Recognition and Awards Program
Participation

Participation incentives for various aspects of 4-H.  This area of the Recognition program connects closely with the Essential Elements of Belonging and Independence.  See below for some great ideas to recognize youth, adults and groups in the area of participation.

Section links for this page:
Clover Kids
Members
Volunteers
Groups
Additional Ideas

Clover  Kids
Membership Pins

• Y4815 white year 1
• Y4816 black year 2
• Y4817 red year 3

Membership Cards Y4812 
Pledge Poster Y4813
4-H Sticker Y616
(order through Extension Publications)

• Sponsor - 4-H Center for Youth Development & Missouri 4-H Foundation
• Age Eligibility - 5 to 7 years on December 31 of the program year
• Selection Criteria - Children enrolled in and participating in Clover Kids
• Goal - Acknowledge involvement in educational experiences; build self-confidence; bolters a sense of belonging

Note:  The remainder of the awards experience is not age appropriate for Clover Kids who need the freedom to explore their creative outlets. Children younger than eight cannot distinguish that they can be good at some things and not others. They tend to think in terms of all good or all bad. Using awards especially in competition is confusing and undermines their self-confidence. It is appropriate to start helping them understand or think about standards of excellence, but their performance should not be evaluated in relation to the standards. Recognition is important for Clover Kids, but it should be positive and non-competitive.

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Members

Membership Card
4-H Membership Card Y607
(order through Extension Publications)

• Sponsor - 4-H Center for Youth Development
• Age Eligibility - 8 to 18 years on December 31 of the program year
• Selection Criteria - All 4-H members enrolled
• Goal - Bolsters a sense of belonging

4-H Year Completion
Completion Card Y611
(order through Extension Publications)

• Sponsor - County 4-H Program
• Age Eligibility - 8 to 18 on December 31 of the program year
• Selection Criteria - 4-H members completing a 4-H Year
• Goal - Acknowledge involvement in educational experiences; build self-confidence; bolters a sense of belonging

Award Certificates
4-H School Enrichment Certificate Y750
(order through Extension Publications)

4-H Award Certificate Y621
(fillable certificate in Just for Staff)

• Sponsor - 4-H Center for Youth Development
• Age Eligibility - 8 to 18 on December 31 of the program year
• Selection Criteria - Youth participating in educational events and school enrichment programs
• Goal - Acknowledge involvement in educational experiences; build self-confidence

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Volunteers

4-H Leadership Completion Certificates
S132 Silver Certificate (5 year)
S134 Gold Certificate (10 year)
S136 Pearl Certificate (15 year)
S138 Diamond Certificate (20 year)
S140 Emerald Certificate (25 year)
S142 Ruby Certificate (30 year)
S144 Sapphire Certificate (35 Year)
S146 40th Year Certificate
S148 45th Year Certificate
S150 50th Year Certificate
(use award order form in Just for Staff)

• Sponsor - 4-H Center for Youth Development & County 4-H Program
• Age Eligibility - Adult and teen volunteers
• Selection Criteria - Completion of year of leadership in the 4-H program.  Order information sent to county faculty by July 1
• Goal - Acknowledge leadership in the 4-H Program; bolsters a sense of belonging

Missouri 4-H Century Family

The Missouri 4-H Century Family Award recognized 4-H families with a long, sustained involvement in the 4-H program.  Missouri 4-H families with a combined 100 years or more of membership and/or volunteer service in 4-H are eligible to be recognized.

The Missouri 4-H Foundation has more information.

4-H Hall of Fame

Missouri 4-H recognizes outstanding individuals for their service and dedication to 4-H by honoring them with membership in the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame.

The Missouri 4-H Foundation has more information.

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Groups

4-H Charter
4-H Club Charter S120

Order charters by sending the club name, county, and charter date (usually the first official meeting date) to Brenda Robinson at RobinsonB@missouri.edu.  The charter will be mailed to the youth faculty or staff sending the request.

• Sponsor - 4-H Center for Youth Development
• Age Eligibility - Youth 8 to 18 enrolled in a 4-H Club
• Selection Criteria - Enrollment forms on file at the county Extension center.
• Goal - Acknowledgment that the club is a unit of 4-H Youth Development; bolsters a sense of belonging

4-H Club Kit
4-H and US Flag, 4-H Pennant, Motto Banner, Pledge Banner, Gavel and sounding block (a $75 value)
(Application process)

• Sponsor - Missouri 4-H Foundation
• Age Eligibility - Youth 8 to 18 enrolled in a 4-H Club
• Selection Criteria - Enrollment forms on file at the county Extension center.  County 4-H staff contacts the Missouri 4-H Foundation
• Goal - Acknowledgment that the club is a unit of 4-H Youth Development; bolsters a sense of belonging

New Member Committee Mentoring Program
Establish a committee to develop a mentoring program for new members and families at the club level.  The goal is to foster a sense of belonging so members continue in the program.

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Additional Ideas for Participation

• Proclamations from legislators (contact your legislator)

• T-shirts (county)

• Separate recognition night for volunteers (county)

• New Member Committee mentoring program

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