Bulletin Board

2009-2010

Bulletin Board

This is the area of the website where you can learn about current club information. Basically, it is the club's online news letter. It is environmentally friendly, cost effective, and can be an effective tool for posting information. As most things, it will be as good as you are willing to make it. If you have information to post, please email it to RCW 4H.

Upcoming Events

2009

December 14 - "White Elephant" Christmas Party, Location- Dana Point Library

2010

	January 15-18 – “Winter Camp” Located at Singing Pines Lodge in Big Bear. This camp, for High School 4-H members only, is a weekend filled with opportunities to ski, snowboard, attend the movies, go bowling, shop, and have fun with friends. Please see the website for more information and for registration materials. Don't delay, spaces fill quickly.
	January 30 - "Food Fiesta" 4-H showmanship competition open to Foods Project members. Home Environment and Floral Design members may compete in the table setting competition. The event is scheduled to be held in Memorial Gardens, on the OC Fairgrounds. Please see the website for more detailed information and ask your project leader.
	March 6- "Presentation Day"

Prepared and unprepared speech competitions are an excellent opportunity to develop public speaking skills, and sharing knowledge you have learned in your 4-H project is a fun way to do so. Don't miss this event! Come share your presentation and, also, attend presentations. This is a great way to learn project knowledge as well as gain additional speech skills. The event will be located at Montessori on the Lake School, in Lake Forest.

April 9-11 - "Youth Expo"

Youth Expo is always a highlight of the 4-H year, so mark your calendar and remember your club spirit. Get ready to display your project creations, show your animals, decorate the club booth, enjoy the exhibits, food, and the family carnival style fun. This event is located on the OC Fairgrounds. Please attend your club meetings and check the website for more information.

We Welcome Your Ideas!

If you have ideas for club activities or community service projects we want to hear from you. Please bring them to the club meeting or email RCW 4H.

Section 815: Youth Protection Guidelines

[815.2]

Policy:

A minimum of 2 adults at all times with youth members at all program, events, and activities.

The two adults may be:

	Two appointed volunteers (best practice) or
	One appointed volunteer and another adult who is at least 21 years old

Additionally,

The adult in charge must be an appointed 4-H volunteer as established by the County Director.

What about private conversations?

Suggested Procedures:

	When speaking privately to a youth, do it in view of another adult.
	Speak to a youth in the corner of a room with other members and adults present.
	Keep doors open when speaking with a youth, so that others may see you.

Transporting Youth [809 and 815.2]

Policy:

	If two adults cannot be present in the vehicle, the alternative minimum is one adult and two or more youth members per vehicle.
	An adult should not be alone with a youth (other than his/her own child) without the advance written permission of the youth's parents.

What about traveling alone in cars?

Suggested Procedures:

	If you must be alone in a car with a youth, you need a permission slip from his/her parent or guardian stating you may transport him/her.
	You may transport a youth in your car if there are two or more youth members present at all times.
	Try to drop off all youth in a order that leaves you alone only with your own child.

Supervision of Youth 815.2 B

Policy:

	A 4-H member is the responsibility of the staff or adult volunteer in charge of event or activity.
	A 4-H member is not to be released to anyone who is not authorized by his/her parent or legal guardian.
	If parents do not arrive within half an hour of the scheduled end of event, it may be necessary to contact local law enforcement.

What if a youth is left at a meeting?

Suggested Procedures:

	Ask a parent to stay with you until the youth member's parent or guardian arrives.
	Ask a staff member to stay with you.
	Encourage each youth to have back-up transportation and permission slip ahead of time.

Sleeping Facilities [815.2 C]

Policy:

	There should be separate sleeping facilities of each gender.
	Only adults of the same gender as the youth may supervise youth in sleeping areas of the events.
	No single youth is permitted to sleep in the room of an adult other than his/her parent and/or guardian.

How about hotels, motels, conferences?

Suggested Procedures:

	Two or more adults may sleep in a room with multiple youth.
	Unrelated adults and youth should not share beds together.
	Youth may share rooms without adult supervision; adults may share adjoining rooms.

What about camping experiences?

Suggested Procedures:

	Two adults of the same gender as youth should share cabin spaces.
	If camp sleeping area is in an open space-not inside a tent and clearly visible to all-there is no conflict with policy.
	Camp Directors may use one adult and one older teen to supervise sleep in cabins.

Restrooms [81502 D]

Policy:

	Restrooms should be separated by gender.
	If shower facilities are not separate for gender, separate times for male and female use should be scheduled and posted,

How do we address restrooms use?

Suggested Procedures:

	Shower facility monitors are recommended.
	A buddy system (three buddies) among youth members should be maintained for restroom use.
	If no separate facilities are available, posted times for separate gender use is recommended.
	Adults should shower at separate times from youth's schedule.

Respect for individual's privacy [815.2 E]

Policy:

Adult leaders must respect the privacy of youth members in situations such as changing clothes and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require.

Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.

Youth Leader Training and Supervision [815.2 F]

Policy:

	Youth leaders will be trained on what are appropriate and inappropriate interactions during 4-H events.
	Staff and volunteers will monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by junior and teen leaders.

Constructive Discipline [815.2 G]

Policy:

	Corporal punishment is never permitted in the 4-H program.
	Appropriate behavior expectations are set up and environments are created to minimize the need for discipline.

How do I create positive environments:

Suggested Procedures:

	Use compliments when appropriate
	Clarify group expectations of appropriate behavior
	Redirect activities
	Model expected behaviors
	Provide time for reflection

We will protect our youth, ourselves, and each other.

	These policies are to be implemented by July 2006.
	The policies are primarily for the protection of youth, but they protect all participants.
	We enact these policies as preventative steps in our 4-H program.
	State policies may be less restrictive than your county office. Please check with your county office staff.