• Dec. 26-28: University holidays, offices closed
• Jan. 2: University holiday, offices closed
• Jan. 5-8: Western 4-H Roundup, Denver
• Jan. 16: University holiday, offices closed
• Jan 28-29: Leadership Development Conference, Denver
• Jan 30: 4-H Day at the Capitol, Denver

PDF / Word Attachments:

• State 4-H Conference planning committee form

4-H Day at the Capitol…

Each year the Colorado General Assembly, as well as Governor Owens, proclaims the last Monday of January as Colorado 4-H Day. 4-H Day is held annually in conjunction with the Leadership Development Conference. In celebration of this event, 4-H is sponsoring a special breakfast for all of the State Legislatures at the Capitol.

This is a “heads-up” to let you know that we are asking the Champion and Reserve Champion winners from the All Foods Projects at the Colorado State Fair to bake their prize winning recipe and deliver it to their 4-H Extension agent by Friday, Jan. 27, 2006. (They are not required to attend.) Also, we will be asking the winners to bake at least two loaves if they are baking bread or at least two dozen cookies or muffins to insure that we will have enough food for everyone. Letters to the winners will be going out this week. All agents will receive a copy of the letter as well.

Please contact me at 970.491.0246 if you have questions. Thanks for your support! — Melissa Oliver

Colorado 4-H Youth Fund Update

The Colorado 4-H Youth Fund has a new website! Visit them at http://give4h.colostate.edu. Now making a gift to the Youth Fund is easier than ever. Just click on “Make a Gift” and continue to help youth in Colorado learn citizenship, leadership and life skills. Your support helps keep 4-H in Colorado strong. For more information please contact me at 970.491.1537 or rfry@coop.ext.colostate.edu. Thank you! — Becky Fry

Congratulations Broomfield County!

What’s the newest county in the country? Broomfield County! What’s the first club in the newest county? The Best of Broomfield 4-H Club! They have just received their club charter signed by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Director of Youth Development at CSREES, the Interim Director of Extension, Director of 4-H Youth Development and the County Director! Congratulations to the Best of Broomfield! — Dale Leidheiser

Colorado State 4-H Conference Planning Committee

We’re looking for youth, volunteers and agents to participate on the 2006 State 4-H Conference Planning Committee! We’ll meet face-to-face during the Leadership Development Conference and then by teleconference leading up to the event. Nominate yourself or others who have good ideas to contribute and would benefit from the experience. The deadline for applications is Jan. 15, 2006. — Dale Leidheiser

National 4-H Council Program Assistant

Facilitate National 4-H Council’s educational programs by working with groups from all over the United States and the world. National 4-H Council programs are intense and exciting learning experiences for youth and adults. PAs make these programs successful by using their skills and knowledge to help the participants gain the most possible and have the most positive experience during their stay in Washington, D.C. and at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. The hours of a program assistant are very long, usually averaging between 50-60 hours a week and includes evenings, weekends and holidays.

Program Assistants for the Wonders of Washington (WOW) and Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) programs must be able to successfully fulfill the requirements of the D.C. Tour Guide License. Application deadline for summer programs is Jan. 30. Go to http://www.4hcwf.org/programassistant.aspx for applications and more information. — Dale Leidheiser

Girls and Technology

What Does the New Face of Technology Look Like?
Did you know that a background in mathematics or computing is the ticket to a fun and rewarding career? Jobs like running shoe designer, Hollywood sound engineer, bio-technology researcher, and robot creator require skills with numbers, patterns, relationships, and problem-solving. Girls excel in these skills, but often they’re not encouraged to develop them in school or at home.

Educate her. It’s the right thing for a bright future.
The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that more than two million professional technology-related jobs will be added to our workforce by 2012. There is enormous demand for qualified technology professionals - occupations that rank among the highest paying and fastest growing - but if current trends continue, we will graduate only half the number of qualified candidates to fill these jobs. We must encourage more girls to choose computer science, engineering and technology coursework during their years in middle and high school.

You probably know a girl who will be making a career choice in the next few years. Research indicates that influence from family members and role models and simple awareness are the most powerful factors in how girls make choices about their futures. We need girls’ participation in our innovations, our solutions, and our workforce: you can make a difference.

Spread the word.
In partnership with the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), Cisco Systems® is building a collection of resources for girls, parents, and educators about mathematics, computing, technology and engineering, including:

• Tips for encouraging your daughter to excel in math, computing, and technology
• Sample lesson plans for teaching computing to girls (and boys)
• Information about interesting careers in technology
• Details about local clubs, programs, and summer camps for girls and technology

Make a difference.

• Tell girls that they can pursue a technology career
• Encourage them to take courses in middle and high school that give them options
• Show them the range of interesting jobs that await them upon graduation from college
• Remind them that technology isn't gender-biased!

You can help ensure a strong future by encouraging girls to get involved with technology. Go to www.ncwit.org/cisco to get started. — Jan Carroll