As a Senior 4-H member, there is recognition available to you that has not been possible as a Junior 4-H member. It is the Kentucky 4-H Honors Program. There are 3 levels of achievements. They are Bronze Honor, Silver Honor, and Gold Honor. It is possible for you to achieve all three levels of honor. The pamphlet - Kentucky 4-H Honors Program (4LO-30SO) gives a more detailed description of the Honors program and the requirements for each level. Application forms for all three Honor levels follow. There is a separate application/certification form that must be filled out for each Honor level application - see below.

NOTE: Only one level per year is awarded.

Bronze Honor Application

As a 14 year-old, you can achieve the Bronze Honor. Work you have accomplished as a junior member can help you achieve this honor. It is possible to work and achieve the Bronze Honor as a senior member even if you have not been a junior 4-H member. The Bronze requires work that is granted a value of 200 points. The 4-H Honors application, which outlines the work needed to achieve all three levels of the Honors Program, is available at your county Cooperative Extension Service.

Silver Honor Application
Age requirement - reached age 15 and have not passed 19th birthday by January 1 of the current year.

The second level of achievement is the SILVER HONOR. In order to be recognized as a Silver Honor 4-H member, you earn the Bronze Honor, & achieve work beyond the Bronze Honor that is granted a value of an additional 200 points. Once an honor has been achieved, it is complete. An additional number of points must be earned to achieve the next honor. Example: the points earned to achieve the Bronze Honor can only be counted for that honor. Additional work and corresponding points must be achieved for the earning of the Silver Honor. In the same way, those points are good only for the Silver Honor. This level of achievement is a year-long process.

Gold Honor Application
Age requirement - reached age 16 and have not passed 19th birthday by January 1 of the current year.

The third level of achievement is the GOLD HONOR. In order to be recognized as a Gold Honor 4-H member, you earn the Silver Honor, and then perform additional work with a value of 200 points to achieve the Gold Honor. At the Gold level, youth should take the lead in researching a community project. Youth should state the impact and outline the project they have chosen. This is a year-long project.

RECOGNITION

1) Pins: 4-H Honors Program pin recipients will be recognized on three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. 4-H Honors Program recipients will receive a certificate and pin for each level achieved. This is sponsored by The Courier Journal.
Only one level per year will be awarded to each person.

GUIDELINES FOR 4-H HONORS PROGRAM

1. Recognition will be given to all 4-Hers meeting the age and point requirements.

2. Application must be made on an unaltered 4-H Honors Program application with the appropriate signatures.

3. Minimum age requirements:
Senior: Applicant must have passed this age before January 1 of the current year application is made:

Bronze - 14 years
Silver - 15 years
Gold - 16 years
4-Her cannot have passed their 19th birthday by January 1st of the current year.

4. Applications will be reviewed and certified for recognition at the county level before the state deadline of DECEMBER 15 of the current year.

5. DECEMBER 15 - District Contact Agent for Incentives and Recognition - Submit district list for State Recognition and Incentive Program (Honor pins for all counties in the district) due to State 4-H Office.

6. State Honor Recognition (pins) and National 4-H Congress delegates will be recognized at Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference Assembly for those in attendance at Sr. Conference. All others will be mailed.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE - Educational

1. Junior 4-H Achievement Records
4LO-06LB - Kentucky Junior 4-H Achievement Leader's Guide
4LO-05RB - Kentucky Junior 4-H Achievement Record
4LO-07SC - Kentucky Junior 4-H Achievement Record Supplement
4LO-02SO - I.D. Tags for Junior Records (yellow
4-H Junior Achievement Records (slide set)
4-H Junior Achievement Records (video tape #4-H0287)

2. 4-H Honors Program (Application forms for Bronze, Silver, Gold)
4LO-26L0 - Guidelines for Completing the Kentucky 4-H Honors Application Leader's Guide
4LO-27S0 - Kentucky 4-H Honors Application
4LO-28S0 - Kentucky 4-H Honors Program Member's Guide
4LO-30S0 - Kentucky 4-H Honors Promotion Brochure

LIST OF FORMS:
Form 1: The Courier Journal Award of Excellence Applicants (with copy of gold portion only). Due December 15
Form 2: 4-H Honor Pin Recipients (by county). Due December 15.
Form 3: National 4-H Congress District Applicants (List). Due December 15
Form 4: KY 4-H Application For National 4-H Congress (attach to Honors form, include all parts completed) for multi-district interview. Date set by District Contact Agent.
Form 5: National 4-H Congress Report Form (List of chosen delegates from multi-districts). Due April 15.
Form 6: National 4-H Congress Registration form for chosen delegates (attach with $75.00 deposit). Due April 15.
Form 7: Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference Description form for National 4-H Congress and all Gold recipient delegates. Due April 15.
Form 8: Congress Interview Criteria.
Form 9: Bronze Honor Application. Due December 15
Form 10: Silver Honor Application. Due December 15
Form 11: Gold Honor Application. Due December 15

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DISTRICT CONTACT AGENTS

1. Review information with agents and give assistance to new agents on the 4-H Honors Program, including use of county medals, for both junior and senior 4-Hers.

2. Submit district information on 4-H Honors Program for National 4-H Congress trip (Form 3) to the State 4-H Office by Dec. 15.

3. Assist with interviews for National 4-H Congress delegates' applications as needed.

4. Manage multi-district interview process and maintain alternate list for National 4-H Congress delegate selection
A. Conduct and set location and time for each multi-district group interview for National 4-H Congress delegates.
B. Identify individuals from their multi-district to serve on interview team.

5. Submit delegate nominations for National 4-H Congress.

6. Assist County Agents in promotion and securing completed applications for Courier Journal Award of Excellence Program.

Honors Program Process

Role of the County Extension Agent

The process of identifying, certifying and recognizing senior 4-H members for the State Recognition and Incentive Program (Honors Program) should be shared by the county Extension agent, volunteer leaders and the county 4-H Council.

* Communicate to members, parents, volunteer leaders and supporters the broader aspects of the Award and Incentive Program as it relates to the total 4-H program.

* Promote and encourage all eligible senior members to apply for the Honors Program.

* Provide training opportunities for 4-H leaders and members and provide educational experiences for the members to reach the level of recognition he/she has set as a goal.

* Provide the necessary forms, computer disks and other appropriate information to eligible members and volunteer leaders.

* Set date for Honors applications to be returned to Extension office before the district deadline. December 15 is the state 4-H deadline.

* Work with county 4-H Council to establish a committee to review applications and certify bronze, silver or gold honors to members at the County level.

* Work with county 4-H Council to establish a system for selecting eligible Honor Member(s) who apply for National 4-H Congress and The Courier Journal Award of Excellence Program.

* Work with county 4-H Council to provide a venue to recognize Honor Members at the County level, e.g...achievement program, newspaper articles, trips, scholarships.

* Maintain required participation records for affirmative action and future recognition purposes.

Role of the Volunteer Leader and Parent

*Provide a variety of educational experiences that will allow 4-H members to make a smooth transition from junior to senior member and complete the Honors Program.

* Give leadership to 4-H members in methods that can be used to achieve individual goals needed to qualify for Kentucky 4-H Honors Program.

*Promote and encourage all eligible senior members to apply for the Honors Program, National 4-H Congress and The Courier Journal Award of Excellence Programs.

* Attend training sessions on the Honors Program and make sure 4-H members are aware of all pertinent information relating to the program.

*Provide the necessary forms, computer disks and other appropriate information to eligible members.

* Give leadership to providing educational experiences for 4-Hers to complete the requirements for all levels of the Kentucky 4-H Honors Program.

*Certify bronze, silver or gold honors form for members at the club or project group level.

* Submit certifications to the county Extension office by due date.

* Maintain required participation records for affirmative action and future recognition purposes.

Role of County 4-H Council

* Give overall leadership to providing various educational experiences for 4-Hers to complete requirements for all levels of the program.

* Establish a committee to review all applications and certify bronze, silver or gold honors' forms of members at the county level.

* Select eligible Honor Members to apply for the state recognition and National 4-H Congress.

* Provide an outlet to recognize Honor Members at the county level e.g... achievement program, newspaper, trips, scholarship.

* County 4-H Council should have the option of including funds in the budget to recognize and support Honor Members and National 4-H Congress delegate(s).

* Solicit local sponsors and donors to secure funds to recognize and support Honor Members and National 4-H Congress delegate(s).

The 4-H Honors Program Fact Sheet is a summary of important information about the 4-H Honors Program.

Date:
Congress is held each year in November beginning on the Friday after Thanksgiving and continuing until the following Tuesday.
Conference is held in Atlanta, GA through 2006.
Participants will be transported via charter bus.

Sponsorship

The Kentucky Extension Homemaker Associate will award a plaque for each 4-H delegate chosen to attend the National 4-H Congress (accept fashion revue). Plaques will be awarded in June, at Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference.

Interview Process

County Agent - check with all 4-Hers eligible (by age) to apply who have been recognized at the Bronze 4-H Honor level. Complete and send information for those who want to be interviewed to the District Contact for Incentives and Recognition by December 15. 4-Her must submit a copy of the 4-H Honors form(s) (all portions must be totally completed, i.e. Bronze or Bronze and Silver, etc.) for background interviewers.

National 4-H Congress Selection Process

Each applicant will have a maximum of 15 minutes to interview with an interview team. At the start of the interview, the candidate will be asked to relate highlights of their 4-H project work and significant activities in 4-H citizenship and leadership. This will be followed by a set of common questions from the interview team.

The interview team will select several questions to be asked of each candidate. Extra effort should be made to keep the process as informal as possible. The process should not be viewed as competitive but qualifying. The intent is to give the team some ideas for framing questions that will help the delegate tell what they have accomplished in 4-H including knowledge and skills developed. The interview should also serve as an educational experience to help the 4-Her prepare for other interviews such as those held for college entrance or a job.

Criteria for Selection

Candidates for the National 4-H Congress should have solid project work, broad 4-H experiences, significant involvement in 4-H citizenship and leadership activities; be knowledgeable of the world around them and possess the necessary skills to express themselves effectively. Selection will be based on the following:

Interview (75%)
1. Quality of experiences in 4-H project, programs and activities.
2. Quality of experiences in 4-H citizenship and leadership.
3. Depth of involvement in activities beyond 4-H including church, school, community and other youth organizations.
4. Knowledge of and ability to articulate contemporary social, economic, and political issues.
5. Personal appearance, grooming, attitude, poise, confidence, ability to communicate, sincerity, and conviction.

Essay (25%)
1. 4-H Experience (from the Bronze Honor's application or highest level achieved)
2. Communication of 4-H Experiences

The interview team will have an opportunity to review each 4-Her's honors material and write comments about the 4-Her before the interview. Each participant should be critiqued by the interview team. Through this constructive process, members can be helped to grow and meet new challenges.

The interview setting should be in a location that provides a comfortable setting for candidates and the interview team. Make the candidate feel comfortable. The leader for the interview team may want to assume the role of welcoming the candidate, and taking a few minutes to introduce the interview team and inviting the candidate to tell about their involvement in 4-H.

National 4-H Congress Interview Criteria

(FORM 1)

FOR: DISTRICT CONTACT AGENTS

MAIL TO: Jann Burks

The Courier Journal Award of Excellence Program

All Gold 4-H Honor recipients who have not won this award previously may submit an application for The Courier Journal Award of Excellence Program. Completed Honors' gold form and registration form (Form 1) are due into the State 4-H Office by December 15. A $500 savings bond sponsored by The Courier Journal will be awarded to the 4-Her chosen at their ceremony in May. Selection will be made by a committee at the state level and the winner will be submitted to The Courier Journal.

Contact Agent should attach a copy of the completed Gold Honors' form for each 4-Her applying for The Courier Journal Award of Excellence Program from their district.

Send each applicant's Honors form to the State 4-H Office by the December 15 deadline.

(FORM 2)

List only 4-Hers who have achieved a particular honor level for the current year.

Sponsored by the Louisville Courier-Journal. Recipients will receive a certificate and appropriate pin.
Minimum age for recipients -
Bronze Honor - 14 years
Silver Honor - 15 years
Gold Honor - 16 years

(FORM 3)

DEADLINE: DECEMBER 15

MAIL TO:
Jann Burks

Please list applicants for National 4-H Congress in your district who have reached at least the Honor's Bronze level and will be applying to National 4-H Congress. Contact Agents should request the 4-Hers Honors' application (highest level completed by December 15) with National 4-H Congress application form (Form 4) attached, hold until district groups have been formed for the National 4-H Congress selection process.

(FORM 4)

TO: SUBMIT TO DISTRICT CONTACT AGENT

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: National 4-H Congress is not an awards program.

If you wish to be considered for a trip to National 4-H Congress and verify that you have not attended the Regional or National 4-H Congress in the past, or have been invited and refused the trip previously. Funding for this conference is the responsibility of the district, county or 4-Hers personal resources. (See note at bottom)

All applicants applying for National 4-H Congress should attach this form to the front of their 4-H Honors Form (4LO-27S0) (send all parts completed-bronze, silver and/or gold) and forward it to the District Contact for Incentives and Recognition before December 15 of the current year.

The information in the Honors Application will not be judged, but is to be used to assist the interview panel in discussing 4-H experiences during the interview

(FORM 5)

FOR: District Contact/Multi-district Team Leader

DEADLINE: APRIL 15

MAIL TO:
Jann Burks

The following delegates have achieved at least the bronze honor level, completed applications, participated in the multi-district interview process, and have not passed their 19th birthday as of January 1 of the current year of application and have not attended National or Regional 4-H Congress previously.

Designated Group Team Leader should collect all information materials for their Multi-Group district and send to the State Office.

For each 4-Her chosen, attach the National 4-H Congress Registration form (Form 6) $75.00 deposit - payable to Friends of Kentucky 4-H, Inc., and (Form 7) Description Form (for Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference Assembly).

(FORM 6)

SEND TO:
Jann Burks

(FORM 7)

(For 4-Hers selected to 4-H Congress and all gold honor recipients)

NOTE: To be used at Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference Recognition Assembly for National 4-H Congress Delegates and Gold Honor Recipients.

PLEASE RETURN TO:

Jann Burks

DEADLINE: April 15

County Agent, please write a description to be read at the recognition ceremony about this 4-Her. We are looking for a short description regarding their 4-H experience or major project work in 4-H. Please refer to his/her Honor's application (bronze, silver or gold) for ideas.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: For 4-H National Congress Selection

Questions prepared from previous years for:
National 4-H Congress - Presidential Tray Interviews:

1. How would you define success?

2. Some kids in 4-H do not win blue ribbons awards or participate in competitive activities. What is the value of 4-H to these people?

3. What is the most significant thing you have done for others as a result of your 4-H experience?

4. What influence do you feel mass media (T.V. and radio) have on youth?

5. How do you feel the citizenship and leadership skills that you have developed that will help you in the future?

6. How do you define leadership (citizenship)?

7. Who is a living person (hero, role model) you admire a great deal and why?

8. If we continue to develop leaders, who are the followers going to be?

9. What is your definition of a good leader?

10. As a citizen and leader in your community, why is it important to vote?

11. Do you think an individual can make a difference in society, in your community, or in the nation? Why? How?

12. What do the think are the three main concerns people in American have today?

13. What do you think are the strengths and the weaknesses of the 4-H program?

14. What do you feel is the single most important attribute an individual should have to represent Kentucky at National 4-H Congress?

15. During your time as a 4-Her what one person or event has had the greatest influence on your life and why?

16. How have volunteer 4-H leaders contributed to your development?

17. What is your definition of a good citizen?

18. Expand on -

19. In looking back, have you changed your viewpoint on citizenship - what is your citizenship now?

20. What is the most significant thing you have done for others?

21. How do you explain 4-H to someone who does not know about 4-H -- a politician who is considering funding of the Extension Service?

22. In what ways do you feel the 4-H program can improve?

23. If you were called upon to sell yourself for a job, what would you consider your strongest points and how would you do it?

24. What does leadership mean to you? What does it mean to be a follower?

25. How have your leadership experiences helped you represent 4-H in your county and state?

26. How would you explain the ideas of leadership to a younger 4-H member?

27. What caused you to concentrate on leadership in 4-H?

28. In reading your story, we would like to know ---

29. How would you sell 4-H to people who are unfamiliar with 4-H?

30. What do you feel you have given others through your 4-H leadership experiences?