Recognition & Awards

Through Citizenship, Leadership & Service Activites

We all like to be recognized for a job well done. It helps us realize what we have accomplished and makes us feel good. “Recognition is the acknowledgement and affirmation of the personal growth of an individual or group. Awards are things we give to individuals to symbolize their recognition.” (Michigan 4-H Recognition Handbook, 2002). Recognition is a way to increase self-confidence and is an opportunity for self-assessment and reflection. Recognition can be a pat on the back or thank-you note and examples of an award can be a ribbon or a scholarship. Provide different kinds of recognition and awards to meet the needs of the individual or group. Here are some examples that are available and there are many more.

YEA (Youth Experiencing Action) Community Service Recognition Program

The Michigan State 4-H Youth Development Programming Committee has recognized groups and individuals who designed, organized and implemented community service programs. Any 4-H’er, 4-H group or service club that has been involved in a community service project during the programming year was eligible to apply. The requirements were that the project:

• Primarily benefited people who are outside of 4-H. Service that primarily helped someone’s own 4-H club or county 4-H program was not included.
• Was conducted by registered 4-H members and volunteers.
• If clubs did multiple service projects, all projects were combined into one application.

Read about past winners:

• 2005-06 YEA Community Service Recognition Program

Citizenship & Leadership State Awards

The Michigan State 4-H Awards Program is an opportunity for 4-H'ers aged 13 and up, with three or more years of experience in 4-H, to meet new friends, gain leadership skills, increase their interviewing skills, improve their writing skills, build their self-esteem and compete for recognition. State winners receive $100 cash awards and plaques. Two state awards available in the area are citizenship and leadership.

President’s Volunteer Service Award

To encourage and recognize outstanding volunteer service and inspire others to volunteer, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Awards are given to youth aged 14 and under who have completed 50 or more hours of volunteer service; to individuals 15 and older who have completed 100 or more hours; and to families or groups who have completed 200 or more hours. Lifetime achievement is recognized with a special President's Call to Service Award, which honors those who have provided more than 4,000 hours of service over the course of their lifetime.

Online Resources

• What Is Recognition and Where Does It Happen?
• Michigan 4-H Recognition Program
• Michigan 4-H Recognition Handbook—This 20-page Michigan 4-H publication includes ideas and tools for recognizing volunteers. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print this PDF (Portable Document Format) file. If you don't already have the Acrobat Reader, you can click on the "Get Acrobat Reader" button and download it from the Adobe site at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

Contact Information

For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:

Phone: 517-432-7602
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: markc@msu.edu

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Last Updated:December 10, 2007
Last Reviewed: December 10, 2007