2. Character COUnts Trustworthiness Responsibility Respect Fairness
Caring
Citizenship
Trustworthy – telling the truth about what you’ve done – being honest about what you’ve learned
Responsibility – should know about the project you’ve taken part of – should show you’ve done your own work
Respect – Showing courtesy to those that helped you, showing gratefulness for the opportunity provided,
Fairness – Doing your own work, participating according to the guidelines
Caring – not only about yourself but about the projects you have completed
Citizenship – participating beyond the club – what did you do for your community to help it the way they help you

3. Why? Responsible Record Keeping
To see where you’ve been, so you can decide where you’re going
Gives you a place to start with projects
Compare beginning to end

4. What For? Gives accurate record of what you’ve learned Dates
Returning Members: September 1st to August 31st
New Members: 4-H Start Date to September 1st.
Benefits you in the future!
Scholarships
Resumes
Job Applications
FUN to see how far you’ve come over the years!

5. HOW? Carefully! Section 1, Section 6, & Section 7– Year to Year
Sections Ongoing!
START EARLY!

6. Section 1 – Project record
Print 1 for each project each year
Goals should be SMART and age appropriate:
Specific
What exactly are you going to do?
Measurable
How do you know you’ve achieved it?
Actionable/Attainable
Do you have control over the outcome?
Realistic
Is it reasonable to accomplish?
Time Bound
When do you want to do it by?

7. GOAL Examples “I want to win showmanship” vs.
“I want to learn the cuts of my animal so I can better answer questions during the showmanship competition.”
“I want to go to State Fair.” vs.
“I want to learn many stitching techniques to be able to sew an apron for the Fabric & Fashion Contest to earn a ribbon to qualify for State Fair.”

8. Section 1 - Size & Scope What was your Income?
What did you bring in or start with?
Sale Price
Value of previously owned equipment
What were your expenses?
What did you have to pay for?
Cost of Project item (steer, pottery, fabric, notions, frosting, etc…)
Feed
Supplies
Fuel
Participation Fees (contest fees, enrollment fees, etc…)

9. Section 1 - Market Summary (livestock projects)
Shows you the value of your animal outside of 4-H – TRUE Market Value (MV) if you had taken it to the local auction.
Things to think about:
If you sold at a non-4-H auction on a different day would the MV be different?
Do 4-H animals receive more value than “home-grown” ranch animals? Why or why not?
Did you show gratitude to your buyer for purchasing your animal above market value?
What is a proper Thank You?

10. Section 1 - Knowledge & Skills Acquired
What did you learn?
If you set SMART goals before you started your project this should be easy!
Think about…
What you did to achieve your goals
What skills someone may have taught you
Where you got the information you needed to succeed

11. Section 1 - SUMMARY
How did your project do at each level of competition?
What ribbons or placings did you receive for that project?

12. Section 2 – Awards & Recognition
Ongoing – Add to it each year!
What have you accomplished in your 4-H career?
Date
Award
or Honor
Description / Activity or Event
Level
1998
Medal
3rd Place Junior .22 Air Pistol at County Shoot. CO
Certificate
Most Improved Beginner Sewer in Wrangler 4-H Club CL
Trophy
Champion Junior Dog Showman
1999
Trip
Denver Roundup winner in Style Review S
6/15/00
Scholarship
Livestock Judging to Northwest College.

13. Description of Leadership Responsibilities
Section 3 - Leadership
On-Going – Add to it each year!
Date
Type
Description of Leadership Responsibilities
Include the office held, activity in which you were involved, or committee to which you were assigned.
Level
02/23/2001 E
Song Leader for County Teen Council CL
2001 P
Organized and made PSA’s for 4-H Week with club members
CL, CO

14. Section 4 – Community Service
On-Going – Add to it each year!
Date
Description of Activity
Level
1999
Bake and Take Week, delivered cookies to seven widows with my club. CL
2000
Food for the Homeless Shelter, designed and distributed 30 ads/fliers for placement on the bulletin boards in local businesses. CO
Helped our Junior Leader Club paint the fence at the Senior Citizens Center for 10 hours over the space of 2 weeks.
CL,CO
2001
Helped with County Wide Koats-for-Kids drive during November and December.

15. Section 5 – Participation & Non 4-H Activities
On Going – Add to it each year!
4-H Activities
Non 4-H Activities
County Opportunities
County Fair X
Achievement Night
Presentation Contest
4-H Camp
YEAR
GROUP or ACTIVITY
 Level
2000
Boy Scouts C
Little League Baseball T
2001
6th Grade Wrestling S
Marching Band

16. Section 6 - Story Introduce yourself
Highlight all your 4-H projects and activities, not just the Fair.
Explain how 4-H helped you become a better leader and citizen
Describe how 4-H participation made you feel
Did something not go well? Describe what happened, why it happened, and what you would do different or change for the future.
Stories should be age appropriate and in the voice of the 4-H member!

17. Section 7 – Photographs & News Clippings
Do:
Use Action Shots – you working with your animal, in the middle of creating your project
Add captions! Tell us what’s happening!
Look in the newsletter for pictures or mentions of you!
Ask your leaders or the Extension Office if they have photos from events if you are short pictures.
Don’t:
Use only pictures from Fair
Use only posed shots
Include information that isn’t 4-H related
Treat these 2 pages like a scrapbook
Include ribbons or bulky items

18. Set-Up Put your portfolio in a hard cover.
Preferred Covers: 4-H Member’s Record Book Cover
49.aspx
3-Ring Binders - Accepted but take up more room and don’t stack flat
List your name and club name on the front of the cover
Page protectors are acceptable but not required
Use page dividers to clearly separate sections

19. Order Place sections in order: 1-7 Past Books
Sections 1, 6, & 7 can be put behind the entire current year’s book and should be divided by a divider from all current information.
It is not necessary to include past year’s information for judging. (Keep past year’s info for your records)

20. Tips
Empty Sections - If you have no information for a section write N/A in that box or line to show that you saw the section and didn’t miss it. This indicates to the judges that you did not skip that part, but instead didn’t have anything to put in there. Many judges will give a zero if nothing is found in a section. However, before entering N/A, be sure you have thought of every possible thing you could enter.
Remember: Record book scores are based on your record keeping ability and how much you learned.
Hand Written vs. Typed: Either is acceptable. Whichever you choose, be consistent through the whole book. Make sure your hand writing is readable.
Please double check grammar, spelling, etc. Have a parent or leader read over your books before turning them in.
Use complete sentences.

21. Tips, Continued
Expenses - If you are in projects where materials were provided to you, show the cost of those items and note that you didn’t pay for them. This shows that you acknowledge the cost and value of materials.
Club Work - Elaborate on how you helped or exactly what you did to contribute to club or community work.
Think of Everything - Sometimes small things we don’t think about can be used for record books. Did you attend club tours or achievement night? Give a club presentation? Help a younger member with their project at fair or their record book?
Give credit to people who helped you!

22. More Tips
Community Service– An activity you or your club did that benefits others and does not make your club or yourself any money. Ex: If your club plans your Mardi Gras booth to make money it isn’t a community service activity, it is a fundraiser.
Be Detailed - The more you explain, the more the judge will know.
Be mindful of your goals: SMART & Age Appropriate!
Adult Assistance – parents may help guide the youth. Parents should not tell the kids exactly what to say or complete any sections for the child. It is better to leave a section blank than have a parent fill it out. If parents help with wording or typing that should be noted so the judge’s is aware.

23. Portfolio Judging Portfolios are to be turned in by September 15
Judging will be completed in September & October
Portfolios are used to attain Silver and Gold Achievement points for the Wyoming 4-H Honors club membership.

24. State Achievement Program
Over continued years of involvement in 4-H, a youth earn recognition that reflects their efforts in participation. The achievement program applies only to youth ages 8-19.
Membership Recognition
Member has turned in all required enrollment materials
Member has behaved in an appropriate manner at all 4-H activities, events, and meetings
Member is enrolled in at least one project
Member is enrolled in at least one club or has approval of county 4-H Educator.
Silver Recognition
Member meets Membership Recognition criteria.
Member has exhibited what he/she learned at some point in the current 4-H year
Member provides documentation of setting goals, knowledge/skills gained, and participation in project. (Most likely via the portfolio)

25. State Achievement Program
Gold Recognition
Member meets Membership Recognition criteria.
Member has exhibited what he/she learned at some point in the current 4-H year
Member provides documentation of participation in all essential elements of positive youth development: setting goals, knowledge/skills gained, recognition, leadership, community service, and participation. (Most likely via the portfolio)
Wyoming 4-H Honors Club
The ultimate achievement that a 4-H member can obtain is inclusion in the Wyoming 4-H Honors Club. It is based on the principle of providing recognition for youth that maximize their opportunities to foster positive youth development elements of belonging, independence, generosity, and mastery over their time as a member in the program. Nineteen (19) points must be accumulated to obtain the status. Annual efforts are accumulated based on receiving three (3) points for a gold effort and one (1) point for a silver effort.

26. Portfolio Judging Score Sheet

27. Parting Thoughts Start Early!
Review often and update the ongoing sections
Use the Story to tell us about your overall 4-H experience, not just your Fair experience.
It’s YOUR record above all else. Make sure you document what you might forget and need to know later!
Read the instructions at the beginning of the sections

28. Don’t wait until the last minute!! Laramie County Extension
Questions?
Please contact the Extension Office or your club leader if you have questions.
How to fill out a section.
Where to include information.
Why something is required.
Help setting goals.
What you need to submit for judging.
There are no stupid questions!
Don’t wait until the last minute!!
Laramie County Extension
Hours: 8:00-5:00 Mon-Fri
310 West 19th St., Suite 100 (County Courthouse)
Phone: (307)