California 4-H Youth Development Program
Achievement Pin Proposal
March 10, 2005
Committee Recommendation to the California State 4-H Office
The Statewide 4-H Incentives and Recognition Advisory Committee recommends that a new 4-H Achievement Pin be created and implemented that displays the current program year (e.g. “2006-07”). This pin would be given to all 4-H members (from ages 5 to 19) after successful completion of 4-H work. The achievement pin will be inclusive of all types of 4-H participation and will help unify the entire California 4-H Youth Development Program (YDP).
– Recommendation issued October 9, 2004 and reconfirmed December 11, 2004.
The Committee and the State Director are currently asking for comments and feedback from members, volunteers, and staff through April 30, 2005. In June 2005, the Incentives and Recognition Committee will meet to review feedback and issue a final recommendation to the State Director. In July 2005, the State Director will make a decision regarding the future of 4-H achievement pins.
What is the purpose of achievement pins, in general?
The purpose of achievement pins is to reward 4-H members for successful completion of 4-H work.
What pins are we currently using?
Currently, there are two different achievement pins used in California that varies from county to county:
§ An achievement pin (developed in the late 1960s) that recognizes each year a member participates in 4-H) – “first,”, “second,” etc. While many counties continue to use this pin, the State 4-H Office adopted a new system and no longer subsidizes the use of this older pin.
§ An achievement pin (implemented in 1994) that is based on grade groupings – “K-3,” “4-5,” “6-8,” “high school.” The State 4-H Office currently subsidizes these colored achievement pins each year through an annual order in March.
Why did the Committee feel a change was necessary?
With the completion of the 4-H Mission and Direction work and restructuring of the 4-H Incentives and Recognition Advisory Committee, the Committee has evaluated our recognition systems to better align support of current recognition practices in youth development.
§ The State 4-H Office and Committee adhere to the core value of appreciating, respecting and valuing diversity through programs that are accessible and open to diverse audiences. All young people should be recognized for completion of work, whether through a 4-H club for a year or through an after-school program for two months. By having a unified award that all young people may achieve through their participation in the 4-H YDP, we make a statement that any and all involvement in the 4-H YDP is valued.
§ The purposes of incentives and recognition are: 1) to reinforce the motivation of 4-H members and volunteers to participate, create and achieve in 4-H Youth Development; and 2) to underscore a sense of belonging and being valued in the 4-H community. While any type of achievement pin will fulfill the first point, a unified pin attainable by all youth completing their work in the 4-H YDP will fulfill the second point.
What data did the Committee collect? How did stakeholders have input?
The California 4-H Incentives and Recognition Advisory Committee analyzed achievement pins for the past year and a half. The Committee is composed of six youth (ages 14-19), three volunteers, three county staff, and two state staff. This representative group is selected by state staff in May of each year and serves a two-year rotating term. During the process of analyzing achievement pins, the Committee has used the following information and stakeholder input:
§ Historical information from previous Incentives and Recognition committee members.
§ On-line survey conducted in September 2003. The survey was announced in the September 8, 2003 edition of “Updates,” an electronic newsletter from the State 4-H Office (totaled 126 respondents).
§ Feedback from 4-H Volunteers attending an Incentives and Recognition workshop at the State 4-H Leaders Forum at Asilomar, November 2004.
§ Feedback from a small group of 4-H YDP Advisors and Program Reps who were provided with an early draft of the proposal.
§ Now underway until April 30: Feedback on this statewide achievement pin proposal.
Why are the newly proposed program year pins more appropriate than the colored pins we currently use?
The I & R Committee feels that most club-based members and volunteers have not adjusted to the colored pins for numerous reasons. These include:
§ No designation on the actual pin denotes the achievement. Once the pin is removed from the white card, there is no indication of what the pin has been awarded for.
§ Low quality of pins. The pins are of low quality and tend to break easily.
§ No traditional significance.
§ Some feel the 4th-5th grade pins are biased against male participation.
Why are the newly proposed program year pins more appropriate than the year pins we used before?
The Committee feels that many club-based members and volunteers place a traditional significance with the year pin. However, there are numerous reasons the Committee steered away from this design:
§ The year pins did not pertain to short-term delivery modes where members do not participate for the entire year. A separate pin for these short-term delivery modes would erect artificial barriers and imply value judgments on 4-H participation.
§ The year pins duplicate the efforts of the star rank program, in that both serve to provide incentives to achieve longevity in 4-H YDP. The Committee felt that another recognition system to reward longevity was not necessary or appropriate.
What would the new pins look like?
To help this pin maintain a traditional feeling, the Committee feels that it should use the same design template as the year pins, with the program year highlighted at the bottom of the pin.
How and when would the new achievement pins be implemented?
The new pin system is planned for implementation on July 1, 2006.
§ The phase-out process for year pins is in its 11th year, and counties will be able to order 11th year pins in 2005. Regardless of the decision regarding the new pins, the year pins will not be subsidized after this year.
§ Counties would be able to order the colored pins this program year (2004-05) and next program year (2005-06). Starting July 1, 2006, the colored pins would not be subsidized.
§ Starting March 2006, counties would be able to order a low estimate of the pins needed for the program year 2006-07.
Could we still use the old pins?
The State 4-H Office would no longer subsidize the colored or year pins starting in 2006. However, counties could connect with an outside vendor and pursue pins of their own design.
What about existing members who will not have a consistent line of pins displayed on their hat?
4-H members would keep their achievement pins from previous years and start 2006-2007 with the new pin. Achievement pins are an award given to 4-H members for achievement of work. Each pin should be considered a unique accomplishment.
How will inventory be controlled? How will over-stocking be prevented?
Pins will be ordered bi-annually: once before the program year begins and another during the last few months of that program year. During the first order, counties should order an initial amount to fulfill needs that occur before the following April (typically short-term programs). The second order should fulfill the remainder needed. For example, in April 2006, counties would order an initial amount for “2006-07.” In April 2007, counties could fulfill the remainder needed for “2006-2007” while also ordering an initial amount for “2007-2008.”
How would pins be awarded? What would a 4-H member need to do in order to receive a pin?
An achievement pin would be given to a youth who completes his/her 4-H work in the California 4-H Youth Development Program anytime during the program year. For example, if a young person participates in the 4-H YDP in a club program or in a short-term program anytime between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007, the “2006-2007” pin could be awarded.
Could primary members earn this type of pin?
Primary members would be awarded the same pin as other 4-H members.
Could group-enrolled members receive an achievement pin?
Yes, those youth that are group enrolled by 4-H YDP staff could be given an achievement pin at the completion of their program or activity.
Could a young person be awarded two or more pins for participation in different types of delivery modes?
A young person would only be awarded one achievement pin during the program year. However, they could receive other pins to recognize special accomplishments during the program year according to the county’s own I & R processes.
Who should I sent my comments and feedback to?
4-H Incentives and Recognition Advisory Committee by April 30, 2005.
c/o Steven Worker, Chair
CA 4-H Youth Development Program
University of California, Davis
DANR Bldg, One Hopkins Road
Davis, CA 95616