“Recognition is the greatest

motivator.” Gerard C. Eakedal

A quick guide to applying for awards for KAE4-HA, brought to you by

your member recognition committee!

Why Apply??

As a dedicated 4-H agent in Kentucky, you are encouraged to submit award applications to be recognized amongst your peers during the Spring KAE4-HA meeting. Agents work hard as professionals to make sure deadlines are met, rules are followed, etc. for our clientele. However, do we take the time to do the same for ourselves?

The purpose of this booklet is to provide you with information and

guidance in submitting applications for KAE4-HA and NAE4-HA Awards. You are doing the work! Just take the time to give yourself the credit and recognition that you deserve. By submitting your award applications, you are not only telling your 4-H story – you are also sharing your skills and talents with other to help strengthen their county programs.

Every agent in every district is working hard to better the lives of

young people. We want you to take the time to show yourself and your program off and we want to make this as easy as possible for you! Please do not hesitate to ask questions about applying for awards! Your committee and your association are here to help you!

Getting Started:

Refer to the following websites for applications, rules, applications, etc.:

State (KAE4-HA) http://ces.ca.uky.edu/kae4ha National (NAE4-HA) http://nae4ha.com/awards

Guidelines:

1. All entries must be entered into the online system by March 1. No late entries will be

accepted. All items to complete the awards package will be entered or uploaded on line.

2. The application form (previously used) will be in the online system for the following

awards: “Communicator”, “Specialty,” “Professional Development,” and “Service”.

3. Each “Communicator” entry must have an abstract. May include information such as (but not limited to): objectives, target audience, current population, publisher requirement, methods used (if appropriate), production costs (if applicable), impact results (if known), information on the roll the applicant had in the entry, other pertinent information. Sample abstracts can be found at http://nae4ha.com You will enter this online as well.

4. Entries must address issues relevant to 4-H Youth Development and the Cooperative Extension Service.

5. Entries that incorporate newer technology tools like podcasts, blogs, video, etc. are strongly encouraged.

6. Any members of NAE4-HA who was a member in good standing at least the prior

year as well as the current year is eligible for the communicator Awards. Dues must have been paid by the state deadline for the entry to be considered. Team awards must include at least one NAE4-HA member. NAE4-HA members who are national award recipients receive plaques, and additional team members receive certificates.

7. Follow guidelines for the award(s) in which you are applying. Document all criteria in the order it is listed on the application (or score sheet). You want it to be easy for the judge to read! Give details – ie – give exact numbers instead of saying we had a lot of people. Tell what you did – ie give details of the event and what happened instead of saying we had an all day workshop. Do not exceed the number of pages that is listed for specific awards.

8. Just to clarify: You will enter ALL State level AND National Level awards online. The member recognition committee will have access to online entries to make selections for those awards that go on to region to be judged.

Award Descriptions

Sometimes it is difficult to know what all of these awards mean. The descriptions below are to assist you in knowing which outstanding programs or efforts you are making will fit into the specific categories.

NAE4-HA Communicator Awards For details: http://nae4ha.com

Each Communicator Award must be accompanied with an abstract – refer to website for sample abstract.

Educational Package - Two categories (individual and team).

Purpose: To educate through accurate, concise information (research based as applies) on

one subject. Must consist of two or more components of the Communicator awards.

Abstract must include cost of production and source of funding. All components must be

packaged together in one unit. Electronic media may be included (i.e. web page,

PowerPoint, audio, overheads, etc.).

Educational Piece - Two categories (individual and team).

Purpose: To educate through accurate, concise information (research based as applies) on one subject. It is not a promotional piece. Abstract must include cost of production and source of funding. Multi-media may be included (i.e. web page, PowerPoint, audio, overheads). Must all apply to one subject. Entry is one piece.

Exhibit

Purpose: To provide educational and/or promotional material that is accurate, concise,

and makes the audience respond in a positive way. Must have at least one picture of the

exhibit along with a description of where and how it was used. Photo must clearly show

the units of the exhibit.

Feature Story

Purpose: To capture the mood of the event or person(s) and create reader interest. This is

not a news story. Submit original copy and published copy. Neatly mount published copy

on cardstock. The article may be folded. Associated photos appearing with story may be

included. Articles must be original work of applicant(s). An abstract must be included.

Media Presentation

Purpose: To provide educational/promotional information that is accurate, concise, and holds

the audience's attention. Individual/team must produce the program using PowerPoint, Corel

Presentations, or similar presentation software package. A hard copy or web address of the

presentation must be submitted.

News Story

Purpose: To present factual information or results in a manner clear and understandable

for reader. Submit original copy and published copy. Mount published copy neatly on

cardstock. The article may be folded. Associated photos appearing with the story may be

included. No stories based on individual/team accepted. No copies, rewritten, adapted, or

submitted word-for-word published material accepted. Article must be original work of

the applicant(s).

Periodical Publication - Two categories (individual and team).

Purpose: An information piece designed to inform, update, and make reader respond in a

positive way. Examples may include newsletters, State Association publications,

magazines, tabloids, etc. Must submit two different issues (not necessarily consecutive),

but both must be from the same series (i.e. two newsletters or two State Association

publications). Abstract must include cost of production and source of funding. The entry

may be in printed or in electronic format. Electronically produced publications must

include web address.

Personal Column

Purpose: To develop a personal style of writing for publication in any type of print media.

It should contain pertinent, appropriate, credible information congruent with the writer's

style. Must submit three original copies and published copies as printed in different issues.

The different published copies should be mounted neatly on cardstock. Articles may be

folded.

Promotional Package - Two categories (individual and team).

Purpose: To attract audience’s attention and make them respond in a positive way. Entry

must consist of two or more pieces such as video and brochure, podcast, poster, bookmark,

tabloid, electronic media such as web page, PowerPoint, or any other combination of

promotional pieces. Promotional package pieces are not limited to those in the above

categories. Abstract must include cost of production and source of funding. All

components must be packaged together as a unit.

Promotional Piece – Two categories (individual & team).

Purpose: To attract reader's attention and make readers respond in a positive way.

Examples include poster, podcast, website, brochure, flyer, tabloid, newspaper insert,

video, t-shirt, etc., but not a press release. Maximum size is 22" x 28".

Published Photo

Purpose: To tell a story through a photo. Photo should be high quality and follow

photographic principles of composition. May be black and white or color and published or

printed. Submit original photo and published copy. Include text that appeared with photo.

Photos must be no larger than 8" x 10". Mount neatly on cardstock. If published as part of

a poster, posters do not need to be mounted but should be rolled and mailed in a tube.

Photo must be original work of the applicant.

Radio Program

Purpose: To provide educational information that is accurate, concise, and makes listener

respond in a positive manner or to attract listener's attention, hold attention, and make

listener respond in a positive way. If a series of lessons, enter only one or designate which

lesson on CD should be reviewed for judging. Indicate length of recorded segment to be

reviewed. If promotion spots, a collection may be entered; however, indicate which is to be

judged. Individual/team must produce the program. All CDs must be mailed in a

case/sleeve plainly marked with class and applicant name(s).

Video Program

Purpose: To provide educational information that is accurate, concise, and makes viewer

respond in a positive manner or to attract viewer's attention, hold attention and make

viewer respond in a positive way. If a series of lessons, enter only one or designate which

lesson on the video is to be reviewed for judging. Indicate length of recorded segment to be

reviewed. If promotion spots, a collection may be entered. Individual/team must produce

the program. All DVDs must be mailed in a case/sleeve plainly marked with class and

individual/team name(s). If the video is on a web site, provide web address in the

application materials.

NAE4-HA Specialty Awards For details: http://nae4ha.com

4-H Military Partnership Award

Purpose: The award will recognize the individual or team who has created a positive

Extension image through his/her/their leadership and citizenship as it relates to the

development of the 4-H Army, Air Force, or Navy partnerships on U.S. military installations

and in the community as it pertains to National Guard and Reserve families and children.

Beyond Youth Leadership Award

Purpose: To recognize a program that involves youth in significant decision making roles

that impact their club, community, country, or world. Programs initiated by youth or

youth/adult partnerships should be exemplified in the proposal.

Diversity & Inclusion: Expanding the 4-H Audience Award

Purpose: To recognize outstanding effort and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining

diversity in the NAE4-HA organization, programs, and/or audiences. Diversity is defined as

acknowledging, understanding, appreciating, valuing, and celebrating differences among

people relative to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status,

disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation. (List is not all

inclusive and is not limited to those that are mentioned.)

Educational Technology Award (Individual and Team)

Purpose: To recognize the use of technology (such as computers, video, satellite, web

pages, etc.) in delivering or managing educational programs, to expand the use of

technology education in 4-H, and to promote logical problem-solving techniques using

educational technologies.

Excellence in 4-H Club Support Award (Individual and Team)

Purpose: To encourage and recognize the efforts of Extension professionals who support

and strengthen their 4-H club program. A club is “an organized unit providing a long term

experience for youth and adults.”

Excellence in Teamwork Award

Purpose: To encourage and recognize outstanding Extension programs or projects

conducted by a team that demonstrate effective performance and significant results

(impact) at community, area, state, or multi-state levels.

Excellence in Camping Award (Individual and Team)

Purpose: To recognize outstanding effort in youth development through 4-H camping as

related to practice, evaluation, or research by members as individuals or as part of a team.

Excellence in Geospatial Programs (Individual and Team)

Purpose: To promote 4-H geospatial programs and to encourage and recognize exemplary

efforts of 4-H staff who work in this area.

Excellence in Global Citizenship Programming

Purpose: To recognize those who strive to develop and/or conduct programs and/or

projects that provide opportunities for youth to develop a “world view” including a global

perspective and the skills necessary for global citizenship and the development of

appreciate for living in a global society.

Excellence in Natural Resources/Environmental Education Award (Individual and Team)

Purpose: To recognize outstanding effort by members as individuals or as part of a team in

this program area.

Greg Yost Memorial Youth in Leadership Award (formerly Power of Youth Award)

Purpose: To recognize the outstanding efforts of members that exemplify youth and adult

partnerships which engage young people in making real decisions that affect them and

their world. Programs should have been in existence for 5 or more years.

Citizenship in 4-H Youth Development Award

Purpose: To recognize the outstanding efforts of members who develop and/or conduct

programs and/or projects that provide opportunities for youth to develop a “world view”

including a global prospective and skills for living in a global society.

Search for Excellence in Teen Programming Award (Individual and Team)

Purpose: To provide recognition for outstanding programs conducted for and with teen

audiences and to gain national recognition for program accomplishments relative to

scholarly and creative activities, teaching and/or research effectiveness, to show evidence

or collaboration with others who help meet community teens needs, and to strengthen the

commitment to programs with teen audiences.

Interactive 4-H Educational Web Site Award (Team)

Purpose: To recognize the power of interactive websites in holding youth interest and

facilitating youth learning, to encourage 4-H curriculum developers to routinely include an

interactive website component in educational materials development, and to encourage

youth-adult partnerships in creating educational technology. ONLY TEAM ENTRIES are

considered for this award.

Denise Miller National 4-H Innovator Award

Purpose: To recognize one individual or team who exemplifies innovation,

accomplishments, and commitment in the design and delivery of a unique 4-H program.

Awards will only be granted to new innovations. This program should meet the highest

standard of quality and innovation. An innovative program would be one that may include

a new audience or expansion of a current audience, a new program subject matter area, a

new program delivery method(s) or some other creative approach that is new to your

work. An innovative program could be a new approach to a current program or the

beginning of an entirely new effort.

Excellence in Urban 4-H Programming Award

Purpose: To recognize outstanding efforts by members in urban programming and to

strengthen the commitment to urban programming curriculum. The nominee should have

conducted the program or activity within the last two years, and it should be part of the

ongoing 4-H program in the county. Youth participants must live in an urban community

or the program must take place in an urban community. For these purposes, an urban

community is defined as a contiguous community with a total population of at least 50,000

people and a population density of 1,000 per square mile.

Excellence in 4-H Volunteerism

Purpose: To encourage and recognize the efforts of Extension professionals who do

excellent work managing a 4-H volunteer program and/or enhancing 4-H volunteer

development. A volunteer program can be within a local unit, district, statewide, or a

national effort. Efforts recognized can be in the area of volunteer development or

volunteer program management.

Excellence in Animal Science Programming Award

Purpose: To recognize outstanding effort by members in youth development through animal

science programming, evaluation, or research projects

Excellence in Healthy Living Programming Award

Purpose: To recognize outstanding efforts and impacts of the NAE4-HA members in Healthy

Living Programming, evaluation and/or research.

Excellence in Communication and Expressive Arts Award (individual and team)

Purpose: To recognize outstanding efforts and impacts of the NAE4-HA members in

Communications and Expressive Arts Education.

Life Member Award

Purpose: The Purpose of the NAE4-HA Life Member award is to recognize outstanding effort

and accomplishments of Life Members in NAE4-HA in serving the association during their

career up to and including their involvement, dedication and exceptional service to their

community during their retirement years.

Service Awards/State Awards

For details: http://ces.ca.uky.edu/kae4ha

Each of the following awards receive a $100.00 stipend from KAE4-HA. Additional stipends will be given from fundraising at KAE4-HA annual spring

meeting. Stipends may only be used toward expenses at the National meeting. ASA, DSA, MSA, and 25 year awards will receive certificates at KAE4-HA Spring meeting –

plaques will be presented at NAE4-HA for these awards.

Tommy Bunch New Agent Award (state only) Purpose: To recognize agents with 3 years or less Extension Service for outstanding program efforts. To encourage participation in NAE4-HA. 2 awards given annually.

KAE4-HA John Swack Memorial Award for Exemplary Professionalism (state only) Purpose: To recognize an agent who has given above and beyond to the purpose of assisting another agent in making 4-H Extension a successful career by offering support and expertise. REMINDER – this should be peer nominated. A winner will be selected from each district and from those district winners a state winner will be chosen and will receive the $100.00 stipend. Districts may submit as many entries as they wish. From the entries submitted a district winner will be selected! We hope to have a district winner from each district this year!

Granville King Diversity Award (state and national)

Purpose: To recognize outstanding effort and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity in KAE4-HA organization, 4-H programs, and/or audiences. The same criteria are used for this award as the National Award. State winner will be submitted to regional for Diversity Award.

Achievement in Service Award (ASA) (state and national)

Purpose: Current NAE4-HA member who has paid dues for at least the immediate two consecutive years prior to the current and has served more than three years but less than seven years in Extension 4-H Youth programs. (Per state – one award for every 50 paid members). Must be submitted with picture by e-mail to committee chair. (For submission to state, follow guidelines on http://ces.ca.uky.edu/kae4ha State winners will be advised on National submission)

Distinguished Service Award (DSA) (state and national)

Purpose: Current NAE4-HA member who has paid dues for at least the immediate two consecutive years prior to the current and has served seven years or more in Extension 4-H Youth programs. (Per state – one award for every 50 paid members). Must be submitted with picture by e-mail to committee chair. (For submission to state, follow guidelines on http://ces.ca.uky.edu/kae4ha State winners will be advised on National submission)

Meritorious Service Awards (MSA) (state and national)

Purpose: Current NAE4-HA member who has paid dues for at least the immediate four consecutive years prior to the current and has served fifteen years or more in Extension 4-H Youth programs. One award given per state. Must be submitted with picture by e-mail to committee chair. (For submission to state, follow guidelines on http://ces.ca.uky.edu/kae4ha State winners will be advised on National submission)

25 Year Award (State and National)

Purpose: Current NAE4-HA member who has paid dues for at least the immediate four consecutive years prior to the current and has served twenty-five years or more in Extension 4-H Youth programs. (For submission to state, follow guidelines on http://ces.ca.uky.edu/kae4ha State winners will be advised on National submission)

Other State Awards For details: http://ces.ca.uky.edu/kae4ha

KAE4-HA Newspaper Award (state only) Purpose: To recognize a local newspaper and their employees who have given outstanding publicity of Kentucky’s 4-H programs. 2 awards given – Daily newspaper and Weekly or Bi-Weekly Paper.

KAE4-HA Extra Effort Award (state only)

Purpose: Agents with 4-H responsibilities will nominate deserving candidates for the award. Two awards given annually to a deserving agents (FCS, ANR, Horticulture) and program assistant (4-H, EFNEP, FDM, etc.)

KAE4-HA Outstanding Program Award (state only)

Purpose: To recognize a KAE4-HA member for excellence in programming

NAE4-HA Professional Development Awards

For details: http://nae4ha.com

States may submit more than one entry in each of the Professional Development award categories (excluding the First time Conference attendee Scholarship) because they are only

judged on the national level and not on the state level or regional level. KAE4-HA will recognize with certificate only.

First time Conference Attendee Scholarship

Purpose: To encourage new/existing NAE4-HA members to attend National Conferences

Stiles Memorial Scholarship Purpose: A $1,000 award to be presented to a 4-H professional who is enrolled in a college or university degree program (Associates, Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral).

Other Helpful Information

Ways to work together for recognition We encourage agents to gather as a district to help each other identify programming and efforts that would fit in the various award categories. This could take place at a district staff meeting or on a separate day. Often it is hard for us to pat ourselves on the back. If others mention your efforts it is often easier to submit the award!

Reminder for this year! One agent in each district will receive “The John Swack Memorial Award for Exemplary Professionalism” There will also be one agent to receive the state award as it has been in the past. The state winner will receive the $100.00 stipend toward NAE4-HA national meeting. This is a peer nominated award. Districts may send more than one nominee.

Questions? Please feel free to contact any of the KAE 4-HA Member Recognition Committee Members with any questions or concerns you may have about filling out awards! Again, we want this to be easy and worth it for you!

Committee Chairs:

Kim Lane, Chair kim.lane@uky.edu Raven Ford, Co-Chair rcford@uky.edu