Understanding 4-H Awards: A Guide for Adams County 4-H Members

Understanding 4-H Awards: A Guide for Adams County 4-H Members University of Illinois Extension Unit 14 Published March 2017 University of Illinois * U.S. Department of Agriculture* Local Extension Councils Cooperating University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Table of Contents Philosophy of Illinois 4-H Awards Programs 1 Unit 4-H Award Selection Procedures 1 Individual Awards & Records Individual 4-H Project Awards 2 Permanent Record 2 I Dare You Award 2 Illinois 4-H Award 3 Top Ten 1st Year Member 4 Secretary of the Year Award 4 Treasurer of the Year Award 4 Electricity Achievement Award 5 William Taylor Award 5 Dale Donley 4-H Leader of the Year 6 Glen Tenhouse Memorial Award 6 The Leader s Choice Award 6 Outstanding Member of the Year 6 Equine High Points Award 7 Club Awards Scrapbook Award 7 Club Excel Awards 8 Club Focused Area Awards 8 Power of Youth Community Service Award 9 The name and emblem are protected under 18 U.S.C. 707. University of Illinois Extension Unit 14 Quincy Office 330 S. 36th St. Quincy, IL 62301 Phone 217-223-8380 Fax 217-223-9368 Sheri Merry Youth Development Educator smerry@illinois.edu Jeremy Reynolds 4-H Program Coordinator jreyno@illinois.edu 4-H Recognition Recognition of Participation and Progress 9 Recognition of Achievement Standards 10 State Awards State Individual Awards 10 State Club Recognition Awards 12 Leadership Recognition Recognition for 4-H Leadership 12 Suggestions for Award Applications Suggestions for Completing Award Applications 13 Pointers for Preparing an Illinois Award Application 14

Any 4-H member, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, or disability may compete in county or state 4-H award programs providing they meet the eligibility requirements. Philosophy of Illinois 4-H Awards Programs The mission of the Illinois 4-H Program is to help youth become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. The emphasis is on helping youth learn to learn, use knowledge, develop self and relate to a change. One strategy or method used to foster human growth and development is the use of recognition. Because people participate in the same activity for different reasons, recognition may have a different meaning to each participant. Therefore, motivating youth requires a comprehensive program of recognition. To help define the many dimensions of recognition and their implications, a model for recognizing 4-H member accomplishments has been developed. National research on incentives in 4-H produced the Model for 4-H Recognition. The model defines four separate but interrelated types of recognition. Each part provides motivation and recognition in a unique way. All four parts used together enables a balanced 4-H recognition program to exist. The four parts include: Participation in Educational Experiences Individual Progress Toward Personal Goals Achievement of Standards of Excellence Results of Peer Competition Unit 4-H Award Selection Procedures Unit 14 uses an event called Record Check for award selections. The Record Check committee consists of volunteers who have no personal ties to the award candidates. Unit winners are selected first followed by state nominations. Another committee meets to interview Outstanding Member of the Year candidates. Page 1

Unit Individual Awards INDIVIDUAL AWARDS PERMANENT RECORD Illinois 4-H Member Record The Permanent Record is a continuous record of activities and projects of a 4-H member. Participation in the local 4-H club, enrollment and exhibits, 4-H programs, leadership activities, community activities and honors received in 4-H are put on this record. This record stays with the 4-H member even if the member transfers to another club. Members keep the Permanent Record up-to-date. The Permanent Record must be up-to-date and turned in with the other records in order to be considered for awards. At Record Check, the Permanent Record may be the deciding factor in the placement of awards. Parent and Leader signatures are required on the Permanent Record. INDIVIDUAL 4-H PROJECT AWARDS (Formerly Merchant Awards) The Indivudual 4-H Project Award recognizes the top records in a project area. These are supported by generous doners for the 4-H Fair and Achievement Program. Members must have explain what is learned from doing their project area. Member must have exhibited a project for a rating at the 4-H fair. Members may receive this award in more than one project area. 4-H members may fill out a Individual 4-H Project Award form for each project area (example: one for each of these project areas: Foods, Visual Arts, Beef, Aerospace, Horticulture, Woodworking, etc.) Note: A member may exhibit more than one project in Foods, but only one project will be nominated on the Merchant Award Application. It is important for the 4-H member to fill out both sides of the application. You may use a separate sheet of paper to describe your project in detail. One page of supporting documents such as photos, drawings, or news articles may be included with the application. A Permanent Record must also be turned in. Livestock and Crop Records must be submitted where appropriate. FFA RECORD BOOKS ARE ACCEPTABLE. I DARE YOU AWARD The I Dare You Award recognizes leadership, scholarship and character for 4-H members ages 15-18 that current year. The I Dare You committee of the American Youth Foundation offers this award to units. Page 2

Unit Individual Awards 4-H member demonstrated evidence of outstanding leadership, scholarship, and character. Must be a current 4-H member during the current 4-H year. Example: Nomination(s) made by club leader. One award is presented. A one-page application must be completed by a club leader per member. Application should address leadership, scholarship and character of the nominee. Supporting documents such as photos and news articles may not be included with the application. Illinois 4-H Award Application The Illinois 4-H Award Application is based on past three years 4-H member s career. An award is awarded in each area. Below is a listing of award areas: Community Service Communications Leadership Personal Growth Project Mastery Must be enrolled in the project area for 3 years. Must be currently enrolled in the project. Must show continued growth in the project area. Must follow directions on Illinois 4-H Award Application Form To apply for the Individual Accumulative Area Award members must complete the Illinois 4-H Award Application. Example: A 4-H member turned in a completed application on Sept. 1, 2017 for work completed in the 2016-17 project year. The member was 14 years old on Sept. 1, 2016. Therefore, the application will be considered for the county area awards, but can not move on to State competition because the 4-H member was not 15 years old on Sept. 1, 2016 (the year of the project work). Completed Illinois 4-H Award Application. One application may compete for several different awards. However, a different 4-H story is needed for each different area in which the member competes. Members that are 15 years old by Sept. 1 of the project year will have their application move on to State competition. Page 3

Unit Individual Awards A separate 4-H Story is required for each area applied for. Pointers for Preparing the Illinois 4-H Award Application can be found at the end of this book. TOP TEN 1ST YEAR MEMBERS This award is to recognize first year members and encourage completion of records. Up to ten awards will be given. Must be a first year member. Completed Permanent Record and at least one Individual 4-H Project Award application. There is no separate application for this award. Club leaders nominate first year members. Those members nominated are allowed to include a scrapbook of their first year activities to accompany their records. SECRETARY OF THE YEAR AWARD The responsibility of the office of Secretary requires accurate recording of the minutes of the club meeting and attendance according to the directions in the 4-H Secretary s Book. It may also include recording member participation and business correspondence. One nominated secretary awarded. Selection is based on completeness of the secretary s book including member attendance, officers, committees and minutes of all meetings. Completed club secretary s book turned in by August 31. Neatness, grammar and spelling will be considered. There is no separate application for this award. TREASURER OF THE YEAR AWARD The office of Treasurer carries the responsibility of accurate handling and accounting of the funds of the 4-H club according to the directions in the 4-H Treasurer s Book. One nominated is awarded. The treasurer s book must be complete, accurate, and neat for a checking and/or savings Page 4

Unit Individual Awards account. Completed audit with required signatures. Completed club inventory including items such as gavel, flags, etc. Completed treasurer s book including audit submitted by August 31. Copy of the latest bank statement. ELECTRICITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD The Energy Education Council will provide one plaque to each county recognizing one 4-H member s outstanding achievements in electricity. 4-H members can receive this award only once. Member constructed and displayed an electrical exhibit in the Adams County 4-H Show. Completed 4-H EEC Electricity Award Application. WILLIAM TAYLOR AWARD This award is dedicated to the memory of William Taylor. One plaque (or award) is presented in each area. Highest scoring 4-H member in a predetermined livestock judging contest (Liberty Alumni FFA Contest). Grand Champion in Sewing & Textiles at the Adams County 4-H Fair. No application to fill out. DALE DONLEY 4-H LEADER OF THE YEAR Dale Donley was a leader of Big Neck 4-H Club, one of the oldest clubs in Adams County. The plaque is dedicated to Dale s memory and presented by his family at Achievement Day. An outstanding leader as seen through the eyes of a parent, youth or other volunteer. A nomination letter from leaders, parents, youth or other volunteers. Page 5

Unit Individual Awards GLEN TENHOUSE MEMORIAL AWARD This award is given in memory of Glen Tenhouse, a former leader of Country Cousins 4-H Club. The focus of the award is on leadership. The award will be presented at Achievement. Demonstrated leadership on the club level. Nominations made by club leader. Completed Permanent Record and Individual Award(s) and/or an Illinois 4-H Award Application for Record Check. There is no separate application to fill out. THE LEADER S CHOICE AWARD Leadership on a unit and regional basis is the focus of this award. A club leader must nominate a member for this award. The award consists of a plaque. Demonstrated leadership on the unit and regional basis. Nominations made by club leader. There is no separate application to fill out. OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF THE YEAR This award highlights Achievement Day. Only the top 4-H members are considered for this long standing award. A trophy and $500 college scholarship are awarded. Must be between 15 and 18 (inclusive) years of age at the time of their enrollment September 1st of the current 4-H year. (Example: if the records are for 2011-2012, then use September 1, 2011 for the base year.) Nominations made by club leader. Nominees must demonstrate outstanding leadership, growth in project work, community service, and can communicate the influence of the 4-H program on their life. Completed Illinois 4-H Award Application Personal interview Page 6

Unit Individual Awards Equine High Points Award A belt buckle will be awarded to the 4-H member or members with the highest number or points at the end of the 4-H year. (Donation belt buckle purchased from Adams County Equine Committee) Points will be awarded to individuals as follows: - 4 points will be awarded for attending horse camp; 2 for the morning session and 2 for the afternoon session - 1 to 4 points for attending the horse clinics; 1 point for each clinic attended - 1 point for the 4-H Fair Equine Show (individual can either exhibit or assist with the show) - 1 to 5 points for turning in 4-H member records (records are evaluated by the extension staff and/or volunteers to determine the number of points given. - A Grand Total of 14 points may be earned. There is no separate application to fill out. Equine Committee Members/Extension Staff track the points throughout the year CLUB AWARDS SCRAPBOOK AWARD The Scrapbook Award recognizes the creativity of 4-H clubs to tell the story of their club in a scrapbook. Scrapbook should be compiled by a youth member. A award will be distributed at local Achievement program. Selection based on creativity, presentation, coverage of all club activity(s). Submit one scrapbook. Club EXCEL Award Clubs receive a certificate, date patch, and A copy of the club goals and a calendar of events must be on file in the Extension office. Met at least 9 of the 10 standards on page 4 of the 4-H club Award Application Page 7

Unit Club Awards Completed Illinois 4-H Club Award Application by August 31 Optional: Completed club scrapbook. Optional: Completed Power of Youth Community Service Award Application. CLUB FOCUSED AREA AWARDS The Club Focused Area Award is presented to clubs that target work in specific areas. The focus is for group accomplishment and not individual. The areas are: Community Service- A one to three page submission explaining club efforts to address a special community service project. Please also explain how all members are involved. Pictures and testimonials can be included. Leadership A one to three page submission explaining club efforts to address leadership opportuntiies. Please also explain how all members are involved. Pictures and testimonials can be included. Project Mastery A one to three page submission explaining club efforts to address mastery in specific project area. Please also explain how all members are involved. Pictures and testimonials can be included. Completed and submitted report by August 31. Optional: Submitted Scrapbooking Optional: Completed Illinois State Group/Club Award Application There is no separate application for this award. POWER OF YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Each year, 4-H clubs identify needs within their community and carry out projects that benefit the community and residents within the community. This award recognizes one club for their community service. The club receives $25 and the club name is engraved on a plaque that is displayed in the office. Clubs must conduct community service project(s). Focus should be on year-long service learning which provides learning/benefits to both club and community members. A community service project must be youth led and fill a need in the community. Page 8

Unit Club Awards Completed Community Service Award Application Completed Risk Management Plan for the community service project. Optional: Club Scrapbook may be referenced. 4-H RECOGNITION RECOGNITION OF PARTICIPATION Put simply, participation is taking part in an activity. Recognizing youth for participating tells youth that they are important, significant persons because they have been part of a 4-H learning experience. Recognizing youth for their participation in the Illinois 4-H Program tells them that they are important and that the organization values their membership. The following recognitions will be available to 4-H members in acknowledgment of their 4-H participation: Cloverbud Participation Ribbon (provided by the 4-H Foundation and given at the Adams County 4-H Fair) 4-H Member ID Card (provided by Unit 14 and are available upon request) Illinois 4-H Alumni Pin (provided by the 4-H Foundation and awarded at Achievement Day to current year seniors) New Member 4-H Packets (provided by the Illinois 4-H Foundation and distributed with Enrollments) 4-H Recognition Certificates (provided by Unit 14 for volunteer recognition at designated intervals) RECOGNITION OF PROGRESS Each 4-H member is unique, with different experiences and personal resources available. Realizing this, 4-H is designed to build on the strengths each individual brings to the program. One way to allow for individual differences and to recognize the unique progress made by each 4-Her is to involve the member in a process in which the member determines the things they want to do - 4-H project goals. Illinois 4-H Project Planning and Evaluation forms have been designed to assist in this process. The following forms are available in Unit 14: Planning For My Project Work (R90311) for members age 8-11. Illinois Project Plan (R90312) for members ages 12-14. Page 9

Illinois Advanced Project Plan (R90313) for members ages 15-19. 4-H Recognition My 4-H Activities (R90314) is for all members to assist them in recording leadership, citizenship and other aspects of their 4-H involvement. The unique accomplishments and individual growth of each 4-H member can be recognized with the presentation of a Certificate of Progress (W90139). For each year members make progress towards goals they have set, the members can receive an Award Seal (W90139a) to attach to their Certificates of Progress. RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS One way to measure how well 4-H members have learned skills is to use established standards of excellence as guidelines. Rewarding 4-H members for achievement of standards of excellence is an important part of a total recognition program. Project Standards Used at the Fairs Standards of Excellence for 4-H projects are outlined in project materials. Project leaders will want to use established project standards to help decide which type of learning experiences or information to present. In Unit 14, the Fairbook lists the standards for the project areas. Evaluation for achievement of standards compares each members work against a set standard for that project only, not against each other. Conference or face-to-face judging is a learning opportunity for 4-Hers to hear the judge s comments directly and to ask questions on how to improve. The Danish system of ribbon group ratings is a common example of recognition for achieving standards of excellence in 4-H and is used at the Adams 4-H Fair events. Rating Blue Red White Accomplishment Project meets standards Project needs improvement Project needs much improvement Trying, but failing to meet a set standard, can be a learning experience in itself if an adult helps 4-H members understand what has happened, why, and what they can do to be successful the next time. STATE INDIVIDUAL AWARDS Members who wish to apply for any of the following award opportunities should complete the NEW Illinois 4-H Award Application and submit for Record Check. Applicants must be 15 years old by Sept. 1 of the project year. (Example: If the award is submitted for the 2012-2013 Page 10

4-H Recognition project year, then the applicant must be 15 by Sept. 1, 2012.) State 4-H award winners will be selected to attend one of two national 4-H events: National 4-H Congress and/or National 4-H Dairy Conference (trips sponsored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation). Award Area Community Service Focus of 4-H work in service to/for others. Work should focus what the member has done as an individual, not only as a member of the club working on group projects. Communications Focus of your 4-H work in the art of communicating with others, including but not limited to public presentations, 4-H ambassadors, Speaking for Illinois 4-H presentations to elected officials, television/radio interviews etc. Leadership- Focus on the development of the members leadership skills, including offices held, committees served on, programs led, public presentations on behalf of 4-H, any of the following Teen Leadership roles teaching, mentoring, planning, promoting, advocating, and or advising, etc. Personal Growth Focus on the member s own personal growth through participating in the 4- H program. Could include, but is not limited to growth in skills, demonstrated initiative, selfconfidence, interpersonal interactions, poise, etc. Project Mastery Focus on 4-H work in the member s primary project (i.e. Woodworkinig, Photography, Beef). Only one project should be included in the application and members should not submit an application in more than one Project Mastery area. Illinois Farm Bureau & Affiliates 4-H Premier LCP (Leadership, Citizenship & Professionalism) Award The Illinois Farm Bureau, GROWMARK, Inc., Country Companies, IAA Trust Company, Prairie Farms Dairy and Interstate Producers Livestock Association will provide 2 levels of awards. The five (5) 4-H members with the highest cumulative point total on the award application will receive the Outstanding 4-H Premier LCP Award to be presented at the 4-H Leadership Convention. Expense-paid trips for a Farm Bureau & Affiliates two-day Young Leaders Conference will be awarded to the top ten (10) 4-H winners available to participate. Applicants must be 17 years of age by December 1 of the year in which they are submitting the application. Applications are available in the Unit 14 office. ISVMA Veterinary Science Award the Auxiliary to the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association sponsors a cash award to the one 4-H member who has excelled in the Veterinary Science project. Members must have been enrolled in the Veterinary Science project a Page 11

State Individual Awards minimum of two years and must submit the application to the State 4-H Office in early January. The award is presented at the Auxiliary s annual meeting, usually in February. Applications are available from the State 4-H Office in the fall and posted on the 4-H web site: www.4- h.uiuc.edu. STATE CLUB/GROUP RECOGNITION Recognition for club or group activities can help build group unity and pride. It is important that all 4-H clubs/groups receive recognition for their involvement in the Illinois 4-H Program. Recognition available includes the following: Progress Recognition & Recognition of Achievement of Standards Progress Award Patch (W90229, provided by Unit 14) is presented to 4-H clubs who submit Goals by December of current year and turn in Secretary and Treasurer Books by August 31 An Award of Excellence 4-H -provided by Unit 14) is presented to 4-H clubs/groups that fill out the required Excel Level Recognition for Clubs. RECOGNITION OF CLUB/GROUP COMPETITION Clubs may choose to compete for state recognition by completing the Excel Level Recognition for Clubs due in Unit 14 by August 1st http://web.extension.illinois.edu/abhps/downloads/68230.pdf Community Service Leadership Project Learning A club may enter competition in more than one category, but must complete additional forms in Section 2 and may not be submitted in any type of folder, binder, or plastic cover, etc. Applications should follow the stipulations on the form. RECOGNITION FOR 4-H LEADERSHIP Page 12

State Club/Group Recognition TEEN LEADERSHIP AWARDS (Club Level) Documented Leadership roles in one of the following areas: Federation Representative Teens as Teachers, Mentors, Advocators, Advising ADULT LEADERSHIP AWARDS (Unit Level) Award of the Clover A pin is awarded at Achievement Day with a corresponding certificate acknowledging years of service (provided by the Unit). Appreciate Gift for every Leader given at achievement Additional recognition for every 5th year volunteering as leaders. North Central Regional Volunteer Forum Scholarships (Unit Level) - The Illinois 4-H Foundation provides scholarship assistance for Illinois 4-H volunteers to attend the forum. RECOGNITION OF 4-H ALUMNI The Illinois 4-H Alumni Recognition Program provides recognition to 4-H alumni whose contributions to society exemplify effective citizenship and leadership, success in their chosen careers and a sustaining interest in 4-H and similar worthy community endeavors. This nomination is found on the Nomination form of the Awards Packet. Objectives: To honor former 4-H members whose accomplishments exemplify effective citizenship, leadership, community and public service and success in their chosen careers. To encourage former 4-H members to continue their interest in and cooperation with 4-H and other phases of the Extension program. To highlight the ideals of clearer thinking, greater loyalty, larger service and better living as expressed in the 4-H pledge. To provide youth with living examples of dependable, purposeful citizenship. Awards Available County Awards one award will be distributed at Acheivement Program. Alumni may receive this award only once. Suggestions for Completing Award Applications Start early. It is best that you keep record of your activities and leadership throughout the year. Have a notebook, note cards, folder or place on your calendar that you record important information. Start preparing your award application early enough that you have time to have someone else review it. It is also good to put it aside for a while, looking at it from a fresh perspective later. As you prepare an award application you will want to think about how you will organize the information on your paper so it is easy for the reader to understand exactly what you have Page 13

Recognition for 4-H Leadership done. For example: list the information by year or by project You may want to summarize information instead of listing the same item several times. For example: foodstand worker, 4 yrs or foodstand worker, 06-08 Use Bold, Italics, Underline, and other fonts to demote headings, emphasize important points, etc. Prioritize the information you have. As you think about the things you have accomplished during your career in 4-H, think about which things are the most important or significant. Make sure those accomplishments are easily seen and understood as someone reads your application. You ll want to put the most important information early in each section. Indicate the level (L,C, M, S, N, or I) to indicate local, county, multi-county, state, national and international) of your participation or leadership. Use action verbs, words that are specific or make it clear what you did. Example: taught another 4-Her how to sand a model rocket or demonstrated how to mix ingredients to two 4-Hers Quantities and Amounts should be used whenever it will help the reader understand the accomplishment. Example: Volunteered 36 hours serving meals for Red Cross, 06 & 08 Read and follow all rules in the application directions. Remember criteria considered. If completing Livestock or Crop Records, do not leave any area blank. Pointers for Preparing an Illinois Award Application Size and Growth of Curriculum Area Your goal is to show the number and/or variety of projects and number and/or variety within project areas. List the total amount of project work not just what was exhibited at the fair. (number of animals, dishes, meals, articles made, garments, repairs, activities, etc.) Indicate where project work was accomplished (local, county, multi-county, or state) Include number in audience where applicable, or number of people reached by your project or activity. Include amount of money saved from making the item instead of purchasing, the amount of money earned by using skills learned in 4-H projects (babysitting, repairs, fitting animals, etc) Only list items that directly apply to the curriculum area that you are outlining. Other 4-H projects and activities will be listed later. Size and growth should be listed year by year so that the growth can easily be established. Knowledge & Skills Your goal is to explain the types of things you have learned through your 4-H projects and experiences. List specific knowledge and skills gained in this curriculum area. Use active verbs to describe the skills specifically. Page 14

Suggestions for Completing Award Applications You may only have a few items to add to this area yearly. You should also show that you are trying new experiences each year. Participation in Activities Your goal is to summarize your activities and learning experiences. List 4-H demonstrations, talk, exhibits, radio or TV appearances, newspaper articles written, tours workshops, camps, judging events, field trips, and other participation related to the curriculum area. Be sure to indicate local, county, multi-county or state levels for each item listed. Also include experiences other than 4-H that directly relate to the curriculum area in which you are applying. Be sure that you clearly indicate that these are non-4-h activities. Part II Other Leadership Exhibited in 4-H, School and Community Your goal is to explain the types of extra activities you have been involved in at school or in your community. List 4-H activities that you have planned, organized, or gave direction to others that do not relate to the curriculum area. List specific responsibilities and the number you assisted. Be very specific use verbs that convey exactly what you did. List all offices held and specific responsibilities. List all committees and specific responsibilities. If possible, include numbers assisted, hours spent or other measurable ways of determining exactly how many you led. Include leadership experiences other than 4-H. Clearly indicate that these are not 4-H activities. Page 15