November 2020
Cumberland County 4-H News
4-H Calendar
State 4-H News
4-H Club Happenings
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
November 1: Paul Merrill Applications due to Extension Office
November 2 – 20: Donation Drive for the Preble Street Resource Center. Drop off or ship items to the UMaine Extension Cumberland office 75 Clearwater Dr., Ste. 104, Falmouth, Maine 04105 any weekday 8:00AM – 6:00PM
November 15: 990N E-Postcard due to IRS
November 16: 4-H Maker Program
November 19: CC 4-H Leaders meeting, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Online, Officer Elections
November 24: Last day to register for Winterfest Bingo & Art Project
You’re Invited to Winterfest – Sunday, December 6, 2020, 1:00 – 3:15PM via Zoom
Winterfest is a fun-filled celebration and an opportunity to recognize 4-H youth who will receive county awards, as well as volunteers. This year the Teen Council has decided to host an online version of the awards ceremony, complete with secret awards envelopes mailed to awardees. We will also have a 4-H Bingo Game (with prizes of course!) and an arts & crafts project, so be sure to sign up at the link below in order to get your Bingo card or craft project supplies mailed to you. Family members & volunteers are welcome and encouraged to participate in all portions of Winterfest! There is no need to register for the Awards Ceremony. All enrolled 4-Her’s and volunteers will automatically receive the link for Winterfest (same link for all three parts). However, you must register by November 24th in order to get a Bingo Card and/or Art Supplies. You do not need to be a 4-Her to participate.
Tentative Schedule: Awards Ceremony: 1:00 – 1:40PM****4-H Bingo Game: 1:50 – 2:30PM****Art Project: 2:40 – 3:15PM
Registration for Bingo & Art Project – Due by November 24, 2020
Teen Council Special Interest (SPIN) Leadership Club is Looking for Members
Like everything, Teen Council will look a little different this year. We are looking for members between the ages of 12 and 18 who are interested in gaining more leadership and event planning skills. This year the Teen Council will include six meeting/events November-April and the opportunity to plan our newest County event, True Leaders in Service.
Tentative Meeting Schedule:
Tuesday, December 1st: Tentatively in Person – Falmouth, 4:00-6:00 PM, Prepare for Winterfest (sort pins, create mailing packets, etc.)
Sunday, December 6th: Winterfest – via Zoom 1:00 – 3:30PM
Monday, January 25th, 6:00 – 7:00PM via Zoom: Brainstorm Ideas for True Leaders in Service Event
Thursday, March 11th: Tentatively in Person – Falmouth, 4:30 – 6:30PM – Team Building and Plan supplies for True Leaders in Service Event
March/April: True Leaders in Service Event – Location, time & date TBD by council
There may also be an optional Group Team Building Outing – location and activity to be determined by the council and based on current Covid-19 protocol.
Email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207.781.6099 if you’re interested in learning more or joining Teen Council!
Re-Enrollment Paperwork
If you received re-enrollment paperwork in the mail, please check with your club leader to determine if they want you to send the paperwork directly to them or to our 4-H office in Falmouth. Club leaders, please let Sara know your plans for having youth and volunteers return paperwork and let her know if you will need copies of any forms, or a roster.
IRS 990 N E-Postcard Filing Reminder: Due November 15, 2020
All 4-H Clubs must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service. If you have already applied for and received an EIN and had this number for the tax year July 2019 – June 2020 you must file a 990N E-Postcard. Detailed instructions are available online from the IRS and have been updated on the Additional Volunteer Policies B.1. page (under the heading, B.1.9 Tax-Exempt Status of 4-H Organizations) of the state 4-H website. If you need assistance with filing or would like the County 4-H Office to file for you, please email or call Sara, sara.conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099.
The Leaders Association is Holding Elections for 2020-2022 Officers on November 19, 2020
The Leaders Association is holding elections at the November 19th meeting and are taking nominations for Officers. There can be nominations for any of the positions from the floor. Anyone who is a certified 4-H volunteer interested in running please contact Kristi Wright, fromawayfarmfamily1972@gmail.com.
Current Slate of Officers:
- President: Kristi Wright
- Vice President: Pat Stack
- Treasurer: Stan Moreau
- Secretary: Nicole Foster
The Leaders Association meeting to vote in these Officers will be held November 19, via Zoom, 7:00PM. All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend!
7th Annual UMaine Extension Cumberland Staff and Volunteer Donation Drive for the Preble Street Resource Center
The UMaine Extension Cumberland County office will be collecting donations of winter clothing and new toiletry items to benefit the Preble Street Resource Center from November 2 – 20, 2020. Donations may be dropped off in the lobby of the UMaine Regional Learning Center (75 Clearwater Dr. Ste 104, Falmouth, ME) Monday-Friday, 8:00AM – 6:00PM. There will be a labeled tote in the lobby outside the suite door to collect all donations. NEW this year, you can purchase items online at any of your favorite retailers and ship them to our office, at the address above, Attn:Donation Drive.
The mission of Preble Street is to provide barrier-free service to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty, and to advocate for solutions to these problems.
We will happily accept any clothing or toiletry items on behalf of the Resource Center but here are the items currently of greatest need that we would like to be able to provide them with:
- New unopened travel/sample sized toiletries – especially razors, deodorants, & travel-sized first aid kits
- Warm, sturdy gloves – all adult sizes
- Sturdy, warm, everyday clothing – all adult sizes
- Pants – Men 36″ waist & smaller; Women size 8 & smaller
- Sweatshirts & Coats – L, XL, & XXL+
For any questions about this donation drive, please email sara.conant@maine.edu, or call us at 207-781-6099.
State 4-H News November 2020
4-H Virtual Teen Science Cafes for Fall 2020
This fall, join us on Thursdays from 3:30 – 4:30 pm, as we meet with cool presenters and learn about their research and pathway to UMaine! This November, we have a great assortment of topics including Fish Behavior on November 5th, Electrical Engineering on November 12th, and Engineers Without Borders on November 19th – future topics will be listed on the website, if you have a suggestion for a topic – please email Alice Philbrick. Register today at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/teen-virtual-science-cafes/.
Every Wednesday, you have the opportunity to participate in The University of Vermont’s VTeen Science Exploration – these are a similar format and run from 3:30 – 4:45 pm. On their announcements page, scroll down to VTeen Science Exploration for details about the different offerings, and registration links: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements
To view spring session webinars, visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/learn-at-home/recordings-teen-virtual-science-cafes-march-31-june-9-2020/.
Virtual National Youth Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summit Applications for 2021 are Available Now!
The National Youth Summits on Agri-Science and Healthy Living will be held virtually this year allowing us to add more youth to our teams. Attendees will learn more about their area of interest by attending interactive workshops, and pitching their own action plan ideas. The Summits were created to empower youth to be well-informed citizens, expand engineering and agriculture experience, and increase connections to living a healthy lifestyle, all while being actively engaged in their communities.
Healthy Living: February 11 – 14, 2021
Agri-Science: March 4 – 7, 2021
Eligibility: Youth ages 14-18, enrolled in 4-H by December 31, 2020 – this year youth may enroll in Maine 4-H solely in order to attend the Summits and participate on the team.
Cost: $75.00 – we are currently working on funding sources and expect the participant cost to be closer to $25.00 per youth.
Application: https://forms.gle/4wuEj2mzr4ZZWoXN9– This is a combined application for both the Agri-Science and Healthy Living Summits. Please note that references are not required this year.
For more information about the National Youth Summits please visit: https://4hcenter.org/tours-programs/national-youth-summits/ or check out the application for more details. Email or call Sara, conant@maine.edu, 207-781-6099, with any questions. Applications are due by December 11, 2020.
4-H Legos Club
Calling all creators, builders, and Lego fans! You are invited to join the 4-H virtual lego club, a place to show off your creations, challenge your skills, and perhaps meet a new friend or two! Each week you will be challenged to create a build based on a theme. We will share our creations, provide feedback, and connect with other kids across the state.
This is open to youth ages 8 – 15, space is limited to 12 youth.
Mondays from 2:00 – 3:00 pm – November 9, 16, 23, 30
To register: https://extension.umaine.edu/register/product/4-hlegosclub/
4-H Gratitude Challenge
4-H wants you to take our 2020 Gratitude Challenge! 2020 has not been an easy year, but we still have plenty of reasons to give thanks. Print this calendar and complete each daily task to help show gratitude to your Club, Community, Country, and World. Download your own copy of the calendar from OSU: https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/d/14731/files/2020/10/gratitude-challenge.pdf.
Club Happenings
Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just email sara.conant@maine.edu by the 25th of each month with information about your club meetings, events, or fundraisers. Pictures are always a plus!
Other UMaine Extension Cumberland County News
UMaine Extension Cumberland County offers many different workshops throughout the year. To learn more about our workshop offerings please visit https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/upcoming-events/