STATIC COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

October 6, 12:15pm Extension Office

 

Attendees: Teresa Young, Corry Arntzen, Krista Arntzen

Virtual Attendees: Anne Bergum, Chelsea Hollender, Melissa Heggem

 

The Static Committee met on Tuesday, October 6th, at 12:15 at the Extension Office, as well as a virtual option. Corry volunteered to help take minutes.

In announcements, Scott Sielstad’s (husband to former Fergus Co. MSU Extension Agent Denise Sielstad) passing was shared and it was moved (Anne) and seconded (Chelsea) to recommend to Leaders Council a memorial is made from our 4-H program. Motion passed.

There was minimal financial reporting as the Static Committee generally doesn’t spend money or receive income.

 

In Old Business the following items were discussed:

· Recap of Fair Exhibits – all felt the display are of the Trade Center and project setup were appropriate and would support a similar setup for the 2027 fair.

· Indoor Auction – Corry provided a recap from the fair event with 19 items being sold by 17 members, for an average sales price of $143.68 per item. Items and members participating were up slightly from prior year, but a large number of items were food-specific items and those generally sell for less with the increased number of food items. Corry asked the group to consider limiting members to selling only one item. There was also discussion about a marketing and promotion workshop or sharing of best practices.

· Fair Judging Rubrics and protocol – Teresa shared that in the transition of staff ahead of interviews, coupled with the removal of required record books as part of rubric scoring – some of the project rubrics were not consistent in scoring. This was inadvertent. Additionally, feedback was received about timing and some judges lack of feedback on scoring rubrics.

This transitioned to New Business and continued discussion on interview rubrics. New Business included:

· Judging Rubrics – all rubrics should be updated for consistent scoring. After specific baking and cooking rubrics were provided this year, it was discussed that developing additional project rubrics may be helpful for judges, intended to create specific triggers for more consistent judging in project areas. It was moved (Chelsea) and seconded (Anne) that the Extension Office would develop detailed project rubrics for three project areas, based on project enrollment. Motion passed. Teresa will begin developing such rubrics and will

share progress and drafts with the committee. Goal is these being completed by early spring.

· Discussion on judge recruitment – any individuals who may have a skill set or expertise are encouraged to work with the extension office, or be reported to the extension office for compilation. There will be an open solicitation for judges in the future, and those requests should include specific information or skill sets desired.

· Fairbook Review – there is a separate committee that will be reviewing the fairbook before year end. If you have suggestions, questions or additions you’d like to recommend, please let Teresa know right away.

· County Workshops – Teresa would like to put save the dates out for general workshop timing and ideas as follows:

o December – Sewing/Quilting/Crochet: apron or potholder

o February – Cooking/Baking/Cake Decorating: making goodies for Valentine’s Bake Sale

o March – Woodworking: blue bird houses

It was agreed these ideas, although not entirely planned, go into the future newsletter(s) to help get calendars marked and begin building interest. Chelsea mentioned activities the Winnett ACES and her club are working on; inviting all county members to participate. https://www.winnettaces.org/events

It was also asked so see project enrollment numbers from 2025/26 year as a reference point – Teresa will provide those to committee.

 

The next Static Committee meeting will January 13th, 12:15 at the Extension Office, with virtual option available.

It was moved (Chelsea) and seconded (Anne) to adjourn the meeting.

Submitted by Corry Arntzen.