Achieving Standards of Excellence ~ Performance Standard Awards

Transcription

1 Achieving Standards of Excellence ~ Performance Standard Awards

2 4-H H Clover Awards

3 An Introduction... Clover Awards are earned by 4-H youth during the 4-H year for involvement in many aspects of 4-H programming. They are divided into categories. Applications are available on the 4-H website or in the 4-H Office. Applications are due on August 1 to the 4-H Office. Clover Awards are distributed at Awards Night each year.

4 How this tutorial is organized... Clover Awards are age-specific, so the tutorial is divided up into the following age categories: Cloverbuds, Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors. Use the hyperlinks to go to the appropriate sections. Each section goes through the different award levels and what qualifies for credit. Did you know that clubs can earn Clover Awards? There is a section on that, too!

5 Cloverbuds 5 to 7 year olds Criteria: 1. Complete a show and tell activity with your club. 2. Attend at least 2/3 of club meetings (or number established by club). Independent members should meet with the 4-H Agent a minimum of four times per year. 3. Exhibit something made in 4-H. 4. Complete a My 4-H Cloverbud Project Summary.

6 Parts of the Application 1. Youth information, including Name, 4-H Age (as of Sept. 1 of the current 4-H year not calendar year) and Club 2. Parent and youth signatures with date (should be August 1 the due date) 3. Columns for Completion Dates and Leader or Agent Signatures - - *Completion dates should be between September 1 and August 1. *Parents may sign off if an Independent.

7 How to Complete the Application A Show and Tell Activity should reflect something that the Cloverbud has been learning and doing in the club. Examples: How to make butter, how to properly wash a chicken, how to create a game board or poster, how to sew a seam, how to train a dog to sit, how to say the 4-H Pledge, how to correctly wash hands, or maybe... how to make a motion! *If there are several Cloverbuds in the club, they may want to do this as a group. *Older youth may assist depending on the club s guidelines.

8 More About Coverbud Clovers Attend 2/3 of club meetings Clubs must meet at least once a month, but some meet every week. Make sure you check with your club leader. County Council meetings may count towards this requirement for Independents or if acceptable with your club s by-laws.

9 Cloverbud Clovers Continued... Exhibit Something Made in 4-H This may include game boards, posters, clothing items, robots, model rockets, crafts, photographs, exhibit boards, cookies, booklets and more. Call the 4-H Office if you have questions. Also acceptable are the following: showing rabbits, cavies or poultry in the fair. (Youth must be eight years old by September 1 of the current 4-H year to show larger animals.)

10 Cloverbud Clovers Completed Cloverbud Project Summary See the tutorial, Building Blue Ribbon 4-H Record Books, for how to assemble a Record Book and complete the summary. The tutorial is on the website: *Record books are due to the 4-H Office by July 1.

11 Cloverbud Clover Recognition Cloverbuds will receive their Clover Awards at Awards Night in late August. Cloverbud Clover Awards are certificates. The Cloverbud Clover s basic requirements are not as involved as those for older youth they are an introduction to record-keeping and 4-H activities. Cloverbuds may, of course, do much more than is required, such as community service, more Record Books, participating in events and attending workshops.

12 Clover Awards are also called Performance Standard Awards. This section includes the Performance Standards, or requirements, for Cloverbud Clover Awards. Ideas for Show and Tell Activity and/or Exhibit Something Made 1.Bug collection 2.Lap book about your project 3.A pillow you sewed 4.A piggy bank 5.Pet treats you made 6.Your pet/project animal 7.A dish garden 8.A healthy snack you prepared 9.A bird feeder you made 10. How to make a motion 11. How to say the 4-H Pledge 12. A worksheet you made 13. How to make a game board

13 Write the Cloverbud s name, 4- H age (as of Sept. 1 of the current 4-H year), and the name of the club. The leader/parent does not have to list the specific Show and Tell Activity, the dates of meetings that were attended, what was exhibited and where, or the name of the project(s). If the Cloverbud and/or leader/parent want to include that information, use a separate sheet and attach it to the application. Idea: Some youth submit folders or scrapbooks containing their Clover Award information. Make sure that the dates of completion are included and they must be during the current 4-H year. Don t forget the signatures!

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16 To Simplify It for Other Ages... Any 4-H activity counts on Clover Award applications whether at the club, county, district, state or national levels. Other events count IF they can be directly related to 4-H or a 4-H project. For example: Ethics training if you are enrolled in a livestock project for 4-H; entering a photograph in the fair if you are enrolled in a photography project; community service without your club if you are wearing your 4-H t-shirt; taking a CPR class if you are working on a Health or Safety project; and local horse shows if you are enrolled in a 4-H horse project. Answer these questions What are you doing to showcase 4- H? What are you doing in 4-H? What are you doing to learn more about your project?

17 Junior Clover Awards Juniors receive either Bronze, Silver or Gold medallions as Clover Awards. These are presented at Awards Night in late August. Clover Award applications are available in the 4-H Office or on the website: under Clover award applications, Junior. Clover Award applications are due August 1. Clover Award applications reflect one year s activities. A 4-H member must reapply each year for a Clover Award.

18 Junior Clover Award Applications Juniors are youth between 8 and 10 years old, as of September 1 of the 4-H year. The Junior Clover Award application is written so that one form can be used for all levels. Those attempting Bronze and Silver levels will not complete the entire application.

19 Let s s Get Started... Using the Performance Standard award criteria, which is found below the Clover award applications on the webpage, you determine for which level you qualify. At the top of the application, write Bronze, Silver or Gold. Fill in the section for Name, 4-H Age, and Club. At the end, parents and youth sign and date.

20 Junior Clovers Continued... There are three columns on the application: 1. Activities - (we will examine these in detail) 2. Completion Date between September 1 and August 1 3. Leader/Agent Signature If you belong to a club, the leader should sign. If you are an Independent, the Agent or parent will sign.

21 Just some important notes... Please do not list one activity more than once! Clover Awards are not project specific, but they are 4-H specific. Clover Awards encompass everything a 4-H er has done throughout the entire 4-H year. If you have questions, call the 4-H Agent at

22 Requirements for All Junior Clover Awards What does Project Plan and Goals mean? Each year, 4-H ers register for projects - they must be listed on the enrollment forms - and they should be discussed with the club leader. Youth record this information, after discussing their goals with their leader and parent(s), on page 2, in Section 1, of My Junior 4-H Project Report, (see the website for Level 2 Record Sheets). For returning members, the Completion Date for this part of the application should be in September. If a youth joins 4-H later in the 4-H year, the date should be close to the enrollment date.

23 Club Attendance & Project Presentations for Juniors Attend 2/3 of Club Meetings Clubs must meet once a month, but each club has by-laws that specify how frequently meetings are held. Independents may attend County Council meetings in lieu of club meetings or meet with the 4-H Agent at least four times during the year. Project Presentation Each youth applying for a Clover Award should do a club presentation about his/her project(s).

24 Bronze Junior Clovers In addition to (1) a Project Plan and Goals, (2) Attend 2/3 of Club Meetings, and (3) a Project Presentation, Juniors... Attend two activities; Participate in one community service activity; Complete one Junior 4-H Project Report. For details, please continue...

25 Bronze - Junior Activities Attend two activities 4-H Activities What counts? Workshops, like the Grooming and Showmanship Clinic, County Events Workshop, or a Sewing Workshop Attending Awards Night, County Council meetings (if you do not count as club meetings), Field trips or activities with your club other than regularly scheduled meetings According to the state s definition, activities are non-competitive 4-H educational experiences.

26 Bronze - Junior Community Service You are representing 4-H in this capacity not another organization. You may support other organizations, but as a 4-H er. You should somehow display 4-H: posters, banners, or t-shirts. What counts? Donating to a food drive or participating in a community event, helping a neighbor fix fences or weed a butterfly garden, attending a Volusia County Council meeting or writing to your Congressman, volunteering at a nursing home, or even picking up garbage. Think outside the box and be creative!

27 Bronze Junior Record Book To earn a Bronze Clover Award, the 4-H er must also complete one Record Book for the year. Record Books are due to the 4-H Office by July 1. To help you complete a Record Book, go to and view the tutorial Building Blue Ribbon 4-H Record Books.

28 Silver Clover Awards for Juniors Clover Award levels build upon each other. To receive a Silver Clover Award, Juniors must do all required for a Bronze and then add Another activity attended (for a total of three); 2. Another community service activity (for a total of two); 3. Attend two different competitions/exhibitions notice that the youth do not have to participate just attend.

29 Are You Ready to Go for the Gold? A Gold Clover Award is the highest award that can be achieved by a Junior. Youth applying for a Gold must do all required for Bronze and Silver, plus Participate in three different activities not just attend 2. Another community service project, for a total of three 3. Participate in four different competitions 4. Another Record Book, for a total of two 5. Teach one club level activity 6. Make a poster on My 4-H Experience or submit Building My 4-H Portfolio

30 Let s s Go Through this Slowly... Yes, a Gold Clover requires a great deal of effort, but each year several are awarded! Activities: Notice that youth Attend three different activities and Participate in three different activities. No double-dipping! Youth may NOT record the same activities under attend and participate. In other words, six different activities!

31 What s the difference between attend an activity and participate in an activity? 1. Attend implies showing up whereas participate means becoming involved. 2. For example, going to 4-H Summer Camp definitely counts as participating. 3. However, going to Awards Night counts as attending. 4. Field trips can go either way! Some field trips are attending, like the Farm Tour, and some are participating, such as a field trip to Lake Woodruff to photograph wildlife. 5. You should always participate in a workshop.

32 Participate and Attend Sometimes, 4-H ers have too many things to fit in one category, so it s nice to have the option to list them somewhere else. For example, you would participate in a Parliamentary Procedure workshop, but you can count it as attending after all, you were there! You can record non-competitive events you participated in under Attended Activities. However, attendance does not count as participating. The Livestock Meetings held before the Volusia County Fair will only count as attending because you do not have an active role. It does seem tricky... but I hope that clears it up a bit

33 What Counts as a Competition or Exhibition If a 4-H er is doing a Cooking Project, for example, an entry of cookies in the fair counts on Clover Award applications. This goes for Photography, Animals, Sewing, Art and Home Economics. Questions? Call the 4-H Office. If, however, the youth is entering items in the fair unrelated to a project, those entries do not count towards Clover Awards! Why? Because Clover Awards are designed to recognize youth accomplishments in 4-H. Fair Contests especially for 4-H, such as Game Boards, Essays and Club Booths, always count.

34 Competitions: Attend and Participate Again, notice the Attend competitions and Participated in competitions areas. You can count Participation in in the Attended section but you cannot substitute attendance for participation. If you participate in a competition, you are competing being judged. Clarification: If you compete in three different horse shows, and are enrolled in a horse project, count them. However, you cannot count three classes in one horse show as three separate competitions. Showing three different animals does, however, count as three competitions.

35 So What Counts as a 4-H 4 H Competition? County Events: Demonstrations, Public Speaking and Illustrated Talks; Photography; Posters District Events Share-the-Fun Talent Show, Fashion Revue at County and District Levels Dairy Poster Contest, Project Exhibit Marine Ecology, Forest Ecology, WHEP, Livestock Judging, Horse Judging, Hippology, Consumer Choices, Shooting Sports 4-H Horse Shows: County, District Shows, Area D, State Tropicana Public Speaking Contest

36 Teach One Club Level Activity Again, please do not count items more than once. Share project experiences by giving a presentation should not be used as a competition, nor as Teach one club level activity. Sharing project experiences means showing the others in your club what you are doing or practicing for your County Events talk. Teaching a club level activity means what it says. You are giving a mini-workshop to your club. For example: showing them how you program a robot for a specific task, how to correctly clip your sheep or worm your goat, teach your fellow members how to sew a certain stitch or correctly pot a citrus tree. Teaching others addresses many life skills, such as planning, self-confidence, organization, communication and leadership.

37 Posters & Portfolio Building Juniors applying for a Gold have two options here: Create a poster My 4-H Experience The poster should measure 14 x 22. The poster should reflect the current 4-H year, from September 1 August 1. The poster should follow general 4-H poster guidelines: 4-H clover displayed, two-dimensional, title, no copyrighted material, colorful, etc. These guidelines are available in the 4-H Office.

38 OR Building My 4-H 4 H Portfolio Go to scroll down to Junior and Intermediate Portfolios and click on Building My 4-H Portfolio. Seniors applying for trips to National Congress in Atlanta, National Conference in Washington, D.C., or scholarships, must complete the Senior Portfolio. Completing the Junior/Intermediate portfolio is good practice as well as a resource when completing the Senior Portfolio. Building My 4-H Portfolio may be hand-written or typed, but must be legible, neat, and complete without spelling and grammatical errors.

39 Clover Awards are also called Performance Standard Awards. This section shows the Performance Standards, or requirements, for the three levels of Junior Clover Awards: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Volusia County 4-H gives medallions and certificates on Awards Night as awards.

40 Gold Joshua Sampson Anything Animal 4-H Club September 16 June 1 March 25 Grooming/Showmanship Clinic August 12 Ethics Training October 10 Livestock Meeting for September 21 Volusia County Fair 4-H Summer Camp July 10 County Council Meetings 5 May 13 Field Trip to Meat Market March 28 with club Ag. Venture Village November 15 Ask-me-Booth November 15 Donated feed to animal rescue April 17 Showed Breeding Ewe in November 15 Volusia County Fair Attended Central Florida Fair March 3 rabbit show 9 This Junior Clover Award application sample will be completed at the Gold level for instructional purposes. This Junior will be doing livestock projects, including Rabbit and Breeding Ewe. He will be doing things related to his projects, such as attending Ethics Training and volunteering in the Ask-Me- Booth. Some of these activities will be 4-H events and some will not. Those that are not 4-H activities are directly related to his projects. He also will be doing 4-H activities unrelated to his projects, such as 4-H Summer Camp.

41 Showed rabbit in November 15 Volusia County Fair County Events photo of rabbit March 20 County Events Ill. Talk on Sheep March 20 District Events Ill. Talk on Sheep May 12 Rabbit July 1 Breeding Ewe July 1 Building a Rabbit Hutch June 20 August 1 Make sure you sign and date! Notice that this 4-H er included showing his breeding ewe under Attend Competition and then put showing his rabbit in this section. Participating in an event can count as attending it after all, you were there! But remember that activities are not competitions. Also, County Events encompasses three separate competitions: Public Speaking Photography and Poster. Turn in the poster or the portfolio on August 1 when you submit the Clover Award application. Remember you don t need to complete the portfolio and turn in a poster just do one.

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43 Intermediate Clover Awards Intermediates are between the ages of 11 and 13 by September 1 of the 4-H year. Intermediates can earn Bronze, Silver, Gold or Emerald Clover Awards. Clover Awards must be applied for each year and represent only those activities completed during the current 4-H year. Clover Award applications are due August 1. Clover Awards are distributed at Awards Night in late August.

44 Basic Clover Info for Intermediates Applications can be found in the 4-H Office or on the website: under Clover award applications, Intermediate. The requirements for Clover Awards are also available in the 4-H Office or on the same web page listed above, under Performance Standard award criteria.

45 Clovers for Intermediates The application is designed so that all levels are included on it a one size fits all. Those applying for Bronze, Silver or Gold will not complete the entire application. All applicants will include: 1. The award level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Emerald) 2. Youth name 3. 4-H age (as of Sept. 1, not necessarily the calendar year) 4. Club name 5. Parent and Youth Signatures, with dates near August 1, the due date

46 Bronze Clovers - Intermediates Just like Juniors, all Intermediates must: 1.Establish a plan for a project and discuss it with the leader of the club, or parent if an Independent 2.Attend at least 2/3 of club meetings (Independents can count County Council meetings or meet with the 4-H Agent) 3.Share project experiences by giving a presentation to the club

47 Some Notes About Projects Each youth enrolled in 4-H must have at least one project. Youth may enroll in as many projects as they wish. The project(s) are listed on the enrollment form each year. Project listings are available in the 4-H Office or at under Volusia County 4-H Projection Selection Sheet.

48 More Requirements for Bronze Hold an office, at the Club or County level, or youth may serve on committees at the Club, County or District levels Intermediates should be assuming leadership roles. Volusia County Council 4-H Offices: (Open only to Senior 4- H ers - President, Vice-President, Delegate, Secretary) Treasurer, Reporter, Parliamentarian, Historian, Sergeant-at- Arms, Motivational Leader Volusia County Council 4-H Committees: Ways and Means, Fashion Revue, County Events, Share-the-Fun, Community Service and special committees Club Officers: Each club, depending on by-laws and number of youth, may have all of the above offices or not. Club Committees (vary by club): Ways and Means, Refreshment/Recreation, Community Service and more

49 Bronze Clovers for Intermediates Participate in two different activities Examples include: 1. 4-H Summer Camp 2. Club field trips (in addition to regularly scheduled meetings) 3. 4-H workshops 4. County Council meetings Activities are non-competitive educational experiences.

50 Community Service Participate in two different community service activities - - The opportunities are nearly endless but remember that you are representing Volusia County 4-H! Holiday parades count if you are marching with your 4-H club. Walk-a-thons and festivals to support other organizations are acceptable if you are doing it as a 4-H representative. Wearing your 4-H t-shirt, setting up a booth at a community festival to distribute 4-H materials, or carrying a banner are great ways to show your 4-H pride while helping your community. Yes, you can do more than two!

51 Record Books A project is the result of all of the activities a youth has done in a certain subject area, such as Aviation or Market Steer. A Project Book is the workbook that the youth completes. A Project Report summarizes what the youth has done. The Record Book is the green folder containing the Project Book, story, photos, and the Project Report. Intermediates applying for a Bronze Clover Award must complete one Record Book. A tutorial is available, along with the project reports, in the 4-H Office or online at

52 Silver Clovers for Intermediates If an Intermediate 4-H er is applying for a Silver Clover Award, he or she must complete the requirements for a Bronze, plus... Participate in another activity Participate in another community service Participate in two competitions/exhibitions

53 Sample Competitions & Exhibitions Showing livestock in the fair, fair contests Livestock and Horse Judging Fashion Revue Share-the-Fun Talent Show Schooling Horse Show, Area D, State County Events, District Events Consumer Choices, Shooting Sports, Forest Ecology, Marine Ecology Essays, Game Boards Tropicana Public Speaking

54 Gold Clovers for Intermediates Intermediates seeking Gold Clovers must do all required for Silver, plus Establish plans for another project Another two activities (total of five) Another community service (total of three) Another three competitions (total of five) Give a talk about 4-H to community group Teach a club level workshop Write an essay, Can One Kid Really Make a Difference, OR submit Building My 4-H Portfolio Attend a District VIII event Complete another Record Book (total of two)

55 Going for Intermediate Gold Give a talk about 4-H to a community group IDEAS: Call local service clubs, such as Rotary or Kiwanis, and ask to speak at a meeting. Attend a community event, such as the local YMCA or the TURN Festival, and set up a 4-H booth with flyers and an activity. Newspaper articles featuring you and your club Appear before the Volusia County Council in recognition of National 4-H Week. *However do not count as Community Service if you use here!

56 Gold Clovers Teach one club level activity or workshop This is NOT the same thing as Share project experiences by giving a presentation you are not sharing your project - but planning a class, preparing materials and teaching others a new skill. IDEAS: Teach your club how to build a game board. Give a workshop on Packing for a Horse Show. Lead a workshop about writing letters to buyers.

57 Option 1: Write an essay... Important An essay is more than a paragraph it s at least two pages. There should not be grammatical errors in the essay and all words should be spelled correctly. It may be hand-written or typed, neat and legible.

58 Option 2: Building a Portfolio Go to and click on Building My 4-H Portfolio. Seniors complete portfolios for trips and scholarships Juniors and Intermediates complete this packet as practice. The portfolio should be thorough, neat, and done well, hand-written or typed.

59 Attend a District Level Event We are in 4-H District VIII. The other counties in our district are Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole. IDEAS: District Events Area D Horse Show 4-H Summer Camp Jr. Congress Fashion Revue Share-the-Fun District Council meetings Legisl8ture

60 To Clarify... Attend is not the same as participate. Watching the Share-the-Fun Talent Show at the Central Florida Fair meets this requirement and is a great way to learn how to perform and is a way to meet other 4-H ers. However, if you participate in District Events or the Area D Horse Show, you should enter that under competitions/exhibitions. The idea is to have Intermediates explore events outside of their county.

61 Emerald Clovers for Intermediates Intermediates, Seniors and Clubs can earn Emerald Clovers Requirements: Establish plans for three projects with leader/parent Attend 2/3 of club meetings Share project experiences in a presentation Serve on a committee or hold office Lead a service project Participate in six competitions Give two talks to two different community groups Teach two club level activities or workshops Teach one county level activity or workshop Attend two district level, or higher, events Complete two Record Books Submit Building My 4-H Portfolio

62 Lead a Service Project There is not a form entitled, Service Project Leadership Report, to complete. Rather, it is a 500 word report created by the 4-H er addressing: 1. What was done 2. Who benefited 3. How they benefited Leading a community service project means that the 4-H er planned the event, organized it and saw it through to completion.

63 Teaching a County Workshop Another requirement for an Emerald Clover takes the youth from the club level to the county level as a teacher. IDEAS: County Events Workshop: Speeches, Photography or Posters Game Boards, Essays Sewing Workshop, Fashion Revue, Cooking Parliamentary Procedure, Officer Training Showmanship, Grooming, Obedience *Think of all the opportunities!

64 What s s a Wild Card? You can replace any one requirement with the Wild Card. The Wild Card is an interview with a 4-H Alumni unrelated to you. An alumni is a former 4-H er, at least 21 years old. The interview should be about the alumni s 4-H experiences. Write up the interview and submit it as a report at least two pages. Remember about format, spelling, grammar, neatness... it bears repeating!

65 Sample Questions for Wild Card How old were you when you joined 4-H? What projects did you study? What events did you participate in? What is different now? Do you volunteer in any organizations now? Where were you in 4-H? What was your club s name? Were you an officer? What skills did you learn in 4-H that helped you as an adult? What s your name, age, where you live, what you do? What do you remember most? Who? And so many more...

66 Clover Awards are also called Performance Standard Awards. Intermediates can earn Bronze, Silver, Gold or Emerald (see next slide). Volusia County gives medallions and certificates at Awards Night as Clover Awards.

67 This page has the Performance Standards, or requirements, for the Emerald level Clover Award. Notice that this page also describes the Wild Card option.

68 Emerald Amy Patterson The Young Naturalist 4-H Club September 5 June 30 December 11 Secretary - Club May 30 4-H Summer Camp July 10 4-H Legisl8ture June 17 4-H Day at the Capitol April 12 Club Field Trip to March 15 Marine Discovery Center Jr. Congress January 7 Volusia County 4-H October 24 Fall Festival Keep DeLand Beautiful March 8 Making fishing line containers May 30 and putting at fishing docks St. John s River Clean-Up June 12 Fishing Line Containers June This 4-H er will be applying for an Emerald Clover. This should help all levels fill out the application. She will be doing two projects: Wetlands and Marine Ecology. Youth can serve on numerous committees and hold offices on club and county levels. Only one is required. The 4-H er will write a report for the one she led in this case, the fishing line containers.

69 Photograph of beach in VCF November 15 Game board in VCF November 15 Essay in VCF November 15 Share-the-Fun Talent Show December 11 County Events photo of dolphin March 20 County Events Ill. Talk about March 20 mangroves and estuaries Talks Given to Community Groups 1. Interview with News-Journal September 19 about club doing Coastal Clean-Up 2. 4-H booth at Gemini Springs June 6 for National Trails Day How to Make Fishing Line Receptacles March 17 Making a Wood Duck Birdhouse March 31 Wetlands July 1 Marine Science July 1 How to Make Fishing Line Receptacles April 10 District Events Ill. Talk May 9 State 4-H Marine Ecology Comp. November 12 August 1 Don t forget to date and sign! Participated in Competitions notice that they are all 4-H events or project related. There are more events that the youth could list, such as Fashion Revue at the county level, or entering her game board in the Central Florida Fair at the district level. She taught a workshop to her club about fishing line receptacles and repeated the same workshop at the county level. By teaching this workshop to other youth at the county level, they can be involved in community service too. She could perhaps conduct her workshop during County Council committee time...

70 Sample Essay... The following is a sample essay for the Gold Clover requirement. Put in details exactly what you did. The sample essay is there to give you ideas. You can write about what you did for the whole year, a few activities or just one event. The point is that you realize that your actions can affect the world around you!

71 Can One Kid Really Make a Difference? I believe that everyone can make a difference in the lives of others. There are so many needs out there: people are hungry, people are sick, people are lonely, and people are homeless. Making a difference does not mean that I have to change the world - I can make a little difference. I don t have to have to have a lot of money to help. I just have to want to. Four-H has helped me see that. In October, Volusia County 4-H had a food drive for Make a Difference Day. Our club collected canned food, non-perishable items and hygiene products and brought them to the 4-H Office. Another club took all of the donated items to a nearby center. I will never see the people that I gave food to, but I know I helped a family. We also attended Barn Work Day. A lot of work gets done when there are hundreds of people there! At the District Council meeting, we assembled Goody Bags for children at the Arnold Palmer Hospital. We made tie-blankets and get-well cards, and stuffed bags with toys, books, craft items, personal hygiene products, markers and journals. If I was in the hospital, I would like to have one of the bags and to know that another kid was thinking about me. So I can make a difference in my community.

72 In November, a 4-H club started collecting toys. Our club gave clothes, toys and stuffed animals. I cannot imagine having Christmas without presents, so I was glad to help another kid have a great holiday. We can also help animals. I have been working on a dog project this year. Our club took a field trip to a local Humane Society in December. I did not know that they need volunteers to help clean, pet the animals and bring food and supplies. We bought bags of dog and cat food and took them back to the Humane Society and helped work around the center for the day. I loved the kittens! It is amazing how many people don t know about 4-H. Four-H makes such a difference in my life that I tell all of my friends about it. Several friends have joined 4-H now. My club has marched in parades and we have spoken to a local service club about 4-H. We set up booths at community festivals and wear our club t-shirts to show the community that we are in 4-H. I enjoy going to the Proclamation ceremony in front of the Volusia County Council. Every year, they recognize National 4-H Week. We all get to shake hands with the Council Members and let them know how important Volusia County 4-H is to the community.

73 As an officer in my club, I help make a difference. I am teaching the younger members about my office and I am providing a valuable service to my club by fulfilling my role to the best of my ability. I also help the younger members and new members groom and show their animals. I have been showing a long time and can help them know how to correctly clip and set up their animals. I serve on a committee for the County Council. We are busy planning for the Share-the-Fun Talent Show in January. We have to decide upon a theme, write a script, decorate, have a dress rehearsal, make sure the speakers, equipment and lights are all working, present the awards and have a fundraiser! So I can make a difference to my club! At Summer Camp, I was a C.I.T. and helped the Counselor with the campers in our cabin. I made a difference because I helped a group of eight year olds have a great time at camp! I also helped with the Flag Retirement Ceremony while at camp. It was something I ll never forget. Every year, my club writes letters and assembles care packages for our troops. I can make a difference by being an example and by supporting our country.

74 Making a difference doesn t always mean changing the world. It can mean representing 4-H at a local, district, state or national competition. Learning a skill, such as archery, and then competing at the state match in March showed the rest of the state that Volusia County 4-H has a great program! It gets our name out there. So, do I think one kid can make a difference? I do think so and I do make a difference. We all can because there are many ways to help our clubs, our communities, our country and our world!

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76 Senior Clover Awards Clover Awards are a way that a 4-H er can earn credit for activities directly related to projects AND those 4-H activities not directly related to a project. For example, if a 4-H er participates in Fashion Revue but his or her project is Wetlands, the event still counts towards a Clover Award. For Record Books, only those events directly related to the project are included.

77 Senior Clovers, Ages Clover Award applications are available in the 4-H Office or online at under Senior. Requirements can be found under Performance Standard award criteria. Clover Award applications are due August 1. Clover Awards are certificates and medallions that are presented at Awards Night in late August. Seniors can earn Bronze, Silver, Gold or Emerald Clover Awards. A Clover Award represents one year s activities. Each year, youth must reapply.

78 Senior Clover Awards All levels use the same application. At the top, fill in the youth s name, 4-H age, and club name. Using the criteria, figure out which level of Clover Award the application is for Bronze, Silver, Gold or Emerald. The parent and 4-H er must sign and date. The Completion date represents when the 4-H er has completed an activity. The date will be between September 1 and August 1. The leader (or parent, if an Independent), signs off that the 4-H er completed the requirement.

79 Bronze Clover Award Criteria Establish a plan for a project and discuss with your club leader. Attend at least 2/3 of the club s meetings. Share project experiences by giving a presentation to the club. Serve on a committee or hold an office. Participate in two activities. Assist in one community service project. Participate in one competition/exhibition. Complete one Record Book.

80 Let s s Look at the Requirements Establish a plan for a project Each year, 4-H ers complete new enrollment and participation forms. On the enrollment form, the 4-H er writes down what project(s) he or she will be working on during the 4-H year. In addition, the 4-H er should discuss the project and what goals he or she has with the leader and with his or her parents.

81 Next... Attend 2/3 of club meetings Clubs must meet at least once a month, or nine times during the 4-H year, but some meet more frequently. A club s by-laws specify when the club meets. Attending club meetings is important. Independents may attend County Council meetings in place of club meetings.

82 Senior Bronze continued... Share project experiences with the club This is not participating in a competition nor is this teaching a workshop. This is simply telling your fellow club members what you have been doing with your project. IDEA:Have the club sit in a circle and each club member talks about his or her project.

83 More About Bronze Clovers Serve on a committee or hold an office Offices and committees can be at the club, county, district and state levels. County Council offices: President, Vice-President, Delegate, Secretary, Treasurer, Reporter, Parliamentarian, Historian, Sergeant-at-Arms, Motivational Leader County Council Elections are held in May. County Council committees: Ways and Means, Fashion Revue, Share-the-Fun, County Events, Community Service and special committees Clubs may or may not have all of the above.

84 More About Offices District offices are the same as above, except there are two Delegates and no Motivational Leader. In order to be a District VIII officer, you must be one of the four voting county delegates: President, Vice- President, Delegate or Secretary. District Council meetings are held every other month, in Seminole and Orange Counties. District committees include: Jr. Congress, Sharethe-Fun, District Events, Ways and Means, Legisl8ture, Publicity, Community Service, Constitution, and others as needed.

85 State Offices and Committees There are several ways to serve at the state level. Senior 4-H ers can be State Officers. District officers can be District Representatives. Senior 4-H ers can be Presidential Appointees. These youth serve on the Executive Board, which meets three times a year, and plans state level events.

86 Activities Participate in two different activities What s an activity? An activity is an educational experience that is non-competitive. What counts? The following are examples: 1. County and District Council meetings 2. Workshops 3. Field Trips 4. Summer Camp 5. Legislature

87 Just to Clarify Any 4-H activity counts. However, outside activities count ONLY if they can be directly related to a project. For example, Ethics Training is necessary to show an animal in the fair. Ethics Training is not a 4-H workshop. If a youth is not showing as a 4-H er, or is not registered in a livestock project, the class does not count as an activity.

88 Community Service Participate in one community service Community service is an important aspect of 4-H. You may participate in your choice of service projects, but as a 4-H er. Make sure 4-H is displayed by a banner, a booth or wear your 4-H t-shirt! Festivals, parades, walk-a-thons, food drives and clean-ups are all good ideas.

89 Competitions Participate in a competition or exhibition Any 4-H competition counts, at county, district, state or national level. For example: 1. County and District Events 2. Share-the-Fun Talent Show 3. Fashion Revue 4. Horticulture I.D. and Judging 5. Livestock and Horse Judging 6. Shooting Sports 7. Consumer Choices, Interview and Essay Contests 8. Horse Schooling Show, Area D, State Horse Show

90 More About Competitions If a contest is not a 4-H event, such as a Dog Show, showing an animal in the fair or exhibiting cookies in the fair, the competition counts ONLY if the contest can be directly related to a 4-H project. 1. If a youth s 4-H project is Market Swine, then showing the animal counts as participating in a competition. 2. If a youth enters a dish garden in the fair and is involved in a Gardening project, that entry counts as a competition. 3. If a youth enters a photograph of Indian River Lagoon in the fair and is involved in a Marine Science project, it counts!

91 Record Books Complete one Senior 4-H Project Report On the website, view Building Blue Ribbon 4-H Record Books. It is a tutorial about how to complete Record Books. A project is what the youth studies during the year, a Project Report is the summary and the Record Book is the finished product. Seniors applying for a Bronze Clover Award must complete and turn in one Record Book. Record Books are due July 1.

92 Senior Silver In addition to all of the Bronze Clover Award requirements, youth applying for a Silver must Participate in another activity (total of 3) Participate in another community service project (total of 2) Participate in two more competitions (total of 3)

93 Senior Gold Yes, it s s A Lot! Those Seniors interested in a Gold Clover Award must do the following: Establish plans for 1-2 projects Attend 2/3 of club meetings Share project experiences with the club Serve on a committee or hold an office Participate in five different activities Lead a community service project and write a report about it Participate in six different competitions Give a 4-H talk to a community group Teach one club level activity or workshop Teach one county level activity or workshop Write an essay on Why or Why Not Is Record Keeping Important in 4-H? Participate in two different district or higher level events Complete two Senior Record Books OR one Record Book and the Senior Portfolio

94 Go For the Gold You Can Do It! Let s look at the unfamiliar terms: Lead a community service activity and write a Service Project Leadership Report This means that the 4-H er has the idea for the service project, plans and organizes it and oversees its completion. The report is not a form to complete. It is a written or typed report (not a paragraph) that describes the event: when, where, why, how, who, what? Watch the grammar and spelling!

95 Give a Talk About 4-H4 IDEAS: Call a local service group and ask if you can come speak about 4-H! Go to a community festival and set up a booth! Go on the radio or talk to a newspaper about 4- H and your club! There are so many events in Volusia County that would welcome 4-H s participation!

96 Teaching One requirement is to teach at the club level. This means that the 4-H er must give a workshop, a mini-clinic or a class to the club. This is NOT the same thing as sharing project experiences. Youth will need to make a lesson plan, create and duplicate materials, and devise a way to measure knowledge gained in the audience. If it is related to the project, it can also be used under the leadership section of the Project Summary in the Record Book.

97 County Level Teaching In order to complete this requirement, the 4-H er must coordinate with the 4-H Agent. Workshops are offered throughout the year on various topics, such as Game Boards, Citrus Trees, Poultry, Sewing, Crafts, Photography, Public Speaking and Baking. What would you like to teach? *If you teach classes at Jr. Congress or Summer Camp you may count them, but using them here may take away from district level activities. Remember no double-dipping!

98 Writing an Essay The topic is Why or Why Not Is Record Keeping Important in 4-H? Obviously, record keeping is very important! How else would a farmer operate? Equipment and stock inventory, when animals are wormed, when fertilizer is applied to crops, how much feed and at what price this list goes on. That s what 4-H is preparing you for being a leader and a responsible citizen! An essay is not a paragraph. It should be at least two pages long, without grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. The essay may be hand-written or typed, but neat.

99 District or Higher Level Events Seniors applying for Gold Clover Awards must participate in two different district level or higher events. We belong to District VIII, along with Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. There are district level events that are non-competitive, such as Senior Retreat, Jr. Congress, Legisl8ture, and District Council meetings. Some non-competitive state level events include Senior LAW, 3 rd Executive Board, 4-H Day at the Capitol, and Legislature. Competitive events can also go in this category, such as Congress and District Events.

100 Gold for Seniors Seniors have two options. 1. Complete two Record Books, or 2. Complete one Record Book and the Senior Portfolio What is a Senior Portfolio? Seniors applying for scholarships or award trips to 4-H National Congress or 4-H National Conference must complete portfolios. Portfolios are due to the 4-H State Office by June 1. In July, during Congress, youth are interviewed. At the banquet, the winners are announced. Senior Portfolio applications are available in the 4-H Office or online under Senior Portfolio.

101 Emerald Clover Awards Seniors applying for Emerald Clover Awards must satisfy all Gold Clover requirements plus Participate in two more activities (total of 7) Lead another community service project and write another report (total of 2) Give another community talk (total of 2) Teach another club level activity (total of 2) Teach another county activity (total of 2) Participate in another competition (total of 7) Participate in another district or higher level event (total of 3) Complete three Record Books or two Record Books and the Senior Portfolio Serve as a mentor to a younger 4-H er and write a report about the experience

102 Mentoring As a very involved Senior 4-H er, you help teach and encourage the Cloverbuds, Juniors and Intermediates. You may not know it, but they are watching you! You need to discuss mentoring with your parents and the other youth s family. You must make plans to meet with the 4-H er during the year. Some things you may want to consider: mentoring someone in your club, involving him or her in your committee work, teaching one-onone, interviewing the 4-H er about his or her goals and sharing your experiences. Don t forget to write a report about the year-long experience (HINT HINT a year-long project is not a paragraph).

103 Sample Mentoring Ideas Give a workshop to your club and have the younger 4-H er be your assistant. Decide upon a project you will study together and help the younger 4-H er prepare a game board, exhibit or talk about it. Plan a community service project together. Ask the 4-H er what needs he/she sees in your local community. If you head up a committee, show the 4-H er how you plan for a meeting. Ask the younger 4-H er to do a survey about what activities that age group want more of and help plan some. Give a report to the County Council. Plan a club fundraiser or a themed social event. Hang out together and just listen to him/her. The ideas are endless. Remember You are helping this younger 4-H er fill your shoes after you are gone!

104 WILD CARD You may play the Wild Card ONCE. Substitute the Wild Card in for one requirement. The Wild Card is an interview with a 4-H Alumni. The alumni cannot be related, and does not have to be a Volusia County 4-H er. It is preferred that the alumni is at least 21 years old. Don t forget the report that goes along with the interview!

105 Clover Awards are also called Performance Standard Awards. The requirements, or Performance Standards, are found in this section and are arranged by the four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald (see next page). In Volusia County, we use medallions and certificates to recognize Clover Award winners.

106 On this page, you will find the requirements for Emerald Clovers and information about the Wild Card option.

107 Emerald Cameron Suarez Cows, Sows and Plows 4-H Club Horticulture & Outdoors Club September 30 June 30 April 25 County Council President May 12 District Council Meetings May 14 County Council Meetings May 7 Annual 4-H Camping trip April st -3 rd Executive Boards February 28 Senior LAW January 17 Officer Training Workshop September 5 Fashion Revue emcee May 21 District VIII Senior Retreat - May 28 Butterfly Garden Make-a-Difference Day October 24 District VIII Senior Retreat May 28 Make-a-Difference Day October This Senior Clover Award application will be completed at the Emerald level to demonstrate how to fill out the application at all levels. This Senior is very involved at all levels club, county, district, state and national. With that activity comes a lot of opportunities and a lot of responsibility. Depending upon how involved the 4-H er is, there may not be enough space to count everything! This Senior is not doubledipping. He led the two community service activities so he must write reports about those projects.

108 State Air Rifle Match March 1 State Archery Match March 8 State Shotgun Match March 15 Consumer Choices CFF February 28 County Events Demo on February 16 Correctly Pruning Shrubs Interview Contest - CFF February 28 Congress Hort. ID, Demo July 24 Rotary My 4-H Experience January 12 Volusia County Council for October 1 National 4-H Week Deltona Days (4-H booth) November 27 How to Plant a Container Garden May 3 How to Buy a Great Camera October 5 Jr. Congress How to Give a Demo January 8 4-H Summer Camp Team Building July 10 District Events May 10 National Congress April 18 Legislature June 28 President July1 Consumer Education July 1 Gardening July 1 If a youth has many activities, he must figure out where to put everything. It can be quite a puzzle. I recommend beginning with the competitions, then complete the district or higher events and finish with the 4-H activities. Competitions can be listed under Attend District or Higher Event, and remember that activities are noncompetitive educational events. That s right officers have Project Books! The Consumer Choices study manual can be converted into a Project Book.

109 May 1 August 1 Billy Sims, Junior August 1 Don t forget to sign and date! This 4-H er was applying for a trip to National Congress. In order to do so, the Senior Portfolio had to be submitted. He only had to complete two Record Books with the Senior Portfolio, but he completed three Record Books.

110 Sample Essay... Seniors attempting to receive a Gold Clover must write an essay about record keeping. The following is a sample. Its purpose is to provide the 4-H er with ideas. Remember to provide details!

111 Why or Why Not is Record Keeping Important in 4-H? 4 When I was younger and it was time to put my Record Books together to turn in, I procrastinated about it. I enjoyed working in my books, going on field trips, participating in events and taking pictures, but I didn t think it was much fun assembling the Record Books. There was so much to fill out! However, after I finally finished them, besides feeling relieved, I felt like I had accomplished something. I couldn t wait to get my books back to see what the 4-H Agent wrote and to receive my ribbons and year pins and if I received Blue Ribbons I earned project pins! Years later, I admit that I often wait until the last minute, but I enjoy the process of putting the Record Book together. All of these years of record keeping have recently earned me a trip to National Congress in Atlanta. So, record keeping in 4-H is very important. My first project was rabbits, actually Cloverbunnies, because I was six. Cloverbuds receive blue ribbons for their Record Books and they are a lot easier to complete! For my project, I showed a Lionhead in the Volusia County Fair and entered the showmanship competition. I have since learned over the years how to hold a rabbit so that it doesn t get away from me! I remember buying him, feeding him, washing him and playing with him. I learned the parts of the rabbit, how to clean the cage, how to hold him and how to keep records. Even in Cloverbud projects, we record when we feed and water, when we buy supplies, when we have a vet see our animal and what places we visit. I still have that book, complete and as a record of my 4-H career.

112 Since then, I have completed other Record Books about Wetlands, Bicycles, Market Lamb, Gardening, Officer Books, Citizenship and Small Engines. I still show rabbits, but now I breed them and sell them too. I construct the hutches myself and care for the animals. I keep receipts for supplies and feed, documents related to my animals, such as health records, and a journal that I write helpful hints in I even keep diagrams of the hutches I design. I have kept all of my Record Books and assembled them into a massive notebook. This past year, when I competed for the Champion Of Champions at the Florida State Fair, all of those years of writing down notes to myself and keeping judges comments in my file helped me immensely. I placed well and it was because I kept records! My rabbit Record Books include pages of Expenses, Receipts, Inventory, Breeding Records and a Financial Summary. But besides that, I have to write a story every year about my project. My 4-H Agent expects Seniors to write about three pages with lots of details. However, even though I didn t like doing it when I was younger, I like writing now. I remember so many great things that happened during the year, that is, after I finally get that first sentence out! Also, there s a Project Summary that must be completed. It asks things like, What difficulties did you have and how did you correct them? The first time I answered that question, I wrote None. The 4-H Agent marked off points for that! I actually did have trouble dogs broke into my hutch so I had to secure it. That was important to my project, but I was in a hurry to get through with the paperwork so I didn t include it. But it was an important lesson to me. Another important part of Record Books are the photos. I take pictures of everything and write captions for them. If you don t, the grader doesn t know what is happening in the picture.

113 Record keeping in 4-H is important. As Seniors, we go to Congress to interview for scholarships and trips. There s an interview, but a lot of emphasis is placed upon our portfolios. Because I have kept records for many years, this was easy for me. It takes time though! Writing also has its benefits the more you write, the better you get at it! I ll soon be graduating and out of 4-H, but so many things I have learned in 4-H will stay with me. I ve learned to keep records storing them in an organized manner and in a certain place, complete, and with notes. I ve learned not to procrastinate. You cannot assemble what you need if you wait until the last minute. I ve learned how to speak in public, teach a workshop and prepare an exhibit. I have been an officer and know how to use parliamentary procedures in meetings. I ve debated bills at Legislature and competed in judging competitions. All of those activities require keeping records. In life, I ll keep records: bills, taxes, insurance papers, deeds and contracts, and depending on my career, many more. Four-H allowed me to start learning this critical skill early a little bit at a time until it became second nature.

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