4-H Computer Corps General Information

Computers have become essential to business and are close to becoming a household appliance. As 4-H trains the next generation of our country's workforce, it needs to add a stronger focus on the use of computer technology. Computer projects exist in some clubs, but there is no up-to-date curriculum on 4-H computer activities. We need to increase the use and teaching of computer technology in the California 4-H Youth Development Program.  The goal of the California 4-H Computer Corps is to increase the use of computer technology in the California 4-H program.

Kevin Wentzel, Steven Worker, and Mark Mahacek after the 1998 National 4-H Conference decided to start the "California 4-H Technology Corps" modeled after the "National 4-H Youth Technology Corps" to keep the California 4-H Website updated - at the time, the site had not been updated for five months.  After getting the State 4-H Office support and recruiting two other members, Andrew Bosworth and Kent Worker, they began.

Vision
That all youth in California

• have access to information technology through their 4-H YD program
• are provided opportunities to become skilled in the safe and effective use of information technology and its applications
• develop the ability to apply their technical skill and knowledge as a tool to enhance their education, career opportunities, contributions to community, and personal life.

Mission
The 4-H Computer Corps provides information technology support for various statewide 4-H activities. Specifically, the 4-H Computer Corps:

1. Acts as an advisory body to the State 4-H Office in analyzing and recommending information technology use in the 4-H Youth Development Program.
2. Maintains a 4-H photograph and video library on the State 4-H Website
3. Trains 4-H members and volunteers in information technology
4. Provides information technology (IT) support for statewide 4-H events by invitation of the respective planning committee.
5. Provides assistance for 4-H Clubs/Units in hosting and developing their own 4-H websites
6. Provides resources regarding information technology to 4-H members and volunteers.

Team Culture
The 4-H Computer Corps group believes strongly in youth-adult partnerships. The group is committed to drawing on individual member expertise and skills regardless of age.

• The Logistics and Technical Leads act as the primary leadership for the 4-H Computer Corps. The three project leads oversee their respective areas. Anyone on the group may volunteer to help with activities.
• Youth and Adults have equal responsibilities. There is no difference between youth and adults with work tasks, anyone can volunteer to help.
• The CA 4-H Comp Corps is organized on a self-initiative principle. Members may propose projects that the entire team will discuss and decide if they want to devote their time and group resources.
• Deciding of issues is done by group consensus, with the staff coordinator providing information about 4-H policies, financial consideration and youth development research.
• Meetings are facilitated (parliamentary procedure is not used).
• Those who have served on the group for a number of years act as mentors to new members.
  

Team Leadership
The group coordinator, logistics and technical leaders provide leadership and direction for the 4-H Computer Corps. They are responsible for organizing tasks, providing internal team training, and serving as mentors to members. The logistics and technical leaders are appointed by the Group Coordinator.

• Group Coordinator – Responsible for the 4-H Computer Corps program including mission, finances, policies, and selection. The State 4-H Program Representative serves as the group coordinator.
• Logistics Leader – Responsible for overall coordination and logistics of tasks, meetings, and group interaction. Develops agendas, facilitates meetings, records brief notes from each meeting, and ensures members adhere to 4-H and group expectations. Records meeting attendance and tracks project completion of all 4-H Computer Corps members. Serves as the 4-H Computer Corps point person at events.
• Technical Leader – Acts as a technical consultant to the 4-H Computer Corps in the areas of website design, graphics, photography and hardware. The technical leader ensures members are trained in various areas of information technology. Proposes workshops at various 4-H events including the 4-H State Leadership Conference, State 4-H Leaders’ Forum, and four sectional conferences (WHY, LCORT, TIC, CAL) and others. Identifies 4-H Computer Corps members able and willing to present workshops.

Projects

• IT Support – Responsible for ensuring appropriate IT support is provided at Statewide 4-H Events. Acts as a liaison with event staff to identify and support needs at the 4-H State Leadership Conference, State 4-H Field Day, California Focus, State 4-H Leaders’ Forum, and other events as needed. Serves as the point person for identifying 4-H Computer Corps members for particular events. Ensures a member plans the computer contest at the State 4-H Field Day (new in 2009). The IT Support Chief is also responsible for the maintenance of the mobile lab. Ensures computers are updated on a regular basis (at least 3 times a year), conducts equipment inventory, and trains other members on the proper setup and use of the computers. Communicates equipment needs to the State 4-H Office program coordinator. Serves as the point person for external requests for use of the lab.
• Media & Design – Responsible for all photograph, video, and graphic media of the 4-H Computer Corps. Ensures photographs are taken and gathered at all State 4-H Events and placed in the online 4-H photo gallery. Coordinates afterglow presentations at various events. Meta-tags photographs in the online 4-H photo gallery. Responsible for gathering 4-H video footage for various uses. Designs graphics for the State 4-H Website. Responsible for all layout and design templates for group handouts, flyers, presentations, and websites.
• Publicity & Documentation – Responsible for all 4-H Computer Corps publicity and documentation. Serves as the point person in group publicity at conferences and events; identify new and creative ways of marketing the group and recruiting new members. Responsible for internal group documentation. Responsible for ensuring workshop curriculum on the 4-H Computer Corps website is continually updated.
  

Meetings

The 4-H Computer Corps meets face-to-face four times a year, on a Saturday in January, March, July, and October.  The group meets on Instant Message (IM) during a weekday evening in the months without a face-to-face meeting.  Meeting dates are scheduled at the Orientation the first weekend in January.  All members also attend the 4-H State Leadership Conference.

Membership Information

• Eligibility: Applicant must be 15 years of age or older by December 31, 2008. Applicant must be enrolled in the UC 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Term: Membership is a one-year commitment starting in January.
• Application: 4-H members, volunteers and staff wanting to join the 4-H Computer Corps must complete a new member application, due September 30 each year.
• Selection: The selection committee is composed of three people not currently members of the 4-H Computer Corps. This includes the State 4-H Program Representative, a past 4-H Computer Corps member, and another 4-H volunteer and/or staff. The selection committee makes recommendations to the State 4-H Office.
• Appointment: The Group Coordinator makes official appointments to the team. In cases where one or more Leads are not filled, the Group Coordinator may identify and appoint 4-H members and/or volunteers to the team.

Member Responsibilities, Expectations, and Accountability
California 4-H Computer Corps members are expected to

• Adhere to all local, state, and federal laws and UC Policies
• Role-model positive conflict resolution techniques and teamwork skills
• Complete assignments on-time
• Check and respond to email and the online bulletin board on a regular basis
• Have daily access to a computer with internet and email
• Participate in team meetings, face-to-face on the weekends and online meetings on weeknights
• Help provide trainings throughout the year
• Maintain current skills in teaching and/or web design
• Meeting Absences: Attending meetings and staying informed is essential. Members need to keep themselves informed and connected. Attendance at meetings is factored during the annual review.

Membership Benefits

• Members serve in a statewide 4-H leadership role, and are accorded the respect appropriate to this position
• Members have their travel reimbursed for team meetings
• Those providing trainings at conferences and events may have their registration fees covered
• Members learn skills in different areas of computer technology
• Members earn a 4-H Computer Corps lapel pin

New Member Selection Criteria

• Access to computer and the Internet on a daily basis.
• Willingness and ability to devote time and effort to the 4-H Computer Corps activities.
• Ability to teach youth and adults about information technology. Demonstrated experience in providing workshops and other trainings to youth and adults.
• Understanding of and ability to work in cooperative team environment. Demonstrated experience in working with teams of youth and adults. Use of positive conflict resolution techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in computer technology. Experience with web design, coding, graphic design, or hardware support preferred.
• Mature, responsible, and able to use good judgment and appropriate behavior in information technology