Who Is Celebrating Your 4-H Volunteer Service?
The 4-H volunteer poll recognizes all coaches for their MVP contributions.
We celebrate all 4-H volunteers for their service to the 4-H program, not just the Coach of the Year or the Most Valuable Player. Your sense of volunteer pride and appreciation may come from a tender note from a 4-H parent, a smile from a child after accomplishing a new task or receiving your first 4-H volunteer certificate or pin. Many counties hold a 4-H Volunteer Recognition Program honoring volunteers for years of service with certificates, pins and other items. Milestones for years of service (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, etc) and every year over 40 years receive special recognition at the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference.
You may nominate yourself or a fellow 4-H volunteer, teen or adult, for one of seven special Ohio 4-H Volunteer Awards. Each county’s nominees compete at the regional level for state winner selection from the four regional Extension areas. Recognition occurs at the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Conference in March. Check with your County Extension Educator about county nominations and deadlines for regional and/or state nominations. The award categories include:
Innovator Award - recognizes adult and/or youth 4-H volunteers who have developed new programs, county projects, or activities.
Recruitment - recognizes adult and/or youth 4-H volunteers who have undertaken recruitment efforts that attracted new membership.
Leadership Development Award - recognizes adult or youth 4-H volunteers who have demonstrated and displayed an ability to develop leadership in youth.
Community Service - recognizes adults and youth 4-H volunteers who have collaborated or cooperated with other community or 4-H groups, or undertaken service projects and activities within their own 4-H club or group.
Meritorious Service Award - recognizes adult 4-H volunteers for a lifetime of meritorious service.
Ohio Hall of Fame Award - recognizes individuals whose leadership as adults has made significant lifetime contributions of service to the 4-H program and has made a positive impact upon clubs, communities and the state 4-H program.
Friend of 4-H Award - recognizes an individual, family, business or corporation that has greatly supported or currently supports the Ohio 4-H Program, in a charitable manner at the county, state or national level.
Hats off to 4-H volunteers, teens and adults, committees too – you are the greatest!
Expect the unexpected in order to BEST prepare for what is expected.
Accomplish goals, acquire skills, and achieve rewards to attain 4-H successes.
Decide to be a part of the future – join a 4-H Committee, be a Camp Counselor!
Hear those praises for your 4-H volunteer service, heartfelt thanks from a smiling child.
Enthusiastic members + Energetic Volunteers = Excellent 4-H Experiences.
Attract new members and assist new volunteers in joining the 4-H FUN!
Reach for the Stars – apply to be a 4-H Club of Distinction.
Try attending a training workshop and ask someone to join the volunteer TEAM!
Help 4-H cloverbuds sprout into project members…what better way to grow!
Allow members to lead meetings and make decisions to build leadership skills.
Never give up working towards achieving your 4-H volunteer dreams.
Develop lasting friendships by attending Ohio Volunteer or Teen Conference.
Satisfaction comes from knowing you gave it your all and did your 4-H best!
Happiness lies not with the final 4-H project, but on the road to get there!
Express thanks to 4-H members, teens, parents, volunteers and Extension staff.
Accept differences and applaud 4-H committees that work to make a difference.
Lead by example, be a good sport inside and outside the 4-H judging ring.
Take time to help with 4-H – you will reap the benefits for years to come.
Hurry not to the end of another 4-H year, but to the beginning of a new one!
by Patty House
