Michigan 4-H Awards: How to Apply and Win

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 1st) • 28 project areas • Five regions in Michigan • Up to two delegates from each region plus two floaters for a total of 12 members per project

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Award Form • Volunteer Leadership - 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • Use action and leadership photos – not standing with your ribbons, animal etc • Use captions to highlight your experiences • Cut carefully in either rectangle or oval shape

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

Cover Letter • 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 • 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!!! • Use ACCO binder with dividers • Divide by individual photo, report form, story, photos • Paper clip extra story and resume to inside cover

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yes!

Questions? Ask Liz wellselz@msu.edu

Michigan 4-H Awards: How to Apply and Win