Volunteer Awards

To nominate a 4-H volunteer or Extension Professional please follow these instructions:

Read all the award descriptions and determine which specific award will best recognize your volunteer’s contributions to the 4-H Program.
Using the links at the end of each description download the pdf file (.pdf) or open the Word document (.doc) of the award nomination form.
Fill out the selected award nomination form carefully, being sure to provide the correct information as it relates to that award.
Complete the cover sheet with your contact information. Send both the cover sheet and your nomination form to the stated address. (If submitting for Family of the Year please include support statement.)
Please remember to save your nomination and resubmit it the following year if the volunteer is not chosen the first time.

PART I:
Awards for 4-H Volunteers

The W. Sherard Wilson 4-H Service Award is designed to reward a nominee who has performed numerous, unselfish acts of service to 4-H and others throughout their community and their state. This nominee will be one who performs acts of service from the most menial to the most important with a giving spirit both within the 4-H community and their world. Nomination Form

The Dorothy Emerson 4-H Citizenship Award should recognize an individual that exemplifies sterling citizenship characteristics. This individual should have a record of commitment to their club, community and country and should be a mentor to others providing inspiration and encouragement to others to do the same. Nomination Form

The Mylo Downey 4-H Leadership Award should recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills on the local, county, state and possibly national level. These nominees’ leadership skills should show initiative, innovation, and a dedication to the 4-H program with the ability to make things happen. Nomination Form

Honorary 4-H Club Members: The nominees were not 4-H Members as youth. They have become involved in the 4-H organization as adults. They have given outstanding leadership to 4-H with exemplary results. They help make a difference in the lives of youth and families. This award is a great way to recognize those involved in the military or after-school programs or for special interest leader recognition. NOTE: Please nominate only those volunteers who have volunteered for three or more years. Nomination Form

The 4-H Alumni Plaque is designed to honor 4-H members who have continued their love and support of 4-H into their adult lives. Hard work and determination has led to exemplary personal success and the nominee attributes this success to the life skills learned as a 4-H member. This nominee’s continuing dedication to and acknowledgement of the 4-H program should be the main criteria for this award. Nomination Form

The Maryland Partner in 4-H Award should be used to recognize an industry, business or community organization (or person representing the organization) that provides significant financial or in-kind support to Maryland 4-H programming for an extended period of time. This commitment extends 4-H programming efforts to support a state, regional, and or multi-county effort. It can also represent a multi-disciplinary or collaborative programming effort. Nomination Form

The Maryland Friend of 4-H Award is designed to recognize an individual, a business or an organization that has provided extensive service, leadership, resources or financial support to the 4-H program, at the local, county, state or national level. The recognition can be for leadership and service to project areas, a specific activity or program, or to 4-H resource development. This award is designed to recognize their support regardless of the length of time, therefore, a nominee may have only one year of support, but that support would be substantial and/or vital to one or more 4-H programs. Nomination Form

The Maryland 4-H Family of the Year Award recognizes a family well known for their steadfast dedication to the 4-H program on a local, regional, state or even national level, which spans at least two generations. These family members are an integral part of the 4-H Program, providing a variety of experiences and opportunities for youth. They endeavor to “Make the Best Better” for the 4-H program and instill in others the importance of youth development by means of their head, heart, hands and health. This nominee has a strong sense of family, which serves as an inspiration to others in 4-H and in their community. Please note that this award is open to all families in all units including those who have been nominated at the county/city level but not selected for their county award. Nomination Form

The following 4-H Volunteer Award must be nominated by an educator:

The Maryland 4-H Volunteer Salute from the Dean of AGNR is designed to honor two outstanding adult volunteers from within the Maryland 4-H program, including military staff and overseas Military. This volunteer is one that bestows the 4-H program with boundless energy and a positive attitude. The award consists of a scholarship of no more than $200 to attend a UME, USDA or military 4-H sponsored educational program. One scholarship and one plaque of recognition is given to:

Leader of the Year Award – For an individual 4-H adult volunteering for less than 10 years Nomination Form

Lifetime Leader Award – For an individual 4-H adult volunteering for over 10 years Nomination Form

PART II:
Award for 4-H Military Units:

The Maryland 4-H Military Family of the Year Award recognizes a 4-H Military family that has given outstanding support to the 4-H Program. The family members have a positive energy that resonates to others and their strong sense of family serves as an inspiration to others in 4-H and in their military community. Please note that this award is open to all families in all units including those who have been nominated at the county level but not selected for their county award. Nomination Form

PART III:
Awards for Extension Professionals:

The Maryland Friend of 4-H Department Award is designed for a team or department within the campus of UMCP or UMES, who has provided educational support and or resources for activities, events or programs for the Maryland 4-H Youth Development program. They have worked in a collaborative effort with educators and or specialists in the Maryland 4-H Youth Development program.
Nomination Form

The Professional Extension or Military Partner in 4-H Award is an award designed to recognize another Extension professional who has gone above and beyond their professional duties to provide significant support the 4-H Program. This commitment extends 4-H programming efforts to support an international, national, state, regional, or multi-county effort. It may represent a multi-disciplinary or collaborative program. The nominee has a percentage of their job assigned to Maryland Cooperative Extension through departments at UMES or UMCP or has a percentage of their job assigned to Military 4-H. Nomination Form

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For more information, contact Lisa Dennis

Last updated: 09/10/2010

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Volunteer Awards