TEXAS 4-H TECHNOLOGY TEAM

The Texas 4-H Technology Team is a group of youth and adults that strive to promote the use of computers and technology in the 4-H program. Formed in 2004, the team now consist of approximately 18 youth and adults in a very unique youth-adult partnership which creates great synergy to create educational programs for the both the team members and other youth and adults in the 4-H program.

Annually, the Technology Team recruits members for one/two year terms. Please check back frequently as the team becomes even more involved in increasing the use of the technology in 4-H.

PAGE LINKS:
Texas 4-H Technology Plan
Membership on the Technology Team
Team Applications
2007-2008 Members
Workshops In A Box
Technology Resources

TEXAS 4-H TECHNOLOGY PLAN

The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program created the Technology Team in 2004 to address the intergration of technology into 4-H. Through this integration, a technology plan for both the team and program was created.

Texas 4-H Technology Plan

Back to top of page

MEMBERSHIP ON THE TECHNOLOGY TEAM

Eligibility
Applicant must be 14 years of age or older as of August 31, 2007.  Applicant must be a Texas 4-H member, Texas 4-H Volunteer Leader, or an employee of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.  Any adult applying for membership in the team must have been screened through the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Youth Protection Standards program.

Term
Membership is a one-year commitment, starting in November, with an optional second year (abbreviated application).

Application Process:

1. The State 4-H Office coordinates the selection process to ensure that a similar, fair and equitable process is followed. 
2. The selection committee is composed of the current 4-H Technology Team.
3. Applications must be sent to the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Office postmarked no later than September 15, 2008.
4. Applicants will be notified by October 15, 2007.
5. Completed Youth and Adult application packets must include the following:
6. Sections 1 through 9.
7. Signatures in Section 9 are required in order to be considered.

Special Accommodations:
A candidate whose disability prevents him or her from completing the application or essays in the usual method should contact the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Office for assistance.

Required Time
Membership on the Texas 4-H Technology Team requires a significant amount of time. Between corresponding via email, orientations, trainings, and performing the tasks necessary to make the Texas 4-H Technology Team successful, individual members need to commit the necessary time. If you will not be able to fully participate consider whether this is a good year for you to apply for membership on the Texas 4-H Technology Team.  You may need to consider decreasing the time you devote to other activities to participate in the Technology Team.  As a 4-H Technology Team member/advisor, I:

• Am able to meet at least two-three times per year, face to face, with the Texas 4-H Technology Team.
  • November 9-11, 2007 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood, TX for orientation and training (MANDATORY MEETING)
  • January 11-13, 2008 or January 18-20, 2008 at the Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood, TX
  • June 8-13, 2008 Texas 4-H Roundup, College Station, TX.
  • Others as planned.
• Have transportation available for attending Texas 4-H Technology Team meetings and training sessions
• Have the time to respond to emails and the on-line bulletin board on a regular basis
• Am willing to help with training sessions and responsibilities at events such as Texas 4-H Roundup, Texas 4-H Congress, Texas 4-H Center events, and other events as deemed necessary.
• Am able to set aside time to work on group projects
• Participate in 8-12 AIM Chats per year.

Team Culture, Structure, Meetings, and Decision-Making
The Texas 4-H Technology Team believes strongly in youth-adult partnerships.  The group is committed to drawing on individual member expertise and skills regardless of age.

• Youth and Adults have equal responsibilities.  There is no difference between youth and adults with work tasks. Anyone can volunteer to help on a project.
• The Texas 4-H Technology Team is organized on a self-initiative principle.  Members may propose projects that the entire team discusses and decides if they want to devote resources towards the project.
• Deciding of issues is done by group consensus, with the Staff member inputting information about 4-H policies, financial consideration and youth development research.
• Meetings are facilitated by a team member.  Parliamentary procedure is not used.

Membership Information

• Membership is a one-year commitment from November to October, with an optional second year.  If a member wishes to continue on the Texas 4-H Technology Team after the second year, he or she must reapply.
• There is a maximum of twenty (20) members on the Texas 4-H Technology Team each year.
• Five to eight new members are typically selected each year
• Applicant must be age 14 or older (as of August 31 of the year applying).

Member Responsibilities, Expectations, and Accountability

• Participate in the Texas 4-H Technology Team Orientation in November
• Participate in at least two of the four face-to-face meetings held annually.
• Participate in monthly on-line chat conferences (AOL Instant Messenger), weeknights around 6 – 9pm
• Complete assignments on-time
• Check and respond to email and the mail list on a regular basis
• Help provide and teach trainings throughout the year
• Adhere to all local, state, and federal laws and Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program Policies
• Role-model positive conflict resolution techniques and teamwork skills
• Hold each other accountable for fulfilling expectations

Membership Benefits

• Members serve in a statewide 4-H Youth Development leadership role and are accorded the respect appropriate to this position.
• Play an important role in the planning and support efforts of Texas 4-H Roundup, Texas 4-H Congress, 4-H Center events, and other statewide 4-H events/activities.
• Develop mentor positions through a positive youth/adult partnership setting.
• Serve in an environment to explore career opportunities.
• Active and involved members have their housing and meals paid to Texas 4-H Roundup and other events.
• Members learn skills in different areas of computer technology, and participate in the process of increasing computer technology use in the 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Have an impact on the use of technology in and on the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program.

Back to top of page

TECHNOLOGY TEAM APPLICATION

APPLICATIONS
	2008-2009 New Member Technology Team Application
	2008-2009 Returning Member Application

Back to top of page

2008-2009 MEMBERS

DISTRICT	COUNTY	NAME	YOUTH/ADULT
1	Armstrong	Emily Boothe	Youth
1	Gray	Gabriel Miller	Youth
2	Swisher	Justin Benavidez	Youth
3	Palo Pinto	Halee Shadden	Youth
4	Cooke	Victoria Blessing	Youth
4	Van Zandt	Malory McKee	Youth
7	Burnet	John Sivells	Youth
8	Williamson	Brianna Kaatz	Youth
8	Johnson	Amanda Merritt	Youth
9	Montgomery	Alyssa Duff	Youth
4	Denton	Kevin Hogan	Adult
4	Van Zandt	Dee Lee Smith	Adult
9	Brazos	Toby Lepley	Adult
9	Harris	Kevin Wentzel	Adult

Back to top of page

WORKSHOPS IN A BOX

 

Back to top of page

TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

 

Back to top of page

Page last updated: October 22, 2008