Leon County 4-H Awards & Recognition Banquet Discussion BLOG

At the January 2008 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Meeting, renovations to the Leon County 4-H Awards & Recognition Banquet were discussed. To continue this discussion, we'd like to hear your thoughts to the questions below. Send an email to ttesdall@ufl.edu to be heard. Comments will be anonymously posted HERE. Visit regularly to see what others think & comment on their thoughts.

This will be a highly censored "moderated" blog. That means the 4-H staff may or may not post your comments if they are not relevant or are detrimental. However, constructive criticism will be accepted, especially if they are matched with innovative ideas & solutions.

So...get commenting!! It's your banquet, Leon County...

Feedback will be accepted until 8am on Monday, April 21, 2008.

1. What do we do well at the 4-H Awards & Recognition Banquet?

1/31/08: Decorations & location (free is good!)
3/24/08: Make new 4-Her's realize their accomplishments (notebook, participation lists)
3/24/08: Recognize adult volunteers
3/25/08: You let everyone have their chance in the spotlight.
3/25/08: I think it's nice that the kids to get called up individually to receive their pins and get their hands shaken. My daughter thought that was great.
4/21/08: I like that the 4H’ers get recognized. It’s especially nice if you’re new/younger 4H member as you get to feel important because you accomplished something. Someone suggested down below that participants who are ‘extensively involved’ could be recognized once for all the things they have done. I personally think that’s a bad idea. It would take just as long and feel more like you were showing off having all your accomplishments read at once. I think shyer 4-H members would feel more self-conscious about this as well.
4/21/08: I think the decorations are great and I love how they match the theme! :-) And it isn't easy to decorate that gigantic room! Also, I think it does a good job of giving each 4-Her their own special recognition. One of my favorite things from last year was the picture slide show! We should definitely do that again!
4/21/08: I think the banquet is GREAT and we do a good job recognizing each 4-Her that has been an active participant over the past year. I think being a regularly attending member of a club and participating in those activities should warrant an invitation to the banquet. Hopefully at the banquet, you'll hear about other opportunities you want to try the following year. Just filling out a membership card and maybe picking up a book doesn't show any level of participation on its own. It is an "awards and recognition" banquet. Recognizing adults that help out too is very good.
5/13/08: keep 4-H'ers running the show

2. What do we recognize or "do" at the Banquet, you think isn't a good use of time?

3/24/08: Perhaps some people who are extensively involved, and also happen to be the sole participant(s) could be recognized all at once. John Doe: X, Y, and Z....instead of a paragraph for each. It may not be possible to group it that way.
3/25/08: You use your time well.
4/21/08: I think all the things people are recognized for are important and need to be recognized. One possible thing you could do to make it move a little faster could be to have the dinner be self served. For example, you could have food on both sides of the table, and have people go on either side of it to reduce the length of the line and get people eating faster. Just an idea, but I can also see where that could detract from the formality of the servers.
4/21/08: Sometimes the banquet turns out a bit long but I think all recognitions are important. Perhaps we could start some of the program while folks are still finishing eating? As long as they have finished their dinner, maybe when they are eating their dessert, the program could start? Also, I think some years we have started late, so starting on time would also be helpful.
5/13/08: suggest getting started on time & just move program along

3. What do we NOT recognize at the banquet that you think we should?

3/24/08: -Range of youth activities (county, district, state, national?)
-Activities of various clubs (include 'independents'/at-large members)
-"Talking Points" - issues of interest to 4-H from the past year (give progress/updates) AND what issues are coming to the forefront for the coming year (example - the growing emphasis on accountability)
3/25/08: The most active volunteer.
4/21/08: Since you recognize counselors for camp Cherry Lake I think it would also be a good idea to recognize counselors for the day camps such as the Wildlife day camp and Camp Barkley. It would also make people aware of these day camps who didn’t know about them. I know many volunteers are recognized for their special effort (and I like that) but maybe everyone could stand who helped out with 4-H in the past year. It wouldn’t have to replace the other volunteer recognition (in fact, I think it’s good to recognize those ‘special’ volunteers that spent hours and hours of their time helping out) but it would give kind of a feeling on how many volunteers it takes to keep 4-H running smoothly.
4/21/08: Maybe you could recognize those who completed a lot of community service. Also, it would be neat to recognize what 4-Hers completed at the different levels (county, district, state, regional, national).
4/21/08: I think those members that do exhibits for the North Florida Fair. I know that the various judging and I believe the talent show is announced but not those that entered exhibits. I don't think you would have to call them out individually but could ask all those to stand that entered exhibits in the fair. I think sometimes that's the first thing 4-Hers participate in so it would give them another chance to stand and, from my experience, it takes a lot of work from children and the leaders/parents to coordinate that participation. I also think that all community service projects that have been reported by leaders/clubs should be announced as that is a major emphasis for 4-H.
5/13/08: I'd like to hear/see a few outstanding projects - testimonies

4. Besides a date conflict, what reasons are there for not attending the banquet?

3/24/08: -It's a school night so it's hard to have as much time as needed (recognize conflicts with religious and sporting events that preclude weekends) - Might be hard for some with younger children.
3/25/08: Not knowing about it. We were only invited to 2 after over 6-7 yrs of being in 4-H. I still never got my 2-4 yr pins.
Moderator's note: In the past, invitations have been extended only to youth who participated in a certain level of activities at the county level or their club leader sent in their name to receive a year pin.
3/25/08: I can't think of any reasons not to attend - the time is good, dinner is taken care of, what more could we want?
4/21/08: The only thing that might scare some people away is that it sometimes runs a little long and it ends pretty late.
4/21/08: I cannot think of another reason for not attending other than date or time conflict.
5/13/08: none for me

5. How can we make the banquet more appealing to attend?

1/31/08: Add get acquainted games at the beginning?
3/24/08: -Talk it up as part of being a 4-Her - it's like the professional associations - everyone should go to the banquet/business meeting
-Include that business meeting aspect. Participating in 4-H is a serious investment of time in something worthwhile. Youth should see the role that older youth play in the organization, as well as in their own groups. That can be done by a poster session--have displays for the various constituencies (could officers be involved in the issues boards - not solely, we should hear from our experts too)--offer snacks during a one-hour 'reception' time where people can mingle and talk to a board spokesperson (these roles can shift by 10-15 minutes so that more people can talk as well as mingle). If the boards are fairly structured, they won't be too difficult to create. There could be a "work day" to do them at the extension office (say the independents, officers) or boards could be taken back to work on by clubs.
3/25/08: Show pics of past banquets.
4/21/08: I think it would be cool to send out formal invitations! This would help show what an important evening the banquet is! Also, maybe make the banquet slightly earlier (just by a half hour or so). But I can't remember when it officially started in past years so it could be that changing the time would make it rough on people getting off work.
4/21/08: Maybe work up a more formal "fancy" invitation. This would convey the importance of the evening and the honor in being invited. Encourage people to dress up. Start the program promptly and try to keep it moving.
5/13/08: Door prizes! Get prizes from local businesses. Slide show of 4-H'ers & the year (fair, weekends, etc)

6. In today's budget constraints, would you be opposed to a small fee per person to attend the Banquet?

3/24/08: -If you did a reception, clubs/groups could volunteer to bring something (lots of snacks in 4-H demos and there is time to plan if we start soon). Very similar to potluck.
-a "reception" would let you have a lighter meal, which might help with costs.
-I do like potlucks, and I think it quite reasonable to model collaboration in this way too. Organizing this (keeping track of who plans to bring what so we don't all eat spinach salad) is good experience and a task within the range of officer skills (and perhaps an adult volunteer who can be a mentor). It does require that the majority of 4-H people take it seriously and show up.
-If everyone helps, the costs will be less. If it is expected that everyone attend, then it will be important to keep it free...or extremely minimal (DEP does sign-up for potluck or contribute $ that is used for plates, utensils, sometimes augment what is pledged in food items).
-I do think that families who bring non-4-Hers should be welcome and encouraged, but should also help with the costs those people incur (1 casserole equivalent for 2 parents + 2 kids as a standard? Bring a dish and $1 for each additional person? up to 4 extras?)

3/25:08: It depends on the fee. To raise money, try a massive garage and bake sale at 'Spring Time Tallahassee'.

3/25/08: I would not be opposed to a fee, but there may be families who can't afford it. Maybe you could ask for voluntary contributions?

3/28/08: If it is necessary to "charge a small fee" I would not want it to be a charge the kids would have to pay.

4/21/08: Personally, I don’t like the idea of charging a fee on an awards/recognition banquet. I wouldn’t be totally opposed if it was the only way to keep the banquet alive, but it’s not my preference.

4/21/08: No, I'd rather there be a small fee than dinner not be served. However, you could maybe give people an opportunity to make a voluntary donation or have the fee be only for additional family members (not the 4-Hers themselves).

4/21/08: Personally, I am not opposed to giving a little to see the banquet survive but I do like the thought of people not having to pay to be recognized/honored at a banquet. If you did need to charge a fee, perhaps members could be given free tickets and family members could pay a small amount. Also, its 4-H's birthday for goodness sake. I wonder if any business would generously donate on this special year.

5/13/08: no, but I don't see more attending if a fee is required

7. In general, what kinds of changes do you suggest for the banquet?

1/31/08: I liked the idea of having displays that showcase what Leon County 4-H has been involved in during the year.

1/31/08: Use the banquet to promote the following year’s activities. Develop a series of posters or exhibits (like at the 4-H Open House in 2006). Mention community service hours at banquet. Showcase project books.

3/24/08: -Formalize it with a promotion and tickets sent to RSVPs (use the leaders to manage this, don't use individual posts until you have more money/support). Again, officers/teens should be helping, and you ought to count it as service if other youth volunteer.
-The banquet shouldn't be optional, or just for specials, it's for everyone. Everyone should recognize youth effort (just as everyone should be attentive at awards ceremonies). It should be expected that being part of 4-H includes attending the banquet and supporting your county. The banquet is another place to model behavior, 4-H values (sharing, hands-on, service--sometimes service is to your own, not just others). It will also set your expectations for the year.

3/25/08: Send out a vast email for the meal and get opinions on it.

4/21/08: I think having some displays promoting 4-H activities before the banquet (with the pre-banquet activities) would be a good idea. It would increase awareness and perhaps participation for these activities. 4-H’ers could also point out themselves in the pictures to their friends/family if pictures were part of the displays.

4/21/08: Make it more formal (by telling people to dress nicer than a t-shirt and jeans)! That will help to show what a special and important evening it is! Also, I think that would really fit well for this year since 2008 begins the centennial celebration. I would also like it if maybe the program was a little more detailed. For example, you could specify what the "special programs" portion is and what programs it recognizes. I think that would help it seem more organized and make the time go faster. Also, maybe there could be a booth explaining some of the programs and project books (with pictures of 4-Hers doing those programs over the past year) that people could look at before the actual program started (when we are doing the games).

4/21/08: We have mentioned having a display of completed books out on a table so people could see their books on display and others could see what that looks like (You could also have other available books on display - completed or not). I also like having some pictures & information about what 4-Hers did over the past year. It "recognizes" the year's participation while encouraging others and showing them how much fun the activities can be. You could have a table for 4-Hers to bring in a fair exhibit they were proud of and it would be displayed for all to see (with ribbons attached of course!). Lastly, with the pictures and information, I think it would be great to invite the youth to write a brief paragraph about what they like or what is their favorite thing about 4-H. These could be displayed with the other exhibits. All these things are based on recognizing what's been done and what has been enjoyed over the past year. That's where I'd stop it. It is not an open house, it is an awards and recognition banquet and I think that's an important distinction. Open houses are to draw people that have maybe never participated, this is an evening to recognize what folks have already done. The hope is that some of those currently participating might be encouraged to expand their activities the following year.

8. How are you willing to help with the banquet?

3/24/08: -I could help an officer coordinate the reception (mostly 4-Her work) / potluck (mostly parent work?)
-Similar for helping to develop a standardized poster format. (as well as instructions for who might want to do one - like the marine ecology people who went to Kissimmee)
-We should be able to get at least a day or two the week before when we could come and compile folders, fold programs, etc. His school won't get out until 3:50 pm weekdays, but we could come directly - would not likely make it to that end of town before 5 pm....

3/25/08: I enjoyed being on the committee last year. If my mother approves I could go in early and help set things up. As long as its not in the kitchen.

3/25/08: I would be willing to help however I can.

3/28/08: I would be willing to help with the banquet keeping in mind that I'll be working during school hours.

4/21/08: I’d be willing to help decorate, stuff packets, volunteer the day of, etc

4/21/08: I could serve on the banquet planning committee again! :-)

4/21/08: I have helped provide food and serve food in the past as that has been requested - I would be willing to do that or anything else. I think it's a very important evening.