KEHA Launches New Website – KEHA is excited to introduce a new website. The home page will remain www.keha.org, but all inside page address links will change. Please update any saved bookmarks and be aware to look for pages with www.keha.org in the URL when using browsers to search. The website has been refreshed, and the new platform is mobile-friendly, among other helpful changes. Read more at https://keha.org/keha-launches-new-website/.
July = New KEHA Year Materials – July is the start of the new fiscal year for statewide KEHA.
Cultural Arts and Heritage Category Updates Coming Soon – As noted in the 2026 State Meeting Cultural Arts & Heritage Chairperson training, there are some changes coming to the Cultural Arts Exhibit categories that will begin July 1, 2026. These changes include updated quilt sub-categories, including new categories for quilts made by multiple homemakers. Also, new information will be added to the clarifications/definitions section. Full details will be included in the KEHA Handbook revisions coming in July.
Welcome, New KEHA Board Members – Welcome to the newly appointed International Chairperson, who began her partial term May 31, 2026, serving through June 30, 2027. Also welcome to the newly elected KEHA state officers and chairpeople whose terms begin July 1, 2026, for three years. The incoming state board members are:
State Board Adds Treasurer-Elect Position – The voting delegates at the 2026 KEHA Business Meeting approved adding a Treasurer-Elect position to the State Board. Changes were made to the state Bylaws to outline the position, nomination process, term, and duties. The first Treasurer-Elect shall be elected in 2028, serving for one year, followed by a three-year term as Treasurer. Also, the State Board approved in the fall meeting to have a one-time Treasurer Advisor position for the 2026-2027 year to assist the incoming treasurer. Current Treasurer Patsy Kinman will stay on for one additional year to help incoming Treasurer Debbie Rolen learn to fulfill her duties. For more details, read the featured story at https://keha.org/featured-stories/.
Volunteers Needed for 4-H Communications Contest – Volunteer judges are needed for 4-H State Communications Day on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The event takes place at the Bluegrass Community Technical College on Newtown Pike in Lexington. This event brings together youth from across the state to showcase their skills in public speaking, demonstrations, and mock interviews. Several volunteers are needed to serve as judges and room hosts from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sign up at: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38gbwVu8Ymvv2m2. Also, State Communications Contest Registration is now open on 4-HOnline!
Hooray!! For a Successful State Meeting – The 92nd annual KEHA State Meeting reached more than 500 registered attendees at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington, Ky., from May 12-14, 2026. KEHA presented a check for nearly $54,000 in support of the UK Ovarian Cancer Research and Screening Program. Three fundraising activities during the event yielded nearly $7,000 to support designated projects, and more than 114 quilts were donated to the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Ky. The choir performed seven songs. The Cultural Arts and Heritage contest included 818 entries that meeting attendees could view and enjoy. Attendees participated in 36 educational seminars, as well as educational chairperson workshops, officer training sessions, and hands-on crafts. For complete details about the State Meeting, visit https://keha.org/keha-holds-92nd-annual-state-meeting/.
2026 State Meeting Evaluations Summary – About 34% of attendees (169 out of 500) completed evaluation forms and rated the conference very highly, indicating a wealth of knowledge taken home to implement locally. On average, respondents rated the overall meeting as an 8 on a 10-point scale. Respondents enjoyed starting the event with a luncheon (97%) and also enjoyed having more free time in the evening (87%). They noted free time allowed for rest, socializing, networking, and time to visit local attractions. Most of the respondents attended all three days of the conference (89%).
When asked about the most important thing offered by KEHA in their decision to attend, top responses were: seminars/workshops/training (55%), hands-on craft classes (40%), lessons to bring back to club/county (39%), connecting with other counties (36%), Cultural Arts (34%), and more. Homemakers learned a lot from educational workshops, particularly noting the following: The Basics of Sourdough, Understanding Artificial Intelligence, Special Gifts for Special People, Starting a Book Club, Volunteerism 2026: New Breed, and Scam Scams, New Tricks. Favorite hands-on crafts included folded cards, spices, hand-sewing crafts, and basket making. Many resources will be shared in home counties, particularly information from Cultural Arts (45%), leadership (42%), hands-on crafts (38%), volunteering (35%), and more.
Cultural Arts and Heritage Winners – The Cultural Arts and Heritage Chairperson webpage at https://keha.org/cultural-arts-and-heritage/ has been updated with the following information:
2026 Leadership Academy Evaluations Summary – All 14 KEHA areas were represented at the 2026 KEHA Leadership Academy, with 29 candidates attending. About 96% of attendees (28 out of 29) completed the evaluation forms and rated the training highly. All respondents agreed that participating in the Leadership Academy improved their leadership skills in communication (100%) and increased their confidence in leadership abilities (100%). Also, all respondents plan to recruit or engage others to participate in KEHA (100%). All of them agreed (89% strongly and 11% somewhat) that the Leadership Academy helped them enhance their leadership skills. Overall, respondents rated all presentation topics as beneficial in building leadership capacity. The attendees ranked “Understanding Personalities” most highly, followed by “Assessing KEHA for the Future (SWOT),” “Sharing Your KEHA Message,” and “Leadership Toolbox.”
“I really wasn't sure I wanted to attend. But just like other things in life, sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone, put on a great face, open our mind to new ideas and differences, and appreciate one another’s strengths,” said one attendee. She continued, “I've learned so much! I'm grateful for this opportunity to learn leadership in a newer way with better perspective.”
Reports Are Due for Individuals and Clubs – Visit the reports webpage at https://keha.org/reports/ for a detailed process timeline and links to fillable forms. Please be aware of the following deadlines and submit reports on time. Be sure to use forms dated 2025-2026 to cover the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Remember, nothing is too small to report! Even small successes add up when totaled statewide.
July 1 – INDIVIDUAL-level reports are due. Reports for the eight educational programs are due to each county educational chairperson or designated officer. Volunteer Service Unit (VSU) logs are due to the county.
August 15 – COUNTY-level reports are due. The county tallies the reports received in July and submits the totals online by Aug. 15, printing a copy to share with each area educational chairperson. Links to online forms will be coming soon. County VSU reports are due via paper forms.
September 15 – AREA-level reports are due. Area VSU Reports are due to the KEHA State Leadership Development Chairperson.
One way to make preparing reports more fun is to host a “reporting party.” Clubs and/or county organizations can choose to set a date to meet and gather all reports at one time. Stations can be set up for each point person to gather information for each type of report due. Snacks and a party theme may make the event enjoyable.
Dates to Remember:
