Your 2014 State Council

Your 2014 State Council

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Is it January already?

The time has come. In less than 24 hours I will be headed to Penn State to meet the rest of the council team to get ready for SLC and welcome over 300 4-H members across Pa who will join us for an amazing weekend of leadership. I know I'm excited to get my license!
For the past week I have been loaded down with studying for mid terms, homework, rifle matches, forensics meets, and practice for the Pa maple contest coming up. However, during all these events my mind keeps drifting to one thing...SLC!
I can not believe that it has been a year since I met the 5 girls that are know like my sisters. We have had some great times over the past 12 months! This experience has truly been one that I will remember for the rest of my life. I will never forget the fear I had in myself during our training weekend in February when I never thought I'd be able to accomplish all that Pa 4-H required from me. Before I knew it I was taking part on conference calls and heading to Capital Day's to promote 4-H to our State Legislators. I immediately fell in love with promoting 4-H and getting to talk with fellow 4-H members and be looked up to. During the next few months I was kept busy with club visits, promotions in my county and communicating with my team.
In June we were sad to say goodbye to Dr. Bruce at our face to face. She had taught us so much and had so much to offer our team in the time we spent with her. During the meeting we also broke into working out all the details for Leadership Conference and got a HUGE piece of news! With the new 4-H year changing council also would be changing and the 2008 2009 teams would be able to participate in a 6 month council term. After much thought I knew that 4-H had given me so much over the past years and it was time for me to give back. Therefore at state leadership I will hand over my title and proudly take another.
July was one of the most exciting months imaginable for me. I was able to travel to the West Coast as part of a county 4-H exchange trip where I stayed in Raineer Washington and was able to visit Forks. Luck wasn't on my side and I didn't get to meet Jacob or Edward, but I made some great memories, and friends who share the same love for the largest youth organization in the nation! After returning home from a week in Wa, I was able to work with my fair animals for a week before heading with the rest of my team to New Mexico for their State Conference! While there I built confidence while partaking in different events I never thought I'd try. Human bowling, eating authentic Mexican food, and learning to two step dance are memories I will never be able to replace. This also gave the team a chance to bond without the stress of having to run an event of our own. The entire team had their share of blonder moments, and inside jokes. If you need an further explanation just ask Jamie about the stairs there or Laura about Magic Password.
Soon after returning home our team took stage at state days where we changed things up and opened with an amazing opening ceremonies thanks to Alex and every one's acting skills. Soon the event came to a close and we realized we made it halfway through the year!
August held a conference call and a trip to Ag Progress days. The weather was hot as I showed my animals at my County fair and started senior year.
October we met again for a face to face while dressing up for Halloween. I do have to say I make an amazing cow. We got a surprise visit from Dr. Bruce, and worked on getting ready for Conference.I also participated in National Youth Science Day at Penn State University.
As the months flew by we all met again for the Pa farm show where we attended the Governor's Diner and had the chance to mingle with people from all over the state. Our program was also well represented with an interactive booth/table. The days began to be counted down, and before I knew it I once again got in the car and headed to the Penn Stater hotel, where just 12 months ago I received the green jacket that changed my year and life, for the final hotel walk through!
Now as I finish my last blog for my 2009 council term I realize that I am going to pack my back yet again to head to not just any State Leadership Conference but the Leadership Conference where I will get my License to Lead and finish out my year at! I hope to see you all there and CAN NOT WAIT!!!
For the last time,
your State 4-H Secretary,
Christy Lambert

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Seasons Greetings!

Season’s Greetings PA 4-H!
I hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday season full of food, memories, and relatives. As the New Year sneaks around the corner, your PA State Council is busy preparing for one final event: State Leadership Conference! As the papers pour in, the t-shirts are printed, and the members are registered, the anxiously awaited State Leadership Conference (SLC) grows ever closer. With a larger array of workshop choices, an enthusiastic keynote speaker, and a sweet spy theme, what could be better! Also at SLC will be the changing of the state officer team, however; it will be a little different this year because the program year is changing. Since this term is only six months, the officers of the 2008 and 2009 team have been asked to step in and join a transition team which will fill in until State Achievement Days in mid-July until the new team takes over.
Not only do you, the members of PA 4-H, get to take part in the awesome event known as State Leadership Conference, but you can also give back to those in need. This year’s state project is “Checkout the Silver” and it only takes a few seconds of your time and you can do it in the comfort of your own home. I know you are probably asking yourself “Wait… How is that possible?” Not only is it possible, it is true! By simply saving the tabs from the tops of your soda cans, you can allow a family to stay with their youth while the youngster receives treatment in these challenging times. These soda tabs will be collected at State Leadership Conference and donated to the Ronald McDonald House located in Danville, PA.
I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone. I remember getting my jacket at SLC like it was yesterday. State Council has challenged me in so many ways for the better. I had never had an opportunity like this before and I probably never will again. It has been an honor to take part in this and I couldn’t have survived without the rest of the 2009 team.

Your final quote:
“The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." -Vince Lombardi


As always, if you have questions please feel free to contact me!
Jessica Lehman
j.lehman09@gmail.com
PA State Vice-President of Internal Affairs

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

2010...Here We Come!

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the Christmas Season with your families. Much of my month has been spent doing just that and also finishing my first semester at Penn State.
I completed my search for SLC sponsors this month when I sent letters to over 50 businesses in the Lancaster-Harrisburg area. Thank you to all the donors across the state for their generous gifts to help make SLC 2010 possible!
In preparation for SLC, I've been working on a special PowerPoint that will play during the closing ceremony. This is one of the ideas that came from our trip to New Mexico this summer. As Reporter, it is also my duty to put together a scrapbook of all of our activites this year. That has been a big project for me in the past weeks.
The next event for State Council will be at the Farm Show. On January 8 we will attend the Governor's Dinner. On the 9th we will take part in Farm Show Opening Ceremonies and then do a demonstration called "Biofuel Blast".
After Farm Show, we do our Hotel Walk Through to plan our SLC set-up. Next is SLC 2010...License to Lead! Hope to see you there and bring all of your soda tabs for the collection!!

Countdown to SLC: 29 DAYS

Jeanette Blank
State Council Reporter/Historian

December Updates

Season's Greetings Pennsylvania 4-Hers!

I hope that you all had a wonderful winter break! As a council, we did not have a formal meeting. However, we are starting to prepare items for the Leadership Conference coming up on January 29th.

Our next event is the 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show. On January 8th, we will be attending the Governor's Dinner and the following day we will be attending the Opening Ceremonies. I will also be there on the opening Sunday to give presentations at the Penn State Ag Booth about my 4-H experience. I will be making a presentation about my angora rabbits and background about the rabbit industry.

Hope to see you at Farm Show and SLC!

Until next time,

Alex Stepnoski
Council VPC
Hello PA 4-H,

It is hard to believe that the end of 2009 is just around the corner! The State Council has been busy keeping up with preparing for the State Leadership Conference which is coming up in a few short weeks. I hope you all are ready for some fun! The first thing we will be doing in 2010 is the PA State Farm Show. Saturday is Opening Ceremonies and only speaking for myself, I am proud to represent the 4-H program there. For all of you exhibiting at Farm Show, good luck with everything, you are at the largest competition for our state and represent the 4-H program through it all. The 4-H program will be having stage shows throughout the week and the council will be doing a few things with that as well at the 4-H booth were some of us Council members will be hanging out to answer questions and to talk. Come on over to chat and see what is going on.

The big event is almost here!! The 2010 State Leadership Conference "License To Lead" is approaching fast. I cannot wait to see all of you there. With all of the helpful and fun workshops, the amazing speakers, and of course all of you in attendance this conference will be a blast. So grab your notebooks and get ready to learn and obtain your License To Lead. The Council is still working hard at getting everything put together for the weekend.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year. See you all in 2010!!

Laura Pifer

Friday, December 18, 2009

Happy Holidays!

Season's Greetings Everyone!
I can hardly believe that I am halfway through my senior year of High School and Christmas break is just next week! Things have been crazy as our council has been busy planning for SLC and are getting ready for the Farm Show. I can hardly wait to have the whole team together again! We have some great surprises for everyone at conference. You all will get to see sides of our team that have never been revealed including a special side of me. We have an amazing opening ceremonies planned along with new icebreakers to play. We hope you have fun as you get your License to lead!
On the other hand, it is sad as we approach our last month together, but know we will always have our great connection as the 2009 State 4-H council team! We have had some great memories and I have had the time of my life making a new "family"
Hope to see you all soon at either the Farm show or SLC!
Your Council Secretary,
Christy Lambert

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Hello everyone! I hope all of your Thanksgiving breaks were filled with great food, family, and laughter. I know mine was. Just after Thanksgiving I did not go Black Firday shopping like many of you may have, I did one a little better. I boarded a plane to The beautiful state of Georgia. I was in Atlanta for The National 4-H Congress from Friday to Tuesday. During that time I was one of many representing Pennsylvania. I know I speak on behalf of everyone that went when I say that we learned a lot about the 4-H in the different states and Puerto Rico that were represented. We participated in workshops such as speed meeti ng where we had a few minutes to meet different 4-H'ers, Teambuilding, and then a few unique workshops that were selected. My selected workshops were Bake Bread:Build Communities, one on how to travel more efficiently, And Irish Step Dancing. At Congress we also participated in a service project. I did my service at an elementary school. There I got to help a second grade class prepare for their Christmas Program. Wew made costumes and decorated them with glitter. The children were very excited to work with us and had questions for some of us about where we were from. We later concluded on Tuesday with our closing ceremonies and ultimately the plane ride home. At the Pittsburgh airport we said our goodbyes to our Western region delegates and decided that everyone should attend the State Leadership Conference.
At the State Leadership Conference we have workshops planned for Saturday, we offer the opportunity to meet 4-her's from across the state and we have a service project Check out the Silver. Remember to save your soda tabs for the project and sign up for the State Leadership Conference before the deadline! It's coming up fast so hurry.

please comment with any questions you may have, I hope to see everyone in January! =)

Have a Happy Holidays,

Jamie Forinash
President

Monday, November 30, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving PA 4-H!


I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and didn't eat too much! I know I did with four dinners, three on Thursday alone!

On November 9, I attended the Snyder County Acheivement Night. I received a number of awards throughout the night including Outstanding 4-Her, Super Club (with my club, Backyard Bunnies), the county 4-H Scholarship, and recogniton for my participation in events. It was exciting to go home for this and see members in my local 4-H clubs again. I even surprised my family by coming home for this.

On November 19, we held a Conference Call where we discussed more planning for SLC. We also discussed Farm Show and our involvement with it. Friday night we will attend the Governor's Dinner, Saturday morning Opening Ceremonies, and various demonstrations throughout the week. The whole Council will conduct the Biofuel Blast experiment with the public while individual members will do demonstrations about their projects.

During my Thanksgiving break, I counted over 18,000 soda tabs that will be taken to SLC for our service project to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Please remember to save your soda tabs and bring them to SLC...REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!!!!! So be sure to sign up!


Countdown to SLC: 60 DAYS!


In the spirit of 4-H,
Jeanette Blank
State Council Reporter/Historian

"There is always something you can be thankful for."

November has come and gone

Hello to everyone,

It is so hard to believe that tomorrow will be December and then this year is over. The State Leadership Conference is getting closer! This month was a busy one for myself as an officer. On November 21st was the Indiana County 4-H Achievement Night and Carol asked me to speak since I am the first member from our county to be on the State Council. I told the members and their families who were present what all we do as a council, the different things we have done over the past year, and what is being planed for the months to come. I also encouraged everyone there to ask questions at the end of the night to learn more about becoming future council members themselves. Not to my surprise, some of the members did approach me and a few are seriously interested for future councils. Even some of the parents wanted to know more about us. I am so happy that I can represent 4-H in the way that I do.

My hometown of Punxsutawney has an annual "Home For The Holidays" Parade and this year there were two 4-H floats. Great job to the Gateway Horse club and the livestock club that put together their wonderful displays and showed our town who we are. Seeing all of you walking and participating in the parade made me proud of you and our amazing organization. It was a great idea and it showed all of those watching the parade what 4-H is and that it is not just sitting in the barn and showing at the fair.

I hope everyone has a great holiday season and to see you all in January at the State Leadership Conference. Bye for now!!

Laura Pifer

Sunday, November 29, 2009

November Updates

Greetings Pennsylvania 4-Hers!!

I hope that you all had a good Thanksgiving! I went to Arizona to visit my family and what a temperature change! It was quite an exciting opportunity, especially since I have never been on the west coast during the holiday season!

For the month of November, I attended some club meetings and spoke about the upcoming Leadership Conference in addition to reminding them to collect soda tabs for the “Check out the Silver” campaign for the Ronald McDonald House. Also held on the 18th of this month was a conference call where we discussed leadership conference planning/setting up and farm show.

Our next council event is the Farm Show Governor’s Dinner in January and shortly after is a hotel walk through… and before you know it—the 2010 Leadership Conference will be hitting the Penn Stater-- and there is still time to register for this year's conference held Jan. 29-31, 2010!!

We look forward to seeing you around!

Have a good holiday!

Alex Stepnoski
State Council VPC

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble, Gobble,
I hope everyone has enjoyed their fall as the weather begins to become cold again and our winter months are soon to be here! I hope everyone enjoys the time off from school and time with their family. Also good luck and safe times go out to all those hunters!
Our council has had an exciting month once again as we get ready for SLC which is closer than we can ever imagine! We have some great activities planned and can not wait to share them with you all! I am both excited and sad about this event since it is the end of the 2009 council teams year. I look forward to bonding as a new team for next year though. We have also been busy planning for the 2010 Farm Show. I will have a busy schedule since this year I will be helping out with the State Council along with Showing a market goat and square dancing with my county 4-H club. If you see me around Farm Show don't hesitate to come and talk! No matter how many events I attend I still get excited to see Pa 4-H at it's best and all of our active members in action!
In the next few months please remember to keep saving those pop tabs and dont forget to register for the 2010 State Leadership Conference theres still room!
Until next time your State Secretary,
Christy Lambert

Monday, November 23, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving PA 4-H!

Happy Thanksgiving PA 4-H!
If fall is going anywhere as fast for you as it is for me, then it's flying by! I can't believe that it's almost time for State Leadership Conference and my first semester of college is almost over! I hope this finds you well and ready to enjoy some time off school with your family.
On October 31st we had a meeting in State College, PA where we discussed more planning for State Leadership Conference of the opening ceremonies and Farm Show in January. During Farm Show in January we will be attending the Governor's Dinner on Friday night and giving a bio-fuel presentation on Saturday. Also at our October meeting we were able to dress up in Halloween costumes and we had a special guest - State Council's former advisor, Dr. Bruce and her beautiful little girl Ainslee stopped by to say hello to everyone!
Reminder: STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!! Register as soon as you can and be prepared to receive your "License to Lead" on January 30-February 1, 2010. This year there are some great workshops planned ranging from Team building to a workshop about how to teach a workshop. Other workshops also include marketing, stress management, creativity, role modeling, delegation, and wellness in leadership, just to name a few!
Also, please keep collecting your soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. These tabs are very easy to collect, but they can make such a large difference for families who need to stay at this great place while their child receives treatment at Geisinger Medical Center. This is a great chance to give back to your community and it only requires you to collect soda tabs!
The quote for the month is:
"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent."
-Barbara Bush

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Jessica Lehman
j.lehman09@gmail.com
Pennsylvania State Vice President of Internal Affairs