PA 4-H Capital Days

Capital Days was another busy event for Pennsylvania 4-H, complete with everything from etiquette training to legislative meetings. As a State Council member we had the honor to meet with your local representatives and senators, not to mention the Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff. Despite the dreary conditions, everyone had a wonderful time and we all had the opportunity to listen to Representative Conklin, Ms. Gwen Bower, and Ms. Lori Connelly. I would like to thank everyone coming to represent the 4-H program and I hope you all had an excellent time!

2009 Capital Days Experience

Greetings!

I am Alex Stepnoski, 2009 Council Vice President of Conference. I would like to share with you my experience at Capital Days.

The council team arrived at the Hilton Hotel for the 2009 4-H Capital Days event in Harrisburg on Saturday, April 18^th in order to prepare for the mock legislative sessions, meetings with our legislators, and review other items on our agenda.

To kick off our 4-H Capital Days program, we had our opening ceremonies dinner with our guest speakers: State 4-H program leader, Christy Bartley and Ms. Gwen Bower. Ms. Bower talked with the 4-H delegates about how a bill becomes enacted into law. After dinner, the council team led ice breaker activities Representatives from the Collegiate FFA also came to share information about parliamentary procedure. Afterwards, the information was applied while at the mock party meetings for the majority party (green party) and minority party (white party). The bills that were discussed are House bill 63 regarding the sale of tobacco, Senate bill 111 about the Witness Protection Act, and House bill 188 regarding the start of school before Labor Day.

Monday was very eventful with back to back Senator and Representative appointments. We had the opportunity to meet with Special Assistant to Lieutenant Governor Tony Moscato; Secretary of Agriculture, Dennis Wolff; Senators Charles McIlhinney, Donald White, John Gordner, and Robert Robbins; and Representatives John Evans, David Millard, and Samuel Smith. The council also hosted a working luncheon on table manners with special guest Lori Connelly to prep us for the Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday; the mock legislative meeting with the green and white parties; a banquet with special guest representative Scott Conklin; and Dairy Promotion ice cream social, dance, and movie.

To close the 4-H Capital Days event, on Tuesday, April 21^st, the delegates had an opportunity to meet with their legislators at the Legislative Breakfast. At the breakfast, Secretary Wolff and head of Penn State Cooperative Extension, Daney Jackson offered a few words. As Capital Days came to a close, we unveiled the 2009-2010 Service Learning Project, “Check out the Silver”. We ask that counties, throughout the year, start collecting metal tabs from soda and juice cans to benefit Ronald McDonald Houses! Those regions who collect the most tabs will be recognized at the 4-H State Leadership Conference.

In short, the 2009 4-H Capital Days was a great success and we are all looking forward to our trip to New Mexico and State Achievement Days!

Thanks so much!

Alex Stepnoski
Council Vice President of Conference

Productive Day

The 4-H Capital Days participants had a very busy day today. Not only did they debate three legislative bills as well as a Capitol Tour and four great workshops. To top it off we had two excellent speakers during the luncheon and dinner. Right now everyone is blowing off some steam at the dance or chilling out watching the movie "National Treasure". Everyone will be up bright and early for the Legislative Breakfast tomorrow morning.

A very nice Ettiquitte talk was given by Lori Connelly. Good job Lori! All are enjoing their time here. The Capitol tour was inspiring and full of excitment. The domes were beautiful and pillars weighed a lot. 91 steps to the third floor and everyone was winded when they arrived at the top. Additionally we toured the house of representatives, senate, and a supreme court room. Fact: the desks in the senate the desks were made of mahogany and were 102 years old. Guided tour recommended call for reservations 1800-tour-n-pa and enjoy the sites.

Cosha U and Wanda B

Monday Morning

It's Monday morning and everyone is dressed nicely and ready for the Capitol Tour. It is raining which will make the walk to the Capitol a bit soggy. Last night's speaker, Gwen Bower, did a great job explaing the legislative process in 20 minutes. Gwen is former 4-H member from Perry County that attended 4-H Capital Days and CWF. The Collegiate FFA presented a workshop on Parlimentary Procedure that went well. And the participants spent time debating 3 bills. More to come later.

PA 4-H Capital Days is here

The Harrisburg Hilton is ready for the 2009 PA 4-H Capital Days. Over 60 4-H members are registered for this event. I look forward to the Legislative breakfast on Tuesday which will have over 40 legislators attending.

Welcome to 2009 PA 4-H Capital Days

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the 2009 Pennsylvania 4-H Capital Days event in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.