1. Texas 4-H Recordkeeping Information provided by: Derrick Bruton & Jodi McManus Extension Program Specialists – 4-H

2. Interesting Findings Survey conducted with 2011 Texas 4-H scholar interviewees (188 of 192 interviewees responded) 88% (166 of 188) had completed a recordbook 42% (79 of 188) completed recordbook 7-10 yrs 86% said the recordkeeping skills they learned helped them in completing scholarship 83% said they used previous recordbooks to complete scholarship application

3. How Many Kids are Involved? Estimate of 4,000 statewide on county level complete recordbooks 2011 District entries = 2,439 2011 State entries = 310 5.7% OF MEMBERS Hopefully, the changes/updates to the recordkeeping sytem will increase these numbers!

4. Give us your HONEST opinion of the current recordbook system? (responses from the TX 4-H Volunteer Conference, July 2011) A.LOVE IT! 5 % B.It is OK 30 % C.Needs some changes 60 % D.IT STINKS! 5 %

5. Volunteer Conference Feedback Do not understand current recordbook objectives; why are they necessary? not kid friendly Frustration with judging process; no consistency; “need rubric” Current system is not easy for new kids to adopt; “as a new family, we don’t know the lingo to use” Would like for the MAP to mirror the recordbook forms or for the MAP to be the recordbook Would like examples of good recordbooks posted online Would like to still have a version to complete on their computer for those who may have limiting internet access Would like to see the first 2 sections combined. Just give them 3 pages to fill in what they did and what they learned. Seems like the FUN has been taken out of RB process KISS – Keep it simple stupid

6. More Volunteer Feedback (after seeing some of the proposed changes) I know my 12 yr old could do it! Love the rubric (new score sheet) Love the online ideas and the judges comment card I hope to see all the changes SOON Just have 4-Hers list what they did & what they learned Have guidelines age appropriate for each age category

7. Agent Feedback (after seeing some of the proposed changes) Do it! No captions on photos No more objectives Combine pages 1-3 of form Standardize forms Should be different expectations for juniors vs seniors Love the rubric (it is dummy proof) Love online system (implement NOW) Make online system a REQUIREMENT Go for it – Quit talking about it and do it! Consider judging online

8. NEW ONLINE SYSTEM! 4H Reports www.4hreports.com AVAILABLE NOW! www.4hreports.com

9. Overview of Changes Three levels of recordbooks: Junior, Intermediate, Senior Age appropriate forms will be progressive in nature (build on one another) Simplified reports for Juniors & Intermediates Senior reports similar to current reports with some minor edits All members will begin using new, updated forms this year (2011-2012 4-H year)

10. Forms may be completed through online entry system (www.4hreports.com) or may be downloaded from the Texas 4‐H website Recordbooks will still be printed and turned in (hardcopy) to be judged Reference to recordbook objectives in report no longer required Photo captions no longer required Resume for seniors no longer required College/Career Exploration page added for seniors New scoresheet to provide better feedback coming soon! Overview of Changes

11. JUNIOR Recordbook (4-H Age: 8-10 yrs old) Focus on 1 main project for current 4-H year Other project areas, if any, can be included in Diary, Story, and Photos Required documents: – Personal Information Page – Junior Report Form (story is part of Report Form) – Photos pages (up to 3 pages) Judging: – Turn in required documents with current year information only using NEW forms followed by report forms (old forms) from last years recordbook (if available) – Judging will be focused on 1 main project in current year only

12. Junior Report Form Junior Report Form includes: – 4-H Goals Complete at start of 4-H Year or start of project – Diary of 4-H Events - includes project work/activities, leadership, community service Complete as activities happen throughout the year – My 4-H Story – small text blocks to address 6 questions/statements. Use complete sentences…you are telling a story! Complete at end of 4-H year or completion of project Age Appropriate Practices for Juniors: Setting Goals Establishing positive habits through routines (Diary of 4-H Events) Self-expression through story telling

13. INTERMEDIATE Recordbook (4-H Age: 11-13 yrs old) Focus on 1 main project for current 4-H year Other project areas, if any, can be included in Personal Journal, Summary of Activities and Story/Photos Required documents: – Personal Information Page – Intermediate Report Form – 4-H Story & Photo Portfolio Judging: – Turn in required documents with current year information only using NEW forms followed by report forms (old forms) from last years recordbook – Judging will be focused on 1 main project and other project work/activities for up to 2 years

14. Intermediate Report Form Intermediate Report Form includes: – 4-H Project Plans and Goals Complete at start of 4-H Year or start of project – Personal Journal - includes project work/activities, leadership, community service, and non-4-H activities Complete as activities happen throughout the year – Summary of Activities & Accomplishments, Recognition & Awards, Community Service, Leadership, Project Summary Complete at end of 4-H year or completion of project Age Appropriate Practices for Intermediates: Planning & decision making (project plans and goals) Recording & reflecting on personal experiences (Journaling) Achievement motivation (Summary of significant accomplishments)

15. SENIOR Recordbook (4-H Age: 14-19 yrs old) Similar to previous years reports with minor edits Focus on up to 4 projects Seniors are encouraged to set project goals at start of 4-H and adopt a record keeping system that meets their needs Required documents: – Personal Information Page – Senior Report Form (Sections I – VII) – 4-H Story & Photo Portfolio Judging: – Turn in required documents with current year information only using NEW forms followed by report forms (old forms) from last years recordbook – Judging will be based on up to 4 projects for up to 4 years

16. Senior Report Form Senior Report Form includes (current year info only) : – Sec I: 4-H Project Experiences – What is your project? How did it change or grow? What have you done? What have you learned? (Combined first two sections of old report form) ; 3 pages – Sec II: 4-H Leadership Experiences – chart format; 1 page – Sec III: 4-H Community Service – chart format; 1 page – Sec IV: Other 4-H Projects - ½ page – Section V: 4-H Recognition & Awards - chart format; ½ page – Section VI: Non 4-H Activities – 1 page – Section VII: College/Career Exploration – chart format; 1 page Age Appropriate Practices for Seniors: Personal power (creating a recordkeeping system to meet their needs) Critical thinking (reflecting and summarizing experiences) Constructive use of time (can see ‘bigger picture’ and purpose for recordkeeping)

17. Story & Photos Juniors: – Story is part of report form – Include up to 3 pages of photos behind report form Intermediates & Seniors: – Story & Photo Portfolio separate document from report forms – Up to 10 pages of text and photos (captions no longer required on photos)

18. Transitioning Between Age Divisions & Judging Each year a member will add their new report forms and other required documents on top of old report forms. For Judging: – All Ages – Updated Personal Information page will be completed every year – Juniors – Only current year report forms will be judged – Intermediates - 2 most current years report forms will be judged – Seniors – 4 most current years report forms will be judged – Intermediates & Seniors – New Story & Photo Portfolio will be completed every year

19. Judging of Recordbooks A NEW scoresheet will be available soon! Rubric/chart format to allow judges to ‘check a box’ that best describes their assessment of each section of the book Still allows space for written comments (next to each section and on back of scoresheet) Member should be able to tell what areas need improvement based on check marks and comments Sample (still in draft) on next page

21. Training for Families/Members Basic Instructions and Instruction Guide can be found at 4hreports.com Short instructional videos also available at 4hreports.com (more will continually be added, check back often) Frequently Asked Questions page also available and will continue to grow with Q&A JUMP IN…most of the forms are self explanatory! Check with your county office for local trainings

22. Questions? General recordbook or content questions: Contact Your local County Extension Agent Clarification on guidelines or technical issues: Contact Jodi McManus j-mcmanus@tamu.eduj-mcmanus@tamu.edu Derrick Bruton d-bruton@tamu.edud-bruton@tamu.edu