NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

September 10, 1998

State 4-H Volunteer Forum Slated for Bismarck

A statewide 4-H volunteer forum will be held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13 and 14, at the Bismarck Holiday Inn. It is open to 4-H leaders and other volunteers, youth leaders and other current 4-H'ers, staff from the North Dakota State University Extension Service, and anyone else who has an interest in 4-H.

"It's an opportunity to learn a lot and share what you've learned with your community," says Marilyn Lesmeister, leadership/volunteer development specialist for the North Dakota 4-H program.

Friday's activities include an exposition and banner display, as well as a banquet. During the expo, 4-H volunteers have the opportunity to showcase an activity or community project. In addition, the North Dakota 4-H Foundation is sponsoring a contest for the best county or club display, which can be either a banner, poster or quilt. First prize earns $50, with second and third places receiving $25 and $10, respectively. Those who enter the display contest must use the "Are You Into It?" theme, which is the slogan for a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign involving 4-H that is being sponsored by the Advertising Council.

On Saturday, attendees will take part in four 90 minute sessions. A total of 20 educational programs are available for participants to choose from. Topics include value-based cattle production, flower gardening, hippology, farm safety, photography, and watershed management and water pollution. The presentations will feature hands-on learning opportunities for volunteers and will focus on how to better educate North Dakota youth.

"Groups coming to the volunteer forum can discuss beforehand who will attend which presentation. That way, they can avoid duplication and end up with a broader base of collective knowledge to share with their communities," says Lesmeister.

Last fall, nine 4-H volunteers and one county extension staff member received scholarships from the North Dakota 4-H Foundation and the Dallas-based J.C. Penney Company Inc. to attend the North Central Region Leaders Forum in Omaha, Neb. Members of that group have helped plan this year's state volunteer forum and will share their experiences and materials from the regional forum with participants in Bismarck.

The North Central Region Leaders Forum is scheduled for North Dakota in the year 2000. The North Central Region includes extension services and land grant institutions from 12 states. Besides North Dakota, the others are Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.

To help raise money for the regional event in North Dakota, organizers of this year's state forum have scheduled a silent auction and are encouraging participants to either donate or purchase an item. They will announce the results of the silent auction at the state forum's conclusion on Saturday.

Those planning to attend this year's state volunteer forum will pay only $15 (includes meals, not lodging) if they register by Thursday, Oct. 1. Otherwise, the cost is $25. The registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 20. For more information, contact your local office of the NDSU Extension Service.

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Source: Marilyn Lesmeister (701) 231-7291

Editor: Dean Hulse (701) 231-6136