04/18/23 1

4-H Record Book Basics

Lynette H. Bikos, Ph.D.Lucky Clovers 4-H Club

Snohomish County 4-H/WashingtonProfessor of Clinical Psychology

Seattle Pacific University

Use this URL for the 45 minute screencasted presentation:http://www.screencast.com/t/PjLLjUiKEF

04/18/23 2

At the end of this workshop, 4-H’ers should be able to• Identify and access

resources for improving record book quality.

• Know the basic requirements for each record book component.

• Value (maybe even feel excited about) record book keeping.

4-H Leaders & Parents should be able to

• Provide record book resources to 4-H’ers.

• Guide 4-H’ers through the requirements for each record book component.

• Accommodate record book requirements to the developmental capacity of the 4-H’er.

• Connect the record book process to the larger context of Positive Youth Development.

04/18/23 3

Two TracksThe L1 book is designed for members in the 3rd & 4th grade. It has the same sections as the L2 book; just requires less detail.

The L2 book is should be used by 4-H’ers in the 5th grade and may be completed by those in the 4th grade.

Guidelines are available for both sets. SnoCo distributes handbooks; others are available on-line (e.g., http://whitman.4h.wsu.edu/record/)

04/18/23 4

Parts & Pieces

Project Add Sheets

??

Project Add Sheets

??

L1 Record Book Set L2 Record Book Set

04/18/23 5

Project Add Sheets(Are you kidding me? There’s more?)

•Merely a sampling of available add sheets.

•Check with your club/project leader to see which might be required for your project.

•Available from the WSU 4-H Resource CD; or http://pubs.wsu.edu/cgi-bin/pubs/index.html (some searching required)

04/18/23 6

Complete by computer or by hand?

• Electronic and paper versions available at (scroll to bottom): http://snohomish.wsu.edu/4h/4hmembers.htm

Just Breathe…

04/18/23 7

A quick recap

Commit to Keeping a Record Book

By hand(obtain copies by printing or ordering)

Electronic(download MSWord version)

Complete:*Record Book

*Permanent Record

Complete*Record Book

*Permanent Record Book

Additional projects?

Complete 1 Project Record for eachh additional project.

Project(s) require Add Sheet?

Copmlete Add Sheets for each project that requires it

Additional projects?

Project(s) require Add Sheet?

Complete 1 Project Record for eachadditional project.

Complete Add Sheets for each project that requires it.

04/18/23 8

My 4-H Planning Calendar

CALENDAR/JOURNAL•There is a regular logging (with dates) of 4-H activities, events, and project work. This might be a calendar, however, other formats may be chosen. If the record keeping is on the internet, it might be unwise to list date/time/place, so a simplified date (month/year) would be acceptable. •If in a social media format, regular wall posts (where date stamps are given automatically by the program) are also evidence that the 4-Her is logging regularly.

04/18/23 9

Date Location Event/Activity Time Attend

Oct

ober

Add rows by putting your mouse just outside the border of the row above where you want a new row and hit enter

How about a club google calendar!

04/18/23 10

04/18/23 11

Project Record

(1 for each project; grouped by project)

4-H/PROJECT GOALS•At least 1 goal for primaries/juniors; at least 3 goals for intermediates and seniors.•Goals are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely).•Goals can be listed specifically for each project; or as a whole for the 4-H experience; or clustered into meaningful groups (i.e., foods and sewing goals are listed in a grouping of home-economics projects)LEADER/PARENT SUPPORT

There is some indication that leaders and parents have endorsed the goals/project commitments. This could be demonstrated through signatures of endorsement, notes, photos, or a retelling by the 4-H’er (e.g., “I discussed these goals with my parents…”)

04/18/23 12

S.M.A.R.T. Goals(adapted from http://extension.unh.edu/4h/4HPubs/ldrsggs.pdf)

4-H goals have several elements• Specific:

• Measurable:

• Attainable:

• Realistic:

• Timeline:

04/18/23 13

Did this 4-H’er use the comments section to comment on goal progress?

I want to attend the county public presentation meetings.

I want to give foods public presentation.I want to get a green ribbon and compete at

the county level.

Use the comments section to note work (progress, setbacks) on goals.

GOAL APPRAISAL/PROGRESS•Commentary on goal progress (e.g., successes toward goal attainment, obstacles to goal attainment, mid-year changes in goals/commitments).

04/18/23 14

PHOTOGRAPHS/SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS•Interspersed throughout the document (e.g., a photo inserted into a story or highlight, a link to a website, a copy of a newspaper article), or as a distinct unit, photos or other supplemental materials should assist in describing the youth’s experiences in 4-H.

04/18/23 15

The real value of the Project Highlights occurs when the 4-H’er connects their activities back to the Project Commitments (i.e., goals). In the Pawsabilities 4-H Club, worksheets are used to help 4-H’ers do this:

List your first goal. What did you learn/do/make/try? What success did you experience? What problems did you have? What might you do differently next time? How do you feel about what you have learned? What goal might you set for next year?

GOAL APPRAISAL/PROGRESS•Commentary on goal progress (e.g., successes toward goal attainment, obstacles to goal attainment, mid-year changes in goals/commitments).

04/18/23 16

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING/ADD SHEETThe document includes an indication of project-related expenses. These could be the traditional Record Book financial summary, or a project “add sheet.” Accounting activities could be the financial evaluation of a project (e.g., cost of making versus purchasing), a summary of debits/credits throughout the year, or both.

04/18/23 17

The Permanent Record is your 4-H resume; your Curriculum Vitae.

The Permanent Record book is added to each year. If using the paper copy, keep it in a safe/secure place away from potential spills and damage.

PERMANENT RECORD•The document contains a summary of the members’ experience in 4-H before this year of enrollment. This could be a traditional permanent record book, or inclusion of previous record books, or some summary statements. Traditionally, this includes an cumulative, annual summary of the following categories: Offices, Exhibits, Judging, Public Presentations, Contests, Events, Community Service, Promoting 4-H, Leadership, School & Community, Non 4H Contests, Meeting Attendance, Most Important Recognition

04/18/23 18

4-H STORYAs a distinct unit, or dispersed throughout, the document includes relevant information about the 4-H’er. Examples of relevant information might include: information about the 4-H’ers family, involvement in school, involvement in the community, reasons for joining 4-H, favorite parts of 4-H, future plans for 4-H. Not all of these elements are required; there should be just enough to give the reader a sense of who the 4-H’er is.

04/18/23 19

PHOTOGRAPHS/SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS•Interspersed throughout the document (e.g., a photo inserted into a story or highlight, a link to a website, a copy of a newspaper article), or as a distinct unit, photos or other supplemental materials should assist in describing the youth’s experiences in 4-H.

04/18/23 20

Record Book Submission

Record Book Order• My 4-H Planning

Calendar• Main Project

(commitment, journal, highlights, project summary, add sheets)

• Additional Projects• Permanent 4-H Record• My 4-H Story• Supplemental Information

GENERAL APPEARANCE•In a manner consistent with the medium chosen, the record book is neat, organized, and conveys the 4-H’ers experiences well.•For example, if the 4-H’er is using an electronic medium and has used common/age-appropriate expressions (e.g., text-speak), this is appropriate.

04/18/23 21

Record Book Judging & AwardsClub Judging• Obtain the judging forms

from county• Using the following

scoring system, send Blue-Ribbon books (all sections must be complete to county:– 0-59 White– 60-79 Red– 80-101 Blue

County Judging• 80-84.5 Blue• 85-89.5 Purple• 90-95.5 Gold Seal• 96+ Pin

Record Books are also used to apply for county achievement pins, county jackets, and other awards!

04/18/23 24

Developmental Expectations

• Some scoring provisions for age– Juniors -- 1 goal/commitment– Intermediates and above -- ≥3 goals.– L1 Record books require less detail.

• End goal is for the 4-H’er to willingly participate in and grow from the Record Book Experience.– Graded task assignments.– Modeling desired behavior.

04/18/23 25

Why go electronic?

• No more crying over spilled milk.• Easy to correct errors.• Print what you need.• Sharing with club members.• Digital picture imports are neat, easy.• • • •

What are the next dimensions?

• How can record books promote the 4-H Positive Youth Development goals?

• Belongingness• Mastery• Independence• Generosity

04/18/23 26

04/18/23 27

The Link to Positive Youth Development

Snyder’s hope (1991)– Agency/Willpower: one’s perceived ability

to meet goals

– Pathways/Waypower: one’s perceived ability to generate successful plans to achieve goals

04/18/23 28

Higher Hope People

Set More Goals across more life arenas goals are more difficult greater expectation for

goal successful goal achievement

Have more of the good stuff: Optimism Locus of control Solution-focused coping Competitiveness Self-esteem Positive affectivity Less likely to experience

negative affectivity, anxiety, depression

I strongly suspect there is a positive relationship between record book keeping (or quality of record book keeping) and hope. And someday I just might test it!

04/18/23 29

Valuing & Promoting Record Books(Could they possibly be fun?)

• Record Book Checks– Regular intervals (quarterly)– 4-H’ers do record book checks; award stickers– Prizes for most completed books at club

meetings

• Club Assist– Record book officer/Club Calendar

• Record Book Aids– Goal-setting worksheets

04/18/23 30

Valuing & Promoting Record Books(Could they possibly be fun?)

• Your ideas– – – – – – –