Oklahoma 4-H Volunteers and Parents

09/03/2026

🍀 One Set of Hay Bales—Five Creative Reasons to Smile!

For nearly two years, members of the Fort Gibson 4-H Club have transformed hay bales outside their town library into colorful seasonal displays. By reusing the same bales, they have created at least seven different themes for the community to enjoy.

Youth develop each idea, sketch the design, and work together to bring it to life. Along the way, they experiment with color, scale, proportion, painting techniques, and creative problem-solving.

Displayed in a highly visible location, the changing artwork beautifies the community and keeps 4-H in the public eye. It shows residents that 4-H members are creative young people who work together and contribute to their community.

Could your club adapt this idea?
• Secure a visible location and permission.
• Let youth develop and sketch the designs.
• Invite community partners to assist with supplies.
• Include the club or 4-H name on the display.
• Refresh and reuse the bales for different seasons.

Sometimes service means sharing your creativity to make your community smile!

Safety Note: Painted hay should not be fed to livestock or burned. Keep it away from animals and plan for proper disposal when it can no longer be reused.

Thank you to the Fort Gibson 4-H club for sharing the idea and photos.

Got an idea and pictures to share email [email protected].

08/29/2026

🚨 Don't miss your chance! Registration for VCOSS is closing soon.

Refresh yourself and your 4-H program at the Volunteer Conference of Southern States. Join volunteers from across the region to learn, share ideas, and bring home practical resources for your county program.

• 35+ workshops
• Virtual and onsite attendance options
• Certificates available
• Guest speakers and networking opportunities
• Housing and meals included with registration

Want to know what VCOSS is really like? Hear directly from past participants: 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKzEUbTn1uI

08/28/2026

🍀 A Service Project Worth Sharing—and Duplicating!
Five Beaver County 4-H clubs joined forces to support all seven volunteer fire departments across the county. Together, the Balko, Beaver, Forgan, Overstreet, and Turpin 4-H Clubs assembled and delivered 300 “Grab and Go Bags” for approximately 100–130 volunteer firefighters.
Filled with items specifically requested by the fire departments, the bags were designed to be quick and easy for firefighters to take when responding to an emergency.
The project gave 4-H members opportunities to practice teamwork, purposeful giving, civic engagement, and problem-solving—while showing their appreciation for the volunteers who protect their communities.
Want to duplicate the idea in your community?
• Contact your local fire department or emergency-response organization.
• Ask what items would be most useful—respond to requested needs rather than assumed needs.
• Invite youth, families, volunteers, and community partners to help collect supplies.
• Assemble the bags and let youth participate in delivering them.
• Take time to learn about the volunteers, their service, and the area they protect.
The Beaver County project was selected for the 2026 Oklahoma Conference on Volunteerism Excellence in Teamwork Award—demonstrating how much more communities can accomplish when youth and adults work together!
Congratulations to the Beaver County 4-H members, families, volunteers, educators, and community partners who made this countywide effort possible.
Thank you to the Beaver County 4-H for sharing the idea and photos.
Got an idea and pictures to share email [email protected].

08/25/2026

🍀 Good ideas can come from anywhere!

Strong 4-H leaders, volunteer, parents, and educators do not have to possess all the answers. They recognize the strengths of others and create opportunities for youth, parents, volunteers, and community members to contribute their ideas.

At your next meeting or activity, try asking:

“What ideas do you have?”

Then pause, listen, and give someone an opportunity to help bring an idea to life. An unexpected voice may offer exactly what your club needs—and gain confidence in the process.

Explore this and five more approachable leadership lessons inspired by Ted Lasso:

We share our favorite lessons from Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso and how business leaders can apply them in their own workplace.

08/24/2026

What could one conference do for your 4-H program?

For past attendees, VCOSS has provided new program ideas, valuable volunteer connections, practical resources, and lasting friendships. Now it's your turn.

Registration is closing soon for the Volunteer Conference of Southern States (VCOSS)!

Bring fresh inspiration back to your local 4-H program while enjoying:
• 35+ workshops
• Virtual and onsite learning opportunities
• Certificates in specialty tracks
• Engaging guest speakers
• Housing and meals included

Vitual and In person opportunities to participate.

Watch this quick 5-minute participant experience video: 🎬 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKzEUbTn1uI

Learn more and register today: https://www.4hvcoss.com

Questions? [email protected]

08/21/2026

One Project—Many Layers of Learning!

Decorating a box to collect canned food can become much more than a seasonal activity:
🎨 August or September: Members design and decorate collection boxes during a club meeting. Along the way, they explore art media and turn an original or inspired idea into a finished project.
🥫 October: Place the decorated boxes at businesses, schools, churches, or other locations throughout the community.
❤️ November or December: The food is donated to a community agency, school food pantry, or other local organization.

Want to add a service-learning connection? Arrange a tour of the receiving agency so members can learn about community needs, available services, and ways to volunteer. If a field trip is not possible, invite an agency representative to speak at a club meeting.

Through this activity, members practice important life skills, including:
• Planning and organizing
• Contributing to a group effort
• Community service and volunteering

One simple idea can combine the 4-H art project, family participation, community service, and meaningful learning!

Thank you to the Wilson 4-H Club in Carter County for sharing the idea and photos.

Got an idea and pictures to share email [email protected].

08/10/2026

Don't Miss This Opportunity! Applications Close Today.

The Volunteer Conference of Southern States (VCOSS) offers 4-H volunteers and Extension professionals a chance to learn, network, and bring fresh ideas back to their local communities.

Scholarship opportunities are available, but applications must be submitted by today, August 10.

Watch this short 5-minute participant video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKzEUbTn1uI

Apply here:

County Team Scholarship https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/iFGKCKqsYQ

District Individual Scholarships https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/PdfmkHN4vW

For questions, contact [email protected].

08/05/2026

One step towards getting a clear picture of who you are is to look at your values. Values are your guiding lights, the ideas that matter most to you and help you decide how to act. Honesty, compassion, determination, courage, and creativity are examples.
When your actions line up with your values, it can feel like pride — like when you value courage and you speak up for a friend getting picked on. When they don't line up, it feels like guilt — like laughing along with a mean joke when you value kindness.
Understanding your values can help you discover the core of who you are and help you be your realest self. So, go ahead! What are three values that you identify with the most?

08/03/2026

Start the 4-H year with a stronger team!

Families want to help—they just need to know how.

Join us to learn simple, practical strategies for involving families in meaningful ways that lighten your load and strengthen the 4-H experience for youth.

August 4
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Via ZOOM
Register @ https://4h.okstate.edu/volunteers/continuing-education

08/02/2026

Congratulations to Liz Taylor, recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Volunteer Engagement Award!

The Excellence in Volunteer Engagement Award recognizes a county Extension educator who has demonstrated exceptional success in engaging volunteers and building the capacity of their educational program to serve more clientele. What makes this award especially meaningful is that educators are nominated by the volunteers they support and mentor.

Liz's success stems from her commitment to investing in people. Her intentional approach to recruiting, orienting, training, supporting, and evaluating 4-H volunteers has helped build a strong volunteer-led program that continues to grow and thrive.
Thanks to her leadership, volunteers are equipped with the tools and confidence they need to succeed, creating a diverse and sustainable 4-H program that serves youth and communities well.

In recognition of her outstanding achievement, Liz received an
$800 cash award.

Interested in learning more about Oklahoma Extension volunteer recognition opportunities? The 2026 Awards Packet is
available at: https://extension.okstate.edu/events/ok-volunteerism