Weekly 4-H Update

Communications >> 4-H Update >> Volume 11, Number 33..................................... September 21, 2007
4-H Weekly Update

Attachments:

:: Tax Exempt Status
:: Electronic Filing Requirements
:: Certification of 4-H Groups
:: Sample SS-4 Form


Don’t Throw Away Your Tax-Exempt Status!

National 4-H Headquarters has published three new Fact Sheets related to 4-H Tax Exempt Status. They are related in part to the changes in IRS regulations passed by Congress. They include:

  • Tax Exempt Status for 4-H Clubs and Affiliated 4-H Organizations
  • Electronic Filing Requirements for 4-H Groups
  • Certification of 4-H Groups under National 4-H Tax Exempt Status
  • A Sample SS-4 Form to assist groups in applying for an Employee Identification Number.

There are additional forms you may want to download for reference on:

  • Livestock sales, auctions and similar events
  • IRS 4-H livestock sale FAQs
  • Fund-raising: Private support for the 4-H program
  • Raffles, lotteries, gaming and 4-H

These forms are attached to Update and can also be found at www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/ under the Tax Exempt link in the banner on the left-hand side of the screen.

There are no exemptions from the new electronic filing requirements. Given that the new requirements were created for organizations – such as 4-H – which have a parent organization and a large number of subsidiaries, we will not be granted an exemption. In the past, is has been impossible for National 4-H Headquarters to document to the IRS an accurate listing of subsidiaries. This has resulted in legitimate 4-H clubs getting eliminated from our listing, and has allowed groups not authorized as part of 4-H to slip in and register for exempt status without our knowledge.

There are two issues which we need to pay attention:

  1. The IRS does not recognize a single family group as a qualified subsidiary for inclusion under the national 4-H Group Exemption Number. Independent groups or families potentially jeopardize the special tax exempt status continuing to be granted by the IRS to the 4-H program. This is in part because a) it is a more “private” organization than “public” and b) there is a lack of accountability to others in the community. The implication of this IRS decision is that family clubs may not engage in fund-raising activities in the name of 4-H which donors could claim as tax deductions.
  2. In October we will receive a complete list of 4-H clubs and organizations registered with the IRS. We will have until December to review, make changes and return our state listing certifying that included groups meet all requirements and are in good standing with our program. There will probably be many additions and deletions to this list for which we will need your help.

— Dale Leidheiser

Voices of Strength 2008

The deadline for the annual capacity building workshop of Assets for Colorado Youth is coming up in six weeks. This is a unique learning experience for youth and adults to transform their homes, schools and communities into places where youth thrive academically, socially and emotionally. 4-H has had a long and close relationship with Assets - take time to put some of the best practices of 4-H into the headlights! The workshop proposal form is located at:
http://www.colorado4h.org/communications/update/2007/VoicesOfStrength.pdf. — Dale Leidheiser

New on the 4-H Brand Network: National 4-H Week Kit
4-H Set

Materials for National 4-H Week 2007 are available at
www.4-HBrandNetwork.org. Bookmarks, print ads and posters showcasing 4-H’s great work in science, engineering and technology (4-H SET) programs are downloadable for you to begin planning for National 4-H Week – October 7-13, 2007. Many more materials are available including a brochure, certificates, placemats, Web banners and other event materials.

And did you know that the 4-H Brand Network also has a variety of other promotional materials including the new 4-H Volunteer Recruitment kit? It also has tips and how-to’s to promote 4-H most effectively in your community.

Stay tuned to both Clover Corner News and 4-HBrandNetwork.org as many more exciting materials are added!
To learn more about 4-H SET, go to http://www.fourhcouncil.edu/set.aspx. Please contact Allyson McMahan at amcmahan@fourhcouncil.edu or 301.961.2915 if you have any questions. — Ellen Butler

Healthy Sprouts Awards

Supporting Awareness of Nutrition and Hunger

In many U.S. schools, statistics show that you'll find children who are overweight and others wondering where their next meal will come from; many are not getting the right balance of nutrients in their diets or enough exercise. Research conducted at Texas A&M University supports the connection between kids' food gardens and improved nutrition. Could a school garden be part of the solution to the diet- and exercise-related challenges children face? Many forward-thinking educators and parents think so, and have worked to create youth garden programs that focus on nutrition and hunger issues.

As a way to encourage the growth of health-focused youth gardens, NGA recognizes outstanding programs via the Healthy Sprouts Awards, sponsored by Gardener's Supply. These awards support school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible for the 2007 Healthy Sprouts Awards, your school or organization must plan to garden in 2008 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and nutrition and hunger issues in the United States.

This year we will present awards to 20 schools or organizations. Each program will receive:

  • gift certificates towards the purchase of gardening materials from our sponsoring company, Gardener's Supply. The top 5 will each receive a certificate valued at $500; 15 more will each receive a $200 gift certificate
  • NGA's Eat a Rainbow Kit, chock full of engaging taste education and nutrition lessons
  • 25 packets of seeds
  • a literature package from NGA (includes The Little Book of Expert Tips, The Book of Tomatoes, The Book of Lettuce and Greens, Steps to a Bountiful Kids’ Garden, and the Growing Ideas quarterly newsletter)
  • NGA Supporter benefits for one year.

Applications must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2007.

For more information please go to: http://www.kidsgardening.com/healthysprouts.asp
— Ellen Butler

Free Publications Available from the National Institutes of Health
Students Learn the Science of Drug Abuse

Classes are officially in session, but parents, teachers, agents and volunteers can still supplement student studies. Now students can learn about the science of drug abuse, and teachers can receive help with lesson planning, by ordering FREE publications from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

NIDA, part of the National Institutes of Health, has created a health education campaign to keep students, parents, and educators in the loop all year long. Now in its fifth year, the NIDA Goes Back to School campaign is the source for FREE publications that teach students of all ages about the consequences of drug abuse.

Students can journey through the brain and body to learn about the effects of drug abuse. Parents can get tips on talking to their children about the dangers of drugs. And teachers can enhance classroom activities with colorful handouts, informative magazines, and student and teacher editions of new publications.

And there’s more. NIDA recently adapted its materials to meet the needs of Spanish-speaking populations. The Institute offers a variety of FREE Spanish-language materials for students, parents, and teachers.

Order these FREE publications for individual use, or place a bulk order to add a measure of science to your school enrichment activities or special events.

To order:

Please share this message with others via e-mail, e-newsletter, newsletter, or listserv. For more information, please visit www.backtoschool.drugabuse.gov!
— Jan Carroll

Blue Ribbon Reminder of October Data - DUE Soon! - PLEASE READ!!!

County Directors/Agents, if you are receiving this message in place of your Administrative Support, please PRINT this out and give to him/her ASAP!

The Blue Ribbon Youth Enrollment ES237 & Youth Data is due by Monday, October 1, 2007 (or earlier if you wish!). Did you apply the upgrade? This MUST be done BEFORE you begin the ES237 process! The file to download is located at http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ye -- click the “Required Update” link. All enrollment drops and project completions will need to be complete before sending your final report to the state office. If your county fair is later in September or early October, please contact me ASAP and I'll be happy to give you an extension but you must contact me! My final report is due to the National 4-H Headquarters by Nov. 1, no later!

1) BACKUP your Youth files BEFORE you begin this process!!! (http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ye/help/backup_youth.pdf)

2) Did you enter all of your Group Youth Enrollments, Volunteer and Leader Information? These are to capture youth that are NOT enrolled in the Blue Ribbon database. Remember under the Group Youth Enrollment there is a $1/person fee for each youth under the Special Interest category.

3) For a complete step-by-step ES237 process go to: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ye/. Click on "ES237 in a Nutshell" and print off these instructions.

4) Whether you email or use regular mail, EVERYONE will need to fill out and sign the following form: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ye/forms/enrollverification.doc ****PLEASE DO NOT SEND CHECKS WITH THIS FORM - PLEASE WAIT UNTIL ACCOUNTING SENDS YOUR INVOICE, IF NEEDED (Your account should be up to date, but any final billing will be from the CE Accounting Office ONLY)****

I use the following methods to find the accurate numbers to provide to Accounting. For Enrollments -- Open Blue Ribbon -- Select ES237 | ES237 Verification -- Check Members and Cloverbuds (this report includes ALL New, Return, and Terminated Members -- Click Preview -- when the report is generated go to the last page and that is the total community club number which is multiplied by 5. Special Interest numbers are found by Selecting ES237 | ES237 Statistical Report -- Click "Test-Group Data" under "Testing Report" and "Member/Leader Stats" under "Report" Type, click Preview, Click "OK" when message appears. Let the report run and on the first page under Line #2, under the total column that is the number used which is multiplied by 1. There is no need to print either of these reports, as I will be double checking all totals upon arrival.

5) Don't forget to email, mail or fax me your data and final reports!

6) There have been a couple of questions regarding the Enrollment Forms -- they are being adjusted and will be available soon. The link is at:
http://www.colorado4h.org/enroll/index.shtml (Select the appropriate Enrollment Form by clicking on the link.)

7) Once I have received and approved your final report you will personally get an email that you may continue with "Year End Processing" instructions.

And finally, I would like to make sure that everyone knows there is a Blue Ribbon training link (see below) available for everyone’s use. New staff definitely should check this out and call if you have any questions. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/blueribbon/

Please call me at 970.491.3887 if you have questions. Thanks! — Joy Bauder


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Updated Friday, February 08, 2008.