4-H Family and Consumer Science Awards

Purpose

To recognize Extension Service staff, at any level, for significant accomplishments to the 4-H Family and Consumer Science program.

Recognition of outstanding 4-H Family and Consumer Science programs, projects, and quality educators fosters improvement in both state and county program coordination and ultimately improves what can be offered to Pennsylvania young people.

Eligibility

Any extension employee at any level (county, district/area, state) may apply. (Paraprofessionals and summer assistants are eligible, as well as staff and faculty.) Only 4-H Family and Consumer Science programs, projects, and ideas are eligible for an award.

Recipients can only receive this award once in each category. A team may apply, but only one award per category will be given.

Award

Statue or emblem indicative of the actual award will be given in each of these three categories:

  1. 4-H Family and Consumer Science County or Regional Best Program
  2. 4-H Family and Consumer Science County or Regional 4-H Project or Curriculum
  3. Idea that can be Implemented to Improve the State 4-H Family and Consumer Science Program

Priority is given to traditional club program ideas and activities, but school enrichment and other forms of delivery will most definitely be considered.

Award Submission

The applicant may be nominated or may nominate themselves. A cover page (included in this document) must be attached and an abstract provided on the cover page to be used in the presentation of the award. The abstract should be no more than 150 words.

In addition, the nominee or nominator may submit up to five pages of text (see criteria as a guideline for what to include), except for the county project category in which the project is also submitted. If the project is a revision of an existing project or regional project, the original must be labeled and included as well. See details below.

Send materials to: Jan Scholl, 323 Ag Administration Building, University Park, PA 16802.

Deadline: All materials must be received by April 1 each year.

This award is paid for by a private donation and is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Criteria For Evaluation of Each Award

I. 4-H Family and Consumer Science Program Award

    1. Program Plan and List of Accomplishments written so other agents can easily gain ideas. 25 points
    2. Comments about Program by Applicant giving your feelings about program accomplishments, any training of volunteers, etc. 25 points
    3. Support materials: Marketing, news articles photos, or letters, etc. (Whatever is appropriate to program.) If spin-off activities result from program, please let us know what they are. Other related activities/meetings/programs may be listed as well. 25 points
    4. Results of the program that would be helpful for other agents in making a decision about starting such a program. 25 points

The program in this award may be new or it can be a new "spin" on a traditional activity such as fashion revue, training a team for a foods or clothing contest, etc. The program may include one or more activities. The program must be marketed as a 4-H program.

II. 4-H Family Living County or Regional 4-H Project Book (or Series)

    1. Suitable to county needs, includes: objectives, age or level of member the project is being developed for, the author's name and county (or region), marketing (use of 4-H clover, etc.). 25 points
    2. Content and workable ideas and activities, creativity, concern for diversity, suitable for 4-H clubs or school programs. 25 points
    3. Project graphics, printing, readability for intended age, grade or skill level intended, spelling, forms (records), neatness, generates interest. 25 points
    4. Pilot test or information on actual or potential enrollment, leader comments. 10 points
    5. Leader training ideas, insert, or guide. 10 points
    6. Potential use for other counties or a state-wide project. If a revision, previous project is labeled as such and is included in award application. 5 points

The project may be a new idea or a revision of a previous county project. In the past, traditional projects consisted of at least a member's manual with record and either leader information or a separate leader's guide. The project does not have to be printed, but may use another media, such as television, audio, or video tape, etc. However, some information should be provided giving information about how to use the materials. The project must have 4-H in the title.

III. Gold Clover Award for Recommended Improvement in the State 4-H Family and Consumer Science Program

This may include a request to purchase a new project from out of state, a new idea, revision of fair premium listings, contest plans, a new way to conduct a contest, list of steps to conduct a contest, list of resources for a project area, (something that can actively involve young people in programs), increase enrollment or assist leaders, agents, or other staff in their county and regional efforts to increase learning, promotion or enrollment of 4-H Family Living projects, activities, or programs.

  1. Background Statement of Problem or Idea Complete: Looks at pros and cons or all sides of any issues related to the idea. General quality of the proposal. 25 points
  2. Product, idea, or strategy. 25 points
  3. Recommended action. 30 points
    1. Implementation strategy
    2. Potential benefits
    3. Potential liabilities
    4. Costs to implement
  4. Potential for involving young people: Increasing enrollment, assisting leaders or other staff. 20 points

The Award Process

The awards given will depend on the quality of entries in each category. Every effort will be made to give out the awards each year. If there is no clear choice, the submissions are inadequate, or incomplete, an award may not be given. The recipient of the award will be notified prior to the award when possible, and the award will be announced in a meeting appropriate to the individual or team.

Award Applications

Use the following cover sheet and attach materials, or place them in a 2" ring binder. The cover information must be provided, but will be removed for judging. Identifying aspects of the materials to the author will be covered during judging wherever possible. Do not send originals, as submissions will be kept. Ideally, each entry should be no more than five or six pages.

Go to 4-H Family and Consumer Science Award Cover Sheet and fill out information and attach to all submission information.

Contact for questions

to Jan Scholl's home page

 

Web Contact

Updated 5/24/05