“The Foundation for the Gator Nation” an Equal Opportunity Institution. Volunteering In The Panhandle April – May - June 2009, Vol. 1, No. 1, Page 1 of 10 Welcome to Volunteering In The Panhandle! Letter From The Editor Whitney Cherry Calhoun County 4-H Agent You may think that as a volunteer you are here to help agents, and to some degree that is true. You are essential to the success of our programs. However, we all know that you are really here to help develop essential life skills in youth. Recently the thoughts of our district 4-H agents have turned to you, and how we can better help to prepare you for the awesome task you take on when you sign up to work with 4-H in the capacity of a volunteer. This newsletter is our feeble attempt to do so. It is just one tool that we are preparing to help you feel more secure in your role. You can look forward to an issue of this newsletter every quarter. We are in the process of developing a webpage for you that will be the home of this newsletter and countless other helpful tidbits. You are the focus of this effort, and our goal is to keep you up-to-date with current volunteer practices, and to help you see that you are not alone; that indeed there are others, and you are all enjoying success. As this newsletter evolves it will become better, and we count on your feed back to help make it so. Please feel free to contact me or your county 4-H agent(s) to let us know what you enjoy or would like to see changed in the publication. Thank you for your commitment and dedication “To Making The Best Better”. Solutions Through Helping! Provided By Your 4-H Extension Agents in Northwest Florida April - May - June 2009, Vol. 1, No. 1, Volunteering In The Panhandle In This Issue Chaperoning Overnight Trips Pg. 2 Shooting Sports Training Pg. 3 Life Savers Pg. 4 Nutrition Nuggets Pg. 4 Garden Activity Pg. 5 4-H’ers Learn To Serve Pg. 6 Inspirational Thought Pg. 6 Salute to the Centennial Pg. 7 Calendar of Events Pg. 8 Contact Information Pg. 9
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“The Foundation for the Gator Nation” an Equal Opportunity Institution. Volunteering In The Panhandle April – May - June 2009, Vol. 1, No. 1,
Page 1 of 10
Welcome to Volunteering In The Panhandle!
Letter From The Editor
Whitney Cherry
Calhoun County 4-H Agent
You may think that as a volunteer
you are here to help agents, and to some
degree that is true. You are essential to the
success of our programs. However, we all
know that you are really here to help
develop essential life skills in youth.
Recently the thoughts of our district 4-H
agents have turned to you, and how we can
better help to prepare you for the awesome
task you take on when you sign up to work
with 4-H in the capacity of a volunteer. This
newsletter is our feeble attempt to do so. It
is just one tool that we are preparing to help
you feel more secure in your role.
You can look forward to an issue of
this newsletter every quarter. We are in the
process of developing a webpage for you
that will be the home of this newsletter and
countless other helpful tidbits. You are the
focus of this effort, and our goal is to keep
you up-to-date with current volunteer
practices, and to help you see that you are
not alone; that indeed there are others, and
you are all enjoying success.
As this newsletter evolves it will
become better, and we count on your feed
back to help make it so. Please feel free to
contact me or your county 4-H agent(s) to
let us know what you enjoy or would like to
see changed in the publication.
Thank you for your commitment and
dedication “To Making The Best Better”.
Solutions Through Helping! Provided By Your 4-H Extension Agents in Northwest Florida
April - May - June 2009, Vol. 1, No. 1,
Volunteering In The Panhandle
In This Issue
Chaperoning Overnight Trips Pg. 2
Shooting Sports Training Pg. 3
Life Savers Pg. 4
Nutrition Nuggets Pg. 4
Garden Activity Pg. 5
4-H’ers Learn To Serve Pg. 6
Inspirational Thought Pg. 6
Salute to the Centennial Pg. 7
Calendar of Events Pg. 8
Contact Information Pg. 9
“The Foundation for the Gator Nation” an Equal Opportunity Institution. Volunteering In The Panhandle April – May - June 2009, Vol. 1, No. 1,
Page 2 of 10
Making The Best Better
Tips for Chaperoning Overnight 4-H
Events
Heather Kent
Northwest District Regional Specialized
Agent
Studies have shown that 4-H members who
get involved in 4-H events and activities
beyond the county level have stronger
leadership and communication skills.
Fortunately, 4-H provides LOTS of
opportunities at the district, state, and
national levels for 4-H youth and volunteers.
You may have already been asked to
chaperone an overnight activity such as
camp, congress, or executive board. Within
the next year, Florida 4-H will begin
implementing a certification program for all
overnight volunteer chaperones, but until
then, here are a few tips should you find
yourself in that situation: Basic Chaperone Responsibilities:
All chaperones MUST be screened by the 4-H agent
Be familiar with the Florida 4-H code of conduct and dress code. Chaperones are expected to adhere to both of these (just like the youth)!
Be aware of your responsibilities- if you’re not sure, discuss with the 4-H agent or staff in charge of the event. Basic responsibilities include: Supervising youth during the
entire event or activity Encouraging youth participation
Being a team member with the other chaperones and staff at the event
Helping with logistics May also include transporting
youth to and from the event Transporting Youth:
Avoid transporting one youth alone in a vehicle.
Size of van matters – 7-12 passengers acceptable; 15 passenger vans are not recommended.
Driver must be at least 18 years of age with valid license and liability insurance, and 2 years of successful driving.
Personal insurance is primary when in personal vehicle.
Must have seatbelts for all passengers, and use them.
Be aware of specific county policies.
Carry participation forms on all youth Basic Risk Management Practices:
Never put yourself in the position of working alone with a 4-H member.
When talking with youth, keep doors open.
Keep conversations friendly, but avoid sensitive personal issues. If being asked about a sensitive personal issue that needs to be dealt with immediately
follow the rule above and inform the event coordinator and/or extension agent.
Youth are not to be housed in the same room as the volunteer chaperone.
Maintain proper youth/adult ratios:
One adult per 5 youth ages 5-7 One adult to 8 youth 8-10 One adult per 10 youth ages 11
and older.
“The Foundation for the Gator Nation” an Equal Opportunity Institution. Volunteering In The Panhandle April – May - June 2009, Vol. 1, No. 1,
Page 3 of 10
Making The Best Better
When conducting “bed checks” for curfew, two female adult chaperones to check the rooms of male youth participants and vice versa.
Respect privacy- everyone has different comfort levels!
Be alert to physical and emotional health.
NEVER use physical punishment or withhold basic needs. If a youth is in violation of the code of conduct or dress code, report to the staff in charge of the event. Florida 4-H has a review board process in place for dealing with discipline problems.