Recognizing Parents
Recognizing Parents
OBJECTIVE
Identify methods to recognize the
contributions of parents to a youth
program.
• Why is it important to recognize parent contributions?
• What methods can be used to recognize parents?
Recognizing Parents
Importance of Recognition
• Parent involvement contributes to overall program success
• Everyone likes to be recognized (and thanked!)
• Recognizing parents encourages them to continue participating
Sullivan County, Indiana, 4-H Awards Program
Recognizing Parents
When recognizing parents…
• Be creative!
• Don’t forget the simple things
• Get everyone involved
• Youth and other volunteers can help
• Everyone likes to feel appreciated by those they serve
• Young people may suggest innovative ways to recognize
parents
• Personal and sincere recognition is priceless!
Recognizing Parents
Methods of Recognition
• Remind everyone to simply say, “Thank you”
• Host a Parent Appreciation event
• Youth can serve snacks or a meal they created
• Youth can present talents or skills learned and thank those
who assisted them
• Youth can present certificates or small tokens of
appreciation to parents
• Include parent recognition in 4-H newsletters or news stories
Recognizing Parents
Methods of Recognition
• Recognize parents/families along with children at any 4-H
achievement program
• Ask youth to respond to roll call with a statement about their
parents, such as “I’m proud of my parent because…”
• Plan family-friendly club events where parents are included and
celebrated
• Cook-out or campfire
• Family game night
• Potluck meal
Recognizing Parents
Methods of Recognition
• Thank parents by helping them to arrange childcare for younger
children during 4-H activities
• Work with community businesses to provide discounts,
coupons, or gift certificates for parents who help out
• Write thank-you notes, cards, or e-mails expressing your
gratitude and appreciation
Recognizing Parents
Methods of Recognition
• Personalize it
• Certificate or plaque with the parent’s name
• Choose a gift or token that has personal meaning for the
individual
• Designate one monthly newsletter as the “recognition issue”
• Make time to personally call and thank a parent whose support
has been instrumental
Recognizing Parents
Methods of Recognition
• Organize a “Parent’s Night Out” for volunteers
• Arrange child care for participants
• Keep event free or low cost so all can participate
• Invite selected parents to be a “guest of honor” at a club
meeting
• Provide opportunities for parents to have greater involvement
in the 4-H program
Get to know your volunteers so you can recognize them in ways that are meaningful to them.
Recognizing Parents
Methods of Recognition
• Send a handwritten thank-you note
• Send an e-mail message
• Ask a volunteer for their input about a program
• Personalize the recognition – provide a gift that is meaningful for
the individual volunteer
- 131 Ways to Say "Thank-You" and Recognize Volunteers,
Ohio State University Extension
Recognizing Parents
Methods of Recognition
• Give a “Volunteer of the Year" award
• Ask effective volunteers to each recruit another volunteer who is
"just like them”
• Always use the volunteer’s first name.
• Nominate a volunteer to teach a workshop.
• Recognize the impact of the number of hours contributed to the
organization or program.
- 131 Ways to Say "Thank-You" and Recognize Volunteers,
Ohio State University Extension
Recognizing Parents
Methods of Recognition
• Have a program participant share a success story about the
volunteer.
• Encourage clientele to send thank-you notes
• Praise volunteers in public - especially in front of family and friends
• Ask members to draw a picture or take a photo of a light bulb or
candle with the message, "You light up my life“
- 131 Ways to Say "Thank-You" and Recognize Volunteers,
Ohio State University Extension
Recognizing Parents
Promising Practice:
Recruiting Military Volunteers
Recognizing Parents
Military Volunteer Service
• Volunteer hours are significant for service members, spouses, and
family members
• Each installation has a volunteer coordinator
• Track volunteer enrollment, hours, recognition
• May coordinate volunteer recognition programs
• Active duty service members list volunteer time on their
evaluation performance records  promotion and recognition
• Many installations provide free or low-cost childcare for parents
during their volunteer hours
Recognizing Parents
Recruiting Military Volunteers
• Contact volunteer coordinator on installation
• Provide title and logistics of the program/event
• Position description, hours required, and screening required
• Volunteer coordinator assists in finding potential volunteers and
matching them to opportunities
• Volunteers can assist with fairs, camps, deployment events,
afterschool programs, reading programs, homework help, mentors
programs and more
Recognizing Parents
REFLECTION
•
What reasons do you see to recognize parents for
their contributions to the 4-H program?
•
What benefits do you see from involving the
youth in the recognition of their parents?
•
How will recognition of parents help your
program grow?
•
What will a culture of recognition tell parents
about your program?
Recognizing Parents
REFLECTION
•
Which methods do you anticipate using to
recognize parent contributions?
•
How will you involve participants in this
recognition?
•
What will participants learn from being involved
in parent recognition activities?
Recognizing Parents
Key Concepts
• Parents should be recognized for their contributions
• Parent recognition can be creative and involve
participants
CONCLUSION
• A wide variety of recognition can be provided to
parents through the 4-H program year
Refer to the Recognizing Parents Fact Sheet for more
information.
Recognizing Parents
REFERENCE
• “Involving Parents in 4-H,” 4-H Volunteer Leaders’
Series, University of Arkansas Extension.
<www.uaex.edu/Other_Areas/publications/HTML/4H_Volunteer_Leaders_Series/4HCG1.asp>
• Purdue University, State 4-H Youth Development
Program. (2001, June). “Parents,” Indiana 4-H
Leader Guide. (4-H 685-W). West Lafayette, Indiana.
Recognizing Parents
REFERENCE
• “131 WAYS TO RECOGNIZE 4-H VOLUNTEERS,” Ohio
4-H Volunteer Fact Sheet #40; compiled by Ken
Culp, III, Ph.D., Extension Specialist, Volunteerism,
Ohio State University Extension; Vicki J. Schwartz,
M.Ed., Chair & Extension Agent, 4-H Youth
Development, OSU Extension, Washington County;
I. Joseph Campbell, M.S., Chair & Extension Agent,
4-H Youth Development, OSU Extension, Fairfield
County
<www.four-h.purdue.edu/downloads/ext_ed/pdf/131and139.pdf>
For more information, visit
www.4-hmilitarypartnerships.org