1. Texas 4-H Recordkeeping, 2017-18 4-H Record Books
Information provided by:
Darlene Locke
Extension Specialist – 4-H Youth Development

2. www.4hreports.com the online system is no longer available please use Word forms

3. Record Books 2017–18 no significant changes Books submitted for judging in will be prepared using the Word files

4. 2017-2018 Briefs Three member categories
Junior (grades 3-5)
Intermediate (grades 6-8)
Senior (grades 9-12)
Age appropriate forms are progressive
in nature (build upon one another)

5. Briefs
Recordbooks are to be printed and turned in (hardcopy) for judging
Reference to recordbook objectives in report not required
Photo captions not required
Resume for seniors not required

6. 2017-2018 Briefs Clarification on reporting of learning experiences.
Activities that occur in non-4-H settings such as other community or youth organizations, or in a self-directed project may be reported in the Junior Diary, Intermediate Personal Journal or Senior Section I as learning experiences.
Competitive events outside of 4-H are to be reported as non-4-H

7. 2017-2018 Briefs Report Forms Juniors submit current year only
Intermediates submit current and immediate past year. Both are reviewed to evaluate growth.
Seniors submit current and three past years. All are reviewed to evaluate growth.

8. Briefs
Livestock Judging can be reported as a stand-alone 4-H Project.
Other judging contest activities such as Horse, Soils, etc. are to be reported within the 4-H Project it supports.
Whereas Horse Judging directly supports the Horse Project; Livestock Judging involves multiple species, therefore it is to be reported as Livestock Judging.

9. Briefs
4-H members earning first place recognition are allowed to enter the same Record Book category again
4-H members placing first in each of the 29 categories are invited to participate in the Texas 4-H Leadership Conference trip to Washington, DC held annually during the Thanksgiving holidays. The trip is partially sponsored, but the member is responsible for a registration fee. That fee averages $1,500 - $2,000.

10. Record Book Categories
29 categories available
4-H member may enter a category even after winning first place at the State level
Agricultural Sciences
Beef
Citizenship & Civic Education
Clothing & Textiles
Communication & Expressive Arts
Companion Animal
Consumer Education
Entomology
Family Life
Food & Nutrition
Gardening & Horticulture
Goat
Health
Horse
Leadership
Natural Resources
Personal Development
Photography
Plant & Soil Science
Poultry
Public Speaking
Rabbit
Recreation
Science, Engineering & Technology
Sheep
Shooting Sports
Swine
Veterinary Science
Wildlife & Fisheries

11. JUNIOR Recordbook (Grades 3-5)
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 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 (Grades 6-8)
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 followed by previous year report form (included to enable the evaluation of growth)

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 (Grades 9-12)
Report Forms for current year, maximum of 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 followed by report forms from three (3) previous years
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; 2 pages
Sec III: 4-H Community Service – chart format; 2 pages
Sec IV: Other 4-H Projects - 1 page
Section V: 4-H Recognition & Awards - chart format; 1 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: Intermediates & Seniors:
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 not 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 each 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
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
Personal Information page will NOT be scored

21. Questions? Darlene Locke dlocke@ag.tamu.edu
General recordbook or content questions:
Contact
Ashley Pellerin:
Sheryl Nolen:
Clarification on guidelines or technical issues:
Darlene Locke

22. Harris County Awards Awards Offered this Year:
Gold Star
Danforth “I Dare You” Award
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Rookie of the Year
A Recordbook submission and an interview
is REQUIRED for these awards!

23. Harris Co. Awards Awards Offered this Year:
Gold Clover
Silver Clover
Bronze Clover
Achievement awards. A recordbook submission nor an interview is required.

24. Gold Star Award
The Gold Star Award is the highest county achievement award and intended to be received only once in a member's 4-H career.
Counties have award quotas based on the number of senior 4-H members.
This award will be presented to the most deserving young people without regard to sex.

25. Gold Star Requirements
The member must be a 4-H senior (i.e. currently in High School) of the date of the application (per State guidelines) of the current 4-H year and must have completed at least three years in 4-H, including the current year.
The 4-H member must submit a 4-H record book in the year he or she is to be considered for the award.
The 4-H member must have completed projects in three different project areas and have participated in one or more activities in at least three of the following areas:
Educational Presentations, Citizenship activities, projects, project exhibits, camps, leadership
labs, public relations (speeches, poster displays, radio, TV, newspapers), other (including
exchange programs, fund raising, State and National Congress, etc.)
Note: It is not expected that the requirements for projects and activities all be completed
in the current year. They may have been accomplished over the entire
period of time the 4-H'er has been in the program.

26. Danforth “I Dare You” Award
The Danforth - "I Dare You" Award is the second highest award given on the county level.
The award guidelines are the same as those for the Texas 4-H Gold Star Award.
The actual number of Danforth awards given will be decided by the judges, based on the merits of the applicants.
This award may be received only once.

27. History of the Danforth Award
Mr. William H. Danforth's book, "I Dare You," was first published in It is still considered one of the most influential books in the area of personal motivation. The book is published and distributed by the American Youth Foundation through its I Dare You Committee.
The award is offered as recognition of excellence in
character and well-balanced development, as well
as demonstrated leadership.

28. Gold Star and Danforth Award Selection Process
An application form for the award must be completed and submitted by JUNE 15, 2018.
The form is available on the Harris Co. 4-H website under “Recognition”.
The current 4-H Record Book must accompany the form.
All qualified applicants will be considered. A non-biased panel of judges will review the form and Record Book, and conduct a personal interview with the applicant.
All applicants' interviews will be conducted on the same date (June 22, 2018)
The same person may not receive both the Gold Star Award and
the Danforth Award in the same year.

29. Selection Process cont…
4. Once awarded the Gold Star Award, a 4-H'er is ineligible to receive the Danforth Award.
However, after receiving the Danforth Award, a 4-H'er may apply the following year for the Gold Star Award.
5. The decision of the judges will be final.

30. Silver & Bronze Star Awards
The Silver Star Award will be presented each year to a outstanding intermediate members.
The Bronze Star Award will be presented each year to outstanding junior members.
The actual number of Silver and Bronze Star Awards given will be decided by the selection committee, based on the merits of the applicants.
The selection is based on quality of project work, involvement in club programs and activities, and future goals for the member's 4-H career.

31. Silver/ Bronze Star Awards Selection Process
An application form for the award must be submitted by June 15, The current 4-H Record Book should accompany the completed application.
A non-biased panel of judges will review the application and record book. They will conduct personal interviews with each applicant on the same day (June 22nd).
The decision by the judges will be final. ONLY under extreme circumstances, video interviews can be arranged with a two week notice.
A 4-H member may receive each award only one time.

32. Rookie of the Year Award
The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes 1st or 2nd year 4-H Member(s) at the County Awards Banquet.
Number of awards given will be determined by awards committee & panel of judges.
Grade level requirements are: Junior and Intermediate Level members only.
The Rookie Award recognizes outstanding achievement and participation for new 4-H members.
An application form for the award must be completed and turned in with the Record Book.
The member must attend at least 50% of his/her club meetings.
A non-bias panel of judges will interview each applicant.
Interview times will be scheduled with applicants. Date: June 22nd
A member may receive the Rookie of the Year Award
only one time.

33. Clover Achievement Awards
These do NOT require a recordbook or interview
You can receive this award annually
Application MUST be complete with required signatures to receive this award.
Awards
Gold Clover (Senior Level Members)
Silver Clover (Intermediate Level Members)
Bronze Clover (Elementary Level Members)

34. Adult Volunteer Awards
Outstanding 4-H Leader
Legacy Leader Award
Salute to Excellence Club Manager Award
Rookie 4-H Club Manager of the Year Award
Community partner Volunteer Award

35. Outstanding 4-H Leader Award
This award recognizes outstanding contributions of a 4-H Adult Leader who is not a Club Manager and has supported a variety of programs, projects, and events that have had a positive impact on the Harris County 4-H program.

36. Legacy Leader Award
This award recognizes a 4-H Adult Leader or Club Manager who has been dedicated to the 4-H program over the past 5 or more years leaving an important legacy that has become the foundation for the future of a 4-H Club, project, event or community program.

37. Salute to Excellence Club Manager Award
This award recognizes outstanding leadership and dedication by a Club Manager to meet the Standards of Excellence at the club level.
This Club Manager has served minimum 3 years and consistently pursued excellence to grow and sustain the quality of the educational experience offered at the 4-H Club.

38. Rookie 4-H Club Manager of the Year Award
This award recognizes outstanding leadership and dedication by a Club Manager who meets the Standards of Excellence at the club level in the first year serving as a Club Manager.

39. Community Partner Volunteer Award
This award recognizes a volunteer in the community who may not be a 4-H Adult Leader or volunteer, but has contributed support to the 4-H program at the club, county, district or state level to further quality 4-H programs.