Publications
4-H Awards Programs and Banquets
4-H Volunteer Leaders Series
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Recognition Is the Key
Program Pointers
Get Off to a Good Start
Organization Makes
the Difference
Details Make the
Difference
Sponsorship
Finally
If you will keep in mind that the primary purpose of an awards program is to
recognize the achievements of 4-H'ers, you will be well on the way toward
success and effectiveness. You should give "VIP" treatment to each young person.
There may be other items essential to the program success (introductions of
guests and donors, recognition of friends of 4-H and parents, announcements and
speeches), but these should be secondary to the recognition of the 4-H'er.
Recognition Is the Key
Appropriate recognition is a tremendous motivation. There are many
opportunities for recognition in 4-H. A popular means is the club 4-H awards
program or banquet.
This program guide is to help you develop or improve recognition efforts in
your club.
Program Pointers
It is important that your 4-H officers run the show. The program should be
theirs. It is an excellent leadership opportunity for them and also an excellent
teaching opportunity for you. You serve as advisor in planning the program with
the 4-H'ers.
Special guests and donors could be honored without taking the spotlight away
from 4-H'ers by involving them in presentation of pins, certificates and other
awards.
Having adults give the recognition of 4-H'ers is very effective and
appropriate. Volunteer leaders, Extension agents, state legislators, county
officials, donors, county school superintendent, principals or other involved
adults can make these presentations even more special.
Some other dos and don'ts:
Seat 4-H'ers by key guests throughout the audience.
4-H'ers are guests and should not pay.
Parents should be invited, preferably as guests; if guest status is not
possible, try for partial payment for the parents.
In introducing people for special recognition, make sure you can
accurately pronounce their names. The recognition has a "phony ring" if you
cannot say the name. Also devise some kind of checking system to be sure
that the person being recognized is in the audience. It "devalues" the
recognition if you call several names of people who are not there, and it
says very little for your organizational ability.
Pictures taken of those special honored 4-H'ers are most meaningful.
Make arrangements for extra copies, and see that the appropriate person
receives his own personal copy. Newspaper, radio and television coverage
before and after the program is most appropriate. People like to associate
with positive things that make news.
Get Off to a Good Start
Invitations
Invitations to 4-H'ers should be sent out far enough in advance so that
arrangements can be made to attend. The invitation should have a personal
appearance, be attractive and have style and class. The quality of the
invitation often is directly related to the quality of the program.
Guests
The guest list should include:
Local newspaper editor, radio/television personnel. Spouses should also
be invited.
Local donors
School and county officials
Legislators and community dignitaries (Surprise special guests and ask
them what time a car can pick them up.)
Location
Location of the program is very important. The image of the physical facility
has a direct effect on the program. The new vocational school is quite a
contrast to the oldest grade school (basement to boot). Strive for the best
physical facility available to you.
The audience should be able to recognize that the event is a 4-H program.
4-H emblems, flags, signs and 4-H colors (green and white) appropriately
displayed are a must.
4-H placemats, napkins and table favors add to a program.
Being able to see and hear is vital to the success of the program. Check out
the acoustics, sound system and seating arrangements.
Printed Program
The printed program should be attractive and designed as a possible souvenir.
People like to see their names in print. Listing names of 4-H'ers is
appropriate. Also include some current statistics and history of the 4-H program
with an emphasis on your club program. 4-H'ers like to be associated with
something that is progressive and dynamic. Be sure that the program is easily
recognized as a 4-H program, and involve your 4-H'ers in the design of the
program if possible.
Organization Makes the
Difference
The presentation process of pins and certificates needs to be organized. Much
time can be wasted that detracts from the program if individuals "parade" from
the audience to the speaker's stand, especially if 4-H'ers are seated at the
very back of the room. Some planning ahead will prevent delays and will also
prevent empty seats at the front. The location of guests is also important. Mix
them with some of your good, older 4-H'ers if possible.
Registration of participants before the program can be done by 4-H'ers. This
would help you to know what 4-H'ers and guests are absent and prevent the
embarrassment of calling names of absent participants.
Details Make the Difference
Other helpful hints:
Give younger 4-H'ers a role to play and have a representation of young
4-H'ers at the head table.
Two hours is probably the upper limit of patience of adults and 4-H'ers
alike. Start and stop at the designated times.
Provide 4-H'ers with names and addresses of local, state and national donors
and encourage thank-you notes.
Table fun-mixers are appropriate. There are many interesting quizzes, puzzles
and paper games. Name tags will help everyone to become better acquainted.
Table decorations and a speaker's table centerpiece add color and festivity.
Plan for an appropriate presentation of the centerpiece to a deserving
individual at the conclusion of the program.
The program should vary in format from year to year so that the "same old
thing" criticism is not justifiable. If a speaker is part of the program, select
someone who will focus on the theme or areas of emphasis.
All 4-H club leadership team members should attend, ideally have a meaningful
part in the program and should be appropriately recognized in front of the
group.
Sponsorship
Award programs can be very effective. Banquets are not mandatory. If a
banquet is not possible, a potluck dinner would be an option. Another idea would
be a recognition program with refreshments. Make the activity as nice as
possible with the resources you have available.
Finally
Success breeds success. A satisfied customer tells three others; a
dissatisfied customer tells thirteen others. Quality programs will assure
participation.
This material was adapted for use in Arkansas from materials developed by Dr.
Thomas F. Rodger, Assistant Director, 4-H and Youth, Georgia, and Fred Buny,
State 4-H Specialist, Ohio.
| Author: |
Mike Klumpp, 4-H Youth Development
Specialist |
MIKE KLUMPP is 4-H youth development specialist, Cooperative Extension
Service, University of Arkansas, Little Rock.
4HCO4-PD-10-02RV
|
