Record
Books and Project Records
The
new 4-H year has started! Don’t forget
to write down your community service, volunteer leadership and other activities
on a calendar to help organize your books. The state and county record pages
are available on the Texas 4-H website.
Last month we talked about setting goals.
Record-Keeping Process
Journaling
- As Things Happen Record keeping is going to be an important part of a
member’s life. Members will keep records in high school, in college, and at
work whether they own their own business or work for someone else. Now is the
time to learn how to keep good records. The most important thing about 4-H
record keeping is to find a comfortable way to collect information. Some of the
most common ways of keeping up with 4-H records include a calendar, an index
box, smart phone, computer, or a notebook. These are further defined below.
A. Calendar Method – Keep a calendar in a
handy location (such as on the refrigerator) and every time the member does
something related to 4-H, school, church or other organizations, write it down.
Then at the end of each month place the calendar in a safe place until it is time
to assemble the Record Book.
B. Index Box Method – Get a 3-inch by 5-inch
box, index cards and some dividers. Label each of the dividers as one of the
sections in the report form discussed later in this guide. Then each time the
member does something, write it down on an index card, then file the card in
the section marked by the divider. For example: If the 4-H member were to go to
the nursing home for recreation with the residents, then have him/her write it
down and put the card behind the community service divider. After maintaining
the “4-H File Box” for a year, pull the cards out and select the most important
activities for the 4-H Record Book. Do not forget to date each card.
C. Binder or Spiral
Notebook Method –
Grab an old school binder or notebook and organize each activity by type or by
date. This is an easy first step to start out until the member gets the hang of
record keeping.
D. Electronic Device – If an electronic device
is available, use an “app” or some other software to record or document
activities, trainings, clinics, leadership roles, service activities, project
experiences, etc. iPhone users can download an App “4-H Livestock Record” that
is helpful to track project activities and finances (livestock and
non-livestock).
Reflecting – Looking Back Below are some questions to help a member start
reflecting on his/her project experiences as he or she prepares to complete a
Record Book.
•
What did you learn from your project(s)?
•
Did you meet any of your goals? If so, what helped you attain those? If not,
what were some
•
obstacles that might have prevented you from reaching your goals?
•
How did your project change or grow within the year or from previous years?
•
Did you serve in any type of leadership capacity? • What impact did your
involvement have on you, your club, or community?
•
How have your project experiences influenced your future career choice?
A
family guide and the forms can be found on the State 4-H Website at:
