TRINITYCOUNTY

EMERALD STAR PROJECT

GUIDELINES

(Revised 7-27-12)

The Emerald Star is a county rank, and it is not part of the Record Book star rank system. It is a star award earned by the completion of a special 4-H Project that will benefit the 4-H Program and members county-wide.

WHY? To keep older members involved in a meaningful way after earning their Gold Star rank. It will offer members an opportunity to explore their leadership potential and can be a stepping stone to All Star.

WHO MAY PARTICIPATE?

Anyone who holds the rank of Gold Star, is in at least the 8th grade, and 13 years of age or older. There is no limit on the number of members who can earn this rank each year.

HOW?

  1. Fill out an application form which states the goal, methods to be used, and a timetable to be completed in the following 8 months.
  2. Submit completed forms, and a letter of recommendation from your Club Leader **to the 4-H Office.
  3. Be interviewed by an Emerald Star Committee and have your proposal approved. Please bring yourup-to-date 4-H record book with you to the interview. Depending on the outcome of your interview, you will then receive the approval to begin your project. If any changes to your project are suggested by the Emerald Star Committee, you will receive a letter explaining those suggestions.
  4. Meet with the 4-H Program Representative midway through your project to report on the progress.Adjustments may be necessary before project is completed.
  5. Meet with the 4-H Program Representative upon completion of your project.
  6. Present your completed project to the 4-H Council before the end of the program year – August 31.
  7. Show good leadership skills throughout the year.

WHAT SHOULD THE PROJECT BE?

The project should be something that is needed and will be used on a county-wide basis. County events already being done are not to be considered as an Emerald Star Project. Your plan can be something that no one has ever done, but fills some kind of need in the 4-H program or community. The member must present a plan of proposed leadership to be offered on a multi-club basis, county or community level. Some examples of past Emerald Star Projects are:

Beginning Sewing Pamphlet

Poultry Showmanship Pamphlet

County-wide Judging Day or Contest

Create or Maintain a 4-H Website

Ag. or Home Ec. Field Day

Sheep Information Day
Swine Showmanship Video
Rabbit Showmanship Pamphlet
Selecting Market Animals Pamphlet
Roadside Cleanup
Organizing a Poultry Show
Horse Clinic
Livestock Judging Pamphlet
Supplementary Record Book Form for Poultry
Leadership/Conflict Resolution Workshop
Writing Better Buyers Letters Booklet
Putting on a County-wide Record Book Workshop
Turkey Showmanship Video and Pamphlet
Swine Level Testing Series
Compilation of 4-H Favorite Foods Day Recipes
Time Capsule

THE IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN DECIDING WHAT TO DO FOR AN EMERALD STAR PROJECT ARE:

  1. Is it something useful, something that is needed?
  2. Does it provide a chance for you to demonstrate leadership beyond the club level in your county?
  3. Is it a scope you can handle—cost, area, time, skills you have or can acquire, people involved?
  4. Has a time schedule been prepared that is feasible?

---PLEASE NOTE--ONLY ONE APPLICANT PER PROJECT---

HOW ARE EMERALD STARS SELECTED?

The Emerald Star Applicant will be interviewed by a panel consisting of two adults with knowledge of 4-H and/or the Emerald Star Program, and one previous Emerald Star recipient, County All Star, or State Ambassador. The panel will interview the applicant on their presented plan. If the applicant’s plan is accepted at the interview, he/she will go to work on the Emerald Star Project. Changes or adjustments may be necessary to assure success of the applicant during this eight-month period. The member will meet one or more timeswith the 4-H Program Representative during the project, and again upon completion. If the applicant successfully meetshis or her goals and completes their plan, they will present the project to the 4-H Council. Emerald Star projects must be completed by August. Emerald Stars will be recognized and awarded at Achievement Day.

Contact the 4-H Office at 628-5495 if you have further questions

EMERALD STAR APPLICATION

Due to 4-H Office January 4, 2013

NAME______DATE______

CLUB______AGE______GRADE IN SCHOOL______

ADDRESS______PHONE #______

YEARS IN 4-H______YEARS AS A JUNIOR OR TEEN LEADER______

NAME OF EMERALD STAR PROJECT______

  1. GOALS AND OBJECTIVE:
  2. Explain what you plan to do.
  1. Why do you feel this project is important?
  1. What will your audience learn from your project? Who will your audience be?
  1. What will you gain from the experience?
  1. Explain how your project relates to or supports 4-H in our county.
  1. RESOURCES:

a. What resources will you need to complete your project?

b. How will you secure them?

  1. METHODOLOGY:

a. What steps will you follow in completing your plan?

  1. TIME SCHEDULE:

a. When do you plan to begin and finish your project?

5. EVALUATION:

a. How will you evaluate the success of your plan?

**A letter of recommendation from your Club Leader is to be sent to the 4-H office in a separate letter by the deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up on the request.

I understand and will support my child in carrying out this project:

______

Parent Signature

This member should be considered for the Emerald Star Program:

______

Club Leader Signature

Approval to Start:

______

______

______

Emerald Star Committee

Date______

Rev. 7-27-12