Last Call for Dues! – County deadlines have passed, but there is still time to get your dues in! Dues payment and the remittance form (KEHA Manual Appendix page 18) should be mailed to the area and state treasurers as soon as possible. They are delinquent if not received by Dec. 31. Counties that are delinquent will not be permitted to have voting delegates and rights to vote at the 2026 state business meeting.

Member Recognitions – County Membership Recognition Reports (including 50-year member and deceased member lists) are due to the Area Vice President or Area President by Dec. 31. For membership tenure recognition, only those reaching the denoted milestone this year should be included in the report. Areas should send the compiled county results in one form to KEHA 2^nd Vice President Martha Colley by Jan. 31. (See KEHA Manual Appendix page 19.)

Register Now for the Kentucky Volunteer Forum – The Kentucky Volunteer Forum, Feb. 26-28, 2026, is a developmental and educational conference geared towards 4-H and Extension volunteers from all program areas. A special Homemakers track will take place on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington. The final deadline for registration is Jan. 16. For more information or to register, visit https://4-h.mgcafe.uky.edu/core-program-areas/kentucky-volunteer-forum.

Ovarian Cancer Screening Update – Dr. Edward Pavlik, UK Professor & Director of Ovarian Screening Research in Gynecologic Oncology, shared an uplifting note with the KEHA board about the Ovarian Cancer Screening Program. The screening program recently detected several early-stage malignancies. Two of them were on the same day before Thanksgiving and one a week later. He said that is an unusual number of cases in a short time. Over the many years of the program, more than 150 malignancies have been detected. Early detection makes a big difference in treatment. He said two of these three recent cases do not need chemotherapy and will have a surgical cure. “I’m quite thankful this year!” Dr. Pavlik said. “Screening and the KEHA working together is successful work that is good for others!”

Contests – March 1 is the deadline for most KEHA contests, scholarships, and grants. For questions regarding any of these opportunities, contact the officer or chairperson listed in the KEHA Manual. For additional details and links, visit https://keha.mgcafe.uky.edu/march-1-keha-deadlines-2026.  

Scholarships – Now through February is the perfect time to promote KEHA scholarship opportunities within your counties. Encourage eligible members to apply and continue the tradition of support and empowerment through education. For more information on scholarships, including application forms due March 1, visit https://keha.mgcafe.uky.edu/content/scholarships-grants.

KEHA Grants – Applications for both KEHA Mini-Grants and KEHA Development Grants are due March 1. KEHA mini-grants (KEHA Handbook page 107) are awarded to KEHA members, Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agents, or Family and Consumer Sciences Extension state staff for research and study that will provide a benefit to KEHA. KEHA Development Grants (KEHA Handbook page 110) are awarded to counties or areas for implementation of projects to benefit the membership. Applications must be prepared by KEHA members and outline the role of members and FCS professionals. Development grant applications should be sent via certified mail to the KEHA 2nd Vice President.

Nominate a Candidate for KEHA State Board – April 10 is the postmark deadline for state officer and chairperson credentials (see KEHA Manual Appendix). Up for election this year are: First Vice President; Treasurer; Environment, Housing & Energy Chairperson; Leadership Development Chairperson; Food, Nutrition & Health Chairperson; and Marketing & Publicity Chairperson. Qualified candidates should apply! For additional details and forms, visit https://keha.mgcafe.uky.edu/2026-state-board-elections.  

2026 KEHA State Meeting Room Block Open – Next year’s KEHA State Meeting will take place May 12-14, 2026, at Hyatt Regency in Lexington. The theme is “Hooray!! KEHA!” and Bluegrass Area is the host. Reserve your hotel room now in the KEHA group block! Find details at https://keha.ca.uky.edu/content/state-meeting-information.

Dates to Remember

• Dec. 31 – Dues deadline. Any county that does not submit state dues by this date will not be eligible to vote at the 2026 KEHA Business Meeting in May. (Use remittance form found in the KEHA Manual Appendix page 18). Please send remittance to Patsy Kinman, KEHA Treasurer, 310 Falmouth St., Williamstown, KY 41097.
• Dec. 31 – Deadline for fundraising-based recognitions (ovarian cancer fundraising, KEHA scholarship contributions, Coins for Change contributions, etc.) Awards will be based upon funds forwarded to the KEHA state treasurer with state dues and noted on the remittance form.
• Dec. 31 – County Membership Recognition Reports (including 50-year member and deceased member lists) due to Area President or Vice-President (see KEHA Manual Appendix page 19).
• Jan. 15 – County membership database/updates due via the web-based system (agents/staff).
• Jan. 15 – KEHA Newsletter content deadline – Information due to KEHA 2nd Vice-President and KEHA State Advisor.
• Jan. 16 – Final registration deadline for the Kentucky Volunteer Forum.
• Jan. 31 – Area Membership Recognition Reports (compiled in one form) due to State 2^nd Vice-President Martha Colley (see KEHA Manual Appendix page 19).
• Feb. 26-28 – Kentucky Volunteer Forum in Lexington, KY.
• March 1 – Deadline for KEHA scholarships, grants, and most contests.
• March 4-6 – KEHA Leadership Academy at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park.