November 2022 4-H Newsletter

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 15: IRS 990 E-Postcards due

November 17: CC 4-H Leaders Meeting, 7:00-9:00 PM, Online & 80 Huston Road, Gorham, ME

The Leaders Association is Holding Elections for 2022-2023 Board Members

The Leaders Association is holding elections at the November meeting and is taking nominations for President and Vice President positions. 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 Pat Stack, pat.stack70@gmail.com.

Commitment & Benefits for Being a Board Member:

  • Attend all Leaders Association & Board of Directors Meetings of the CC 4-H Leaders Associations. Third Thursday of the month, 7:00-9:00PM: November, November, January, March, May, June (Board), August, September (Board)
  • Guide the direction of Cumberland County 4-H Youth Development Programs including scholarships, camperships, and events.
  • Continue to strengthen the largest 4-H program in Maine through a new volunteer role.

The Leaders Association meeting to vote on these Officers will be held November 17, at Gorham Public Works, 80 Huston Road, Gorham, 7:00 – 9:00 PM.

The November Leader’s Meeting will be held on November 17 at the Gorham Public Works Building at 7:00PM. All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend!

IRS 990 N E-Postcard Filing Reminder: Due November 15, 2022

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 2021 – June 2022 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. Our office is in the process of completing the postcards of the clubs that have normally been completed by Sara.

2023 Winterfest

At this time information, including date and location, are to be determined. If any new information is decided, I will send out information to the mailing list. 

Volunteer Background Checks

Reminder to all volunteers that in order to re-enroll as a 4-H volunteer for the 2022-2023 4-H year, volunteers must complete a re-enrollment, standards of behavior, photo release, and a background check release form, all of which should be completed no later than December 31, 2022. If you have completed a Maine Department of Education Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) within the last two years you may submit a current copy of that from the Maine DOE website to our office as proof of a current background check, and you will not have to complete this background check release form. If you became a 4-H volunteer after January 1, 2020 you will not need to submit a new background check release in 2021 but will be required to complete one during the next three year renewal period in 2024. 

The only way to complete a background check release form is to submit one online at client.verifiedcredentials.com/uofmaine-orono.

If you do not have access to a computer or internet you may come to our office, 75 Clearwater Drive, Suite 104, Falmouth, for assistance. You may also call Sara, 207-781-6099, for assistance. Once you submit your background check release form through this site, please email eavan.sibolelittle@maine.edu that you have completed the form so that she may let UMaine’s Human Resources Department know to process your form.

State 4-H News November 2022

2022-2023 Re-Enrollment Process

There is a new option available for families for the new 4-H Year.  Starting October 1st, families will have the ability to log into their account and complete their re-enrollment, as well as all required forms, online. If you were enrolled for the 2021-2022 year, you can simply visit: https://4h.zsuite.org/ – click “Forgot Password?” and complete the prompts using the email address you receive your 4-H communications to. There is a help menu that offers step-by-step instructions in the system, as well as live chat for questions. You are also welcome to reach out to your county staff or to the State Office at 4-H@maine.edu. If you would prefer to continue to complete paper forms, they can be found online at: https://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/forms/ or by reaching out to your county office.

Independent Member Clubs!

This fall county offices are piloting a new club specifically for independent 4-H members. This is a space for youth to come together and build relationships with their peers. We will share interests, projects, goals, and plans for the year and then reflect on our learning throughout and at the end of the year. This is also a great place to start if you are a new or recently enrolled independent member. We will meet 3 times throughout the year as a group with county staff. This will be a space for youth to foster friendships with peers and possibly come together to work on projects of similar interests. We are even hoping to get the group to brainstorm common interests and work together on a community service project!

Register here! Meetings can be attended either in person or virtually and will be open to all ages. Dates based on county/region.

2022/2023 4-H Volunteer Training Opportunities

As we get ready for the new 4-H year, we are looking forward to offering a variety of learning experiences (both in person and virtual) for our 4-H volunteers. Sessions are free of charge, but require registration. Some sessions have limited space. Visit the 4-H Volunteer Calendar of Training Opportunities to learn more and register! 

EFNEP Recipes: Holiday Season

The holiday season is upon us! While there are many ways we celebrate this time of year, there is one constant theme: food. Whether it’s creating it, sharing it, or giving it, food brings us all together. I have gathered a few special fall and Thanksgiving themed recipes below to share with your friends and family this holiday season:


For more delicious recipes, check out our UMaine EFNEP Mainely Dish Video Series.  By Debbie Barnett (EFNEP CEA in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties – deborah.barnett@maine.edu).

Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) offers FREE nutrition education classes to income-eligible adults with children, or young adults 19-25 years old, and if you are eligible for programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Head Start. Find out more online.

Androscoggin/Sagadahoc 4-H Monthly Workshops – Open to All Maine 4-Hers!


Come join the Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties 4-H program at their monthly workshops – the Third Friday of every month (unless otherwise noted) from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at the Lisbon Extension Office at 24 Main Street. Anyone interested can contact Melissa Freeman, melissa.freeman@maine.edu, or Cathy Gray, cathy.gray@maine.edu, to find out more information.

Currently Scheduled Topics:

  • November 18, 2022 – Card Making
  • December 16, 2022 – Game Night
  • January 20, 2023 – “Getting the Word Out” Digital Marketing
  • February 17, 2023 – Short Film Making
  • March 10, 2023 – Spa & Relaxation Science
  • April 21, 2023 – Movie Premier Night
  • May 19, 2023 – Wool Spinning Workshop

Club Happenings

Your 4-H Club Happenings could be featured here! Just email eavan.sibolelittle@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/