A 4-H Achievement Day should be the most important day in the 4-H year. Each registered 4-H club must hold an Achievement Day. It marks the end of the 4-H year and allows members to display to the public the projects they have worked on all year and have them evaluated to see how much progress they have made.

Who organizes the Achievement Day?

Each Achievement Day will be unique. The 4-H club is responsible for planning the program in consultation with the 4-H Specialist. The club plans the program, determines the location and confirms the date with the 4-H Specialist. The 4-H Specialist will consult the club to determine the time to begin and brings Achievement Day evaluation forms, ribbons, certificates, etc.

When is Achievement Day held?

Club Achievement Days usually start in the late spring and continue into August. The time of year is often determined by the projects in a club (e.g. a club with garden or floriculture would probably have a later Achievement Day than one with homemaking project only).

Usually, 4-H staff will evaluate non-homemaking projects in the morning. Livestock projects will be evaluated in the afternoon. Project requirements are found in project newsletters. Following the evaluation process, the staff present Certificates of Achievement and discuss the 4-H ideals.

Your club may choose to have an open house for the general public where 4-H members can display their work to their family and friends. Clubs may decide on a variety of themes, entertainment, refreshments, decorations, etc. for this event.

Who is involved?

Of course, the 4-H members will be the focus of Achievement Day. They should have input into the scheduling and participate in the program, whether it is planning the meal, decorating or making invitations. 4-H members or leaders need not be present during the non-livestock evaluation process. All 4-H leaders and members should be there for the certificate presentation and parents should attend. As well, the community should be invited and try to get them involved. You can also do fund-raising (e.g. sell some tickets, have a cake walk, have a supper, play some games or anything you can think of).

What is a good Achievement Day?

Schedule:

- The evening before, set up the hall, projects to be evaluated and all 4-H displays.
- In the morning the 4-H staff arrives to evaluate non-livestock projects.
- In the afternoon, the livestock show begins. (Showmanship only)
- The fashion show and first aid activity takes place while the evaluators are present.
- Presentation of awards, certificates and evaluators comments.
- A community supper or entertainment (could be by members) usually takes place in the evening (e.g. project presentations, skits, public speaking, or something to get the community involved).

4-H club Achievement Day checklists:

Three to four months prior to Achievement Day:
- Confirm date with 4-H office

Two months prior to Achievement Day:
- Make plans with the club, set up committees (e.g. program, calling committees, promotion)
- Arrange location and book facilities.

One month prior:
- Committees report back with plans
- Contact 4-H office to give 4-H Specialist times, so judges can be confirmed.

Two weeks prior to Achievement Day:
- Confirm a hall;
- Prepare posters;
- Contact local paper;
- Check committee work;
- Do final schedules and run off copies;
- Project leaders should check to be sure all members are ready;
- If a loud speaker is required, be sure it is booked;
- Leaders complete blue sheets and return to 4-H office

Day before:
- Bring projects to the hall;
- Set up the hall;
- Members set up displays, label projects and include member's name, age, club and name of article;
- Bring the schedule to the hall for members and leaders;
- Finalize all plans for next day.

Day of Achievement Day:
- Someone should arrive before the judges to let them in the hall;
- Explain to the judges anything they need to know;
- Achievement Day begins.

If everyone has done their job, you will have a successful Achievement Day. Be sure everything is left clean and orderly once the day is finished and everyone should help clean up.

Achievement Day Set Up.

When all projects arrive, be sure they are nicely displayed and accessible to the judges. All members should have their projects together with the record sheet. All must be clearly labelled with members' name, age, and number of years in 4-H. Be sure to identify the articles and make things accessible for judges. They can be hung up after they are judged. Remember this is your chance to show off your club to the community, so make the best of it.

Club Contribution

The reason we ask 4-H leaders to evaluate members is that they are the ones who see the members and know how they work all year. Club Contribution is broken down into:

Attendance: Members should attend all club meetings, if possible. Credit is given for attendance at county and provincial events.

Self-Expression: This includes all forms of self-expression including the speech or demonstration the members did during the year. Think about the member and whether or not they participate in discussions constructively and how they express themselves in public.

Attitude, Effort & Co-operation: It is probably the most difficult area to access. This is where you can reward the members who are especially keen. Are they helpful? Do they have the 4-H spirit? Is their attitude positive? Can they be counted on? But do remember, no none is perfect and there is always room for improvement.

Things you might need for Achievement Day:

keys to open the hall
string, tacks, tape, nails, hammer
a stapler/staple gun
pens, pencils, paper, marker, coverstock, clipboards
project tags, schedules, blue sheets
P.A. system
committee lists and responsibilities
recreation manual
decorations
requirements for lunch
4-H Spirit!

This should give you a little better idea on how to prepare for a 4-H Achievement Day. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call your 4-H Specialist.

Have a successful year in 4-H and enjoy your Achievement Day.
Good Luck!