TEXAS 4-H AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT GUIDE

RECOGNITION

MANAGEMENT GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS
	Management Overview
	Program Development
	Membership Units
	Volunteer Development
	Risk Management
	Collaboration
	Curriculum
	Resource Development
	Diversity
	Recognition
	Interpretation
RECOGNITION UNIT SECTIONS

4-H RECOGNITION MODEL

Recognition is provided in the 4-H program as a tool to motivate self-improvement, by providing satisfaction and a feeling of accomplishment in youth, volunteers and parents/supporting adults. If recognition is to satisfy, it should come as a result of sincere effort on the part of the 4-H member and/or volunteer, and should be in proportion to the quality of work achieved.

Recognition of 4-H Members

When recognizing 4-H members for achievement, the major focus should always be on the development of the individual 4-H club member in relation to project work, 4-H club activities, helping other members and sharing experiences, rather than only on awards. Attention must also be given to the differences in age group interests and abilities when deciding the type of recognition to provide.

• The 5- (or kindergarten) to 8-year-old needs special recognition that does not involve peer competition.
• The 9- to 12-year-old is strongly motivated by the 4-H pin or ribbon as an award and a pat on the back from a leader or parent/supporting adult for recognition.
• The 12- to 14-year-olds are influenced by such awards as money, county medals and ranks in organizations; they seek recognition through added responsibility as a junior leader or club officer and admiration by their peers.
• The 14- to 19-year-old is motivated by trips, scholarships and recognition given by important people in the community and awarded in a public place, and/or by more adult responsibility being given to them.

National Recognition Model

The National Recognition Model applies to groups, youths, adults, families and parents. Recognition, support and encouragement for learning is provided equally in all five areas. Cooperation partly overlaps Participation, Progress toward Self-set Goals, Standards of Excellence and Peer Competition. Cooperation is a part of all four. The intent of the graphic is to show individuals and people working together in teams or groups.

Designing Your County 4-H Recognition Model

Use the 4-H Recognition Worksheet (attachment) to develop your county’s recognition model. List the number of 4-H members involved and the 4-H activities that award individuals for the following types of recognition:

• Participation in educational experiences
• Progress toward self-set goals
• Achievement of standards of excellence
• Results from peer competition

Did you include those youth who completed 4-H educational experiences in special interest (short-term) groups and school curriculum enrichment programs? Are all 4-H members in your county included in at least one award or recognition situation? New 4-H members?

Recognizing 4-H’ers for Participation in Educational Experiences

Develop simple criteria for all youth who participated in a 4-H educational experience. The recognition should be part of the learning experience, can be earned several times and is appropriate for each age level. Because this form of recognition is best received immediately following the participation in a learning activity, it should be given at the very basic learning levels of 4-H, specifically the 4-H club/special group meeting or the project group meeting.

Some examples of this type of recognition include recognition for:

• Participation in a 4-H project group
• Participation in a special 4-H project workshop, tour, field trip, etc.
• Turning in a 4-H project record or evidence of activity
• Participating at a 4-H project exhibit or show
• Attending a certain number of 4-H club meetings
• Participating in the 4-H club meeting program (pledge, committee report, introducing a guest, etc.).
• Participation in the 4-H club’s community service project.
• Representing the club at county/district/state 4-H activities.

Examples of awards you might use include t-shirts, caps, movie passes, food coupons, gift certificates, membership/participant cards or any other creative items you can think of.

Recognizing 4-H’ers for Progress Toward Self-Set Goals

This type of recognition is one step higher than participation in an educational event because the participation in the educational experience also involves the 4-H member setting goals. Goal-setting should be done with the family and/or in a small group (project) situation. Each 4-H member should have his or her own personal goals. Evaluation of 4-H members’ progress toward their goals should involve an adult. Once again, this type of recognition should be given at the 4-H club/special group and 4-H project group level, because here youth are involved in more long-term learning experiences and have more direct contact with adults in an individual evaluation session.

Some examples of recognition for progress toward self-set goals include recognition for:

• Completing goals set in a 4-H project
• Participation in 4-H project learning experiences (workshop, tour, field trip, etc.)
• Turning in a completed Member Achievement Plan (MAP)
• Serving on a 4-H club or county committee (program, recognition, recreation, etc.)

Some examples of awards you might use include positive comments to youth, parents or other 4-H’ers, media coverage, 4-H ribbons, pins, certificates, stickers or other ideas you think of.

Recognizing 4-H’ers for Achievement of Standards of Excellence

The next type of 4-H recognition is comparing a 4-H member’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or accomplishments to an established set of standards. We use standards of excellence in 4-H in most contests. Your goal as a recognition task force is to make sure that 4-H opportunities are made available to 4-H members that compare their work with set standards. Remember that awards are given only on established standards.

Some examples of Standards of Excellence recognition include:

• Hosting a project/club/county method demonstration/illustrated talk activity in which awards are given based on a blue (100- 90), red (89-80) or white (79 and below) scores as an example.
• Project achievement levels based on completion of preset criteria
• A project show in which 4-H members demonstrate their knowledge in a project, a skill or skills they have learned in their project work, or an exhibit of the results of their project work
• A judging contest where 4-H members judge (livestock, consumer items, project-related items, etc.) and receive a score they can compare against an established standard, but no champion is named (score over 80 percent = a red ribbon, score over 90 percent = a blue ribbon)

Some examples of awards you might use include ribbons, certificates, project equipment or supplies, plaques, project pins or other items you can come up with!

Recognizing 4-H’ers for Results from Peer Competition

Recognition for competition among peers is prevalent in 4-H and is an American tradition. In this type of recognition it is vital that competition rules must be clearly defined and fully enforced. Because this type of recognition is a high risk to individuals (self-image), those involved need to understand that 4-H is a youth development organization and that highly coveted extrinsic awards sometimes become the ends, not the means, for a successful learning experience. In competition among peers, a winner or champion is named.

Competition is a vital part of the 4-H program but it should not be the only type of recognition provided. In counties that are predominantly competition oriented, the recognition task force should review the current recognition system and develop a plan to bring the model more into balance.

Some examples of awards you might use include medals, trophies, plaques, scholarships or other things that you can identify to reward success.

Recognizing 4-H’ers for Cooperation

Learning and working together promotes high achievement. Cooperation may take advantage of all the skills represented in the group, as well as the process by which the group approaches the learning task/goal. Everyone is rewarded.

Some principles to use in cooperation include:

• All young people need to be fully involved in the entire process.
• There need to be mutually agreed upon goals.
• Attention needs to be given to the way the group works, as well as to the project.
• The ultimate goal is not extrinsic recognition, but the satisfaction of being part of a team effort.
• All members are recognized.

The County Recognition Model can be used to design a recognition system to meet the needs of all youth. Designing a recognition system requires you to take into consideration the following things:

• Look at the members’ needs, interests, attitudes and aspirations.
• Understand differences between people based on backgrounds and experiences;
• Understand differences in behavior in the same person; understand differences between similar types of people.
• Use recognition that encourages and supports learning, and satisfies intrinsic and extrinsic needs. It has to balance recognition for participation, progress toward self-set goals, achievement of standards of excellence, competition and cooperation.

Using a comprehensive recognition program can lead to more youth being recognized and can provide a way to say to every youth: “You are a valued and important member of the 4-H program.”

The key to successful recognition for individual 4-H members is two-fold:

• The presentation of the award in front of the club in such a way as to share with the group the knowledge of what the 4-H member has done, how they have progressed and personal interest and appreciation for the member.
• Awards that recognize individual progress and growth based on their resources and family situations and not awards that make members compete against each other for the award.

Recognition of Parents/Supporting Adults/Volunteer Leaders

To be appreciated and to feel important and needed is a prime motivator in all of us. Encouragement and recognition are essential to maintain active involvement in all volunteer groups. A county recognition plan should also include volunteer and parent/supporting adult recognition methods. Everyone needs recognition for his/her work. Individuals differ in the type of recognition they prefer (Please see the Volunteerism section or for additional information on recognition; refer to pages 65-75 in the TAXI Red Trainers Guide).

The Recognition Worksheet (Attachment) includes space to plan for volunteer recognition. Be sure to complete that section when developing your plan.

Some examples of volunteer recognition include:

• Personal letters
• Publicity through media outlets, to their employer or other venues
• Gift Certificates/coupons
• Plaques
• Certificates
• Promotion or new title
• Special learning opportunities

Just like kids, volunteers need to be told that they are doing a good job! Check out this list of Volunteer Recognition Resources at
http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/mgtguide/Recog/volunteerrecognitiom.htm

Informal Recognition

Sometimes the most meaningful recognition that can be given in 4-H clubs is not pins, medals, ribbons, plaques, etc. Try some of the following recognition methods and watch members, parents and other leaders develop self-confidence and the desire to do more and better work.

1. Introduce new members and guests at club meetings and activities. Tell and show them that they are welcome. Remember their name!
2. When a member or leader is sick, send a card. When they come back to the club, be sure to say, “We’re all glad you’re back.”
3. Thank those who help on committees and with activities and special assignments.
4. Ask a young member to lead the pledge.
5. Include names in newspaper articles.
6. Take pictures of the club and give to appropriate members, leaders and parents.
7. Simply say “Thank you.”
8. Give a junior leader a specific responsibility.
9. Ask a person for an opinion or advice.
10. Take time to say hello and talk for a minute. This says you respect the other person.
11. Notice small improvements and compliment members; for example, “Chris, you have really learned to sew straighter seams.”
12. Give appreciation to leaders for specific efforts. For example, say to the share-the-fun activity leader: “Jan really enjoyed being in the share-the-fun activity. You helped her learn a great deal about expressing her feelings and ideas.”
13. Congratulate members, leaders and parents for their achievements both in 4-H and other activities. For example, congratulate:
    Mr. Jones for being elected president of the Lion’s Club
    • Jim for being on the basketball team
    • Jerry for winning an event in a school swim meet
14. Pay partial or all expenses for trips won.
15. Pay partial or all expenses for chaperons who accompany 4-H members to activities.
16. Place newspaper stories in the local paper, county newsletter or club publication about 4-H events to promote enthusiasm and help keep people involved.
17. Tell 4-H members the good things about their entries in competitions when they did not win an award. Congratulate them on their improvement or participation. Help them realistically evaluate their entries or performances rather than depending on the judging results. Help them see ways to improve and point to future activities that can lead to success for them.
    

Formal Recognition

Club recognition and awards should center around participation, improvement or progress toward goals and achievement of set standards. The county, district, state and national awards system allows 4-H members to compete against each other for awards. The club needs to foster families working together to help each member succeed in the area they have selected rather than compete with other club members for the top success.

Criteria-based awards are good awards for clubs to give. These kinds of awards list certain things that must be done to achieve the award. Everyone who completes the criteria receives the award. The club goal could be to have each member receive these awards.

1. Honor Roll Members
   • Attend at least 75 percent of regular club meetings
   • Turn in completed Member Achievement Plan (MAP)
   • Participate in at least one county event
2. 100 Percent Attendance Awards – All members who have perfect attendance receive this award.
3. Completion Certificates – All 4-H members who have completed a 4-H project consisting of six educational experiences and turn in a completed Member Achievement Plan (MAP).
4. Club Officer Pins – All members who serve as club officers.
5. Junior Leader Pins or Chevrons – All members who serve as teen leaders.
6. Teen Leader Pins or Chevrons – All members who serve as teen leaders.
7. Volunteer Leader Pins or Certificates – All volunteer leaders.

Other meaningful awards can be given to 4-H members at the club level for improvement in knowledge and skills or for specific jobs well done. Some examples are improvement in:

• Judging ability
• Modeling skills
• Sewing skills
• Showmanship skills
• Managing and feeding a livestock project
• Planning and conducting a community service project
• Public-speaking skills

Recognition for 4-H Clubs & Other Groups

There are several ways in which recognition can be given to a 4-H Club or other group. Examples include:

• Club Charter – When a club organizes, it receives a club charter from the Texas 4-H Program Office. This charter should be kept with records of the club. A formal presentation of the official charter at a club meeting will provide members an opportunity to see the official document and be recognized for completing all of the steps in the charter process.

Club Recognition Awards Events

It is suggested that clubs conduct recognition/awards events or programs. Possible events or programs could include:

• Club Officer Installation Service (Attachment)
• New Member Initiation Ceremony (Attachment)
• Club and/or Group Awards Ceremony
• Club Open House
• Club project recognition events such as Club Food Show, Club Fashion Show, Club Project Show, Club Share-the-Fun, Club Project Tour, Club Method Demonstration Day
• Covered-dish Awards Banquet
  

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Page last updated: October 9, 2007