Finally! ! Plan and a couple of connections

Today is the first day I've actually had a chance to look at my blog space since starting it nearly one month ago.

Now, that I've completed a project plan with full Log Frame analysis and Stakeholder Analysis, I finally feel as if I have some grasp on this project and idea of where to go next.  Also, I heard back from my main contact, my former 4-H leader back home in Washington State and she was able to provide me with the contact information for the a new County level 4-H employee!  This was a couple of weeks ago, and I did do a bit of a happy dance then but also became quite anxious and stressed over the thought of giving my 'pitch' to a new person, one I don't have any personal connection too.  However, both being former 4-Hers I'm sure there we have much in common.  I cannot wait to hear her ideas and thoughts on how to proceed with engaging the rest of the King County 4-H family.

I also found out to my dismay that King County 4-H already has a Facebook page that is regularly updated. However, the original purpose of the page (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=73369&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=111983015505931&aid=-1&id=100000800635298#!/pages/Save-4-H-In-King-County/200387315752?ref=ts) was to facilitate discussion on how to "Save King County 4-H" before the next budgetary meetings occur with the King County Council in November 2010.  No one wants to see the need for protests again in order to make sure the program is noticed and supported again, at the very last minute.  No one wants to feel that fear or see the need to drop everything to gather as many supporters as possible without any real clear mission!  At least I do  not, and from the few individuals associated with the program I have spoken with, neither do they.  So, one of my goals now is to help facilitate the discussion boards (which are currently blank) on this Facebook page and hopefully getting things moving.  Perhaps, one for the parents, volunteers and administrators and one for the kiddos to openly discuss their feelings and thoughts, which in turn can be monitored by their club leaders, parents, etc for content, trends and appropriate use.

We will see how far we get but in the short time we have before classes are dismissed for the final time this semester, the above is as much as I can hope for.  I've just now sent out my email and proposal to my, hopefully new contact and am eagerly awaiting a response.  Despite the my inability to focus solely on this project, as I would prefer, I am now at least somewhat energized and motivated to get started again and with a strong project plan completed, I know that I do have the tools and ability to "get 'er done!" From here on out, I only hope to see positive results. Fingers crossed that 2010 will not be a repeat of 2009 for King County 4-H.

To see what was organized at the last minute in November 2009 for the 2010 budget cycle meetings please visit the following links:
http://queenanne.komonews.com/content/rally-save-king-county-4-h-sunday-keyarena
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010341088_4hcuts24m.html
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010513492_web4h15m.html

And here is one that on a time I personally remember quite well.  I was spoken to by our lovely County Executive at the time with several other 4-Hers that previous summer (2000) and were shot down quite harshly by the adult we were told to treat with the utmost respect.  Good times--This is why I care today!
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20001106&slug=4051732