Dear YD colleagues,

Last month, Youth Development educators, program coordinators, county and regional support staff, and regional directors across the state gathered to participate in a series of Youth Development regional meetings. One of the main goals was to provide an important opportunity to share our Youth Development principles, vision and mission with county and regional support staff, who are important members of our teams and play a critical role in our success.

I was recently reflecting on those meetings, and wanted to share some observations about what I saw.

I was elated to see that regional teams were embracing and taking ownership of the goal to create their own unique regional approach. More importantly, I saw the teams developing processes to define their strategies and action plans based on their region's needs, and their team members' unique skills, abilities, talents and knowledge. Our regional educators working with their teams to define and shape their work are great examples of "participatory leadership."

According to Torbert & Rooke's definition in the Seven Transformations of Leadership, "The participatory leadership paradigm is based on respect and engagement. It constructively focuses energy in every human to human encounter. A more advanced, more democratic and more effective model of leadership, it harnesses diversity, builds community, and creates shared responsibility for action. It deepens individual and collective learning yielding real development and growth."

Wow, can you imagine the possibilities of our impact if we were to harness the collective energy and wisdom I saw at the regional meetings?

I want to congratulate all of you on embracing our new model, contributing your unique skills, talents and abilities, and the progress you are making toward realizing our vision for building a robust regional system together. I thank you for leading the way.

Sincerely,

Reference: Torbert & Rooke, Seven Transformations of Leadership, 2005 Harvard Business Review

Applications are now being accepted for the 2013-14 NorthStar Youth Worker Fellowship. The NorthStar Youth Work Fellowship, previously known as the Minnesota Walkabout Fellowship, is not a typical class or workshop series. The purpose of the fellowship is to engage a cohort of experienced youth work practitioners in exploration, reflection, and study to generate more wisdom, language, and leadership in the field of youth work in Minnesota.

In 2013-14, the fellowship will examine issues of autonomy and authority in youth work practice, the field of youth work, and youth worker professional development. Each of the fellows will formulate an inquiry question and spend the year reviewing relevant research and writings; tapping the local wisdom of their professional network; engaging in conversation with local and national leaders in the field; and writing a position paper that will inform systems development and field advancement in Minnesota.

The 2013-14 Fellowship is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education, the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at Augsburg College, and Youthprise.

You can learn more about the fellowship and download the application by visiting the website:
http://www.augsburg.edu/democracy/

The fellowship requirements are listed in the overview document, and include consistent participation, monthly meetings, outside readings, and producing a position paper for publication. There is no cost to you or your organization for the fellowship, and fellows will receive a $500 stipend, two University credits (tuition fees apply), books and materials, and extensive contact with local and national field leaders.

The application deadline is June 30, 2013. For questions or more information on the NorthStar Fellowship, contact Sheila Oehrlein at sheila.oehrlein@state.mn.us.

4-H's busy season of county fairs and summer programming is here!

4-H educators, program coordinators and county and regional support staff are invited to participate in 30-minute webinar trainings we will offer this month to help staff brush up on tips and guidelines for using the 4-H sign and t-shirt templates that were developed and rolled out last summer.

4-H Sign Training

For 4-H staff who create signs to promote 4-H programs and events, to direct people to 4-H spaces or booths, and to celebrate the 4-H spirit! The training will provide tips on using the sign templates to promote your 4-H programs and events.

• Tues., June 18, 3 - 3:30 p.m.
  
• Mon., June 24, 10 - 10:30 a.m.

Find the sign templates and guidelines to make 4-H signs on the Extension intranet:
https://myextension.umn.edu/cpr/downloads-templates/yd-templates/4-h-templates/signs/index.htm

4-H T-shirt Training

For staff who create 4-H t-shirts or who guide volunteers in creating 4-H t-shirts. The training will guide you on how to use the 4-H t-shirt designs and guidelines, and tips for working with t-shirt vendors when using the templates.

• Wed., June 19, 10 - 10:30 a.m.
  
• Tues., June 25, 1 - 1:30 p.m.

Find the t-shirt templates and guidelines to make 4-H t-shirts on the Extension intranet:
https://myextension.umn.edu/cpr/downloads-templates/yd-templates/4-h-templates/t-shirts/index.htm

The trainings will be recorded for staff who are unable to participate. Login at the following url for all training sessions:
https://umconnect.umn.edu/staffcommtraining/

Contact Wendy Huckaby at huckaby@umn.edu with any questions.

Media release templates for 4-H YELLO! and county fairs are now available in the communications section of the YD staff only web page: http://www1.extension.umn.edu/youth/staffonly/.

The media release template can be tailored by 4-H program coordinators to pursue local media coverage of youth from their county who participated in 4-H YELLO! or county fairs this year.

Additional templates will be developed throughout the year for state Arts-In, state fair, state horse show, state dog show and the state shooting sports & wildlife invitational. Watch YD Update for notification when additional templates are available.

Contact Wendy Huckaby at huckaby@umn.edu with any questions.

Corn Capital Innovations establishes 4-H scholarship endowment for Minnesota youth

Minnesota 4-H members wishing to pursue a career in agriculture now have additional assistance via the just-established CCI Innovation in Agriculture Scholarship.

The endowment, administered by the Minnesota 4-H Foundation, will provide scholarships to present or former Minnesota 4-H members entering their freshman year of college. This one-time $1,000 scholarship is to be used toward educational expenses at a post-secondary institution. Applicants must intend to pursue a degree in agriculture; with an emphasis on supporting students pursuing degrees in agronomy, soil science, horticulture, plant science, agricultural economics and agribusiness.

Corn Capital Innovations (CCI) was formed in Olivia, Minnesota, by Steve and Summer O'Neill in 2008. The family-owned business is an industry leader that helps crop producers develop innovative farm plans that integrate the four components of profitability: crop insurance, grain marketing, financial analysis, and yield building strategies.

Steve says, "We love living and working in Minnesota. We believe some of the best people and most progressive farmers in the entire world live and work here. It is a great place to grow up and raise a family, as well as, to start and grow a business. We are grateful to all of our customers, business associates, and members of the community for helping us with our endeavor." The O'Neill's and many CCI employees are proud 4-H alumni.

Minnesota youth who wish to apply for the scholarship are encouraged to download an application at www.4hfoundation.umn.edu or email the Minnesota 4-H Foundation brekk131@umn.edu for an application to be sent to you. Applications for the fall 2013 scholarship award are due Aug. 1, 2013.

Recently on our blog:

The Driven to Discover: Citizen Science project is looking into how to engage youth and adults in authentic inquiry. Their citizen science project, funded by the National Science Foundation, focuses on Monarch butterflies, birds and water-quality testing. This week on our Youth Development Insight blog, Pamela Larson Nippolt explains the five-year project and what they have learned so far. Please join the conversation now underway on our blog!

In another conversation, Dale Blyth takes on standardized testing in our schools. Why do we measure school success so narrowly? What if we used team sports as a model for learning? Weigh in with your opinion in this post, called "It takes a team".

New Dakota County 4-H staff

Dakota county 4-H is pleased to announce the addition of two 75% appointment Youth Teaching Youth program coordinators:

• Welcome to Rachel Rezac! Rachel began her appointment on May 6.

  
  Rachel has a history of working with Minnesota 4-H in various capacities and her experiences range from 4-H goat livestock assistant to interim 4-H program coordinator. Her most recent experience as an interim Youth Teaching Youth program coordinator in Dakota County has proved Rachel to be a dynamic, organized, hardworking educator with a desire to grow professionally within our organization.

  Rachel has a deep understanding of the current Youth Teaching Youth techniques and curriculum, but also has a number of innovative ideas in the area of recruitment. Rachel has an ability to build strong relationships within the community and did a fantastic job jumping in and taking ownership of her interim position in Dakota County. She is eager to build new partnerships with local schools and plans to incorporate fresh ideas moving forward.

  Rachel can be reached at reza0026@umn.edu.

• Welcome to Megan King! Megan will begin working in Dakota County on May 20.

  Megan will transition to her role in 4-H from another Minnesota Extension area: Nutrition! Megan has been working as a certified nutrition educator with Washington County Extension Services since 2006. She has a sizable background in instruction, curriculum development, partnership development, and fundraising.

  Megan is working to complete her Master's degree in youth development leadership from the University of Minnesota. Her experience working with underserved communities will be a wonderful asset to the Dakota County community; Megan has a dynamic teaching perspective and experience with participatory youth evaluation.

  Megan's experience working with youth and her desire to focus more closely on youth development issues makes her an excellent addition to our Youth Teaching Youth team.

  Megan can be reached at kingx578@umn.edu.

Please join me in welcoming Megan and Rachel to our team!