Personal Development Report Instructions
The member participation section helps record activities that a 4-H member participates in during his/her year. The Star achievement encourages participation and is a goal to work towards. Items cannot be counted in multiple categories (e.g. double-counting). Except in cases where you attended, participated or competed and won an award, then you can count it in 2 or more categories. See examples on last page.
READ!Changes! READ!Changes! READ!Changes!
Please note the IMPORTANT changes as follows:
- Page 2: Item #2: You MUST fill in the bottom section regarding star ranks. If you have never received a star rank, check the “none” box, otherwise check the box of the rank you currently have. If you think you have earned enough credits to receive another star rank, check the box for the one you think you have earned, or check “none” if you do not meet the requirements. This is very important because it will be easier for your community leader to identify whether or not you qualify for a star rank or have already received it. In the past leaders were nominating members for star ranks they already have because without going back several years in each members book, it was impossible for them to know what star rank they already earned.
- Page 3: Item 1: 70% OVERALL attendance of all project meetings is required to earn ANY star rank each year. Total all meetings held and all meetings attended, divided the smaller number by the larger number and this will give you your average overall attendance. This MUST be filled in.
- Page 3: Item 2 is for 4-H events and activities only.
- Page 4: Item 3 is for 4-H events only.
- Pages 4 through 6:Items 4 through 7 are now limited to including ONLY 2 non-4-H related activities.
Item #6: You can only count 2 of the allowed items listed that you did at school or for another group outside of 4-H. If what you did was to promote 4-H, you can count that as many separate times you did it; e.g. you can only count up to 2 speeches or demonstrations you gave at school, UNLESS they were on a 4-H subject. If you gave a speech or demonstration on global warming, space exploration or how to tie your shoe laces you can count 2 of these items. If you gave a speech or demonstration at school or another venue on one of your 4-H projects, or how to join 4-H, etc. you can count it as many times as you gave it. You must give at least one demonstration at Field Day the year you are applying for a specific star rank. This rule has been in place for many years, but over time with a change in leadership for the clubs, leaders may not be aware of the rules.
- The 4-H Story is part of the PDR and starts on page 8. See COLORED sheet in front of page 8 for directions on how to write your story.
1. 4-H Projects Completed*
* Required for a Star Rank
Old PDR Category: S
Purpose: This category records projects a 4-H member has completed.
Only 4-H projects with a completed and signed “Annual Project Report” may be counted. To receive credit, the project report must be included in the 4-H Record Book.
During the current year, 70% average attendance across all projects is required to receive an achievement rant.
2. Project Skill Activities (ONLY 4-H events and activities).
Old PDR Categories: G, P, Z
Purpose: This category records activities where 4-H members either exhibited their 4-H work, or demonstrated their knowledge to an audience and/or judge.
Judging Contest: Report participation in any judging contest when you judged with other 4-H members by a set of standards. This is an event where you participated as a judge, not where you were judged as a participant.
Examples: Field & Presentation Days, Livestock Field Day, Sectional 4-H Field Day, Cattlemen’s Judging Contest at Jr. Livestock Show, Judging Contest at club level.
Project Exhibit: Report the number of events (not projects) where you exhibited your livestock animal, clothing, food, arts and crafts, fine arts, photographs, or other project items. You can list the items entered, but it only counts as 1 credit towards your star rank.
Examples: Fun & Favorite Cookies Day, Jr. Livestock Show, County Fair, State Fair and PublicBuildings.
Project Showing: (Showmanship): Report participation in project showing events with your project animal, Clothing & Textile, and Foods & Nutrition or any other showmanship event.
Examples: Jr. Livestock Show, Horse Shows, County Fair, State Fair, or Open Shows. Youth may not participate, nor will their participation be recognized as a 4-H experience in jackpot or prospector shows. (4-H Policy 410.2)
3. Events Attended (ONLY 4-H events and activities)
Old PDR Categories: C, D, E, U
Purpose: This category records 4-H events, other than 4-H Club and project meetings, that 4-H member attended during the year.
4-H events are authorized functions of two or more clubs, on a County, Sectional, State or National level.
Examples: Sign-Up Faire, Achievement Night, Fun & Favorite Cookies Day, Christmas Parade (4-H sponsored entry). Horse Play Days and sponsored events, Horse Skills Day, Field Day at County, Sectional and State Levels, Demonstration Workshops, Record Book Workshops, Livestock Field Day, Senior Knowledge Bowl, State 4-H Leadership Conference or Teen Leader Conference.
NOTE: 4-H members may receive credit for actively participating at an activity during the event (Example: Attending the County 4-H Presentation Day (#3 Event Attended) and presenting a demonstration (#6 Communication Skill).
4. Leadership Development You can count up to 2 items NON 4-H related per year, e.g. school class president, etc).
*Required for a Gold or Platinum Star Rank
Old PDR Categories: F, J, K, M, T
Purpose: This category records leadership activities undertaken by the 4-H member.
Officer: This includes 4-H Office at the club, county, sectional or state level.
Committee Chairperson: Report the committee at the club, county, sectional or state level where you served as a Chairperson or Co-Chair.
Committee Member: Report the number of committees at the club, county, sectional, state and national levels where you actively participated as a committee member.
Examples: Fundraising Committee (e.g. See’s Candy sale), Club Part Committee, Cleanup and Decorations Committee and County event committee.
Note: You cannot receive credit for chairperson and committee member for the same committee.
Junior Leader or Teen Leader*: This refers to the completion of one year as a Junior or Teen Leader. A credit is given to each project you served as a junior or teen leader.
Note: You must have a completed and signed “Junior and Teen Leadership Report” in your record book to receive credit and earn your patch & stripe.
Attendance Clerk: If you completed the requirements as set forth in the instructions for attendance clerk for individual projects you may count it here. You must have kept track of the attendance for each project meeting, what was accomplished at meetings, and filled out the forms to give to other members of the project.
Planned 4-H Group Activity: An activity is a planned piece of work undertaken by a 4-H group usually on a one-time basis, not to the extent of a project, which includes two or more groups.
Served as a Judge: Where the 4-H member served as a judge for a 4-H activity or contest.
Specific Duties at County-wide event: If you were given specific duties at a county-wide event, such a runner, room monitor or scoring judging results, or was a “Department Head” for a specific component of the event, Moderator or Group Leader at Livestock Field Day, you can count it here as a leadership activity.
5. Citizenship/Community Service (You can count up to 2 community service per year that you participated in OUTSIDE of 4-H, e.g. through school, scouts or Interact Club).
*Required for a Star Rank
Purpose: This category records citizenship and community service activities undertaken by the 4-H member.
Old PDR Category: Y
Report your participation where you take an active part with other members of your 4-H club group in a planned,publicized, and approved citizenship, service-learning or community service activity.
Examples: Community Clean-up; Singing at and/or visiting Convalescent Homes and Hospitals; Club Food Drives or Food Baskets; Hanging Red Ribbons for Red Ribbon Week; donating items or helping with the M.O.M.’s Club pack for military personnel, writing to or making cards for military personnel, veterans, senior citizens or residents of Care Centers or Retirement Homes; set-up, clean-up, serve dinner or provide dessert for I CARE Annual Fund Raising Dinner; raking leaves for senior citizens; highway cleanup; cleaning parks; planting flowers; serving at Altrusa Tea;and helping with Altrusa’s Book & Barn Jamboree. Almost any event that helps to benefit, improve or assist members of the community can be counted as a community service project.
6. Communication Skills (You can count up to 2 non-4H related activities per year)
*Required for a Star Rank
Old PDR Categories: H, I, L, N, R
Purpose: This category records communication activities undertaken by the 4-H member
Presentations: Must be educational and present information learned, using visual aids such as poster boards or power point. Includes demonstrations, where you are showing how to do something or illustrated talks where you are teaching a concept or skill. To receive credit each presentation must be presented before a new audience consisting of 5 or more persons.
Speeches: Prepared Talks relating to 4-H or your 4-H project where you report informational or educational material before your project group, 4-H Club, County 4-H Council, school or other community groups or at Field Day. We will also accept non-4-H related speeches that you have given at one of the venues listed. This does not include officer’s reports or committee reports.
Radio and Television Appearances: Report all the appearances as a participant before a radio or TV audience in connection with 4-H.
Example: Promoting the Jr. Livestock Show on television or on the radio.
Newspaper Articles: Report the number of times you wrote and submitted an article connected with 4-H for publication. If article was not published, submit a copy to your club leader and retain the original for your records to receive credit. Do not include articles written about you.
Examples: Articles relating to 4-H that you wrote and submitted to local papers, school papers, the Roadrunner or the County 4-H website, and community club meeting announcements for the paper or radio.
Represented 4-H in another way: Include all personal appearances in connection with 4-H work not reported elsewhere.
Examples: Master of Ceremonies, Auction Runner, Flag Salute or 4-H Pledge at County, Sectional or State events (does not include Community Club meetings), 4-H Informational Booth, served dinner at annual Buyer’s Thank You Dinner, helped in Food Booth or Petting Zoo, served at I CARE Dinner or the Altrusa Tea, helped at Altrusa Book & Barn Jamboree, or any other event where you represented 4-H.
On-Line Communication: Record activities where the member created or supported a 4-H website or moderated a 4-H e-mail list for a 4-H group or activity.
7. Honors and Recognition
Old PDR Categories: O, V, W, X
Purpose: This category records the significant honors and recognition earned by the 4-H member
Record all honors, awards, and recognition received including Best of Show, division or breed ribbons, seals and certificates on record books.
Examples: Medalist, CountyWinner, 100% Attendance, Emerald Star, or Citizenship Delegate.
Medals earned in the California 4-H Awards Program a county winner in a particular countywide exhibit or competition with a member’s project, who wins the highest level in the county. Only 1st Place or the highest awards are listed under this category. Include the Bronze, Silver or Gold Star Ranks, Emerald Star, All Star, 4-H State Ambassador, Citizenship Delegate or Cap Aubrey Award.
Examples: 4-H Awards: Best of Class, Best of Show, Best of Breed, Judge’s Award, Department Head Award, High Point Boy or Girl Fair Award, County or Sectional Presentation Day Medalist, Record Book Award, 1st Place Round Robin Showmanship, winner of the “fun contests” at the Jr. Livestock Show, Grand Champion, Grand Reserve Champion, Champion or Reserve Champion animal at the Jr. Livestock Show, special horse awards earned at the Jr. Livestock Horse Show, e.g. Cleo McCracken, Yvonne Beaver, Cheryl Evans awards, and Champion or Reserve Champion Mare or Gelding.
School Awards: Student of the Month, Science Fair Winner, History Day Winner, Most Improved Student, Outstanding Athlete, Young Author Contest, sports award, Drill Team or Color guard. (Examples only, not limited to the ones listed.) You cannot count more than 2 school or other outside awards per year. However, you can only count a specific award once, even if you received it multiple times, e.g.: student of the month. You may have received it 2 or more times, you can only count it as one item.
Example: Remember when you earn a star rank it should be shown in Item #7 the year you receive it. Note what year it was earned for. (e.g. if you received one in Fall of 2007 at Achievement Night, you would count it on the 2007-08 PDR. Under Honor or Recognition heading you would list “Bronze Star Rank for 2006-07” and under Location heading you would list “Achievement Night 2007”.
8. Lifestyle Activities
Old PDR Category: Q
Purpose: This category records lifestyle activities both in and outside of 4-H that the member participated in.
Report participation in organized groups or activities such as camps, community or school sports, music, theater and the arts, employment, church, or other organizations. Examples: music or dance lessons, school or science outdoor camp, horseback riding lessons, church choir or youth group, , cast member of a Missoula Children’s Theater play or Playhouse 395, organizational memberships such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.
Each organization, group, activity or sport counts as one credit per 4-H year.
Example: horseback riding lessons count as ONE credit only, even if you took them 25 times
during the year. It is the type of ACTIVITY or club only, not what you did in that group or activity.
4-H Lifestyle activities may count in this category. Examples: 4-H Camp, 4-H skits or song leading, 4-H drama or sport group.
Family outings, vacations, taking carte of pets, homework, normal school work, and hobbies (e.g. listening to music, skateboarding, etc.) are not counted.
Reminder:
Be very careful when you are filling out your PDR. You do not want to miss anything that you should get credit for, nor do you want to count more than you are allowed. With the exception of item #8, Lifestyle Activities, outside activities, awards, etc. cannot be counted more than 2 items per category per year. We will NOT be going back to previous years to see if you did, but we will be closely examining what you do this year. We have attached separate handout “Where Does it Go on My PDR?” for your convenience. This is also in the Roadrunner each spring. If you need help or clarification, do not hesitate to call the 4-H Office or your community club leader.
****Clarification & Examples****
Clarification on double-counting on your PDR: In the first example below it is not considered double-counting, because you not only attended the event, you participated in it by judging, giving a speech or demonstration.
Example: You attend Field Day. You participated in the Judging Contest and won Overall 2nd Place and a judging medal, you gave a presentation and received a gold seal certificate and county presentation medal. Count as follows:
- Events Attended (For attending the event -- you get a credit this for just coming.)
2. Project Skill Activities (For participating in the Judging Contest.)
- Honors and Recognition (For winning 2nd place in judging contest. If your club gets a team award for judging you can also count that as an additional award.)
6. Communication Skills (For giving presentation or speech.)
7. Honors and Recognition (For being a County medalist for your presentation.)
Note: Most members that attend Field Day (also referred to as Presentation Day) will be able to count this activity in two different places on their PDR: #3 for attending and #2 for participating in the Judging Contest. If you give a speech, demonstration or illustrated talk you will be able to count this activity in two more places, #6 for giving the speech or presentation and #7 for the medal you earned).
Sometimes an activity or event you participate in can be counted in more than one place, but NOT at the same time, e.g. double-counting. Some community service projects you participated in could also be counted as representing 4-H in another way. You need to make a choice of where you want to show it..
Examples: You attend the Annual I CARE Dinner to help serve.