Conference Sessions
Roundtables
The Roundtables discussions are an integral part of National 4-H Conference. Delegates are randomly assigned to a Roundtable and will work with their assigned group throughout conference. The discussions are led by Collegiate Facilitators, most of whom are former 4-H’ers, who continue to volunteer support to 4-H and have a shared interest in the 4-H ideals.
Delegates will explore various programmatic aspects of 4-H and how 4-H is delivered across the nation. Each Roundtable session will have specific tasks focused on developing recommendations to share with those who determine 4-H programs- including the Secretary of Agriculture, Land-Grant and Extension program leaders, and others. The Roundtables ensure that young people have a voice in the ways that 4-H is administered, both locally and nationally.
Delegation Interacts
The Delegation Interacts are facilitated round table discussions that will allow delegations to showcase successful programs in their communities and/or state, share ideas and learn how others have developed successful programs, seek opportunities for collaboration, discuss issues/challenges and ask questions of others in the group. These sessions enable program staff, adult volunteers and 4-H youth delegates to share with, and learn from, their colleagues across the country. It is important that Youth Delegates and Delegation Adult Advisors come prepared to present and share information. Interact sessions will have an assigned facilitator to keep the discussions focused and flowing.
The interact sessions will focus on citizenship programming, whether broadly or programming with components of citizenship embedded within. Delegations will be randomly assigned to an interact group based on geographic location i.e. proximity to neighboring states. Each group will have the opportunity to “interact” in two sessions – 1) the first session will primarily consist of sharing and learning; 2) the second session will provide an opportunity for each delegation to begin developing a proposed plan (or recommendations) for how their local and state 4-H program can provide new and better opportunities, support, and access for young people to be further engaged and make a difference in their communities.
Workshops
2010 National 4-H Conference - Call for Workshop Proposals
4-H National Headquarters, the federal leader of 4-H within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is now accepting workshop proposals for the 2010 National 4-H Conference.
National 4-H Conference is the premier educational leadership experience for youth 4-H members (15-19yrs.) who are actively engaged in 4-H programs across the U.S and its territories. National 4-H Conference provides an exciting opportunity for 4-H youth to learn and share resources with 4-H peers and collaborators across the nation. The conference brings together the resources of the 4-H program and Land-Grant University System with the youth, adult volunteers, Extension staff/faculty and collaborators who build and sustain effective programs for 4-H youth. Each year, one of the 4-H Mission Mandates is highlighted as the overall focus of National 4-H Conference. In 2010, the conference focus will be the mission mandate – Citizenship.
Please see the attached document for more information and submission instructions.
Deadline for submitting proposals is: February 12, 2010.
Events
Saturday, March 20
Meet & Greet -Want an opportunity to meet other 4-H'ers? Do you have a funny slogan, song or chant you use to greet new people? Is there a special pin or momento representative of your state that you'd like to share? Would you be too SHY to talk to someone unless you HAD TO? Well, this is the event for you! Delegations will have the opportunity for a brief meet and greet with each delegation attending the conference. This is a great opportunity to network and get to know your fellow conference participants. If you have a prepared "greeting" or brought a momento to share - wonderful! If not, no worries - all you need is a voice, a handshake and a winning smile :)!
Sunday, March 21
NOW THIS! Improv Performance - Come join the fun and laughter as NOW THIS! Improv takes audience ideas and instantly turns them into songs, comic sketches, and musical fairytales. NOW THIS! is a totally improvised music and improv comedy troupe, specializing in spoofs of every style from rap to opera.
Monday, March 22
Dance and Social - mix, mingle, dance and play games.
Tuesday, March 23
Conference Night on the Town – following a full day of workshops and roundtable sessions, delegations will be transported to the Penn Quarter/Gallery Place – Chinatown area of downtown Washington, DC. The name “Penn Quarter” is relatively new and not so widely known – but this revitalized historic neighborhood in downtown Washington, DC, also called Old Downtown by some locals, is most often referred to as the neighborhood “near the Verizon Center”. There are several attractions in this area including restaurants, a movie theater, a bowling alley, ESPN Zone, museums, and trendy stores. Closer to conference, we will provide a list of restaurants and attractions in the area to help your delegations better plan for the evening. In the meantime, there is lots of information on attractions and entertainment in the Penn Quarter area available via the web – we recommend visiting:http://dc.about.com/od/neigborhoodprofiles/p/PennQuarter.
P.S. Just a little heads up – there is an NBA Basketball game scheduled the evening of March 23, 2010 @ the Verizon Center - Washington Wizards vs. Charlotte Bobcats. For more information, visit http://www.verizoncenter.com/.
***JUST ADDED… a second “Night on the Town” option!!
Enjoy food, retail shopping and Dave & Buster’s all in one location… we will provide transportation to and from White Flint Mall in Bethesda, MD, not too far from the conference center. The mall has several stores, movie theater, restaurants and Dave & Buster’s. Click on the link to the mall's website for more specific information to assist you in planning your delegation’s evening:http://www.shopwhiteflint.com/.
Wednesday, March 24
National 4-H Conference Closing Banquet – join the Secretary of Agriculture and other USDA officials as they official close the 2010 National 4-H Conference. The closing banquet will be held at the National Museum of American History (14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.). Following the formal banquet, participants will have the opportunity to tour the newly renovated museum. For more information on the National Museum of American History, visithttp://americanhistory.si.edu/.
The museum is within walking distance from Capitol Hill on the Smithsonian National Mall. State Delegations will need to arrive at the National Museum of American History at the designated time (specific time will be provided as soon as possible).
Donating Prizes
We are always looking for items to add to our "prize vault". If you have items you would like to donate (i.e. t-shirt, mug, frisbee, keychain, lanyard, etc. - things that are easy to pack) we invite you to bring those items to the conference. Prizes will be collected at the registration desk and the Conference office.