Web site - February 2005 Meeting Notes

February 2005 Meeting Notes

4-H Curriculum Management Team
Meeting Notes
February 11, 2005
9a.m. to 12 p.m.
401 Ag Administration Building

Minutes

In Attendance:Claudia Mincemoyer, Jan Scholl, Christy Bartley, Sandy Smith, Bob Mikesell, Bob Lewis, Pete Kauffman, Marilyn Corbin, Patreese Ingram, Paul Tarbay, Amanda Rudisil, Rich Marini, Tracy Hoover and Lydia Everhart

Claudia called the meeting to order and facilitated introductions.

Status of the 2004/2005 project proposals.

Each curriculum area reported on the status of projects proposed last year as follows:

Jan Scholl shared the Ohio State foods projects and reported that they had been ordered and are in the PDC. The International Breads project is complete and in the PDC.. Jan also shared with us that there have been additions to the textile science patterns which are on the web and great tools for use in after school programming.
Patreese Ingram reported that her Diversity Discussion starters had been completed and are now available as an extension publication and is a great resource for the 4-H Program.
Claudia reported for Nicole Webster that The Public Adventures curriculum was purchased and is in the PDC. She also reported that Portfolio Power is on the web, and that the Outdoor Adventures project series was purchased and available and in the PDC.
Christy Bartley said that the Fire Safety curriculum is still under initial development. She is working with Dennis Murphy who has a contact with the state fire commissioners office. They have hired someone to begin working on the project. It would be a great resource for home schooling and the Jr. Fireman programs. Christy also shared with us the new promotional brochure that was developed and now available from the mail room.
Bob Lewis reported that the new youth leadership curriculum “Step Up to Leadership” has been purchased and is in the PDC. Jackie Bruce is managing this program.
Bob Mikesell shared that the Dairy Beef Resource Guide is almost ready to go to the design center and should be ready for distribution this fall.
Sandy Smith shared that the Trees+Me=Forestry book has had heavy revisions and hopes that it will be available in the PDC this spring.

We then moved on to the new proposals for the 2005-2006 program years. We have 11 proposals submitted from curriculum chairs. They are as follows:

Animal Sciences (five proposals)

Horse Promotional brochure - There was agreement that this is a marketing piece and would not need approval by the Curriculum Management Team. Christy suggested that specific curriculum areas might want to develop a program insert for the new 4-H promotional brochure for consistency in look and message. Christy is going to contact Pat to discuss potential alternatives.
4-H Market Swine Reference Book Revision - Bob Mikesell reported that the Swine Reference Guide needs significant revisions and also the addition of quality assurance and ethics information in this reference guide.
4-H Livestock Record book for Intermediate and Advanced - Bob Mikesell reported that the Record Book needs to be revised to complement the proposed revisions in the Reference Guide.. These revisions will include additions to keep track of quality assurance and ethics activities and goals. The committee also asked if the curriculum committee has reviewed any web based record books. Bob expressed concern about time and expertise needed to support web-based record-keeping. Lydia shared that FFA has a web-based record system. Bob is going to investigate other state’s record systems to determine if there are any web-based 4-H record books.
Market Goat Curriculum- Bob Mikesell shared that extension educators at the animal science update recommended that PA purchase this 4-HCCS curriculum. Because the curriculum committee did not review all levels of the books, it was recommended that PA order only the helper’s guide for this year. The curriculum committee can review the entire series and make a recommendation next year. We already support a state-developed meat goat project.
Vet Science Curriculum - Bob Mikesell reported that some counties in PA had piloted this project and the animal science committee has recommended this for purchase from 4HCCS. The Curriculum Management Team suggested that we increase the amount for order to 1,000 of Level 1, 1,000 of Level 2, 500 of Level 3 and 200 Leader Guides.

Family and Consumer Science (1 Proposal)

Microwave Magic - Jan Scholl explained that the Microwave Series had been proposed last year but due to the death of the author, it was not completed. Purdue is trying to find another author and complete in time for the next 4HCCS order. We are still unaware of it’s time line, and the committee would like to put this on hold and be able to review the curriculum when it is released. Since this was approved last year a funding decision does not need to be made by committee

Science and Technology (1 Proposal)

Geospatial Education - Christy Bartley reported that the authors, although not requesting printing funds, still asked the Science and Technology Curriculum Committee to review and approve. This will be a web based project. A 4-H code will need to be determined for this new project.

Environmental and Earth Sciences (2 Proposals)

Sports Fishing - Sandy smith reported that many counties have fishing programs and that due to the delay of PA curriculum being developed collaboratively with the Fish and Game Commission, is recommending that we purchase about a year’s supply of the 4HCCS Sportfishing Curriculum for these members.
Gardening - A proposal to purchase the Purdue Gardening project was submitted by Toni Bilik the past sub committee chair. Claudia will meet with Rich Marini, Department Head, Crops and Soils Sciences to update him on the proposal, identify support, and determine if these projects were reviewed by the curriculum committee. We were unsure if the Purdue and 4-HCCS gardening materials were reviewed and compared. A decision will be made prior to the placement of the 4HCCS order.

Communications and Expressive Arts (1 Proposal)

Advanced Visual Arts - Claudia reported that her curriculum committee had reviewed the books and felt that these were a great follow up to the Palette of Fun curriculum. This curriculum may attract older 4-H members and/or help with retention.

Leisure Education (1 Proposal)

4-H Shooting Sports - Claudia reported that Earl Robbins, sub-committee chair and county educator, is supporting the curriculum and training for this project area. He met with his committee and they researched shooting sports and curriculum and reference materials. They proposed that we purchase four resource guides from the NRA, a muzzle loading project from the MLRA, and also design a record book to go along with these sources. Because of potential sensitivity for some constituents and supporters regarding using NRA publications as 4-H projects, Marilyn will discuss with administration before funding decisions are made.

5-year Publication Cost Review
Lydia shared that over the last year and half we have worked closely with the PDC. Lydia and Paul have done a good job with ordering which has kept costs down.

After-school Cost-Recovery
County educators have asked how to charge after-school groups for the educational materials fee. There has been some confusion on where these groups fit. Because we are trying to grow this area of the program, it may be appropriate to charge them similar to school enrichment. More study is needed to determine how after-school is being implemented statewide. If grant funds are supporting after-school programs, the cost of the curriculum should be built into the grant proposal.

Curriculum Committee Process
This process was started approximately five years ago/Claudia requested input and suggestions on how to improve the process. It was suggested that we start meeting 2 times per year and we include all curriculum chairs. These meetings will take place in September and February. At the September meeting we will discuss curriculum-related topics and provide needed support and encouragement to curriculum chairs. The February meeting will still provide committee review of the upcoming curriculum proposals.

Sale of 4-H Publications to other State Extension 4-H Programs
Paul Tarbay and Lydia Everhart discussed a proposal to sell our curriculum in bulk. This proposal would allow other state extension programs to order publications at a discount, once a year. This pre-press order would help us increase revenue and decrease the cost of publications. Lydia, Claudia, Christy, Marilyn and Tracy will prepare a proposal for future discussion.

Claudia adjourned the meeting at 12:10 P.M.