December 07 News

JOHNSON COUNTY 4-H HORSE CLUB DECEMBER NEWSLETTER


Happy Holidays to all the 4-Hers! Before the December meeting officially began, there was glue and red puff balls everywhere as many 4-Hers made Christmas cards to be distributed at Del Mar Gardens. Be sure and save your Holiday cards from this year so we can recycle the fronts for this project in 2008!


December marked the third meeting for Baylee B. and she was voted in as Horse Club’s newest member. Congratulations!


The Historians need photos from the officer initiation that took place in October. If you have any, please bring them to the January meeting or e-mail them to one of the Historians, Tristen R. or Tate D.


The Reporter read an article from the Kansas City Star Community Section featuring Danielle Smith and her volunteer work with her dogs at Del-Mar Gardens. Please submit any accomplishments or awards to Abbey C. to be shared at future 4-H meetings.


The 4H Holiday Mart took place Saturday, December 8th at the Fairgrounds. The event was well attended even though the weather didn’t cooperate. The best news is Tristen R. won the horse Christmas tree decorated by the club!


Just a reminder that everyone 12 years and older should have a VIP and participation form on file. Also, if you do not turn in your enrollment form in January, you will be dropped from the Clover Clips mailing list.


Kelli E. will conduct a seminar about keeping your 4-H record book. Please contact her if you are interested in attending.


Emily J. is heading up the Dog Project. You must be signed up by 1/16 to participate. There will be an orientation at 9am on 2/16 with an equipment sale going on afterwards. The first practice will be Wednesday, 2/20.
Emily also is forming a committee to help improve the horse barn at the Fairgrounds. Please contact her if you are interested.


Clover Clips has the wrong date for Panorama. It will be February 9 & 10.


You should have received a registration form for Club Days in the mail. If not they are available on the county website. Club Days is a great opportunity to practice a talk or presentation or show off a talent. Horse Club will have a dance team entry lead by Alyssa M. & Clarrisa S. They would like at least 13 members for the Intermediate (13 & under) team. Practices will be on Thursdays and Sundays. Contact them if you would like to participate.


COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Educational:
Clinton Anderson, an International Horsemanship Trainer, will be at Kemper January 19 & 20. Several members of Horse Club are planning on attending. Tickets are: 16 & under - free; over 16 - 2 for $25. Contact Nancy R. for more ticket information.


Committee leaders--If you are a committee head, you should have a committee binder. See Kelli if you don’t.


NEW BUSINESS:
Next month’s meeting will be on Wednesday, January 2nd at 6:30pm at the EXTENSION OFFICE. Quiz bowl practice will begin at 2pm at the extension office and last until the meeting.


After a lengthy discussion, the proposed budget was revised to remove the scholarship portion and just return that money to the bottom line. A scholarship committee will be formed to explore the possibility of adding a scholarship to the 2008-2009 budget. The revised budget was approved.


The Club voted to move the officer elections to July from October. The purpose of this is to allow a longer transition period between the old and new officers. The new officers will still take over office in October.


For recreation, we had a gift exchange and the most popular gift seemed to be a large spiky, squishy ball. Thanks to everyone who participated!


Announcements:
Several Horse Club members received awards at the County Achievement Banquet. They are as follows:
Lauren V. - VP
Lauren C. - Secretary
Jessica P. - Treasurer
Tristen R. - Historian
Clarrisa S. - President, Council Rep & Gold pin
Tate D. - Historian, Project Award, Record Book & 4 year pin
Kristin W. - Project Award & Record Book
Horse Club Record Book - Purple
Maddie D. - Horse Project Award & 6th year guard
Megan M. - Membership
Julia S. - 3rd year pin
Anna L. - 2nd year pin
Natalie M. - 2nd year pin
Shelby B. - 1st year pin
Maddie F. - 1st year pin
Grace F. - 1st year pin
Abbey C. - 1st year pin
Collette S. - 1st year pin
Apologies if I missed anyone! Congratulations to everyone!!


If you plan on speaking at the January meeting, please send the information to Challis by this weekend so she can include the details on the agenda.


Please turn your cell phones to vibrate during the meetings. Also, please remember to put the chairs up and clean the floor before leaving.