Michigan 4-H Awards By Elizabeth C Wells What, When and How

What they are Open to all 4-H members ages 13 and up (January 1 st ) Open to all 4-H members ages 13 and up (January 1 st ) 28 project areas 28 project areas Five regions in Michigan Five regions in Michigan Up to two delegates from each region plus two floaters for a total of 12 members per project Up to two delegates from each region plus two floaters for a total of 12 members per project

What they are Highest level of recognition in Michigan 4-H Highest level of recognition in Michigan 4-H State winner gets plaque and small money award State winner gets plaque and small money award Runner up gets honorable mention Runner up gets honorable mention All delegates get regional certificate All delegates get regional certificate

How competitive is it? Some projects very competitive Some projects very competitive Most winners have: several years of project experience, state level workshops or competitions, much community service and leadership experience, multiple projects Most winners have: several years of project experience, state level workshops or competitions, much community service and leadership experience, multiple projects

Deadlines Applications for regional competition is due March 1 st Applications for regional competition is due March 1 st Book is returned and if you are selected you have until May 1 st to make changes and improvements Book is returned and if you are selected you have until May 1 st to make changes and improvements Must enroll in Exploration Days Awards session Must enroll in Exploration Days Awards session

Process Regional level competition is by your “book” only (award portfolio) Regional level competition is by your “book” only (award portfolio) Regional delegates then re-do the book for state competition Regional delegates then re-do the book for state competition State competition takes place at MSU during Exploration Days and includes an interview as well as the portfolio State competition takes place at MSU during Exploration Days and includes an interview as well as the portfolio

Application Acco type binder Acco type binder Cover letter Cover letter Individual photo Individual photo Award Report Form Award Report Form 4-H Story – 3 pages 4-H Story – 3 pages Pictures – 3 pages Pictures – 3 pages

Requirements Must be typed Must be typed Use 12 pt Times New Roman font Use 12 pt Times New Roman font Must select 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd choice for award Must select 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd choice for award Individual photo page with name, age, address, county and project (underneath) Individual photo page with name, age, address, county and project (underneath)

Requirements Report form must be on white paper Report form must be on white paper No scented paper allowed No scented paper allowed May not change format of form – no using back, adding pages etc May not change format of form – no using back, adding pages etc Leader’s signature required Leader’s signature required Extra copy of 4-H story and resume paper clipped to inside of book’s front cover Extra copy of 4-H story and resume paper clipped to inside of book’s front cover

Requirements No newspaper clipping, letters, or anything but required items No newspaper clipping, letters, or anything but required items No plastic sleeves for pages No plastic sleeves for pages Signature required in three places which are: cover letter, report form and end of story Signature required in three places which are: cover letter, report form and end of story Do not delete instructions on form Do not delete instructions on form

Suggestions Make it factual, detailed but concise. Concentrate on content not fancy format Make it factual, detailed but concise. Concentrate on content not fancy format Limit underlining, bolding etc. and use 1 ½ inch margin on left and 1 inch on all others Limit underlining, bolding etc. and use 1 ½ inch margin on left and 1 inch on all others Enhancements are allowed if you follow rules (no photos, scented paper etc) Enhancements are allowed if you follow rules (no photos, scented paper etc)

Suggestions Stationary may be used for resume and cover letter but is not required Stationary may be used for resume and cover letter but is not required Photos should tell your story with action. NO layering allowed. Use captions that give more information Photos should tell your story with action. NO layering allowed. Use captions that give more information SPELL CHECK and PROOF READ MANY TIMES!!!!! SPELL CHECK and PROOF READ MANY TIMES!!!!!

The Award Form Learning Experiences – only list those directly related to main project and include participation in demonstrations, talks, exhibits, tours, workshops, field trips etc. List chronologically with most recent last Learning Experiences – only list those directly related to main project and include participation in demonstrations, talks, exhibits, tours, workshops, field trips etc. List chronologically with most recent last

The Award Form Knowledge and Skills – What you learned each year in your main project. Be very specific and detailed and make them increasing complex as the years go by Knowledge and Skills – What you learned each year in your main project. Be very specific and detailed and make them increasing complex as the years go by

The Award Form Learning Experiences II is for other projects and should be similar to that used in the first section but only include other projects (not main project) Select 4 or 5 other projects to concentrate on Learning Experiences II is for other projects and should be similar to that used in the first section but only include other projects (not main project) Select 4 or 5 other projects to concentrate on

The Award Form Knowledge and Skills II – Summary of knowledge and skills learned in other projects and group by project area and year Knowledge and Skills II – Summary of knowledge and skills learned in other projects and group by project area and year

The Award Form Volunteer Leadership - Leadership means taking the lead by giving directions, planning and organizing an activity. May be done with others or individually. Put an asterisk (*) beside leadership activities directly related to your main project Volunteer Leadership - Leadership means taking the lead by giving directions, planning and organizing an activity. May be done with others or individually. Put an asterisk (*) beside leadership activities directly related to your main project

The Award Form Citizenship and Community Service – Defined as acting with informed concern for yourself and for others either individually or as part of a group. Include size and scope of what you did and again asterisks (*) those related to main project Citizenship and Community Service – Defined as acting with informed concern for yourself and for others either individually or as part of a group. Include size and scope of what you did and again asterisks (*) those related to main project

The Award Form Promotional – Where you have taken leadership by telling others about 4-H. May be displays, radio and television shows, newspaper articles or talks given. List your specific responsibilities Promotional – Where you have taken leadership by telling others about 4-H. May be displays, radio and television shows, newspaper articles or talks given. List your specific responsibilities

The Award Form Awards and Recognition – List significant awards you have received that indicate the quality of your work. Only put most important awards and DO NOT go over 1/2 page Awards and Recognition – List significant awards you have received that indicate the quality of your work. Only put most important awards and DO NOT go over 1/2 page

The Award Form Non – 4-H Experiences – List in order of importance other experiences outside of 4-H. Include leadership roles and honors received. May not be more than ½ page Non – 4-H Experiences – List in order of importance other experiences outside of 4-H. Include leadership roles and honors received. May not be more than ½ page

Photos May use up to six photos per page if you edit well May use up to six photos per page if you edit well Use action and leadership photos – not standing with your ribbons, animal etc Use action and leadership photos – not standing with your ribbons, animal etc Use captions to highlight your experiences Use captions to highlight your experiences Cut carefully in either rectangle or oval shape Cut carefully in either rectangle or oval shape

Photos If mounting real photos use card stock for paper and rubber cement for attaching. Captions should be embedded (not glued on) If mounting real photos use card stock for paper and rubber cement for attaching. Captions should be embedded (not glued on) May also scan photos onto page with captions – but MUST use photo paper if using this option May also scan photos onto page with captions – but MUST use photo paper if using this option

Cover Letter A brief typed letter introducing yourself and expressing interest in a particular opportunity. Include date, name and address of whom it is going to, two or three paragraphs, salutation and signature as well as “enclosures” A brief typed letter introducing yourself and expressing interest in a particular opportunity. Include date, name and address of whom it is going to, two or three paragraphs, salutation and signature as well as “enclosures”

Your 4-H Story Very important to use all three pages. Must be double spaced using 12 font. Be personal but not “cutesy” Describe yourself, your project activities, other projects, how 4-H has helped you grow and change and how it has influenced your school and career goals and leisure time Very important to use all three pages. Must be double spaced using 12 font. Be personal but not “cutesy” Describe yourself, your project activities, other projects, how 4-H has helped you grow and change and how it has influenced your school and career goals and leisure time

Assembling the “Book” First PROOF read then have someone else proof it too!!! First PROOF read then have someone else proof it too!!! Use ACCO binder with dividers Use ACCO binder with dividers Divide by individual photo, report form, story, photos Divide by individual photo, report form, story, photos Paper clip extra story and resume to inside cover Paper clip extra story and resume to inside cover

Assembling the “Book” Make sure your “book” is clean and neat Make sure your “book” is clean and neat Add label to front with name, project and county (do NOT hand write this) Add label to front with name, project and county (do NOT hand write this) Get signatures from your parents and leader Get signatures from your parents and leader

Exploration Days You must attend as an award delegate. You must attend as an award delegate. Award delegates go to workshops, a rehearsal at the Wharton Center and often do community service projects Award delegates go to workshops, a rehearsal at the Wharton Center and often do community service projects Small fee to participate Small fee to participate If you do “Awards Only” you go home Thursday night If you do “Awards Only” you go home Thursday night

Exploration Days OR you may do a second half class at Exploration Days like all other youth OR you may do a second half class at Exploration Days like all other youth Thursday night awards celebration is for you and your parents and leaders and is formal – most delegates dress in long formal gowns Thursday night awards celebration is for you and your parents and leaders and is formal – most delegates dress in long formal gowns

Exploration Days June June At Michigan State University At Michigan State University You stay in dorm room with the Michigan delegation You stay in dorm room with the Michigan delegation Lots of walking to events Lots of walking to events About 2,300 4-H members from all over Michigan will be there About 2,300 4-H members from all over Michigan will be there

Interview Counts as 1/3 of your score toward the state award Counts as 1/3 of your score toward the state award May have group interview first May have group interview first Usually several people at once interview you Usually several people at once interview you First impressions count a LOT! First impressions count a LOT! Wear what you would to a job interview Wear what you would to a job interview

Interview Practice questions and answers ahead of time with your parents, 4-H leaders or friends posing as interviewers Practice questions and answers ahead of time with your parents, 4-H leaders or friends posing as interviewers Consider taping yourself to see how you look as you answer Consider taping yourself to see how you look as you answer Try to anticipate what questions will be asked and have answers prepared Try to anticipate what questions will be asked and have answers prepared

Interview Relax and have fun but don’t come across as “silly” Relax and have fun but don’t come across as “silly” Take your interview seriously and also have a sincere interest in others Take your interview seriously and also have a sincere interest in others Think deeply about what 4-H means to you and how it has impacted your life Think deeply about what 4-H means to you and how it has impacted your life

Additional Help Go on line for rules, forms and lists of hints etc at:Michigan 4-H Youth Development: Awards & Recognition Go on line for rules, forms and lists of hints etc at:Michigan 4-H Youth Development: Awards & RecognitionMichigan 4-H Youth Development: Awards & RecognitionMichigan 4-H Youth Development: Awards & Recognition See examples of past award winning books See examples of past award winning books

Stress Yes it can be stressful!!! Yes it can be stressful!!! You are not the first one to have done this and yes everyone else sometimes wanted to quit and sometimes wanted to cry! You are not the first one to have done this and yes everyone else sometimes wanted to quit and sometimes wanted to cry! The first year is the hardest!!! The first year is the hardest!!! Is it worth it? Is it worth it?

Questions? Ask Liz