Presented by:
Elliott Sachse
4-Hers Keep Records To:
 Measure Progress in their
project(s)
 Identify expenses and financial
gains or losses of their project
 Document all 4-H activities and
experiences year by year
 Evaluate project growth over the
years
 Refer to when filling out
applications for out-of-county
educational events
 Serve as a guide when
applying for local 4-H
awards and scholarships
 Assist in completing
employment and/or college
application forms
 Help when writing resumes
for college and/or
employment
4-Hers Learn To:
 Plan and organize their work
 Evaluate economic growth
 Budget their project and other
financial needs
 Improve their written
communication skills
 Pay attention to detail, follow
instructions, and meet deadlines.
 Make decisions
 Set priorities
 Appreciate the life skills
they are developing
 Understand the value of
keeping records
4-Hers gain satisfaction and motivation from observable progress
and learning. As they experience satisfaction and progress, they
gain in self-esteem and self-confidence…this makes it FUN!!
Record keeping should be done throughout the year. If you wait until the
last minute you may forget some of the most important activities and
opportunities you participated in!
Calendar Method:
Index Box Method:
Binder or Spiral
Method:
Keep a calendar in a handy
location (such as on the
refrigerator) and every
time you do something
related to 4-H, school,
church or other, write it
down! At the end of each
month place the calendar
in a safe place until time to
complete your record
book.
Get a 3 by 5-inch card
box, index cards and
dividers. Label each
divider as one of the
sections on the report
form. Each time you do
something, write it on an
index card and file in the
appropriate section.
Grab an old school binder
or notebook and organize
each of your activities by
type of activity or by date.
This is an easy way to start
until you get the hang of
record keeping.
Pins will be awarded to the top four members in each category. If there are
more than four members entered in a specific category, the category is split by
age division. (Novice, Junior, Senior)
County 4-H Record Books are due October 1 each year.
The record book must be in the Extension 4-H Office by that
date.
A State 4-H Record Book should focus on three things:
1.
A major 4-H Project
any project on the 4-H Project Short List (200.B-3B) may be
considered as a major project and record book category
2.
Leadership
taking the lead, providing direction, planning, organizing and carrying
out assignments
3.
Citizenship
service, doing something for others, community involvement
These three things are highlighted in several ways. A completed book
will contain:
Cover Page, Report Form, 4-H Story, and 3 Photo Pages
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Read each section of the report form carefully. Each one asks for specific
information and explains how that information should be listed. Each section
should be factual and concise. Information in that section should not be
repeated in other sections.
Show consideration for the reader. Excessive underlining or highlighting,
poor alignment of items or use of fancy fonts are distracting. Judges have
requested that no bright papers or plastic covers be used. Concentrate on
content and accuracy. Use correct grammar and spelling.
Proofread the section several times; use spell check if you
have it on your computer.
Remember, this is a 4-H record form, so school, FFA,
sports, church and other activities are listed in Section IV-C
only. This section may be organized by year or by type of
activity.
Understanding the terms used in the report form will greatly help in
completing a record book. The following terms are common
throughout the report form:
Goal – what you want to learn or do at the start of your project.
Knowledge & Skills – what you learned bit by bit as you pursued the
goal.
Accomplishments – what happened, the result.
Levels –
Local (L)- denotes club activities
County (C)- denotes county level activities
District(D)- denotes activities you completed at
district contest, trainings or regional fairs.
State(S)- state-level participation such as State 4-H
Conference or New Mexico State Fair.
Levels (cont) – National (N)- denotes national level events.
International (I)- include events held out of the
United States.
Citizenship- community involvement: doing something for others;
service.
Leadership- Taking the lead; providing direction; planning,
organizing and carrying out an assignment.
Year- The 4-H year begins on October 1 of each year and goes
through September 30 of the following calendar year. Year denotes
your first, second, third, etc. 4-H year.
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A good story helps the judge get to know the 4-H Member! It shows
growth over the 4-H career. This is not just a repeat of the report form.
Remember that the story can be submitted on it’s own merit to receive a
paid registration for the author and a friend to a State 4-H Event.
The 4-H Story may be no longer than six pages. It is to be double spaced
in a font not smaller than 12 point with at least 1” margins and only on one
side of the page. (A senior member’s story should be at least four pages
long.) A good rule of thumb is to have a page for every year the member
has been in 4-H, up to six pages.
The 4-H Story is a personal narrative of your growth in 4-H, the goals
you’ve set and reached, what these experiences have meant to you, or how
4-H has impacted your life. Tell how your 4-H experience has affected
your family, community and others. You may wish to use a theme to tie all
the activities together. Be creative; make the story sound as if you were
telling a friend about 4-H, your goals and dreams, how you overcame
defeat or handled success. Add touches of humor or quotes from people
who have encouraged you.
Writing Your Story
Part I- Introduce yourself- remember, people are reading your story that
do not know you. Include your age, interests, parents, brothers and
sisters, where you live, where you go to school, grade, etc. You can
always include an attention getting paragraph before your introductionone suggestion is to use a funny 4-H incident.
Part II- Tell about the projects in which you are enrolled. Why did you
choose these projects? What have you learned in the projects? How
did you finance your projects? What was your favorite activity in
4-H?
Part III- Explain how 4-H helped you become a better citizen and leader.
Include offices held, committees served on, and what you have learned
working with other 4-H members.
Part IV- Describe how 4-H has influenced you. Tell about school, goals,
careers, and future plans.
Conclusion- Don’t forget to end your story!
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Story Tips
Avoid a year-by-year listing of what you did.
Show the human interest side of 4-H- how has it changed you, your
family, your community?
Tell about the skills learned and changes in attitudes and habits.
PROOFREAD!! After you have proofed, have someone else
proofread as well. Look for the following:
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Did you begin each sentence with a capital letter?
Did you use end marks correctly?
Did you spell each word correctly?
Did you write each idea in a complete sentence?
Did you use commas correctly?
Did you begin each proper name with a capital letter?
Did you indent each paragraph?
Begin taking photos early! The photos that you use are a very
important part of your record book. They should reflect growth,
development, and involvement in your 4-H career. Use photos that
show you doing things, learning and teaching others, and especially
having FUN in 4-H. Use photos that show your main project, other
projects, leadership, community service and other 4-H related
activities. Photos depicting family activities, livestock auctions,
sports events, other school events (non-4-H related photos) are
discouraged.
Waiting until the last minute and having to pose or create false
photos is sometimes noticeable in your book, so start taking
pictures now!
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Start Now!
Make it FUN!
Take pictures!
Books are due October 1
of each year.
• Keep track of
Leadership Experiences.
• Look for Citizenship
Opportunities.
• Review the terms.
• Work a section at a time!
• Put it all together.
• Turn it in!
• GOOD LUCK!!