Record Books 2018-2019

I am most assured by now you have heard ......

"They Changed the Record Books!!!"

No need to worry!!! We will be putting the new formats for into the new leader trainings and the new family orientations. But for Right now for ALL age levels keep recording and documenting all that you do.

The biggest change is that the JUNIORS and INTERMEDIATES are going to be using the same forms as the SENIORS.

The positive part is that the juniors can now really document per their projects (Up to 4 projects) in the main area. More detailed information will be in the trainings coming up. So .... No Worries.. This will be awesome!!!

But here is alittle help....

The Texas 4-H Record Book state site has ALL the new information and the new forms.

https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/recordbooks/

But here is a little note to get you all started and I will work on a date for a record book workshop.

Effective September 1, 2018, the Report Forms for each age division (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior) request the same content. However, the number of allowable entries and pages vary by age division. The 4-H member may include information for the current year, plus up to three previous years on the Report Form. The 4-H member will only complete ONE Report Form each year that includes up to four years of information. (NOT four Report Forms with one year per form). Previous years’ Report Forms should not be included. Please see table below for more details.

Forms are available as a fillable Word document. The Texas 4-H Report Form is the main reporting form for the 4-H Record Book. It is used to report all of the activities that a member does, along with school, church and other community groups in applicable section. Always keep in mind that 4-H teaches growth, so show as much growth as possible when filling out the report form.

What will judges look for? Record Books submitted for competition will be evaluated based on project work, leadership, community service, awards, and non-4-H activities. Please refer to the score sheet for judging criteria.

Record Books will be judged primarily on content. Emphasis will be placed on the quality of the member’s experiences, activities, leadership, service, and accomplishments. When readers look at a Record Book, they take into account the details in relation to how long the member has been in 4-H.

Clarification on learning activities that take place outside of 4-H clubs and project groups

Very often 4-H members can enhance their 4-H project learning experiences by participating in activities beyond the 4-H club/project. Example, a youth may participate in a showmanship clinic sponsored by a cattle breed association. The learning that takes place and the practice of showing transcends to their 4-H project and thus should be reported in the Report Form. However, if that same 4-H member competes in a showmanship competition sponsored by the breed association that would be reported as a non-4-H activity.

Another example may be in the Theatre and Performance Arts category where many learning experiences may take place within a community theatre or through school theatre. The knowledge, skills and practice associated can be reported as learning experiences within the Report Form. A competitive event or production, however, would be reported as a non-4-H activity.

4-H members also lead self-determined projects where they may be the only individual in their club or county with that particular interest. Learning activities that are self-directed are to be included and reported just as any other project learning activity. 

Look to the site for updated categories. A 4-H member will choose one of the categories for their Record Book entry. The category selected should be reflective of the 4-H member’s main (most active) project. 

Look for more information to come but the first thing of the 4-H year is to select your goals for each of your projects and then document them down.