4-H Day at the Capitol

YOUth Representative Orientation

2009

Purpose

Represent Represent OklahomaOklahoma 4-H members 4-H members and the program to legislators.and the program to legislators.

Make Oklahoma 4-H and OCES more Make Oklahoma 4-H and OCES more visible.visible.

Tell the 4-H story: success Tell the 4-H story: success stories and impact on lives and stories and impact on lives and communities and communicate our communities and communicate our purpose and programs.purpose and programs.

Role of a YOUth Representative

Know your facts about 4-H and Know your facts about 4-H and ExtensionExtension

Tell the 4-H story – history and Tell the 4-H story – history and purpose, personal, local, county and purpose, personal, local, county and state successes and experiences.state successes and experiences.

Communicate the positive role 4-H Communicate the positive role 4-H plays in Oklahoma communities.plays in Oklahoma communities.

Sell the 4-H program and gain Sell the 4-H program and gain legislative supportlegislative support

Positive, enthusiastic and “can do” Positive, enthusiastic and “can do” attitudeattitude

Youth ResponsibilitiesProfessionalismProfessionalism

Excused from schoolExcused from school

Keep Extension educator informedKeep Extension educator informed

Make and confirm appointment(s)Make and confirm appointment(s)

Meet deadlines and be on timeMeet deadlines and be on time

“ “Legislator Lunch Reservation form” Legislator Lunch Reservation form” due 3/26/09due 3/26/09

Be informed about elected officialBe informed about elected official

Research 4-H and OCESResearch 4-H and OCES

Prepare a message, handout and Prepare a message, handout and talking pointstalking points

Write thank you noteWrite thank you note

Legislator Lunch Reservation Form

Skill Life Skill Application to Real Life

Reading a recipe or mixing chemicals

Learning to Learn

Following directions – from a “put-together” to employer instructions on the job

Schedule for planting and harvest or meal preparation

Planning and Organization

Coordinating school, work and 4-H activities; job manager/supervisor; parenting

Growing, preparing and eating fruits and vegetables

Healthy Lifestyle Choices and Self-responsibility

Good nutrition, improved health, source of exercise, caring for others or things which are reliant on you

Food preservation or use of power equipment

Responsible Citizen and Teamwork

Safe food source, decrease injury due to negligence or carelessness

Working side-by-side with a mentor, listening, watching and learning - Sharing what you learn

Cooperation, Nurturing Relationships, Communication

Respect for experience and gaining knowledge; active listening as a spouse or employee; speaking/communicating instructions or information

Expand your knowledge of 4-H and OCESResource Sites:• http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/• http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/index2.htm• http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/about/4h_about.htm

Interview county Educator, club leaders and 4-H members for stories to highlight.

Identify key life skills which can illustrate how 4-H has helped you and your family grow.

Proof, edit, and PROOF AGAIN

Message & Handout

Create Outline from handout contentPRACTICE – in your mind and out loud how you are going to expand on the key points.DO NOT read from your handout.Rehearse with county EducatorPractice extemporaneous answers to questions which might be asked.

Talking Points

Know your Elected Official

Recognize their faceRecognize their face

Voting recordVoting record

PrioritiesPriorities

Committee assignmentsCommittee assignments

Who is on their staffWho is on their staff

Personal interests and familyPersonal interests and family

www.lsb.state.ok.us

Making Contact

Communications – written and verbalCommunications – written and verbalBe thorough in what you write and Be thorough in what you write and saysayComplete the (electronic Excel) Complete the (electronic Excel) Response Card and email to Gloria at Response Card and email to Gloria at the State 4-H Office.the State 4-H Office.Keep notes of phone conversations – Keep notes of phone conversations – who you talked with, the date and who you talked with, the date and timetimeFollow-up all phone conversations Follow-up all phone conversations with written confirmationwith written confirmation

Professionalism

Appearance – shirts ordered will be mailed to your home

NametagDining etiquetteHandshakeUse of Yes Ma’am and No SirIntroductionsGallery etiquette

At the Capitol

Be on timeBe on time

Bring map of capitol, tentative agenda Bring map of capitol, tentative agenda and multiple copies of your handout. and multiple copies of your handout.

Be an informed articulate Be an informed articulate representative of representative of all youthall youth touched by touched by 4-H4-H

Understand the purpose of county and Understand the purpose of county and state 4-H programstate 4-H program

Be thankful for their financial Be thankful for their financial support and their timesupport and their time

Making a Difference

YOUth are importantYOUth are important

Be informed with facts and Be informed with facts and relevant informationrelevant information

Well organized message and Well organized message and handouthandout

Well rehearsed messageWell rehearsed message

2009