4-H Member Recognition Guide 
South Dakota 4-H member recognition is used to encourage and support the efforts of youth as they increase their 4-H project knowledge and develop life skills. There are three kinds of recognition available to 4-H members: participation, achievement, and project awards. While not required, 4-H members are encouraged to achieve the standards required for participation and bronze, silver, and gold achievement awards. 
Participation Awards 
Pins are given to any 4-H members completing their first, fifth and tenth year of 4-H. In between those milestone years, members will receive certificates. The completion requirements are the same for every year. 
Achievement Awards 
Basic skill awards are designed to help members gain skill and learn more about the 4-H program. Members may begin to earn them during their second year in 4-H. As the member progresses, earning the awards requires a little more work. 
Project Awards 
Projects are opportunities for members to learn about a subject of interest to them. After three years of 4-H, members are eligible to earn medals in the projects they have completed. 

1st, 5th or 10th year member pin (circle award applying for)
Award:  P-1120 (1st)** P-1140 (5th) ** P-1160 (10th)

4-H Member Name ________________________________________________________
Required in year applied for:
____4-H member attended four club meetings. 
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

____4-H member completed the 4-H Journal.
 	Date ______ Initials of 4-H leader or Extension educator ________________ 

____4-H member gave a public presentation at the club level or higher. (Independent 4-H member’s presentation may be given to Extension educator, non-family member, school classroom, community service organization meeting, or a youth group meeting.) 
	Name of presentation___________________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________  

4-H member completed one of the following in year applying, or independent 4-H member completed two: 
_____4-H member showed project accomplishment in one project area, as determined by 4-H leader. 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____4-H member participated in judging program at the club or county level. 
	Name of area judged:__________________________________________________________________ 
	What was learned:_____________________________________________________________________ 
 ___________________________________________________________________________________ 
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____ 4-H member participated in a county event/activity. Name of event/activity:_______________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____4-H member participated in Junior Leadership.
 Describe your accomplishment:_________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________________ 
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

Bronze Achievement Award (2nd year members and beyond)
Award: M-301-BR-P

4-H Member Name ___________________________________________________
Required for in year of application: 
____4-H member received 1st year member pin. 

____4-H member showed project accomplishment in one to five projects, as determined by 4-H leader or Extension educator.

____4-H member attended four club meetings.
 Date______  Date_______  Date______  Date______ 

____4-H member completed the 4-H journal. 

____At the club level or higher, 4-H member presented a demonstration, illustrated talk, public speaking, 
or project "why" using two or more visual aids. Name of presentation:__________________________________________Date_______________ 
Club leader’s signature (if all of the above are complete) _________________________________________________Date_________________________ 

AND 4-H member completed one of the following in year applying.  Independent 4-H member completed two: 
_____4-H member participated in judging program at the club or county level. Name of area judged:____________________________________________ Date ______
	 Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
_____ 4-H member participated in two county events/activities. Name of event/activity:_________________________________________________________________ 	
	Name of event/activity:__________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader _______________ 
_____4-H member participated in Junior Leadership.
 Describe your accomplishment:________________________________________  __________________________________________________________________ 
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
_____ 4-H member completed a community service project with club or as an individual.
 Describe project:___________________________________________________  __________________________________________________________________ 
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader ____________ 
_____4-H member brought a non-4-H friend to a club meeting. Name of friends_________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
_____4-H member held an office in 4-H club. Name of office:________________________________________ Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

Silver Achievement Award
Award: M-301-SI-P

Required: 
____4-H member received Bronze Achievement Award.

____4-H member showed project accomplishment in one to five projects, as determined by 4-H leader or Extension educator. 

____4-H member attended four club meetings.
 Date______  Date_______  Date______  Date______ 

____4-H member completed 4-H Journal.                     
                   
____At club level or higher, 4-H member presented a demonstration, illustrated talk, public speaking, or 
project "why" using two or more visual aids. 
Name of Presentation:_______________________________________________________________
Date______________
____4-H member participated in judging program at the club or county level. 
Name of area judged:_________________________________________________________________ 
Club leader’s signature (if all of the above are complete) 
_________________________________________________Date__________________________________ 

AND 4-H member completed two of the following since receiving the Bronze , or independent 4-H member completed three: 
_____ 4-H member participated in two county events/activities. 
	Name of event/activity:_______________________________________________________________		 
	Name of event/activity:_______________________________________________________________ 
	Name of event/activity:________________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____4-H member participated in Junior Leadership.
 Describe your accomplishment:________________________________________________________  __________________________________________________________________________________ 
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____ 4-H member helped in planning and completing a community service project with club or as an individual. (Independent 4-H member needs to do two community service projects.) 
	Describe project(s): __________________________________________________________________ 
 _________________________________________________________________________________ 
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____4-H member brought two non-4-H friends to a club meeting. 
	Name of friends:_____________________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____4-H member held an office in 4-H club. Name of office:________________________________________ Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____4-H member provided leadership for a club committee. 
	Name of committee:__________________________________________________________________  Accomplishment:_____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
_____4-H member mentored another 4-H member or non-4-H member with a 4-H project and/or activity. Describe your experience:_________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

		Gold Achievement Award
		Award: M-301-GO-P
	
Required: 
____4-H member received Silver Achievement Award.

____4-H member showed project accomplishment in one to five projects, as determined by 4-H leader or
 Extension educator. 

____4-H member participated in Junior Leadership.

____4-H member attended four club meetings.
 		Date______  Date_______  Date______  Date______ 

_____4-H member completed 4-H Journal.

_____At club level or higher, 4-H member presented a demonstration, illustrated talk, public speaking, or 
project "why" using two or more visual aids. 
Name of presentation:_______________________________________________________________________
Date______________

_____4-H member participated in judging program at the club or county level. 
Name of area judged:________________________________________________________________________ 

Club leader’s signature (if all of the above are complete) 
_________________________________________________Date________________________________________ 

AND 4-H member completed three of the following in years since receiving the silver medal.  Independent 4-H member completed four: 
_____ 4-H member participated in three county events/activities. 
	Name of event/activity:________________________________________________________________ 
	Name of event/activity:________________________________________________________________ 
	Name of event/activity:________________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
_____ 4-H member helped in planning and completing two community service projects with club or as an individual. (Independent 4-H member needs to do three community service projects.) Describe project(s): ___________________________________________________________________________________ 
 __________________________________________________________________________________  ___________________________________________________________________________________ 	
Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 
_____4-H member brought two non-4-H friends to a club meeting. Name of friends: __________________________________________________________________________________     
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader ________________________________________ 

_____4-H member held an office in 4-H club. Name of office:_______________________________________ 
	Date _______________ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader _________

					 
_____4-H member provided leadership for a club committee. (Independent 4-H member may do so in a non-4-H setting.) Name of committee:_______________________________________________________________________  Accomplishment:_________________________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________________________________
 Date ______ Initials of 4-H club secretary or leader __________ 

_____4-H member has given a speech/presentation promoting 4-H to a school group, civic group, or any  non-4-H group. Identify audience or group:____________________________________________________________ 
	Title of presentation:_______________________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H leader or Extension educator __________ 

_____Independent 4-H member may substitute another 4-H promotion presentation for a club activity. Identify audience or group:________________________________________________________________________  
	Title of presentation:______________________________________________________________________ 
	Date ______ Initials of 4-H leader or Extension educator __________ 

County 4-H Citizenship Award 
Award: M-303 

Being enrolled in the 4-H citizenship project is NOT a requirement for this award.

Required:
_____4-H member has completed four years in a 4-H program.

_____4-H member has served as an active member of a county or community board or committee, an event committee, or a taskforce for three to six months. Name of committee/community board:_______________________________________ 
_____4-H member planned, organized, and implemented a citizenship activity for multiple 4-H clubs and/or the county. Describe accomplishments:_________________________________________________ 
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
_____4-H member presented an educational public presentation on flag etiquette, the U.S. Constitution, a patriotic program, or an American history topic for a 4-H club, wrote an editorial on the same topic for the local newspaper (include editorial, whether published or not published), or presented a program to another youth group (club, sports team, or classroom). Name of presentation:_________________________________Date:________________ Group(s) presented to:______________________________________________________ 
_____4-H member identified a charity or community need and worked with others to organize efforts to help meet the need. Describe accomplishments:_________________________________________________ 
 _______________________________________________________________________ 
_____4-H member studied current events and expressed opinions to decision makers at the local, state, or national level. (Include a copy of any written communication.) Action taken:_____________________________________________________________ 
Club leader’s signature (if all of the above are complete) 
_________________________________________________Date_________________________ 

County 4-H Leadership Award 
Award: P-119-GO 

Being enrolled in the 4-H leadership project is NOT a requirement for this award. 
Required: 
_____4-H member has completed four years in a 4-H program. 
_____4-H member has assisted the Extension educator with planning, preparing, and implementing a county or multi-county 4-H event. 
_____4-H member is an active member in the county 4-H Junior Leadership organization. If an organization does not exist in the county, plan, prepare, and make every effort to start such an organization by working with other 4-H members, leaders, advisors, and/or Extension educators. 
_____4-H member has written or arranged for a newspaper/magazine feature article (with a photograph) about 4-H at the local club, county, or multi-county area and has submitted it to the local newspaper in the area for publishing The feature story can be about an individual or group of 4-H members and participation in the 4-H program. 
_____4-H member has attended and participated in a county, area, field education unit, or state 4-H educational event or activity and has shared the knowledge received by presenting a workshop to  4-H club(s) and/or county members. 
_____4-H member has planned and conducted officer training for a 4-H club or the county. (As many as seven 4-H members may work together in accomplishing this task.) 
_____4-H member has helped or assisted from one to six 4-H members to plan and implement community or county 4-H promotion campaign(s). This can include posters/signs/displays being placed at main streets, elementary schools, county courthouses, and/or other prominent locations in the community or county. Radio, newspaper, television media are utilized as available. Promotion campaign(s) can involve National Volunteer Week, National 4-H Week, achievement days, county fair, state fair, etc. (Include copy of any posters/signs/displays.) Describe the campaign:_____________________________________________________  ________________________________________________________________________  ________________________________________________________________________ 
County educator’s signature (if all of the above are complete) 
_________________________________________________Date_________________________ 
South Dakota 4-H Key Award 
		Award: MTM 713-M 

The 4-H Key Award is given to 4-H members who have passed their 16th birthday. 
Required: 
_____4-H member has received the County 4-H Citizenship Award. 
_____4-H member has received the County 4-H Leadership Award. 
_____4-H member has attended and participated in three county, area, field education unit, or state 4-H educational events/activities and used the knowledge received to plan and conduct three different workshop presentations to 4-H club(s) and/or county members. Presentation:_____________________________________________Date_________  Presentation:_____________________________________________Date_________  Presentation:_____________________________________________Date_________ 
_____4-H member has provided leadership at three county, area, field education unit, or state 4-H educational events/activities. Event/Activity:_____________________________________________Date_________  Event/Activity:_____________________________________________Date_________  Event/Activity:_____________________________________________Date_________ 
_____4-H member has earned two project medals. Project areas:____________________________and____________________________ 
_____4-H member has participated for two years in the county public presentation competition. Presentation:_____________________________________________Date_________  Presentation:_____________________________________________Date_________ 
_____4-H member has held two elected club or county offices If not elected, member has been a committee chair or has led a special project for the club, county, area, field education unit, or state. (Independent members may complete in non-4-H setting.) Name of offices held, or committees or special projects chaired:_____________________  ______________________________________________________________________ 
_____4-H member has written a letter to the editor of local newspaper explaining the effect the 4-H program has had on his/her life. Include copy of letter (published copy preferred). 
County educator’s signature (if all of the above are complete) 
_________________________________________________Date_______________________