2015 Award Instructions, Page 1
2015 WHITE COUNTY 4-H AWARDS
“By the Numbers”
This document steps you through each award available to White County 4-H members. After each
award description, the specific application processes the member must follow, as well as any action
required by the club leader, are listed.
Members DO NOT need to make copies of their 4-H Highlights form for each award they apply for.
One copy is sufficient, but members should be encouraged to make a copy of their records before
they are turned into the county office.
All of the award forms & instructions can be downloaded from the Extension Website at:
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/ghhpsw/white4h/2706.html
Non-competitive Awards For Members
1.
Participation Award Certificate
Every member should be awarded a PARTICIPATION AWARD CERTIFICATE. (if
Cloverbud, award CLOVERBUD CERTIFICATE). Each member will also receive a
number pin, noting the number of years they have completed in 4-H.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: None
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Order a certificate for each member on the “2015 Awards Order Form.”
Order the total of “Number Pins” needed for your club on the “2015 Awards Order Form.”
2.
Perfect Attendance Pins
Members who attend 100% of the monthly club meetings should be awarded a
PERFECT ATTENDANCE PIN. Please note: Members must have actually attended the
meetings to get credit. Members are allowed two “make up” meetings to make their “standard,”
but make up meetings are not allowed to qualify for perfect attendance. The only “excused absence”
is for 4-H members who are absent because they are attending another 4-H event.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: None
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Order a perfect attendance pin for each member who qualifies on the
“2015 Awards Order Form.”
3.
Progress Awards
Members who “made progress” on a 4-H project or 4-H activity or grew in some way
from their 4-H work should be awarded a PROGRESS AWARD CERTIFICATE & SEAL.
There are no guidelines as to how many goals they have to achieve. This is a
judgment call on the leader’s part. Did you feel they learned anything through their
4-H experience? The state suggests you award a certificate the first year they receive
the award, and give a seal for every year thereafter, but in my opinion, everyone
deserves a new certificate and seal each year. . . . Do as you wish, though.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: None
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Order a certificate and seal for each member who qualifies on the “2015
Awards Order Form.” (or a certificate for the first year and seal thereafter).
2015 Award Instructions, Page 2
4.
Member of Standard Awards
To be a “MEMBER OF STANDARD,” 4-H members must meet certain requirements,
depending on their age. Review these carefully. The rules for this award are very
specific and increase in difficulty as the 4-H member ages. For example, members
must attend two-thirds of the club meetings. If they don’t, they are not eligible for
the “Members of Standard Award.” The 4-H Committee does allow club leaders the option of
assigning extra tasks to club members to “make up” two missed meetings. These make up meetings
can be used so the members can make the standard meeting requirement. The only “excused
absence” is for 4-H members who are absent because they are attending another 4-H event.
8-11 year olds must have done these things:
1. Establish a plan for your project and make report on project to leader.
2. Attend at least 2/3 of club meetings.
3. Share project experiences by giving a presentation or making an exhibit.
12-14 year olds must have done all six of these things:
1-3 above, plus
4. Serve on committee or hold an office.
5. Take part in a community service activity related to member’s project.
6. Assist group leaders with a special activity, tour or program.
15-19 year olds must have done all nine of these things:
1-6 above, plus
7. Participate in one or more unit, regional or state level learning experience.
8. Provide leadership for project, an activity or for a group.
9. Assist in conducting programs at the county level or beyond.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Member Performance Standards of
Excellence” form. This is available from your leader or on the website.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review the members’ checklists, sign & submit. THIS YEAR, PLEASE TURN
IN ALL THESE STANDARD FORMS FOR YOUR CLUB.
For members aged 8-11, order a Project Achievement Medal the first year the member receives the
award; order a Project Achievement Certificate for all other years on the “2015 Awards Order
Form.”
For members aged 12-14, order a Service Achievement Medal the first year the member receives
the award for this age group; order a Service Achievement Certificate for all other years on the
“2015 Awards Order Form.”
For members aged 15, order a Key Ring on the “2015 Awards Order Form.”
For members aged 16, order a Sportspack on the “2015 Awards Order Form.”
For members aged 17, order a Cooler on the “2015 Awards Order Form.”
For members aged 18, order an Umbrella on the “2015 Awards Order Form.”
2015 Award Instructions, Page 3
Competitive Awards For Members
5.
Project Medals
4-Hers may complete applications for PROJECT AWARD MEDALS in the following
categories. There are no age requirements. 4-Hers must have taken the project THIS
YEAR to qualify for the medal, but their work in all years will be taken into
consideration when graded. Each medal can only be awarded once during the 4-Her’s
entire career.
Achievement for Entire 4-H career—all areas.
Agriculture—includes project work in beef, cat, dairy, goats, horse & pony, poultry, rabbit, sheep,
small pets, swine and vet science
Community Involvement Global Awareness—includes project work in citizenship, community
service, intercultural.
Environment & Natural Resources—includes project work in camping & outdoor living,
conservation, entomology, forestry, geology, sports fishing, wildlife and natural resources
Food Nutrition & Health—includes project work in foods & nutrition & health
Home and Family—includes project work in child development, intergenerational, family relations,
clothing, consumer education and interior design
Engineering & Technology—includes project work in aerospace, bicycles, computer, electricity,
safety, GIS/GPS, small engines, tractor, welding and woodworking
Personal Development—includes project work in communication, photography, visual arts,
leadership, recreation and theater arts
Plants & Soils—includes project work in crops, horticulture, and plant & soil science
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and a “White County
General Award Application” (front & back sides) for each medal they are applying for.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign. Check the past winners list to be certain they have not
previously been awarded a medal.
6.
Project Blue Awards
4-Hers who have already won a medal in a certain project area, but still do good work
in that area, may apply for a BLUE AWARD CERTIFICATE. You cannot apply for a blue
award until you have already received the medal !!!!
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and a “White County
General Award Application” (front only) for each blue award they are applying for.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
7.
Special Electricity Award
4-Hers who complete the Electricity Project may wish to apply for this special state
award. The ILLINOIS ELECTRIFICATION COUNCIL PLAQUE can only be won once in 4-H
career
MEMBER’S APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and the “White
County General Award Application” (front & back sides).
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
8.
Outstanding First Year Member
Two camp scholarships (valued at $140) are awarded to the top two first year
members in the county.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and the “White County
General Award Application” (front only).
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
2015 Award Instructions, Page 4
9.
Victory Awards
FORMER RULE: Small gifts are awarded to the top 4-H applicant in each club in each
of the following age divisions: (AGE 8 OR 9) (AGE 10 OR 11) (AGE 12)
A county winner from each age is also selected.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and the “White County
General Award Application” (front only).
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
10. Health Award
Cash prizes ($25, $15, $10) are awarded to the top applications in each division:
(age 8-12) (age 13-18)
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and the “White County
Checklist of Health Activities” form which includes a checklist and essay instructions.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
11. Safety Award
Cash prizes ($25, $15, $10) are awarded to the top applications in each division:
(age 8-12) (age 13-18)
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and the “White County
Checklist of Safety Activities” form which includes a checklist and essay instructions.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
12. Community Involvement Award
Cash prizes ($25, $15, $10) are awarded to the top three essays in both age
categories: (age 8-12) (age 13-18)
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and the “White County
Community Involvement Award Application” form which includes your essay question.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
13. White County HCE Home & Family Award
A $50 Cash bond is awarded to the top essay in both categories:
(age 8-12) Members may only win once in each age category during their 4-H career.
(age 13-18). Members may only win once in each age category during their 4-H career.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form and the “White County HCE
Home & Family Award Application” which includes your essay question.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
14. Corn King & Corn Queen
The Carmi Kiwanis joins 4-H in honoring the top boy & top girl 4-Her each year. The
Corn King & Corn Queen are joined by four male and four female attendants and
reign over the annual Corn Day activities. They also receive cash & prizes from the
Kiwanis Club. Candidates must be at least 14 years old.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Complete the “4-H Highlights” form, sign the “Corn Day Royalty
Intent to Participate” form and participate in an interview with the 4-H Leadership Committee.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Review and sign.
2015 Award Instructions, Page 5
15. Encouragement Award
The ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD is intended to encourage children to keep trying their
best. Nominees should have completed the 6th, 7th, or 8th grade. Four youth are
selected annually, and the award can only be won once in the 4-Her’s career.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: None.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Prepare the “Encouragement Award Application.”
16. I Dare You Award
The I DARE YOU AWARD is intended to reward high school 4-Hers who demonstrate
outstanding leadership, compassion and character. Nominees should have
completed the 9th grade. Four youth are selected annually, and the award can only be
won once in the 4-Her’s career.
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: None.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Prepare the “I Dare You Award Application.”
17. Officer Awards
Special prizes are given to the following top club officers:
President
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Write an essay about your leadership as the club’s president.
Include your involvement in preparing the club agenda, planning programs, assisting members,
holding officer meetings, etc. which might give a clue into how you personally led your 4-H club.
Secretary
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit secretary book and all supplemental material. The
secretary’s book may be typed instead of handwritten, but all additional sections of the secretary’s
book must be completed.
Treasurer
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit treasurer book, bank statements and all supplemental
material. THE AUDIT MUST BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED.
Office Reporter
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: None. Forms have been collected at the county office each
month.
Newspaper Reporter
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit all club reports. You must submit actual copies which
appeared in the newspaper or photocopies of the actual stories.
Scrapbook
MEMBER’S APPLICATION PROCESS: Submit club scrapbook. Not Due Until October 23rd, 2015
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Complete the “Club Officer Transmittal Form.”
Adult Recognition Awards
18. Alumni Award
Special plaques are awarded annually to adult volunteers and businesses which
have shown tremendous support to the county 4-H program. The ALUMNI AWARD
honors past 4-H club members who continue to serve the 4-H program. Winners may
only receive the awards once in their lifetime. A list of past winners is also
included. This application is the ONLY information we have to go on to select winners,
so please include as much information as possible.
2015 Award Instructions, Page 6
APPLICATION PROCESS: Anyone can nominate applicants by completing the “White County 4-H
Alumni Award Application Form.”
19. Friend of 4-H Award
Special awards are awarded annually to adult volunteers and businesses which have
shown tremendous support to the county 4-H program. The FRIEND OF 4-H AWARD
honors individuals and businesses who help the county 4-H program. Winners may
only receive the awards once in their lifetime. A list of past winners is also included.
This application is the ONLY information we have to go on to select winners, so
please include as much information as possible.
APPLICATION PROCESS: Anyone can nominate applicants by completing the “White County Friend of
4-H Award Application Form.”
Club Awards
20. Club Standard Patch
Clubs which meet 11 of 14 “Standards of Excellence” will receive a patch.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Complete the “Standards of Excellence for 4-H Clubs and Groups.”
21. Club Progress Patch
Clubs which submitted goals they wished to accomplish to the county office at the
beginning of the year and then made progress toward those goals will receive a
patch.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Complete a form listing your goals and what progress was made.
22. Community Service Awards
$50 Cash Awards are given to clubs which turn in a one-page report detailing the
community service projects their club has accomplished during the 4-H year.
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Complete the “Community Service Award Application.”
23. Club of the Year Award
One club is recognized and its name engraved on a plaque for scoring the most
points on the “Club of the Year Application Form.”
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Complete the “White County Club of the Year Application.” Also submit club
secretary, treasurer and scrapbook.
24. State Top 10 Club Award
The State of Illinois 4-H Office selects the top 10 clubs in each of the following areas
of interest:
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Agriculture
Community Involvement and Global Awareness
Environment & Natural Resources
Food, Nutrition & Health
Home & Family
Mechanics & Technology
Personal Development
LEADER RESPONSIBILITY: Complete the “Illinois 4-H Club/Group Report” by August 20th. Please
note this is an earlier date than all the other forms.