An essential part of completing a 4-H project is also completing a project record book. It is a way for a youth member to track their progress, writing down the contests they participated in, the awards they earned, and other big milestones that may have occurred during the 4-H year. Additionally, project records allow for intentional introspection to occur, allowing youth to reflect on their goals and accomplishments at the end of the year.
Project records are what have traditionally been used to qualify a youth member to attend National 4-H Congress every year. Youth are judged on their member record books—a compilation of all of their project records—with a particular focus on their last three years of completed 4-H projects. This process typically occurred during the summer months, which allowed the member records books to be judged with time to select delegates and prepare for National 4-H Congress, which is held in November of every year.
- For members wanting to attend National 4-H Congress in 2020
- Member record books will be due to the State 4-H Office on May 29, 2020. Check with your county-based 4-H youth development professional for your county deadline and location.
- Will be based on completed 2018-2019 year (and 2017-2018, 2016-2017). Location due TBD
- Each county can submit up to as many as they would like, with an understanding that no more than 8 in the state can win
- Awards selection will be announced June 3rd at the virtual Arizona 4-H Presents (if feasible)
- For members wanting to attend National 4-H Congress in 2021
- Member record books will be due to the State 4-H Office on November 16, 2020. Check with your county-based 4-H youth development professional for your county deadline and location.
- Will be based on completed 2019-2020 year (and 2018-2019, 2017-2018).
- Each county can submit up to as many as they would like, with an understanding that no more than 8 in the state can win
- Awards selection will be announced in December or January 2020
- New materials have been developed
- 2021 Member Record Book Coversheet (which must be included with the finished member record book in order to be considered for 2020 National 4-H Congress)
- Arizona 4-H Member Record Evaluation Rubric
- Arizona 4-H Member Record Evaluation Guidance
These changes come as means to make the process of creating, submitting, and judging member record books as cohesive and smooth as possible. Our hope is that implementing this new system and timeline will increase the number of member records submitted for judging every year, as well as diversify the geographic representation of the youth who submit record books and who attend National 4-H Congress. We are excited for these new changes and hope that more and more Arizona youth have the opportunity to attend to complete record books and attend National 4-H Congress in the coming years.