National Children's Study in Baker County

The National Children’s Study is having an open house celebration on Saturday, March 26^th from 10AM to 2PM.  Please come by and enjoy clowns, bounce houses, refreshments, the fire department and truck, the police department, Smokey the Bear, games, entertainment and more.  The best part is – IT’S ALL FREE! 

The National Children’s Study works with health care leaders in our community to learn more about how things in the environment, community and our homes affect our children’s health.  The goal of the Study is to improve the health and well-being of our children. 

Baker County was fortunate to be selected as one of the 105 communities that will be participating in the study.  The folks at the National Children’s Study will visit homes in Baker County to look for people who want to participate.  “Baker County is one of the most welcoming communities I have ever worked in”, said Battelle Data Collection Manager, Brenda Esprit. 

We want to thank the residents of Baker County for the warm reception.  Please join us at 884 South Sixth Street in Macclenny.  For more information you can call 904-253-7885, or you can check out the National Children’s Study Website at http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov

Thanks, see you there!

Youth Development Institute - Day 2 - Wednesday

This morning it was up bright and shinny for a work out at the conference center gym at 6:40a.m.  Tredmill, and Eliptical.  Whew, health lifestyle choices sometimes involves a little sacrifice.  I wanted to stay cozy in my room but I felt better for having made the effort.

The First Session I attended was "BULLYING, IT'S A PROBLEM"  this session was taught by a team by Youth Development Specialist Kate Fogarty and others from the Army Partnership

It was very very interesting.  We looked at statistics on bullying, and learned ways to identify, increase awareness and decrease incidence of bullying.

Bullying is worst in transition times.  Not only transitions of the day but in over all transitional periods of development.  Kids that are different in appearance, friend / social structure, sexual minority youth... all are at higher risk for being bullied.

Even to the extent that as these bullies grow up they gravitate toward positions of power and authority in their careers.  As adults if someone in your workplace  uses words or threats to take power away from you rather than correcting the problem they might be a bully all grown up.

Sometimes volunteers bully each other or youth.  Children bully each other.  Anything that ends up with the goal to gain power, humiliate and gain dominance are examples of bullying.  These negative interactions decrease productivity, cause stress, insomnia, digestive problems, anxiety.  Remember itis not about you...it is not your problem.

The bully is not usually interested in solving the problem.  Just gaining power.  If you ask them for ideas on how to solve the problem...they won't have any ideas.

Baker County 4-H has a policy of zero tolerance for Bullying Behavior.  If you are being bullied, tell someone in authority...and keep telling until someone listens.  Call me for ways to handle it and an intervention if necessary.

Volunteers, both Counselors and Leaders can expect in-service education on Bullying this year to learn ways to identify and combat these destructive behaviors.

This was a very interesting workshop and well worth the time learning about this crucial youth development subject.

After that workshop I attended the curriculum fair and assembled materials that I will need tomorrow for the Rabbits on Line Workshop I am teaching.

Wow, it's lunch time and where has the morning gone.  This afternoon from 1 until 5 p.m. I am going to go to the workshop on "THE HOW TO'S OF TEAM BUILDING"  I am really looking forward to that!

Ms. Renee'

Youth Development Institute - DAY 1 - Tuesday

Youth Development Institute actually began for me yesterday.  Being on the life skills focus team.  I came early to try to help.  The committee had everything under control.  The first event of the week was the retirement reception for Dr. Joy Jordan.  She is been the Curriculum Development specialist for the University of Florida for the past 22 years.  She has been my mentor and friend.  If I had to pick one person who has been an inspiration to me it would be Joy Jordan.

She actually interviewed me for my first job in extension.  The interview process to be an extension agent is ....   well it is a little bit about being the guest hot dog at a forth of July picnic if you get my drift.  My interview schedule was on Valentines day and the first interviewer of the day didn't show up.  The support staff called Joy and explained the problem and she said, "Of course, I can do that."  Her I can do it attitude with only a moment's notice and continual striving for excellence are two of her life messages that have impressed me over the years.  She gave me a great interview and helped me step forward into the rest of the day with a more confident attitude.

From that nebulous beginning to being co-chair of her Life Skills Focus team, she has been there to support, nurture and mentor me to strive for excellence and professionalism.  I don't have the words to say how much I will miss her and how much I know she deserves this time to enjoy life.

Then it was off and running to the Opening Session of 2011 Youth Development Institute.  Chris DeCubellis gave a rousing motivations speech to the assembled audience.  We laughed, we cried.  He did an awesome job of setting the tone and opening the session.

Following the opening session we had the opportunity for dinner, networking and settling in to be ready for the events of the week.  I found the gym and discovered that there are free fitness videos on the T.V.

I'm excited at what lies ahead for Youth Development Institute 2011

Youth Development Institute

Later this week I will be blogging to you from the Youth Development Institute in Gainesville January 25th through January 28th.  This is the annual conference for volunteers, agents and foundation board members to come and learn about all kinds of 4-H-ee things.  If you haven't taken a look yet go to Http://florida4h.org and explore the workshops that will be offered.

I will be teaching about What's Hoppin with  Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits the online project that is available for members to build their own rabbits project.  I will also be teaching with Kate Fogerty the Cloverbuds workshop for leaders guiding the youngest 4-H Members.  It's called "Cloverbugs; Sprouting young minds in the 4-H tradition.

So come on by and say hello!