Record Books

(from June '05 newsletter)

I know everyone has been very busy with school and other activities.  So for this reason i will extend the date of record books due to me.  New date will be June 5th.  But of course the sooner the better.

Record Books are required if you plan to enter something in the County Fair or if you want this 4-H year to count. Without a record book, this 4H year will not count and you will not receive any recognition pins for your hat.  The sooner you start this process, the easier it will be. Record book forms (Personal Development Report (PDR), Project Report Forms, Leadership Project Forms, and Livestock Forms are available for download from the county 4-H website at www.alamedacounty4h.org/forms.htm.

Read on for more important facts on the Record Book!

The County/State 4-H office is no longer providing us with printed copies of the record book forms. They are available for you to download from the county website at www.alamedacounty4h.org under Member Resources. Clicking on "4-H Forms" will bring you to the page with all available 4-H forms. There are two versions of each form. One is the Microsoft Word version which can be downloaded into your computer, then filled out on the computer, and printed for your record book. The other version for download is the PDF format. This can be printed and then filled out by hand. The choice is up to you on how you want to fill out the forms—handwritten or typed are both acceptable. The forms you need are: · One Personal Development Report form · One Annual Project Report form for each project you are enrolled in · One Advanced Livestock Project Report form for each livestock project you are in. · One Leadership Project Plan for each project which you are a teen or junior leader. (The Leadership Project Plan should have been signed by your project leader last September.)

The other useful resource on the website is the link for "Record Book Information". This is a very detailed booklet on how to put your record book together and will be the source we follow for the workshop to be given at our Club.

Record Books are due this year on May 31^st.  Don't forget the required signatures from yourself, your parents, and your project leaders. You may turn your record books in to a box on Julie Colglazier’s porch anytime prior to 7:30 pm on May 31^st. It is your responsibility to get the books turned in on time!

Record Book reviews will be held on a date yet to be determined.  During this process, parents meet in groups to review the record books, give constructive comments, and check the number of points for your 4-H stars. We need adults to help out with these reviews.  If you are new to 4-H, this is a good time to see other record books to get a good idea of what makes a great record book. No prior experience is necessary. Please sign up at the May club meetings to help out.  Remember that 4-H is a volunteer organization;  so, if you have not had the time to volunteer during the year, this is a good opportunity to contribute to your child’s club.

County Record Book Awards

You may elect to have your record book judged at the County level. The County judges the books entered and issues certificates of participation, medalist awards and county winner awards for both the senior and junior levels. County winners will receive a cash award also. Mini 4-H members can enter their books and will receive a certificate of participation. All entrants will be acknowledged at the County Achievement night held next September or October. When entering a book for judging you need to select the category you want it entered in. The choices are a project you have taken this year or leadership or citizenship. If you want your book entered into the county judging, please place a sheet of paper at the beginning of your record book indicating you want to do so and which category you want to enter. You should also place the project report forms for your selected category first, right after your PDR form for this year.