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R.C.W. Bulletin Board

2007 - 2008

Family Fun Day & Chili Cook-off

Do you want to have some fun? Are you ready to celebrate the end of the year? Do you have favorite chili recipe? If you answered yes to any of these questions, and even if you didn’t, plan on attending the first annual 4-H Family Fun Day and Chili Cook-off. It is being sponsored by the County Ambassador Team and the County Council. There will be games, an airplay structure, community service opportunities, as well as club competitions, so come ready to have some fun.

When: June 22, 2008 at 2 p.m.

Where: Orange County Fairgrounds (Wine Garden area, where the Y.E. pancake breakfast is held)

Registration: Chili Cook-off Entry

On line flyer: Chili Cook-off Entry

Registration

Many of our members that have grown up in 4-H have graduated. It is time to go out there and promote the 4-H program and bring in new members. We are happy to register members now, and prepare for next year. Soon the registration process will be changing to an on-line system. It should be a lot easier and projects meetings won't be delayed, making better use of our program year.

Treasury Information and Requests~ by Kevin C.

The end of our 4-H year is rapidly approaching. I realize that June is a very busy month for everyone. The Treasurer’s Book is my responsibility, and with that being said, I will need from ALL of you any receipts that you require reimbursement which have occurred over the course of our year. These include any expenses that you may have incurred since September. Since this will be our last meeting of the year, I will need the receipts turned in at our Thursday, June 12 meeting. I can write checks when our meeting concludes. There are still several things that need to be completed before I am able to turn the book into the county on August 8. Also, there needs to be a peer critique of the book as well. We should set this up at our meeting on Thursday.

I appreciate all that you have done to help me keep the Treasurer’s Book up to date. It has been an honor being your Treasurer, and I am hoping to be voted into the same position for next year. Thank you all.

Nominations

Nominations are being accepted for next year's board positions, and please bring any questions you may have to the next club meeting. Elections will take place at the June meeting.

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.