I can’t wait to see all of you at this year’s Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Forum. I know that you’ll have a super time, the schedule of workshops is great and Georgia is working hard with the overall Forum committee for a terrific conference.

I have two new attachments, a few updates and a couple reminders.  If you know someone is not checking email and needs this information please share. I am also posting this note on our webpage (www.georgia4h.org under Support 4-H and then Volunteers) but better safe than sorry so please share among yourselves.

Attached is an updated housing list. We have had a couple drops so I did some shifting and was able to put everyone in the back rooms of cabins and not use the living rooms. This does mean there is a double bed and couch available in most living rooms. Hopefully, this gives all our cabins lots of space. If anyone would like to move into a living room of a cabin (there is a double bunk and the couch), I will be able to make those adjustments at our first statement at 2:30 on Thursday. Please do not swap cabins or make moves without talking to me first. We do have part timers and late arrivers so an empty bed may not be empty on Friday  night.

I’ve also attached the updated volunteer “job” list. If you will let me know your choices prior to Forum, we can know what we still need filled. If each volunteer takes one job we’ll be in great shape.  If you requested a job and don’t see your name here, please remind me. I may have missed your request and I don’t want to leave anyone out.  The next three years of the Forum will be fun for Georgia but we will also have to pull together and work hard since we have conference roles, too.

Don’t forget, check in is from 1:30 to 2:15 with our first meeting at 2:30. If you will be late, let me know.

We have several new activities and I’ve seen some emails going around with ideas on a few of these as a reminder here are some fun things you’ll want to be aware of:
 

ALS Fundraiser: This year’s Committee has asked for states to support ALS in honor of a long time Southern Region Volunteer Forum Committee member our photographer, Ralph Meacham.  If you would like to contribute to ALS or ask your friends and neighbors to contribute we do have a website and all the contributions can be made on line.  http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/3rdParty/NationalOffice?fr_id=5130&pg=entry There will be several opportunities for you to give during the Forum including a pot being passed, a walk for a cure, and a silent auction. In addition to bidding on great stuff, we are also asking delegates to bring items to be included in the auction.  All of the funds raised in these projects will go to the Forum’s ALS fundraising effort in honor of Ralph.

Dress: Dress for the week is mostly casual.  Louisiana has planned a lot of special events and you’ll want to come prepared. Friday night is a Cajun Holiday by the lake. Special dress is not required but you can wear your favorite Christmas outfit.  On Saturday, Louisiana will host a Mardi Gras ball.  Traditionally, this evening has been a dressier affair and this year is no exception. “Sunday dress” is appropriate and you might want to think purple, green, gold for Mardi Gras. If you have a mask, bring one, too.

There is a cabin decorating contest as well. Bring anything red, black and Georgia that you would like to share for use outside our cabin for decoration.  It will be outside of the duration of the event so remember it will be in the weather.  I know we have a big bulldog (that blows up), lots of red & black, a lighted clover and other 4-H stuff for our cabin fronts.

Mardi Gras parade...we will have the opportunity to enter ourselves, a float or a creative something in the mardi gras parade on Friday afternoon. I have heard someone has offered their truck to be decorated and we’ve also had the idea of making boxed cars out of cardboard.  Bring anything mardi gras and anything Georgia you have to decorate a “float”  If we can toss items the suggest has been made we throw peanuts. If you can stop by your Farm Bureau for some peanut packs or purchase some elsewhere that would be great.  We can also go as our excited selves.