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NJSA’s Top Ten Opportunities in 2003
by Jennifer Shike
There is a time to let things happen and a time to MAKE things happen. My goal for the NJSA this year is to encourage each member to MAKE things happen! I believe it’s important that each NJSA member, parent, grandparent, friend, and swine breeder realize just how important they are to our organization’s well being.
It is safe to say that opportunities are abundant in the NJSA. Now is the time to start charting your course for the year ahead. I’ve learned that the more you put into organizations like NJSA, the more you’ll grow from your experiences in these programs. Here’s a “Top 10” list of opportunities available to you this year in the NJSA.
10. NJSA Western Regional
Are you ready to enjoy the beaches (or maybe just the hog barns) of Bakersfield, Calif., March 21-23? Don’t miss out on this exciting new regional show. NJSA members will be gathering together for one of our most unique events yet! Not only can you compete in our gilt show and showmanship contest, but you can also compete in a skillathon and our sweepstakes contest. In addition, a few NJSA board members will be traveling west to organize a fun “Barnyard Olympics” for all of our Western Regional participants.
9. National Youth Leadership Conference
Step up to the challenge of being a leader at the second-annual National Youth Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City, Okla. We have room for 65 youth (ages 16-21) at this motivating leadership event. Nationally recognized speakers Stewart and Casey Kennedy will highlight the program. Youth will also listen to outstanding representatives from the swine industry and tour interesting sights such as the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Lifeline Genetics Boar Stud. Watch the Feb./Mar. Seedstock EDGE for more information about this “can’t-miss” conference!
8. National Junior Summer Spectacular
The event that helped shape the NJSA into one of the leading youth organizations in the country will be taking place in July for the sixth year in a row. Make plans to attend the National Junior Summer Spectacular on July 1-5 in Louisville, Ky. We expect hundreds of youth from at least 25 states to join us at this exciting event. You can compete in a gilt show, showmanship contest, judging contest, skillathon, speech contest, photography contest, state display contest and a sweepstakes contest. As well, you can sit in on the NJSA Annual Meeting and vote for new directors. It will be a week you won’t forget!
7. NJSA Board Elections
Not only is it an honor to serve on the NJSA Board of Directors, but it also positions you to positively impact this organization through your hard work and efforts. If you are interested in serving on the NJSA Board, you must fill out an application. Then, all candidates will be interviewed at the National Junior Summer Spectacular. The top 2-3 candidates per region will be selected to present a short speech before the intermediate and senior voting members. The election will be held on Thur., July 3. Applications are now available and are due at the NSR office on April 1. To receive an application, you can contact me by calling (217) 485-5315 or (765) 463-3594 or e-mail jennifer@nationalswine.com.
6. NJSA Southwest Regional
Plans are underway for the fourth-annual NJSA Southwest Regional. This event will be held Sept. 19-21. Alternative locations are being investigated for this event, but most likely we will hold this show in Lawton, Okla. If you haven’t traveled to Lawton for this event, pencil it into your schedule this year. At this event, youth can compete in a judging contest, showmanship contest and gilt show. All-around winners will be recognized in the sweepstakes contest. Because of the success of last year’s Barnyard Olympics, we will be sure to have this fun family activity again this year.
5. NJSA Eastern Regional
The growth of the NJSA Eastern Regional continues to amaze us. The youth and adults in this area are fired up about the NJSA and this show is just a reflection of the excitement in this part of the country. The third-annual Eastern Regional will take place Oct. 3-5 in Harrisburg, Pa. Participants will be competing in a skillathon, showmanship contest and gilt show in addition to the sweepstakes contest. It’s a fun event you won’t want to miss!
4. NAILE Market Hog Show
On November 9-10, youth will exhibit their purebred and crossbred market hogs at the North American International Livestock Exposition Market Hog Show in Louisville, Ky. In addition to a big, high quality market hog show, NJSA members have fun hanging out together and competing in our traditional Barnyard Olympics.
3. NJSA Scholarship Program
The National Swine Registry has developed an educational fund to provide scholarships to novice, junior, intermediate and senior NJSA members each year. Applications are available in the fall, and are due on Dec. 1 at the NSR office. Don’t underestimate yourself – set high goals and go after these scholarships designed to recognize youth for their hard work in academics, leadership, community service and swine industry activities.
2. NJSA & Regional Show Committees
If you are interested in learning more about NJSA events and activities, consider becoming a member of one of our committees. NJSA committees, chaired by NJSA Board members, were developed in 2001 to help provide our organization with ideas and direction. As well, the regional show committees consisting of parents and other adults were set up to help spread the word about our events in each region. These show committees have performed a variety of tasks to help our program – from handing out flyers to organizing judging contests. A special thanks to all of you who are currently serving on our committees. We wouldn’t be as strong without you!
1. Meet the Youth Advisory Committee
If you haven’t met the members of our Youth Advisory Committee, then you need to put that on your agenda for the year. One of the main reasons this organization is going today is because of a special group of people that were organized a few years ago to help give me direction in my position here at the National Swine Registry. Without the ideas and encouragement from these guys, I don’t know where we’d be! One of the other reasons this committee exists is to be able to listen to the needs of our NJSA members and families. If you have ideas for our program, please remember they are serving in this capacity because they want to hear your ideas and help take the program to the next level. This committee includes Kim Brock, Jon Althaus, Grant Grebner, Jim McCoy, Steve Nichols and NJSA President Wrex Phipps. These men have a sincere passion for helping youth reach their goals in life. Take advantage of their interest in this program and youth!
