Author: Lydia Flores

Ohio 4-H Planning Guide for In-person Meetings & Events

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We know a majority of everyone is ready to return to in-person club meetings, trainings, and events. However, we must consider everyone’s safety and health by following the provided guidelines. Updated information effective January 16, 2021 includes:

  • Hosting virtual meetings and events is preferred.
  • If activities are critical/essential and are in-person, they must be education-focused.
  • Group cannot be larger than 50 people, including adults, youth, presenters, etc.
    • This directive is dependent on local health department guidelines.
    • The group size may need to be reduced to 10 (or other amount), based on the
      directives of your local health department.

      • In Morgan County, our health department is following the state guidelines provided by the Governor of 10 people or less for in-person gatherings.
      • Now, if you want to meet in-person that will include more than 10 people and have the space for everyone to be social distanced, there is an 4-H Club Action Plan template for you to use. You may ONLY edit the highlighted areas with your club information. Once you complete this document, you will send it to Lindsey Gates lindsay.gates@morgancounty-oh.gov and Jeff Michaels jeff.michaels@morgancounty-oh.gov at the county health department. They will need to review the plan with Dr. Clark and approve it before you have your meeting.
        • If you have any questions about the plan or need to make adjustments for your club, contact Lydia Flores.191@osu.edu (740-252-5430).
  • Face masks are required.
    • This includes inside AND outside at all times.
    • Program participants and parent/guardians ages five and older must wear a mask.
    • Medical conditions or disability exceptions are also permitted.
  • Potlucks and buffets are not permitted.

Any time your county is designated a Level 4 Public Health Emergency (color-coded purple) or is approaching purple (red with an asterisk) by the Ohio Department of Health, all in-person 4-H club meetings and events must be held virtually or postponed until the designation changes to Level 3 or below. Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System updates are at https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/public-health-advisory-system/

In addition to the guidance from the Ohio Department of Health, county and city health departments are releasing local health advisories limiting activities or encouraging additional caution. When a local health advisory is in effect, 4-H club meetings and activities must follow that guidance when it is more restrictive than these guidelines.

REMINDER: 2021 Ohio 4-H Conference

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The 2021 Virtual Ohio 4-H Conference will bring together 4-H volunteers and teens (age 13 and older) from across Ohio. You can participate in a variety of educational sessions that offer something for everyone! Join us as we learn from one another to make the best better for Ohio 4-H programs.

Virtual sessions will start at 9:00 am on February 20 and 7:00 pm on February 23 & 25. Also, the conference is free this year.

Review the session descriptions in the booklet: Session Book

Be sure to register for this virtual event by Friday, February 12: CLICK HERE

This information can also be found on the Ohio 4-H website: https://ohio4h.org/events/ohio-4-h-conference

Volunteer Resources

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Club advisors that are looking to start up their club meetings this year – Check out our county website for some resources for meetings with clubs in-person and/or virtually!

Here is the link: https://morgan.osu.edu/program-areas/4-h-youth-development/volunteer-resources

Some items available are:

  • The annual financial summary form
  • Club charter checklist
  • A grab & go meeting toolkit – this provides you with 6 meeting agendas to choose from or you can use all of them
  • In-person meeting guidelines
  • Virtual meeting resources – agenda, recreation, community service, and how to Zoom

We will continue to update this page on our website throughout the year to make sure you all have the resources you need to effectively manage your club.

Annual Policy 1.50 Training

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There are a couple options for completing this annual training this year as a 4-H volunteer.

  1. Online Course: This allows you to complete the training on your own time and at your own pace. You will create an account in the course system then complete each module. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate via email. This must be completed by June 1.
    1. If you need access to a computer or internet, contact the office to schedule an appointment to borrow our spare computer and/or use our internet.
    2. Here is the link: https://cfaesosu.catalog.instructure.com/courses/2021-osu-policy-150-annual-training-4h-v7-00q3
    3. Fill out the registration form. Name and email addresses are required. It is okay to enter “0” for phone number and zip code. Enter “NA” for title and company.
    4. After filling out the registration form, you will receive two emails from Canvas Catalog. One email will ask you to complete your registration, the other will confirm your enrollment in your course(s).
    5. After creating your account to complete required training, we encourage you to bookmark the login page at https://scarlet.instructure.com/login/canvas
  2. Online Zoom: I have scheduled a training to take place via Zoom. Please call the office or email me by 4:30pm on March 26 to register. The Zoom link will only be sent to those who register. The online training will take place on Tuesday, March 30 at 7:00pm.
  3. In-person: I have scheduled a training to take place in-person (subject to change). Since location and spacing is an obstacle to overcome, please call the office or email me by 4:30pm on June 1 to register. The training will take place on Thursday, June 17 at 7:00pm.

Ohio 4-H Conference

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The 2021 Virtual Ohio 4-H Conference will bring together 4-H volunteers and teens (age 13 and older) from across Ohio. You can participate in a variety of educational sessions that offer something for everyone! Join us as we learn from one another to make the best better for Ohio 4-H programs.

Virtual sessions will start at 9:00 am on February 20 and 7:00 pm on February 23 & 25. There will be no charge for those attending this year’s conference.  Those wishing to attend the conference will be able to register themselves.  Registration deadline will be Friday, February 12 at 5:00 pm. More details and information can be found at www.go.osu.edu/2021O4HC

Session details: Registration Booklet

You must register online: 4-H Conference Registration

Annual Financial Summary

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All Club Volunteers:

The annual financial report is due January 31, 2021 and remember to submit the December 2019 or January 2020 bank statement AND the December 2020 bank statement if your club has a checking or savings account. If your club does not have a checking or savings account, then you would put zero in all of the amount areas on the form.

You have two options to complete the report:
Option 1: Complete the paper copy and mail or drop it off at the office with
your bank statements. DO NOT fax or scan/email due to the sensitive information on the
form.
Option 2: Complete the form online through a secure site and bring the bank statements
to the office by the January 31, 2021 deadline. Go to: ohio4h.org; click Volunteers, then
click Club Volunteers, then click Finances, and under that section you will see “Ohio 4-H
Annual Financial Summary” and follow the instructions to complete and submit online.

Click here for the paper copy (under Volunteer Resources): Annual Financial Summary

Since our office is open a limited basis starting January 19, 2021, the options to turn in a paper copy is to either mail it to the OSU Extension office, PO Box 179, McConnelsville, OH 43756 or schedule an appointment to drop it off.

Current Office Hours are (subject to change):

Mondays 1:00 – 4:00pm

Tuesdays 1:00 – 4:00pm

Thursdays 8:00am – Noon

Fridays 12:30 – 2:30pm

Grab & Go Club Meeting Toolkit

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Overview

The Ohio 4-H Grab & Go Club Meeting Toolkit provides 4-H volunteers and teen leaders with seven (7) club meeting agendas to help plan for the 4-H year. Each agenda is two pages. The first page provides an overview of the topic, a sample agenda and resources to put ideas into action. The second page provides in-depth explanations and specific strategies.

Agenda Title Pages
#1: Family Meeting Kick-Off 2-3
#2: Icebreakers/Team Building 4-5
#3: Election of Officers 6-7
#4: Public Speaking Activities 8-9
#5: Educational Programs 10-11
#6: Planning Club Fundraisers 12-13
#7: End of Year Review 14-15

Go Virtual

Each agenda highlights how to adapt in-person 4-H activities to a virtual setting. Clubs may discover creative solutions that remain part of their club tradition for years to come.

Include Cloverbuds

Each agenda highlights strategies for including Cloverbuds in developmentally appropriate, non-competitive club activities.

You can find this resource on the Ohio 4-H website, under Club Leaders>Club Management, Resources, Policies and Procedures: https://ohio4h.org/volunteers/volunteers/club-leaders/club-management-resources-policies-and-procedures.

Here’s a go link that takes you directly to the document: https://go.osu.edu/clubmeetingtoolkit

2021 4-H Calendar

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We have finished the 2021 4-H Calendar, but we have been unable to send out a copy to volunteers like in past years. Therefore, we have shared the first 3 months of the calendar under the 4-H Calendar tab found on the blog’s homepage. https://u.osu.edu/4hmorgancounty/calendar/

Please note: This calendar is subject to change. Most locations will be updated or shared as the event approaches.

We plan on posting more of the calendar when we have a better idea of what to expect this year for Ohio 4-H. If you have any questions regarding certain events, reach out to the OSU Extension office.

4-H enrollment is still due April 1st! We are currently working on enrollment information for this year since we are moving to an online format.

Welcoming New Volunteers

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Do you know anyone interested in becoming a volunteer for 4-H? The application to become a new volunteer in 2021 for Morgan County is now available as a printable document or an online survey.

This application is the first step in the process of being selected to serve in this role. You can find the new volunteer packet (printable document) and online survey link at morgan.osu.edu/4-HBasics

Trainings and interviews take place in late January/early February, so please try to turn in your application by January 15th.

NOTE: the OSU Extension office is currently closed until January 18th, 2021. At this time, appointment only times for the office will resume after January 18th. If you print off an application, please mail it to the office at PO Box 179, McConnelsville, OH 43756

Returning Volunteers – information on re-enrollment is still being finalized and will be sent out by mid-January.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind SPIN Club

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Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 pm January 19, 26 February 2,9,16 and 23
Join 4-Hers from across the state as we learn fun ways to keep our body and mind healthy. Yoga for Kids, games, activities and more all in the comfort of your home and in our virtual SPIN club setting.
Location: Zoom

Cost: Free to join, some supplies will be suggested for activities.

Details: Open to all 4-H Aged youth 8-18. Register at: http://go.osu.edu/healthymindsSPIN

Register by January 14 to join in!

Presented by: 4-H Professionals: Frances Foos, Lori Now, Amanda Raines, and Cassie Turner