Weekly 4-H Update

Communications >> 4-H Update >> Volume 11, Number 41.....................................December 7, 2007
4-H Weekly Update

Attachments:

:: Colorado Youth Advisory Council Legislation

Tax Laws, EIN’s & More

Thanks to everyone for your role in promoting, prodding, and providing the information we needed about Colorado 4-H clubs and organizations to include on our certified list to National 4-H Headquarters and the IRS. This process pointed out a large gap in our approach to starting clubs and ensuring we have the documentation we need to be accountable to our public stakeholders. It’s been a learning process for all of us. . . It also took far longer, and raised more questions than we ever expected. But, thanks for asking!

Here’s what we know about the future. 4-H groups which have an October - September year (which is the majority of our groups) will have to file an e-Postcard by Jan. 15, 2008. We still don’t know how that will occur, but pass the word along that it will have to happen. The law states that filing is due by the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of the fiscal year. If you have groups with different fiscal years, please inform them of their due date. Failure to file will result in the loss of the tax exempt status which we’ve worked so hard to maintain.

What we know about the e-Postcard is that it is very simple, doesn’t require any financial information, and is merely a form that says, in essence, that this group is alive and well. We’ll inform you as soon as we have more details.

We also know that sometime after the beginning of the year there will be an on-line method to add, update, and delete 4-H groups from our state certified list. It will be important for counties to maintain a current list of clubs, contact names and EIN’s to be included on the national list that National 4-H Headquarters will manage. We’ll keep you posted on that as well.

We know that there has been, and still is, some confusion about charters, EIN’s and bank accounts. I’ll be working on a step-by-step fact sheet to help you start up new clubs and manage the process.

Finally, Ellen Butler deserves a great deal of thanks for her patience and persistence. She’s been our point person and deserves our gratitude.

Please call if you have any lingering questions about this topic! — Dale Leidheiser

Colorado Youth Advisory Council Legislation

There is a great opportunity for young people to influence state policy. Representative Ellen Roberts of Durango and Senator Sue Windels of Arvada are working on a bill to create a statewide youth advisory council. The council would be made up of youth from all over the state. Its purpose would be “to formally advise and make recommendations to elected officials on issues affecting youth in Colorado.”

Rep. Roberts worked with a group of youth in Durango to write the first draft, and both legislators met with a group of professionals at the State Capitol recently to develop the second draft, which is attached. Rep. Roberts and Sen. Windels would like feedback from adults who work with youth and others who are interested in this idea. But most of all, they want input from YOUTH.

The council would provide a great way for young people to influence state programs and policies that affect them. And establishing the council through statute would help ensure that youth voice in the development of public policy in Colorado is institutionalized.

But right now it is important that young people know about the bill, learn what is in it and make recommendations to Rep. Roberts and Sen. Windels. Please share the draft widely, especially among young people. As an adult who works with youth, review and discuss it with them and encourage them to share their comments, suggestions, questions, ideas, etc. with Rep. Roberts and Sen. Windels. You can contact them at: Rep. Ellen Roberts: eroberts@gobrainstorm.net or 303.866.2914; Sen. Sue Windels: senatorwindels@comcast.net or 303.866.4840

The bill has to be finalized by the drafter in early January, so please get your feedback to Rep. Roberts and Sen. Windels by mid-December or sooner, if possible. — Dale Leidheiser

Masonic Range Science Scholarship

Do you know a high school senior or college freshman/sophomore that is interested in studying range science? The Society for Range Management (SRM) Masonic-Range Science Scholarship offers financial assistance and recognition to a high school senior and/or college freshman or college sophomore planning to major in/presently majoring in range science and/or a closely related field. Applicants must be sponsored by a member of the Society for Range Management (SRM), the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), or the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). Applications are due Dec. 31, 2007. For further information and an application please click on http://www.rangelands.org/education_masonicscholarship.shtml. — Ellen Butler

National Western Stock Show – CSU Day

Save the date for Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008! Tickets for CSU Day at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo are now available for purchase online at www.csualum.com/nwssticket or by calling 1.800.286.2586. Click on www.csualum.com/nwss for more information. — Melissa Oliver

Leadership Development Conference Scholarships Available

The State 4-H Officer team is offering three scholarships of $65 each to help offset the cost of LDC. The Officer Team will reimburse the counties after the event. The scholarship applications are due to Kim Sterkel 10 days prior to LDC. The application can be located at: http://www.colorado4h.org/events_opportunities/index.shtml under State Events. Please let your 4-H members know about this opportunity.

Also if you have a State 4-H Officer member in your county, the State 4-H Officer Team will pay half the cost of them attending LDC. They will also reimburse the county after LDC. Another reminder – PLEASE include the officer team member in your county delegation when registering for LDC. — Connie Cecil



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Updated Friday, February 08, 2008.