Michigan 4 -H Awards What When and How

Michigan 4 -H Awards What, When and How By Elizabeth C Wells

What they are Open to all 4 -H members ages 13 and up (January 1 st) n 28 project areas n Five regions in Michigan n Up to two delegates from each region plus two floaters for a total of 12 members per project n

What they are Highest level of recognition in Michigan 4 -H n State winner gets plaque and small money award n Runner up gets honorable mention n All delegates get regional certificate n

How competitive is it? Some projects very competitive n Most winners have: several years of project experience, state level workshops or competitions, much community service and leadership experience, multiple projects n

Deadlines Applications for regional competition is due March 1 st n Book is returned and if you are selected you have until May 1 st to make changes and improvements n Must enroll in Exploration Days Awards session n

Process Regional level competition is by your “book” only (award portfolio) n Regional delegates then re-do the book for state competition n State competition takes place at MSU during Exploration Days and includes an interview as well as the portfolio n

Application Acco type binder n Cover letter n Individual photo n Award Report Form n 4 -H Story – 3 pages n Pictures – 3 pages n

Requirements Must be typed n Use 12 pt Times New Roman font n Must select 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd choice for award n Individual photo page with name, age, address, county and project (underneath) n

Requirements Report form must be on white paper n No scented paper allowed n May not change format of form – no using back, adding pages etc n Leader’s signature required n Extra copy of 4 -H story and resume paper clipped to inside of book’s front cover n

Requirements No newspaper clipping, letters, or anything but required items n No plastic sleeves for pages n Signature required in three places which are: cover letter, report form and end of story n Do not delete instructions on form n

Suggestions Make it factual, detailed but concise. Concentrate on content not fancy format n Limit underlining, bolding etc. and use 1 ½ inch margin on left and 1 inch on all others n Enhancements are allowed if you follow rules (no photos, scented paper etc) n

Suggestions Stationary may be used for resume and cover letter but is not required n Photos should tell your story with action. NO layering allowed. Use captions that give more information n SPELL CHECK and PROOF READ MANY TIMES!!!!! n

The Award Form n Learning Experiences – only list those directly related to main project and include participation in demonstrations, talks, exhibits, tours, workshops, field trips etc. List chronologically with most recent last

The Award Form n Knowledge and Skills – What you learned each year in your main project. Be very specific and detailed and make them increasing complex as the years go by

The Award Form n Learning Experiences II is for other projects and should be similar to that used in the first section but only include other projects (not main project) Select 4 or 5 other projects to concentrate on

The Award Form n Knowledge and Skills II – Summary of knowledge and skills learned in other projects and group by project area and year

The Award Form n Volunteer Leadership means taking the lead by giving directions, planning and organizing an activity. May be done with others or individually. Put an asterisk (*) beside leadership activities directly related to your main project

The Award Form n Citizenship and Community Service – Defined as acting with informed concern for yourself and for others either individually or as part of a group. Include size and scope of what you did and again asterisks (*) those related to main project

The Award Form n Promotional – Where you have taken leadership by telling others about 4 -H. May be displays, radio and television shows, newspaper articles or talks given. List your specific responsibilities

The Award Form n Awards and Recognition – List significant awards you have received that indicate the quality of your work. Only put most important awards and DO NOT go over 1/2 page

The Award Form n Non – 4 -H Experiences – List in order of importance other experiences outside of 4 -H. Include leadership roles and honors received. May not be more than ½ page

Photos May use up to six photos per page if you edit well n Use action and leadership photos – not standing with your ribbons, animal etc n Use captions to highlight your experiences n Cut carefully in either rectangle or oval shape n

Photos If mounting real photos use card stock for paper and rubber cement for attaching. Captions should be embedded (not glued on) n May also scan photos onto page with captions – but MUST use photo paper if using this option n

Cover Letter n A brief typed letter introducing yourself and expressing interest in a particular opportunity. Include date, name and address of whom it is going to, two or three paragraphs, salutation and signature as well as “enclosures”

Your 4 -H Story n Very important to use all three pages. Must be double spaced using 12 font. Be personal but not “cutesy” Describe yourself, your project activities, other projects, how 4 -H has helped you grow and change and how it has influenced your school and career goals and leisure time

Assembling the “Book” First PROOF read then have someone else proof it too!!! n Use ACCO binder with dividers n Divide by individual photo, report form, story, photos n Paper clip extra story and resume to inside cover n

Assembling the “Book” Make sure your “book” is clean and neat n Add label to front with name, project and county (do NOT hand write this) n Get signatures from your parents and leader n

Exploration Days You must attend as an award delegate. n Award delegates go to workshops, a rehearsal at the Wharton Center and often do community service projects n Small fee to participate n If you do “Awards Only” you go home Thursday night n

Exploration Days OR you may do a second half class at Exploration Days like all other youth n Thursday night awards celebration is for you and your parents and leaders and is formal – most delegates dress in long formal gowns n

Exploration Days June 18 - 20 n At Michigan State University n You stay in dorm room with the Michigan delegation n Lots of walking to events n About 2, 300 4 -H members from all over Michigan will be there n

Interview Counts as 1/3 of your score toward the state award n May have group interview first n Usually several people at once interview you n First impressions count a LOT! n Wear what you would to a job interview n

Interview Practice questions and answers ahead of time with your parents, 4 -H leaders or friends posing as interviewers n Consider taping yourself to see how you look as you answer n Try to anticipate what questions will be asked and have answers prepared n

Interview Relax and have fun but don’t come across as “silly” n Take your interview seriously and also have a sincere interest in others n Think deeply about what 4 -H means to you and how it has impacted your life n

Additional Help n Go on line for rules, forms and lists of hints etc at: Michigan 4 -H Youth Development: Awards & Recognition n See examples of past award winning books

Stress Yes it can be stressful!!! n You are not the first one to have done this and yes everyone else sometimes wanted to quit and sometimes wanted to cry! n The first year is the hardest!!! n Is it worth it? n

Questions? Ask Liz wellselz@msu. edu