Chairperson: Martha Couch

Minutes Recorded by: Beverly Spears

Members Present:

Meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. August , 2001 by Martha Couch committee chair. Martha asked committee members to introduce ourselves and indicate our state and position. She asked the group for additional items to be included on the agenda and the following items were added: Master Naturalist, Entomology Curriculum, and 4-H International Program. It was moved by Bo Ryles and seconded for the agenda to be adopted with the additional agenda items. Plans for Committee Night out- The group met and went to 1760 Restaurant for dinner at 6:00 p.m.

1. Retirements

Bo Ryles announced that Martha Jo Tolley (Tennessee State 4-H Program Leader) recently retired, traditionally the 4-H group give those who retire a custom stained window. Also Damon Miller announced his plans to retire February 15, 2002. It was moved by Sarah Anderson and seconded that the group purchase Martha Jo Tolley and Damon Miller custom stained windows. Bo asked each member of the group to give $40 for the purchase. Bo will also purchase a card.

2. Name and Emblem

Bo stated that the Name and Emblem Committee will meet September 9-15, 2002 and the committee will complete their work. The final report will be given to Dr. Hobbs for her review. The group asked several questions regarding the use of the name and emblem: (1) did the committee consider chartering 4-H clubs, (2) finders fees from states, (3) cap on state sponsorships and royalties. Bo provided an overview of the committee charge and stated that these concerns had been addressed in the new report. Dorothy Wilson, stated that the report spelled out who is authorized to use the 4-H Names and Emblem; these institution includes: 4-H Council, 1890, 1862 and 1994 grant institutions who have an Extension mission. The current language in the report includes Directors, State 4-H Leaders, 1890 Administrator and 4-H Council. Bo and Dorothy indicated that they will revisit the report and check the language.

3. 4-H TRUST and National 4-H Activities

Donald Floyd provided the group with an overview of the National 4-H & Youth Development Leadership TRUST. Martha represents the Southern Region 4-H Leaders. Each state assessment is $500 for the 4-H TRUST. These funds will be used to offset the cost of facility rental, consultant fees and other materials for the TRUST.

Steve also reminded the group that each state is assessed $300 every 18 months for SDT.

Centennial Funding and Controversial Funding Sources

Donald Floyd gave each state a copy of state allocations for financial support of the 4-H Centennial Conversation Initiative. He stated that this financial information was going to be sent out to land- grant universities via mail. Don also reported on other National 4-H Council Activities.

He indicated that a task force will be formed from the TRUST to discuss the issue of controversial funding sources such as Phillip Morris and Kraft.

4. Centennial Conversation with America Power of Youth

Martha stated that there are three committees on the Centennial: Hall of Fame, National Salute to Excellence, and National 4-H Centennial Committee. She passed out a list of 4-H Centennial Year Calender of Events for 2002. By January, all states should complete their state conversations. She noted several activities in January, will kick off the celebration with Presidential Proclamations at the White House. A selected group of 4-H'ers from the states of Maryland, Virginia and D.C. will be present during the signing at the White House. On March 1-3, 2002 the National Conservation on Youth in the 21^st century will be conducted in Washington, D.C., all states will attend.

First Day Covers - will be the 4-H Stamp on January 15, 2002. It expected that over 10,000 subscriptions will be made. She indicated that the Garfield Print will go on sale soon.

Each state share their Centennial plans with the group.

5. Shooting Sports

A shooting sports competition met in San Antonio, Texas. A letter went out from the TRUST regarding the title used, a National Competition. It was indicated that Allen Smith, CREESES, had also written a letter indicating that groups who wish to be a national competition must meet the criteria before they call themselves a National Competition. Diane Smathers, gave a report of the group and indicated that 17 states participated in the competition in Texas this summer. The shooting sports committee met and voted 16 to 1 in favor of letting youth return to the competition event. Teams and individuals can return to the event; but cannot enter the same event but can enter in a different event. The categories offered are shooting guns, air rifts, air pistols, hunting, archery and firing. Wildlife is being considered as a part of the reloading and living history program. Training will be conducted on May 17-24 (National Training meeting) in South Carolina. There is a need for P.R. pieces on Kids and Guns-why 4-H has a shooting sports program. A Southern representative needed to be identified to serve on this committee.

6. Age and Disability of Youth Participation

Age and Disability of Youth Participation was discussed by Bob Meadows. He indicated that age and disability were an local and state issues and not a national issue. The National rule is limited. The National rule and standard for youth participation in 4-H competitions will be revisited in two years. The concerned related chronicle years to mental age and what is considered as reasonable accommodations for youth with disabilities. It was moved by Bo Ryles and seconded to ask the 4-H TRUST to uphold state position on age eligible for competition and separately determine eligibility for the national.

7. CSREES Update

Alma Hobbs addressed the group and reviewed the 4-H Centennial Calendar of Events for 2002. She indicated that several awards will be presented during the 2002 Centennial Celebration: The National Alumni Award, National Centennial Award, and National Partners Award. She indicated that the state needs to submit applications for these awards to Virginia Gobeli. A 10-minute historical video and a publication will be made highlighting the history of 4-H. The historical video will be based on persons who made a significance contribution in 4-H. Each state was asked to send vignette of their state conversation to Rovenia Brox, CREES-USDA. Rovenia works one day a week in Alma's office. This video will be shown during the National 4-H Conference. Also, during National 4-H Conference the President will receive the report of the Youth Conversation and sign the proclamation. Representation of the state at the National Conversation should be a mixed group of youth and adults. Alma asked the states to involve Family and Consumer Sciences in Centennial Celebrations plans.

Alma discussed her e-mail requiring USDA's position on social origination. The language used was cleared and supported by the Secretary of Agriculture. She indicated that a one page rationale and background information will come from Dr. Colien Hefferan regarding this position. If further information was needed about social origination that Curt DeVille's office can be contacted if we had further questions. She also gave national updates on other grants and funding opportunities for programming.

8. Fees, Membership, Programs and Sale of Publications

Due to state budget cuts, several states are now charging membership fees for youth to participate in 4-H. Also, fees are charged for publication materials used by 4-H volunteer leaders and members. It was noted that 35 other states are charging program fees. Eight states have some membership fees. The group posed a question whether we are violating our own rules by charging 4-H is a non-fee based program.

9. Master Naturalist

Susie Holder gave a report on the Master Naturalist program and asked those interested to come forward for collaboration. Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, and South Carolina are states involved. Susie also reported that entomology should be considered for a multi-state development. A reference manual could be developed and used as background information and regional competition such as Bug Bowls could be multi-state programs.

10. Southern Region Rural Development Center

Dr. Bo Beaulieu addressed the group and gave an overview of the mission and charge of the Southern Development Rural Center. They shared with us recent information about their newsletters on children, youth and families, and up-coming E-Conference and other expected events and activities from the Southern Rural Development Center.

11. NAE4-HA

Nita Cooper, gave a brief overview of the joint Council of Extension Professional Regional Leadership Workshops Creating a Workshop 21^st Century. A handout was given to each state members. She went over the recommendations that were made from the Joint Council of Extension professionals on reshaping Cooperative Extension Systems.

12. SDT/BPDT

SDT next meeting in early November or December. (Steve)

SDT- The strategic direction team will introduce the 4-H Strategic Plan at the NAE4-H National meeting.

Susie volunteered to coordinate the volunteer contacts.

13. PLC Committee Meeting

PLC Regional Telephone conference-Charles Cox noted a lot of action have taken place due to the difficulty of getting members to participate in telephone conferences. Charles Cox represented the group at the PLC meeting on Sunday, August 26. He asked the group for assistance in responding to questions that the PLC committee wanted each group to respond. The following questions were asked:

How can the PLC address the needs of multi-state programming?

How can the PLC facilitator communication between the committee?

What is the role of the Administrative Advisory of the committee curriculum problems? What do you see the role of the Director of the PLC as being?

Charles reported that only 7 multi-state projects were reported. It was recommended that everyone who had done some multi-state work write a success story. Character Education, after school programs, staff development and curriculum development.

14. Other Committee Report

Multi-State Programming-Dr. Ron Brown

Dr. Ron Brown, Southern Rural Development Center, addressed the group asking what the PLC could do for the 4-H committee. Charles Cox presented the recommendation from the group of needing more assistance in the following areas:

Triennial Faculty Conference

Triennial Faculty Conference is scheduled for March 10-13, 2002 in San Antonio, Texas. Specialist staff should attend only. Other staff such as county staff or paraprofessional staff should not attend. There will be a State night out and a group night out as means of networking. Martha shared with the group a conference agenda and list of number of participants from each state and asked each state to verify their state's number of attendees. It was voted that the registration fee would be $160 per person, which will cover the cost for conference materials, meals except for Monday and Tuesday dinner and breaks. A total of $5000 has been forward for this conference. Martha stated that a call for proposals was sent out to states.

Bi-Annual 4-H Faculty

Effective in 2004, Triennial Faculty Conference will become the Bi-Annual 4-H Faculty Conference and it was voted the next conference will be in New Orleans and hosted by State of Louisiana.

15. Election of Committee Representative Boards

16. Meeting Dates

4-H PLC telephone conferences are scheduled bi-monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. EST and 8:00 a.m. CST. On the following dates: Oct. 11, December 13, February 14 - April meeting in Washington, DC- and June 13. Susie Holder will e-mail everyone the call-in telephone number.

17. Meeting Adjourn

The meeting was officially adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.