President Melinda Kollmann called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2008.  The secretary’s minutes from Spring Thing were printed in the June Herald.  There were no additions or corrections so Colleen Ziller motioned to approve the minutes and Matt Lyons seconded.

    Sarah Sheehan read the treasurer’s report and Justin Crull motioned to approve and Haley Lyons seconded.  Vice-President Emily Lyons encouraged everyone to order IJHA t-shirts. 

    Brian Olbrich gave an advisor’s report about the embryo sale.  Embryos will be auctioned off at the Senior Convention in December.  Adam Watkins chaired the silent semen auction and it was reported that it raised $1300 at the State Holstein Sale.  Brian also encouraged everyone to try to get an item donated from their district to be put on the silent auction at the Senior Convention.  Melissa Irwin hosted a jewelry party and was kind enough to donate the profits to the IJHA to help support their trip to California for the National Holstein Convention. 

    In old business, Grace Shanks and Colleen Ziller gave a report about the 2008 National Holstein Convention in Wisconsin Dells.  Emily Lyons gave a report about the 2008 State Junior Holstein Show.

    In new business, the silent auction at the Senior Convention was discussed again as well as the embryo shuffle.  Tickets for the shuffle will be sold for $300 and tickets will be drawn at the banquet.  T-shirts are being sold for $15; they will be gray and will have a barn picture on the back with the IJHA name across the front.

    The Worker’s Auction has been postponed because there were not enough juniors at the State Picnic.  A possible new date to hold the fundraiser is at the PDCA Calf Sale.  Haley Lyons motioned to hold the auction at the calf sale provided the club will be able to; Colleen Ziller seconded the motion.  Sarah Sheehan will chair the committee and Grace Shanks and Morgan Olbrich assist her.  The club also discussed the possibility of opening up the worker’s auction to younger Junior members to increase participation. Railbird judging was also discussed and a committee chair will be chosen at Spring Thing. 

    The 2009 Spring Thing will be held on February 28 and March 1.  Click here for a Registration Form. The committee is currently working on a possible group activity for Saturday night.  Grace Shanks asked the club’s opinion on the lunch meal at Spring Thing and it was decided to have hamburgers and hot dogs.

    The 2009 State Junior Holstein Show was discussed next, including possible judges.

    The cost of the National Junior Holstein Convention will be tabled until the Spring Thing because there are no prices available yet.  Grace Shanks and Jordan Olrich made the motion to table the discussion.

    Nominations were made for the Jr. Service Award.  Brianna Sheehan and Morgan Olbrich motioned to close the nominations.

    Next in new business, the club discussed options for a memorial award or fund in memory of Kyle Mitchell.  It was decided to create a new award for Junior members called the “Outstanding Junior Member Award” because Kyle was a very outstanding member.  There will likely be a scholarship attached to this annual award, but that will be discussed further by the club and advisors at another date.  However, the first award will be presented at the upcoming Senior Holstein Convention.  The recipient of the award will be chosen by the Junior Advisors.  The subsequent awards will likely be presented at the November annual meeting.

    After new business was complete, elections were held.  Each current officer explained the duties of their office and then nominations were opened for president.  Haley Lyons nominated Emily Lyons.  Colleen Ziller made a motion to close nominations and Brianna Sheehan seconded.  A motioned was made and passed to white ballot Emily as president.  Emily nominated Haley Lyons for vice president.  Melinda Kollmann nominated Chris Kollmann,  Emily and Lindsey Zettle closed nominations.  After voting, it was announced that Haley would be the new vice president.  Morgan Olbrich nominated Grace Shanks and Brianna Sheehan nominated Sarah Sheehan for secretary.  Jessica Crull and Brock Irwin closed nominations.  Sarah was voted the new secretary.  Emily Irwin nominated Justin Crull and Sarah Sheehan nominated Colleen Ziller for treasurer.  Lindsey Zettle and Haley Lyons closed nominations.  Justin was voted the new treasurer.  Sarah Sheehan nominated Colleen Ziller for reporter and Emily Lyons nominated Grace Shanks.  After voting, Colleen was announced as the new reporter.

    In other news, Emily Lyons was chosen as the Illinois Distinguished Junior Member and Sarah Sheehan was chosen as the Junior Illinois Distinguished Junior Member.  Sarah motioned to adjourn the meeting and Matt seconded.  Melinda adjourned the meeting and the club gathered to take pictures.  Pizza was enjoyed after the meeting and then the group travelled to Ropp’s Jersey Cheese, located just outside Bloomington, to tour the facility.

Kelly Sheehan, 2008 IJHA Secretary

Illinois “Honorable Mention” at National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl

    The Illinois 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team received “Honorable Mention” by placing 5th in the 2008 National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl competition held in Louisville, Kentucky on November 7th & 8th. Team members included: Angie Boesche, DeKalb; Haley Lyons, Rockford; Elizabeth Myelle, Scales Mound; and Colleen Ziller, Huntley, IL. The Illinois team was among 20 states competing from throughout the United States.
     The 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl has become a premier event of education and competition among young people involved with 4-H dairy project work. This was the 29th consecutive year for the Invitational 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl competition, held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). The 4-H dairy quiz bowl is one of the nation’s most challenging contests for dairy industry youth as it tests the contestants’ knowledge in various areas including dairy production, dairy products and dairy science.
     The competition includes each team member answering a 50-question test and then each team competes with other teams in the double elimination contest. Each round consists of a series of 5 team questions and 20 toss up questions.
     Thank you to Diamond V Mills, Inc. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa for sponsoring the team jackets and to the Illinois Milk Producers’ Association and the Illinois 4-H Foundation who sponsored the team expenses. Dave Fischer, University of Illinois Extension Dairy Educator, coached the team and was assisted by Becky Meier, Ridott, IL.
    

The Illinois 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl team won “Honorable Mention” at the 2008 National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl contest in Louisville, KY. Pictured are (L to R): Angie Boesche, DeKalb; Colleen Ziller, Huntley; Elizabeth Myelle, Scales Mound; and Haley Lyons, Rockford, IL.