A Pat on the Back for 4-H Clubs

We all like to be recognized for our efforts. Being an accepted contributing member of a group is also very important to youth. Many 4-H'ers make valuable contributions to their local clubs. Club activities provide an opportunity for group interaction and the development of life skills in the areas of cooperation, communication and leadership.

Club activities also offer a chance for a new or bashful youth to have a means of participating and a way to excel. Everyone has the basic need of recognition for things they have done. Some 4-H'ers are individual achievers; others accomplish goals by working with a group. Both are the "right" approach. It just depends on the particular 4-H'ers and what is right for them.

Group activities and accomplishments help all 4-H'ers to excel at their maximum level. Competition with other members of their club and other clubs in the county and state helps motivate everyone to do the best better. Rewards for these accomplishments are a very important aspect of the 4-H Awards Program.

Numerous club or group awards are available annually, pending funding by private sector donors. The Arkansas 4-H Events Packet contains a complete listing of the awards available in any particular year.

Each year the Arkansas 4-H Foundation sponsors $100 awards to the two clubs with the most outstanding club community service programs. A club is eligible to receive the honor only twice in succession.

To be considered for one of these awards, a club needs to submit a scrapbook including the items listed below to their county Extension office:

The name of the 4-H club, address, county and a group picture of the 4-H club should be included on the title page. Additional pages may be used for the club community service report form if needed. The club's main community service efforts should be highlighted in story form in the "Story" section. This section should be no more than six typewritten pages. The "Pictures" section provides the opportunity to show 4-H'ers involved in the community service activities. Pictures should be affixed flat on the page with rubber cement and captioned. News articles provide another form of documentation of the club's community service program. Any other documentation the club has of its program, such as correspondence, programs, etc., may be included in the final section.

This report is due in the state 4-H office on March 1 of each year. Be sure to check with your county Extension office for the county due date as the report must be submitted through the county office.

A certificate is used to recognize each club which meets the standards for a County Honor Club Award. This award is based on judging against a set standard of excellence rather than competing one club against another. Any number of clubs within a given county may receive the award.

The "4-H Honor Club Guide" fact sheet provides complete details on the requirements for this award.

A certificate is awarded to each club that excels at the level established as criteria to be named a "State Honor Club." There is no competition with other clubs and no limit on the number of clubs that may receive this honor.

"The 4-H Honor Club Guide" fact sheet also provides information on the requirements to be named a "State Honor Club."

A certificate will be presented to the most outstanding 4-H club in the county. Each county will have the opportunity to develop their own scorecard for this award. Consult your county Extension office for details of the award for your county.

4-H innovative program grants are sponsored by the 4-H Foundation, 4-H Alumni Association and 4-H Adult Leaders Association. Grant applications are due in the state 4-H office by April 1 of each year.

These grants are awarded to counties for the purpose of providing financial support for projects (educational or community service). Counties or clubs can receive up to $200 per year. Priority is given to educational programs and community service projects that teach youth skills and/or provide a service to the community. Club proposals should be signed by the main 4-H leader and county Extension agent. County proposals should be signed by the county Extension agents only.

1.	Statement of Need, Problem or Concern (What needs are to be met and why)
2.	Objectives/Goals (Describe what the planned outcome of the program will be, number of people to be reached, etc.)
3.	Methods (Describe how your group will accomplish the goals, objectives, including time schedule, resources needed and involvement of local people.)
4.	Evaluation (Describe how you will determine to what degree your objectives/goals have been met.)
5.	Additional Information Regarding Proposed Program (Why do you think your proposal should be approved, other details, etc.)
6.	Participation – Estimated number of people to be involved in completing this program:
	4-H members Parents	Adult leaders Others
	Total estimated number of people to benefit from the completed program
7.	Budget

Each year, awards are presented in recognition of the valuable contribution made to 4-H by teen leaders. Each club submitting a report which meets the established guidelines will receive a blue, red or white award. The top three blue award clubs will receive $100 in cash. Awards are presented annually at the Arkansas 4-H Teen Leader Conference.

The county 4-H teen leader club should prepare a report that includes the items listed below reflecting their work from January 1 - December 31 and submit it to the county Extension office prior to April 1. The reports are due in the state 4-H office on April 1 of each year or the first working day in April. The report should be submitted in an 8 1/2" x 11" binder similar to the 4-H member's record binder.

•	Group picture of county 4-H teen leader club membership. Underneath the picture give the name of the club, the county and the number of club members.
•	Statement of the organization's purpose and goals.
•	Calendar of events by month. Begin with January and proceed through December. List all activities of the county 4-H teen leader club.
•	County 4-H Teen Leader Club Report Form.
•	Teen leader meeting agendas and minutes.
•	Pictures and news articles.
•	Constitution, by-laws, and standards for membership.
•	List of teen leader club members and addresses.

DR. DARLENE Z. BAKER is state leader - 4-H youth development, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, Little Rock.

Pictures of chickens, flowers, wheat, a boy looking through a magnifying glass, irrigation pipe, soybean pods, and fruits and vegetables.	Cooperative Extension Service





Cooperative Extension Service	Agricultural Experiment Station
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A Pat on the Back for 4-H Clubs
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