4-H Record Book Awards

INSTRUCTIONS

After reviewing each member’s project book, these awards arenominated by club leaders or self-nominated by youth members. The club leader and/or youth member nominee will prepare a 500 word or less narrative addressing the criteria of the award and submit with completed record book (which must qualify for seal of excellence) by the record book deadline. The nominees will then be evaluated based on the narrative and completed record book based on criteria listed for each award.  

All awards will be presented during the year-end 4-H Achievement Celebration unless stated otherwise.

Alternatively you may download and print the Cascade County 4-H Award Descriptions

AWARDS LIST

The 25-Year Leaderawards are meant to Honor Leaders who have been a leader for 25+ years. They are sponsored by the 4-H Leader’s Council for 3 years and then award is sunset or picked up by the Leader/family being honored.   These awards are nominated by club leaders or self-nominated by youth members. The club leader and/or youth member nominee will prepare a 500 word or less narrative and submit with completed record book (which must qualify for seal of excellence) by the record book deadline.   The nominees will then be evaluated based on the narrative and completed record book based on criteria listed for each award.  

Leader Awards nominations accepted (from self or from others) and then awards are selected by Leaders Council Achievement Committee based on nomination forms received.

Club Awards are determined by the office through contest, activity and/or project participation.

Youth Member Milestone Achievements are awarded based on Years of Service. No nomination is needed.

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YOUTH SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

All Special Achievement Awards are nominated by club leaders or self-nominated by youth members. The club leader and/or youth member nominee will prepare a 500 word or less narrative addressing the criteria of the award and submit with completed record book (which must qualify for seal of excellence) by the record book deadline.  The nominees will then be evaluated based on the narrative and completed record book based on criteria listed for each award.  
Recipients will be awarded a certificate and 4-H themed prize.

Outstanding 4-H Member Award

Eligible Ages

One award will be given for each age catagory. 4-H years are the member's age as of October 1 of the current 4-H  year.

• Jr (<13 4-H years)
• Sr (13 + 4-H years)

Criteria

• Has broad knowledge of 4-H projects and activities
• Contributes to improving family and community living
• Adaptable and applies latest practices, knowledge and skills to instill 4-H pride and respect for 4-H work
• Demonstrates notable leadership skills

Agriculture Trailblazer Award

Eligible Ages

 One award will be given for each age catagory. 4-H years are the member's age as of October 1 of the current 4-H  year.

• Jr (<13 4-H years)
• Sr (13 + 4-H years)

Criteria

• Completion of projects in broad range of Ag areas
• Uses the information, knowledge and skills from 4-H to integrate ag practices into everyday living
• Demonstrated notable leadership skills

4-H Community Citizenship Award

Eligible Ages

One award will be given for each age catagory. 4-H years are the member's age as of October 1 of the current 4-H  year.

• Jr (<13 4-H years)
• Sr (13 + 4-H years)

Criteria

• Active member of 4-H club as well as involved in county, regional and/or state 4-H events
• Demonstrate leadership through club offices held
• High standard of positive behavior
• Take an active role in planning, organizing and carrying out community service work

Excellence in Leadership Award

Eligible Ages

4-H years are the member's age as of October 1 of the current 4-H  year.

• Sr (13 + 4-H years)

Criteria

• Developed and demonstrated leadership skills necessary to promote growth in other 4-H members, clubs county and state activities
• Demonstrates leadership in their club
• Demonstrates leadership skills outside their club activities (Ex: school, community, extracurriculars)

Team Builder Award

Eligible Ages

4-H years are the member's age as of October 1 of the current 4-H  year.

• Jr (<13 4-H years)

Criteria

• Demonstrates leadership in their club
• Fosters a sense of community with other members, adults in all interactions
• Promotes inclusion and fosters involvement

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ENDOWED AWARDS

These awards are nominated by club leaders or self-nominated by youth members. The club leader and/or youth member nominee will prepare a 500 word or less narrative addressing the criteria of the award and submit with completed record book (which must qualify for seal of excellence) by the record book deadline. The nominees will then be evaluated based on the narrative and completed record book based on criteria listed for each award.  

Danny Chinadle Memorial Award

This award will support one Cascade County 4-H member each year to assist in financing a non-livestock 4-H project. A $50 cash award will be awarded at Achievement Night. This award is available to a 4-H member of any age (no Cloverbuds), and members may receive the award only once.

To receive the Danny Chinadle Memorial award, members must submit a 500 word narrative by the date that 4-H records are due in the Extension Office answering the following question: If you were to receive this memorial award, how would you spend the money on your non-livestock 4-H project and how will it assist you in attaining your 4-H project goal?

John Davis Memorial Award

The John Davis award will recognize up to two Cascade County 4-H members 16 4-H years or older each year. The winner(s) of this award must be a 4-H'er in good standing that has

• Developed leadership talents and has worked toward achieving the broad objectives of character and effective citizenship
• Gained a broader knowledge of 4-H agriculture and/or home economics projects and activities, and their contribution to improving family and community living
• Learned to adapt and apply the latest practices and research findings in agriculture and/or home economics to everyday living
• Developed skills in those practices which make for more efficient and profitable 4-H project work
• Personally developed and instilled in others a pride and respect for 4-H work and its importance in the development of the individual, the family, the community, and the nation
• Applied all 4-H trainings and experience in choosing and preparing for a vocation

These criteria may be applied to a member’s entire 4-H career.

Members must write a 500-word narrative explaining how they meet the above criteria.

The recipient will receive a personal gift of a belt buckle or other appropriate item from the Davis family.

Wendy Mauer Memorial Award

This award in memory of former 4-H member, Wendy Mauer, will be based on the premise that “Love is a Giving Thing.” Recipients must be 14 years of age by October 1 of the current 4-H year. Up to two 4-H members will be awarded this award every year. Recipients will be awarded a $100.00 cash award at Achievement Night.

Selection is based on information in the member’s Record Book as well as a narrative of at least 500 words. The 500-word narrative must describe what “Love is a Giving Thing” means to you. Members should elaborate on their kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, and compassion for others, perseverance in attaining goals, effort and making the most of one’s ability, and efforts made to improve school, home, and community life in their narrative.

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25-YEAR LEADER AWARDS

These awards are meant to Honor Leaders who have been a leader for 25+ years. They are sponsored by the 4-H Leader’s Council for  3 years and then award is sunset or picked up by the Leader/family being honored. These awards are nominated by club leaders or self-nominated by youth members. The club leader and/or youth member nominee will prepare a 500 word or less narrative and submit with completed record book (which must qualify for seal of excellence) by the record book deadline. The nominees will then be evaluated based on the narrative and completed record book based on criteria listed for each award.  

Vicki Johnson Horsemanship Award

Criteria used in the selection of this award:

• Recipients must be 14 years or older by October 1 of the current 4-H year
• Recipients must have been enrolled in and completed at least 3 years of Horsemanship projects (i.e. Western, English, Colt-to-Maturity)
• Recipients must participate in at least 2 community service projects per year. These can be project related or non-project related

Two 250-word narratives are required for this award. The first narrative must tell about where the member started in the horse project, why they took the project, and where they are now regarding the project. The second narrative must tell how the member has developed through their horse experience and how it has helped the member grow as a person.

A $25.00 cash award will be presented to the recipient during Achievement Night.

Rose Ballard Award

Eligible Ages

Any

Criteria

• Must be in a rabbit project and provide a narrative describing what they have learned in the rabbit project

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LEADER AWARDS

Leader Awards nominations accepted (from self or from others) and then awards are selected by Leaders Council Achievement Committee based on nomination forms received.

Outstanding 1st Year Leader 

• A motivated leader that has jumped in with Both feet

Outstanding 4-H (Adult) Leader/Volunteer

• Someone involved for 2 or more years who has made a significant contribution during the year of the award

Friend of 4-H Award

• A business or non-registered leader/volunteer who has significantly contributed to 4H in the previous year.

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YOUTH MEMBER MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS

No nominations accepted. Award winners determined based on Years of Service.

10 year - youth member

Eligible Ages

17 and 18 year olds

Criteria

Have been in 4H 10 years (Cloverbud years not eligible to count)

1st Year member

Eligible Ages

Any (non-Cloverbud)

Criteria

Completes first year

3rd Year member

Eligible Ages

Any 10+ years old

Criteria

Completes 3 years

5th year member

Eligible Ages

Any 12+

Criteria

Completes 5 years

7- year member

Eligible Ages

Any 14+

Criteria

Completes 7 years

Montana Congress *

Other State or National Contests*

*These accomplishments are acknowledged at Achievement night, but no additional award is given

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CLUB AWARDS

No nominations accepted. Award winners determined through various contest, activity, and project participation.

Kathy Dunn Club Fair Exhibit Award

A $25.00 cash award will be presented at the year-end Achievement Celebration to the club (must be in good standing) with the highest average number of exhibits per person displayed in their club booth at the Montana State Fair.

Club membership numbers will be determined by the report updated May 2nd of the current 4-H year. Exhibits will not include demonstrations, speeches, foods festival, fashion revue, pocket pet, dog, or cat show.

Ted Fosse Club Trophy

The Ted Fosse Club Trophy is awarded to the Club with the highest average participation in the Demonstration division of the Cascade County 4-H Communications Contest. 

Guidelines for Selection:

• Clubs must have a minimum of 5 members to qualify for this award
• Points are awarded as follows
  • One point for each percent of total membership enrolled that participated in the Demonstration division of the Communications Contest
  • .6 points are given for each Blue placing, .3 points are given for each Red placing, and .1 points are given for each White placing.

Dan Thurber Memorial Trophy

The Dan Thurber Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Club with the highest average participation in the Speech division of the Cascade County 4-H Communications Contest.

Guidelines for Selection:

• Clubs must have a minimum of 5 members to qualify for this award
• Points are awarded as follows
  • One point for each percent of total membership enrolled that participated in the Speech division of the Communications Contest
  • .6 points are given for each Blue placing, .3 points are given for each Red placing, and .1 points are given for each White placing

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OTHER AWARDS

Static Fair Project Awards

These awards are determined by judges at State Fair (Ex: Each top division winner and Special Donation Awards)

Horse Project Specific Awards

These awards are determined by County horse show and are awarded by Horse Leaders Committee.

Livestock Project Specific Awards

These awards are determined at County livestock show and are awarded by Livestock Leaders Committee.

Shooting Sports Awards

These awards are based on top score submitted targets and are awarded by Shooting Sports Leaders Committee.

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