Minnesota Operation: Military KidsExtension > Youth Development > Minnesota 4-H > 4-H Events > National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference
The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults, at the invitation of the US Secretary of Agriculture, assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities. Check out the National 4-H Conference website for more conference details at http://4hconf.4-h.org/
- April 6-12, 2013 - National 4-H Conference Center, Washington, D.C.
(flight may depart on April 4, 5, or 6) - November 20, 2012 - Application deadline postmark date (see application process below)
Who can attend?
To be eligible as a Delegate, a youth must:
- Have completed the ninth grade by September 1, 2012, and be of at least age 15 by September 1, 2012. If graduated from high school in the spring of 2012, must be age 19 or younger through May 1, 2013. (Note: The age eligibility will possibly change for 2014 to not include age 19 and/or senior in high school.)
- Have experience and leadership involvement in local, county, regional, and/or state developmental committees, advisory groups, councils, etc.
- Be concerned about issues and involved in deciding to solve the problems and move forward with solutions.
- Have flexibility to meet changing situations and have growth potential and a curiosity about situations, people, and events.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal and speaking skills.
- Commit following the conference to share what they learned to 4-H stakeholders at the local and state level. A pre-approved plan will be identified by selected delegate.
Selection of Minnesota delegates
A committee of Extension Educators and Program Coordinator will select up to four youth to attend. Consideration for selection is based on contents included in delegate nomination/ recommendation forms and interview (as outlined under Steps Process below). 4-H Program staff are encouraged to seek qualified youth candidates for nomination.
How much does it cost?
Estimated cost per Minnesota delegate is around $850 per delegate. Nominees are encouraged to seek financial support for the registration fee from their local 4-H Council/Federation and other local community organizations. County 4-H Federations/Leaders Councils are encouraged to help defray some of the cost if their 4-H member is appointed to attend this National Conference. The National 4-H Conference is supported in part by the Minnesota 4-H Foundation.
What will we do at the conference?
Attendees have the opportunity to share ideas, meet 4-H members from across the nation, bring back new ideas and skills, share personal stories with members of Congress, and learn about National 4-H headquarters and USDA.
What will be my responsibilities after I attend?
Delegates may be asked to share their experience with stakeholders and/or funders. Delegates should consider how they can share their new knowledge with other young people in their County or across the State.
Registration process timeline
| Nov. 20, 2012 |
Postmark date for delegate nomination/recommendation forms |
| Nov. 20-30, 2012 |
Selected delegate's phone interview |
Dec. 14, 2012 |
Letters sent to all 2013 National Conference Minnesota delegates. |
Additional timeline for selected delegates: |
|
Jan. 24, 2013 |
$850 fee due for each selected Minnesota delegate. (Including scholarship monies.) |
Jan. 28, 2013 |
Refund of fees deadline |
Feb. - April, 2013 |
Three conference calls with selected Minnesota delegates |
Steps to application process
All applications and recommendation forms must be postmarked no later than November 20, 2012. To apply:
- Review the background information describing the qualifications of delegates and summary of expectations prior to applying.
- Youth must complete the application cover sheet, and the delegate self-recommendation form from their perspective.
- Youth must also identify two adults who meet the following requirements to provide a recommendation on their behalf:
- A non-relative 4-H staff member (program coordinator, club leader, state staff, etc.) must complete and submit the "Delegate Recommendation Form for 4-H Staff".
- An additional adult who is not a 4-H staff member or relative (teacher, coach, organization adviser, etc.) must complete and submit the "Delegate Recommendation Form for a Non-Relative Adult".
- The top ten applicants will be invited to participate in a 15-minute conference call phone interview with the selection committee. Phone interviews will take place on either November 29 or 30 (an opportunity to select times will be provided later).
- Those invited for phone interviews will be asked to prepare a 30-45 second marketing speech on their knowledge of the 4-H youth development program (with emphasis placed on explaining the program to someone who is unfamiliar).
Application Materials
Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the forms electronically. The Microsoft Word documents (DOC's) below can be filled in electronically by clicking in the marked area and then typing your response. Once completed, applications can be saved and then printed and sent. If needed, you can download and print this form and complete the application by hand using the PDF versions. All must be postmarked on or before November 20, 2012.
A complete application consists of:
- Delegate application cover sheet & self recommendation form (624 K DOC) (371 K PDF) (updated 10/17/12)
- Recommendation form for a 4-H staff member (354 K DOC) (265 K PDF) (updated 10/17/12)
- Recommendation form for a non-relative adult (355 K DOC) (266 K PDF) (updated 10/17/12)
Applications not containing all three components will not be considered. It will be the youth delegate applicant responsibility to make sure that adults are notified and abide by timeline requirements.
All application materials should be submitted to:
Diane Lambrecht/Judith A. Conway
University of Minnesota Extension
4100 220th Street West, Suite 100
Farmington, MN 55024
Phone: 651-480-7703
Fax: 651-480-7797
Email: lambr031@umn.edu
Contact
Judith A. Conway
Regional Extension Educator Center for Youth Development
University of Minnesota Extension
1424 E. College Drive, Suite 100
Marshall, MN 56258-2087
Phone: 1-507-337-2813
Email:
conw0076@umn.edu
For more information, checkout the National 4-H website.
