Nametag background using Adobe Illustrator

1. open illustrator
2. change page set up to inches
3. set artboard size to equal the size of your nametags
4. choose File/place to place your graphics
5. save as an eps file
6. open word
7. choose nametag (go to mailings/labels/full page/options (pick nametag number)/new document
8. you will see the outline of every nametag on the page
9. insert the eps image that you saved on every nametag space
10. save document
11. your are now ready to create a merge doc for the namtags.

Six Simple Web Tools that I Can't Live Without

What did we do without the internet? I'm not sure. Although life did seem simpler and slower...I'm not sure how I survived without: a way to find any recipe known to man, a way to connect to my friends and relatives, or a way to write collaboratively with others who live across the country (or across the hall).

Although my list of favorite web based communicaiton tools continues to evolve, here is my list, as it stands right now...in order...with the best tool first.

1. Google Docs Create and edit web-based documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Store documents online and access them from any computer. Tour If you are not familiar with the Google family tree ...might be worth a peek: http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/


2. Google Forms. Technically this is a piece of Google Docs, but it is so fabulous that it deserves its own line. Google Forms is essentially a ramped up "CCE Formbuilder" for those of you who remember that one... Since w no longer have access to formbuilder...Google Forms is essential for on-line registration, ordering products or materials, surveying your leaders...etc. Tour


3. Blogs. Blogger or Word Press. Blogs started out as an "on-line diary" but have grown to be photojournals, collaborative work spaces, promotional tools...etc. The benefit of using one of these blogs is that they are simple to set up, free, and offer you a work shared work environment (one person isn't holding the responsibility for promoting everyone's work). The other benefit is that they are not on you server...so if something happens...you have a back up plan. Blogger is a much simpler tool, but is limited (can't post documents), Word Press is a little more complex, but it is also the blogging tool currently supported by CCE admin - so there is help if needed.
4. Facebook. Lots of opportunities here. Promoting programs, connecting to people, connecting the dots. What I do: let folks know what I'm doing via updates (this sometimes connects personal and professional ), create groups around topics or programs or activities, post pictures. Since so many folks FB...this is a great way to get the word around.
   
5. Picasa or Flickr. A picture tells a thousands words. Upload the right pics. Keep a camera with you. Share. I like both. Flickr connects to Word Press, Picasa to Blogger. There are likely ways to make them all work together, but this has been my experience.
   
6. RSS Reader. An RSS reader will sift through the internet for you, searching for the content you are interested in. If you tighten your search just right - this can save you a fair amount of time and deliver good information.

Couple of side notes:

NYS 4-H Resource Directory. Still alive and kicking...the RD will get some new content this semester. Please do promote this resource to your staff, volunteers and teachers.

*Note the absense of "wiki"...in my opinion Google Docs takes this role on but...wikis are still a collaborative writing/web site option. https://plans.pbworks.com/academic

Adding content to a Word Press site

1. Go to your wordpress site
2. Go to the edit page: click Site Admin login lower right in right menu
3. Login: Your login will be your first name and lastname...all one word all lowercase, unless you had a previously established username. An invitation - e-mail should have been sent to you establishing a password etc. Logging in will get you to our blog’s “dashboard”.
4. Write a Post: The process of entering your writing in WordPress is easy.
   
   - Go to “posts” (left column),
   - “add new”.
   - Then add a title and your content.
5. Tips For Posting:
   Use Paragraphs No one likes to read writing that never pauses for a line break. Break your writing up into paragraphs by adding spaces between your paragraphs. Use Headings If you are writing long posts, break up the sections by using headings, small titles to highlight a change of subject. Bold also works nicely to bring it to someone’s attention.Use of HTML: You don't have to use HTML when writing your posts. WordPress will automatically add it to your site, but if you do want control over different elements like boxes, headings, and other additional containers or elements, and you are comfortable with it - use HTML. Spell Check and Proof The version of WordPress that we are using has spell check…it is not automatic though...so do click on the spell check button.
6. Using Images in Posts: If pictures are worth one thousand words, pictures that tell a story are worth one million. Choose your pictures wisely – just a couple – with just a few people involved. A good story-telling picture is taken relatively close to the subject, has at least one person looking at the camera (inviting you in), and the participants are doing something.
7. Upload an image: Within your post – go to add media (just above the area that you add content) the first button is for adding an image – it is the icon that looks a little like a tv screen (a square within a square just below the title.
   - Select “Add an image”, the select where you are adding it from (your computer or media library (these are pictures that are already on the blog).
   -For “from computer” – browse to the pic you want, then upload.
   - Add a title and description to your picture.
   - Insert it into your post.
8. Add a category for your post: You will find this section on the right hand side of your screen.
9. Publish!
   
   
   Checklist for adding content:
10. 
    Did you?
    __Write a post with a title?
    __Use paragraphs where appropriate?
    __Add images that tell a story?
    __Add a category for your post?
    __Publish ?

Communicating the 4-H Brand Wkshop

What makes 4-H Youth Development a unique youth serving organization? If we could all answer that question succinctly and intentionally, with pride and power, our clientele and our communities, too, would understand what we do and why. How do we communicate that niche with our audiences, colleagues, funding/program partners and our university?

Communication is an integral part of what we do within Cornell Cooperative Extension, yet there are many who are not clear about the unique function that 4-H has in connecting youth across NYS to our land grant university. How do we help others to know the real benefits of
4-H Youth Development?

Workshop panel of:

• Barb Schirmer, State 4-H Leader. Intentional delivery methods of our program and they wisdom behind them.
• Celeste Carmichael, State4-H Program Specialist. Tools for Communicating who we are and what we do.
• George Preston, CCE State Communications Leader. Building a strong image of CCE.
• Cathy Sheils, crm3@cornell.edu, Associate Director of Admissions/Transfer Coordinator, Communicating the non-formal education advantage to our audiences.
• Stephen Hamilton, Associate Provost for Outreach, Proven methods of talent development and the inherent links to the 4-H Youth Develolpment program.

Summary:

• Be sure to always "thank Dad", our parent organization - Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Use tag lines (simle one liners that are easy for folks to remember)
• Have a cadre of example stories
• Memorize a few facts (participant numbers, leader enrollment etc)
• Know our goals
• Promote internally & externally
• Let our kids and public know that 4-H preps kids for college
• Wear it proud!!!
  

Resources:

• powerpoints from the workshop, including a PPT from Dr. Cathann Kress http://nys4h-staff.cce.cornell.edu/
• Guiding Principles http://nys4h-staff.cce.cornell.edu/index.php

4-H Communication Opportunities

Occoasionally colleagues ask about communication opportunities for 4-H programs. Thought it might be of use to county offices as well.

Our goal: Helping staff, on and off campus, to communicate our impacts and connection to the University in an interesting and compelling way.

Newsletters:

e4hconnect 4-H News Blog -send news to Adam Davis, afd7@cornell.edu. Short news items with a link are most appropriate. In the interest of your time you may wish to send a news item to the list-serve - we scan those items for appropriate news to post to e4hconnect.

CCE News - for unique county/regional & statewide programs. At present, send CCE News blurbs to Lauri Whatley: lhw6@cornell.edu. Copy me if you would - cjc17@cornell.edu.

Small Farm Quarterly (Cornell Small Farms Program organizes this) - we manage the Youth Pages, typically recruiting a county or a program (dairy/horse) to recruit kids to write articles. Suggestions for content and recruitment can be submitted to me cjc17@cornell.edu. Published SFQ goes out to all subscribers of Country Folks.

NYSACCE4-HE News & Views - Also quarterly, this newsletter is distributed via e-mail to 4-H Educators across the state. The intent is professional development, so any article about best practices or successful programming is acceptable. Event promotion does not belong here. Send news items to the editor, Angela Waligora, abw23@cornell.edu.

Press Releases:

Releases with statewide appeal can be sent to Adam Davis (afd7@cornell.edu). Releases should be in a standard format MS word. As time allows, I'm willing to help you prep releases (not always a guarantee), but more than what it says it is important to get it out there. We send our releases to: the youth educator list serve (CCE-STAFF-YOUTH-L@cornell.edu) and to Cornell Press Relations, expecting that county offices will adapt/personalize and get it to local media. If it is of interest to them - the Chronicle will pick it up. If you are looking for local news, I suggest the 2,2,2 rule: send it out 2 weeks in advance, follow up 2 days in advance with an e-mail or call, call 2 hours in advance to be sure you have coverage.

Websites:

State 4-H Office site: http://nys4h.cce.cornell.edu/
Resource Directory: http://www.cerp.cornell.edu/4h/
Success Stories: http://nys4h.cce.cornell.edu/givechange/success.htm and http://nys4h.cce.cornell.edu/4_h_stories/index.php?category_id=61&id=4
Events listing: http://nys4h.cce.cornell.edu/program/events/TeenEventLinks.php
Cornell Outreach site: http://www.cornell.edu/outreach/