October 2024

(published October 8, 2024)

All 4-H Club and Countywide Project Leaders, 4-H Event/Activity Chairpersons or Organizers: Contribute to the articles posted monthly by completing a short form and uploading your article or photos using link: https://forms.gle/xwa8JP9c49qDMAHq5

NOTE: Articles for the current monthly newsletter, must be submitting by 2 pm. on the Monday before. Newsletter is published on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Any photos submitted with youth, must be identified for photo release.

Attention 4-H Club and Group Leaders, it's annual Charter time!

The online Charter application is now live and due online by November 1st!

A printable charter worksheet is available at the website below and can be used as a resource for your club/group before completing the online application.

Any current chartered 4-H Club and Group need to charter each year. For more information and resources, please visit link: https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/resources/volunteer-resources/administrative/charter/

The chartering process ensures the 4-H Club or Group is organized in accordance with the objectives of the Wisconsin 4-H program. Failure to submit a completed Wisconsin 4-H Clubs & Groups Charter Application by the due date could result in the 4-H Club or Group being dissolved.

Any questions, please reach out to the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

Attention General Leaders and Group Leaders: As you begin to organize for the new 4-H year, we ask that you submit new 2024-2025 Club Officers names or 4-H Group Board Member names to the Extension office. This info helps us know who to contact with specific questions and recognize volunteers!

Submit info using link by October 31st: https://forms.gle/wn3ih9S2H9Bd3C726

Reminder: Any adult board member, committee member, species rep, etc- MUST be an approved volunteer prior to serving in this role for the current year. Youth officers must be current active 4-H members as well.

Any questions, please contact the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

Please join us in welcoming Kaitlin Felton to the Extension Ozaukee County office! Kaitlin joins us in the Support Staff position, starting the end of September. Kaitlin will support office educators and various programming, including the 4-H program. 

A note from Kaitlin:

"Hello! I’m Kaitlin, the new Program Assistant with Extension Ozaukee County. I’m very excited to be joining the team, meeting the Extension community, and learning about everything that 4H offers!

A little bit about me: 

I graduated from UW-Green Bay with a degree in Biology and Environmental Science. I have a background with animal care (wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary), environmental education, and natural living. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, step-son, and pets (We currently have 2 cats, a guinea pig, and 4 toads, with plans to get a dog in the future). I also enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, photography, gardening, crocheting, and exploring my curious nature.

Looking forward to meeting you all!"

Wisconsin 4-H is planning to offer several educational travel opportunities for the 2024-2025 4-H year! These experiences are available for youth in 6th-12th grade and are wonderful ways to learn more about yourself, others, experience new places, and build life skills that last a lifetime.

Be sure to visit the Wisconsin 4-H State Events & Opportunities webpage for more information on the specific experiences, registration info, deadlines, timelines, trip expectations, and more!

Did you know that Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association and the Ozaukee County 4-H Foundation support Ozaukee County 4-H members attending educational travel experiences by providing funding support to applicants? The application requirements to become eligible for funding support are to complete a cover letter, resume, submit a letter of recommendation, essay question, and participate in an interview.

Please reference the 2024-2025 4-H Leaders Association Educational Travel Opportunities Funding Support and Key Award Application Reference Guide for more information and tips on application requirements!

Fall Application materials are due Thursday, October 31, 2024 to the Extension office. Application materials can be mailed or dropped off at Extension office or emailed to claudia.breitengross@wisc.edu . Interview date: November 12, 2024

Advanced Space Academy (recently cancelled for 2025 due to low enrollment)

American Spirit East

National 4-H Congress

National 4-H Youth Conference

International Programs (Travel Abroad)- currently paused for 2024-2025.

Spring Application materials are due Friday, January 31, 2025 to the Extension office. Watch your email for an interview date coming in February 2025.

Key Award

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)

Space Camp

Summer Academy

Attention 4-H Youth enrolled in the Fishing Project: We have an adult leader, Richard, who is offering Fishing as a Countywide project this year! If you are interested in joining this countywide project, please contact the Extension office at 262-284-8288 or contact Richard Simon directly at rls2698@gmail.com

More project details to come to those youth enrolled in the Fishing project!

National 4-H Week is going on now! During which millions of youth, parents, volunteers, and alumni across the country celebrate everything 4-H.

Ozaukee County 4-H will observe National 4-H Week this year by showcasing the wide array of incredible projects that 4-H youth have created through the 4-H program at the Mequon, Cedarburg, and Saukville public libraries. Be sure to stop by and check out the 4-H displays the entire month of October!

Thank you to Erin Puro, Cora P., Bay P, and Olivia S. for volunteering their time to set-up and take-down the library displays.

We're excited to share a great learning opportunity being planned for project leaders!

Save the date for Project Leader Training! Ozaukee County 4-H is hosting this opportunity on Tuesday, November 12 from 6:00-8:00pm. This event targets new project leaders, experienced project leaders, those interested in becoming project leaders, and youth leaders.  Come learn more about your role, responsibilities, lesson planning, making learning engaging, and working with youth leaders.

Ozaukee County 4-H relies on adult 4-H volunteers who bring knowledge, experience, and passion to work with youth. You are one of the most important influences on youth development and educational outcomes in our program!

Sign up today for this very worthwhile training: https://forms.gle/DNgPuDV8LBZVHKH59

This training is offered by the Ozaukee, Washington, and Fond du Lac 4-H Programs. 

Are you looking for a scare this season AND want to support Ozaukee County 4-H program? Make sure to check out The Haunt starting this weekend! Bring your family and friends too!

2024 Ozaukee County 4-H Leader's Association Adult Recognition Banquet

Attention Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders from 2023-2024 4-H year: Save the date for the upcoming Leaders Association Adult Leader Recognition Banquet.

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024

Location: Milwaukee Ale House, Grafton (2nd floor party room - ADA accessible)

Timeline: 

5:00 - 6:30 pm:  Social hour

6:30 pm:  Buffet dinner

7:30 pm:  Awards ceremony

RSVP By:  Monday, October 28th to 4hleadersbanquet@oz4hleaders.org

Questions? Please send any banquet questions to  4hleadersbanquet@oz4hleaders.org

- Submitted by Lori Hosseini, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Board Member

Leaders Association: Ozaukee County 4-H T-shirt Vote

Thank you to the youth who submitted a design option for the 4-H Leaders Association t-shirt design! Now it's time to vote on your favorite design!

T-shirt contest vote is open to all current 2024-2025 Ozaukee County 4-H'ers (youth and adult) to vote on your favorite t-shirt. Only ONE vote per 4-H member.  Submit your vote by Friday, October 18th. 

Vote at link: 2024-2025 4-H T-shirt Vote

General Leaders: Please start collecting T-shirt sizes from your club members and send the list to Nicole Simon at cornerstonelandsurvey@gmail.com.  Thank you all who participated in T-shirt designs and have fun voting. 

Thank you to the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association who supports the t-shirt design contest and provides one t-shirt to each 4-H youth member. In addition, there will be an opportunity for families to purchase additional shirts including t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, and crew neck sweatshirts for youth and adults to order at their own cost. 

- Submitted by Nicole Simon, 4-H Volunteer

Leaders Association Policy Change - LA Equipment

To ensure that all are on the same page and informed: The Leader’s Association board and general leaders association discussed the idea of the Leader's Association property being used for non-4H events at the September Association meeting. It was voted unanimously that Leader's Association items cannot be used for non-4H events. If you have any questions about this please email 4csecretary@oz4hleaders.org 

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

Adults must be approved volunteers to be actively leading projects or working with 4-H youth. If you are not a current approved volunteer this year, please complete your enrollment, screening or trainings NOW. Questions about your enrollment or status? Log into your 4HOnline account to check status OR call the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

Harbinger Newsletter Published Monthly. The 4-H Harbinger newsletter will be published monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. Please adjust your 4-H club, group, and project announcement schedules as needed. 

4-H Open House Recap

A BIG thank-you to Emlyn S. and Tammy Schuster for coordinating the 4-H Open House event this year!

4-H Lemonade Stand Thank-You!

I would like to thank all who stepped in at the last minute to work shifts on Saturday at the Wine and Harvest Festival. Thank you, Carol, Jan, Dorothy, Bridget, Lori and especially Fritz for staying with me the entire day. Sunday was cancelled, however, I still want to thank those that signed up to work shifts.

A new coordinator will be needed for next year if this fundraiser will continue. I’m happy to answer any questions and provide contact information for the festival coordinator. Please contact Sue at sadowe1966@gmail.com.

- Submitted by Sue Dowe, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Volunteer Event Chairperson

We are looking for the 2025 Ozaukee County Fairest of the Fair! Please share with anyone who you believe would be a great candidate!

Applications are due November 1st, 2024!

For more information and the application, visit: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/fairest-of-the-fair

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Board Secretary

Save the date for the 2nd Annual Fairest of the Fair Gala: January 11th 2025!

The evening includes light refreshments, the Fairest of the Fair Competition, the Live Auction and the Crowning of the 2025 Fairest of the Fair! 

If you are interested in donating an item for the auction, please email: fairestofthefair@ozaukeecountyfair.com.

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Board Secretary

The Ozaukee County Fair is excited to announce their 2025 Scholarship Program!

The mission of the Ozaukee County Agricultural Society (OCAS) is to promote agriculture in the community while also emphasizing the importance of hard work, education, family, and community service.

Each year, through a group of volunteers, the OCAS hosts the Ozaukee County Fair in Cedarburg, WI. The County Fair is very special to the Ozaukee County Community. The Fair provides a wonderful place for young and old alike to come together, highlight accomplishments, and celebrate community.

This year, up to five scholarships, up to $2,000, will be awarded to graduating seniors in high schools in Ozaukee County or the surrounding area.

Please use this link for more information and this year's application: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/scholarship

Applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Board Secretary

Reminder that the online 4-H calendar is the best way to stay on top of the many countywide activities going on throughout the 4-H year. Bookmark it here!

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