December 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
December 31: Enrollments due for returning 4-H members and volunteers
February 4: Public Speaking/Demonstration Day
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 Eavan, 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.
Eligibility For Enrollment Requirements for 2022-2023
Renewing members and clubs are expected to re-enroll between October 1 and December 31 each year. New members may enroll at any time. However, both new and re-enrolling members must be enrolled by December 31 to participate in events and activities such as, but not limited to, state-wide market animal auctions, Eastern States Exposition competitions, National 4-H Congress, CWF, National 4-H Conference, and to be eligible for 4-H post secondary scholarships. In order to participate in county fairs, re-enrolling members are expected to meet the December 31 deadline and new members should be enrolled by April 1. If your club is taking this year off from 4-H meetings and activities you are still encouraged to register for 4-H and participate in County or State events in order to make sure this year counts in your total years in 4-H.
This year’s re-enrollments can be completed online at 4h.zsuite.org. New members may also make an account and enroll themselves online. Tip sheets for doing so were attached to the October newsletter. Additional information is available below under State News. If members, volunteers, or leaders need help with their re-enrollments or have any questions regarding ZSuite, please reach out to Eavan Sibole, eavan.sibolelittle@maine.edu.
For paper enrollment forms, please visit our webpage: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/programs/cumberland-county-4-h/start-up/. All members must fill out three double-sided forms; enrollment form, health form, photo release/participation agreement form in order to be registered for the new 4-H year.
All volunteers must fill out two single-sided forms (enrollment and photo release) and one double-sided behavior and non-discrimination form.
Club leaders, please ask the office for any additional physical enrollment forms or club rosters you will need. We are still in transition to ZSuite and we understand that the transition can be confusing. We’re happy to work with you in making our new database as helpful as possible.
Hannaford Community Bag Fundraiser!
Each month, the Hannaford Community Bag Program gives back to our communities by selecting a nonprofit local to each store to benefit from the purchase of every Community Bag. Hannaford Community Bag Program, launched in October 2015, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. Hannaford Supermarket has chosen Cumberland County 4-H to receive $1 from every Community Bag sold the month of December in their Falmouth location.
Public Speaking/Demonstration Day
This event will occur at 10:00 AM on February 4th at the Inn at the Village Square in Gorham. 4-H members will be able to do either public speaking or a demonstration alone or in groups. The Inn at Village Square is an assisted living facility in Gorham where the All-Star Dairy Club regularly meets with the seniors that live there and they are always looking for more visitors. They are excited for our program to be at their place!
More information will become available closer to the date. For tips on giving a 4-H presentation or demonstration please visit our Giving a 4-H Presentation and Demonstration page.
For questions or more information please reach out to Allison Pollock, allison.pollock@maine.edu.
State 4-H News December 2022
Public Speaking In-Person Workshop
The Maine 4-H Communication Science Team invites all enrolled 4-H members to an in-person workshop on January 21st from 2 – 4 pm. The meeting will be held at the Penobscot County Extension Office in Bangor. Participants will learn how to prepare for county/regional public speaking contests for both Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks. Please contact sheila.norman@maine.edu for more information or to register.
4-H Youth Summit Applications are Now Open!
Applications for the 4-H Youth Summit are now open. The link is here! Applications are due by December 18th.
This year there is ONLY ONE LARGE 4-H Summit. It will combine tracks in Agri-science, Healthy living, and STEM. The Maine 4-H Foundation has once again helped us to fund teams of youth for both Agri-Science and Healthy Living by providing scholarship funds for youth who are selected.
Ignite by 4-H
The 2023 National 4-H Youth Summit to be held in the Washington, DC area, March 9-12, 2023.
High school-aged youth are immersed in an agenda focused on agriscience, healthy living, or STEM. Sessions will be offered within these respective tracks to demonstrate why and how these topics are important and how young people can become changemakers. Find general conference information at https://4-h.org/parents/national-youth-summits/.
If you have any questions please contact Tara Marble at tara.marble@maine.edu, 207.778.4650.
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! Somerset and Aroostook counties are both holding meetings in December.
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: Welcome to Winter
December is here and winter has begun! With it, there are plenty of celebrations and festivities as we say goodbye to another year. Sharing food with family and friends is a big part of this time of year, and many of us have traditions that include special recipes and treats. While many often think of special holiday foods, how many of us think of special holiday drinks? Our friends at Michigan State Extension have shared these great Healthy Hot Drink Recipes, and curling up with a nice warm drink and a cookie (try our Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, Gingerbread Cookie, and Carrot Cookie recipes!) is a great way to spend part of a December day. We wish you all the happiness of the 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 Cathy Gray, cathy.gray@maine.edu, to find out more information.
Currently Scheduled Topics:
- 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/