Animal Bowl: Please see "Knowledge Bowl"

Awards Presentation: A program at which awards and honors are presented to members and leaders for their achievements of the previous year and contributions to the 4-H program.

Achievement Pins and Stripes: Each member who completes a club year in good standing receives a pin and stripe to wear on his/her 4-H cap.

Activity: A planned piece of work, undertaken by an individual member or a group of members, in an area not taken as a 4-H project, such as demonstrations, judging, or camping.

 

Adult Volunteer: A person 21 years of age or older on the date of application who completes the following process: 1) Submits a complete and correct 4-H Volunteer Application form. 2) Attends 4-H Orientation training. 3) Submits fingerprints via livescan and received clearance from the Dept. of Justice. 4) Receives final approval from the 4-H Advisor and County Director. The initial leader appointment is for one year or less and is eligible for renewal annually. Please see http://www.ca4h.org/4hresource/handbook/appendices/C2-ANRVolunteerProcedures.pdf for more information.

All Star: The highest star rank available at the county level. The award is given on a competitive basis. Applicants must be at least 15 years old. All Stars serve a 15 month term.

Annual Project Report: A record form to be completed by all members for each project at the conclusion of each of their projects or at least every 12 months.

Beginning 4-H: A one-time project designed for 9 year old, first time members. Gives the member the opportunity to learn about and try some of the many different projects 4-H offers.

Certification: Required for all 4-H leaders. Includes submission of fingerprints to the Department of Justice, orientation, and requires approval by the County Director.

 

Certified 4-H Leader: A person 21 years of age or older on the date of application who completes the following process: 1) Submits a complete and correct 4-H Volunteer Application form. 2) Attends 4-H Orientation training. 3) Submits fingerprints via livescan and received clearance from the Dept. of Justice. 4) Receives final approval from the 4-H Advisor and County Director. The initial leader appointment is for one year or less and is eligible for renewal annually. Please see http://www.ca4h.org/4hresource/handbook/appendices/C2-ANRVolunteerProcedures.pdf for more information.

Charter Seal: An award given to a club that has attained the goals it had outlined for itself at the beginning of the club year. (Club goals worksheet/application is available at the 4-H Office.)

Citizenship - Sacramento Focus: A citizenship program of action and involvement in California government. Junior and Senior High School 4-H citizenship project members and their leaders are invited to Sacramento for an educationally stimulating visit to the California State Capitol.

Citizenship - Washington Focus: Held at the National 4-H Center in Washington D.C. Features a week's program where older 4-H citizenship project members learn more about their rights, responsibilities, and heritage as American Citizens. Includes discussions and tours to broaden citizenship awareness and leadership training.

Clover Lines: Ventura County's 4-H newsletter. It is published ten times per year and is mailed to every member's home. The Clover Lines is our 4-H Program's most important means of keeping members, parents, and leaders up-to-date and informed.

Club Charter: A club charter is granted when minimum requirements are met to start a 4-H club.

Club Event: Events and activities a 4-H club does in the community that are independent of other 4-H clubs.

Club Officer Training: held in early fall to provide training to club officers in their respective roles.

Club Year: The 4-H club calendar year is from September 1st through August 31st.

Community Service Activity: An activity undertaken by a club, project group, or individual 4 H member to help make the community a better place in which to live.

Cooperative Extension Service: A cooperative effort between the US government (USDA), the state of California (University of California), and a county, Ventura. Its aim is to bring the benefits of University research to the people of Ventura County. 4-H work is one part of this effort. In the county, a County Director is in charge, working with a staff of Farm, Home, and 4-H Youth Advisors. All of these people are part of the academic staff of the University of California.

County Event: Events to help develop and sharpen skill areas.

County Presentation Day: Consists of demonstration and public speaking competitions, song leading, share-the-fun, and cultural arts. Gold award winners in all divisions advance to Regional Field Day. This event is usually held in March and may be a component of a larger county event.

Demonstration: A demonstration of a skill or a process or an illustrated talk to explain interesting, new, or important facts. May be given individually or with one or more members. May be given competitively or just for fun. Required for star rank.

Diamond Star: Please See "State Ambassador"

District: Ventura County has been geographically divided into 4 areas known as districts. District I is the Ojai area. District II is the Ventura, Santa Paula, Fillmore area. District III is the Oxnard, Camarillo area. District IV is the Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Simi Valley area.

Emblem: The 4-H emblem is a green four-leaf clover on a white background. There is a white H on each cloverleaf. This was adopted as the national 4-H symbol about 1911.

Emerald Star: A star rank available to members, 14 years of age or older, to enter a new phase of leadership. The Emerald star is a star rank awarded for a plan of leadership in the 4-H Program or in the community. Information and applications are available from the 4-H office.

Exchange Trip: 4-H members from one county are housed with 4-H members' families in another county (in California or another state) for a few days during the summer. The host county 4-H'ers later make a visit to the county they had previously hosted. It is a get-acquainted time when members learn about 4-H in other areas. In Ventura County, teen members 14 and older are eligible to participate.

Fashion Revue: An opportunity for 4-H clothing, consumer education, wearable arts and crafts project members to show and compete. The garment is a small part of the total evaluation which includes poise, posture, appropriate design for the individual, grooming and care related to the garments. Judging is done with the member present so the judge may ask questions.

Field Days: An educational event which may include showmanship, judging and/or presentations.

4-H Club: A 4-H club is a group of 4-H members who meet regularly to conduct business, learn about projects, take part in community service, and enjoy each other's company. Most 4 H clubs meet monthly.

4-H Camp: An opportunity for fun and outdoor education. Teen camp staff and adult staff plan daily activities including hikes, campfires, and mini-sessions. Website for Southern California 4-H Camp  http://www.4hsummercamp.com/ .

 

4-H Insurance Program: All 4-H members and leaders are provided limited accident/sickness insurance. This policy covers accidents/sickness that occur during 4-H work or while traveling to and from official meetings and events. Please refer to the Hartford 4-H Insurance Brochure for detailed information concerning coverage.

4-H Member: Any young person who is 5 years old or in Kindergarten by December 31st (or older) of the program year and who has completed the enrollment process. A member may remain active in 4-H until the end or the calendar year in which he or she becomes 19 years old.

4-H Motto: To make the best better.

4-H Office: The Ventura County 4-H Office is located at 669 County Square Drive, Suite #100,
Ventura, CA 93003-5401 -- phone: (805) 645-1470
fax: (805) 645-1474 email: glbrickey@ucdavis.edu
website: http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu

4-H Pledge: As a true 4-H member, I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

4-H Record Books - 4-H Records: Each member is encouraged to keep a record of his 4-H work - projects, activities and events. This book is turned in to the Club Leader on the club's due date and is evaluated by project leaders and/or a group of leaders, then returned to the member. It is kept from year to year. Members 9 years old or in the 4th grade (as of December 31st of the Program Year) or older may enter their record books at the county level and compete for awards.

4-H Staff: Academic staff members of the University of California and/or 4-H staff members employed by the County of Ventura, who advise other staff members, leaders, and members concerning 4-H club work and regulations and provide other support for the 4-H program in the county. These positions include: 4-H Youth Development Advisor, 4-H Program Supervisor, 4-H Program Assistant, and 4-H Administrative Assistant.

Horse Bowl: Please see "Knowledge Bowl"

Horse Field Days: Provide an opportunity for 4-H Horse project members to share experiences, learn new techniques and practice for the Horse Fair.

IFYE: International 4-H Youth Exchange: An opportunity for young men and women, ages 18 to 30 who are 4-H alumni, to spend 5-6 months in another country. Young people from other countries spend a comparable amount of time in the United States.

Judging, American System: A method of judging (evaluation) where all competing entries are placed in consecutive order, according to quality. There is only one first place winner, one second place winner, etc.

Judging, Danish System: A method of judging based on standards where all entries meeting the requirements for a given standard receive the same award. For example, there may be a blue ribbon group, a red ribbon group or a white ribbon group. There is no restriction on the number of each award given.

Judging Event: An educational event that develops the ability to make decisions. It expands a 4-H member's knowledge and understanding or qualities and standards. At judging events, 4-H members learn to make observations, comparisons, decisions, and to give reasons. This event may be part of any project. Judging begins at the project level and is an important addition to 4-H meetings and county events. Members may also participate in judging events at the state and national levels.

Junior Leader: A Junior Leader is a 6th, 7th, or 8th grade member, or if home-schooled, must be at least 11 and no more than 13 years old, as of January 1 of the program year, who is enrolled in the leadership development project. Junior Leaders carry out planned leadership responsibilities under the supervision of project leaders.

Junior/Teen Leader Training: A training workshop for junior leaders (6th through 8th grade) and teen leaders (9th grade and up) planned and led by older members and leadership staff. Skills needed for the leadership roles are emphasized.

Kiwanis Award: A Record Book award. Members are judged on their overall record keeping abilities including completeness, accuracy, and neatness. Awards are presented to the top contestants in Junior, Intermediate, and Senior categories.

Knowledge Bowl: Oral competition in which teams of 4-H members compete to answer questions relating to their project work. Knowledge bowls may be held in conjunction with Horse, Large Animal, Small Pet, Home Economics, Horticulture, or Science Projects.

Local Club Leader: The person responsible for the overall club organization and coordination of each local club. The responsibilities of this position are sometimes divided among two or three leaders.

Local Club Meeting: All members, leaders, and parents attend to share information about club events. The member who is club president presides over this meeting. Meetings should also include fun and educational activities.

Lynn Vacca Food Award: A Record Book award given to an outstanding member enrolled in any type of Foods project.

National 4-H Week: A nationwide observance honoring 4-H clubs held in October. Clubs are encouraged to participate by having displays and special events.

Off To A Good Start/Beginning 4-H: A one-time project designed for 9 year old, first year members. Gives the member the opportunity to learn about, and try, some of the many different projects 4-H offers.

Parliamentary Law: Procedure used to enable a group to: transact business with speed and efficiency; to protect the rights of each individual; preserve the spirit of harmony within the group.

Personal Development Report - (PDR): A form that is used to summarize a member's total participation in 4-H club work for the year. It is submitted with project reports at the end of the 4-H year. It also gives requirements for star rank.

Presentation Day: Please see County Presentation Day or District Presentation Day.

Primary Member: Must be 5 years old or in kindergarten as of December 31st of the program year. The only approved animal projects for primary members in the Ventura County 4-H Program are dogs, rabbits, cats, poultry, cavies, mice, embryology, entomology, marine science, and therapeutic animal projects. For home-schooled children, the age criteria only will apply.

Program Development Committee: The PDC's are responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational activities for their specific project or subject area. (i.e. Large Livestock, Equine, etc.) They plan and coordinate county events, conduct leader training, and help develop resources and curriculum materials. All project leaders and members, 9th grade and above, are encouraged to be involved in the PDC of their interest.

Project: a planned unit of work (minimum of 6 hours) using the "learn by doing" concept in a specific skill or interest area carried out by a member or a group with the supervision and guidance of a certified adult volunteer.

Project Leader: A person 21 years of age or older on the date of application who completes the following process: 1) Submits a complete and correct 4-H Volunteer Application form. 2) Attends 4-H Orientation training. 3) Submits fingerprints via livescan and received clearance from the Dept. of Justice. 4) Receives final approval from the 4-H Advisor and County Director. The initial leader appointment is for one year or less and is eligible for renewal annually. Please see http://www.ca4h.org/4hresource/handbook/appendices/C2-ANRVolunteerProcedures.pdf for more information.

Project Meeting: A meeting of 4-H members, where the members learn specific knowledge of skills about a particular subject.

Project Report Form: A form used to summarize a member's project participation. A separate project report form is completed for each project a member completes. It is submitted at the end of the 4-H year. See pages 31-32 for a copy of this form.

Quilt Show: A judged exhibition of Quilts and Quilted projects made by 4-H members

Regional Field Day: (Please see "Sectional Field Day")

Regional 4-H Leader & Teen Council: A group of representatives, adults and teens, of County 4-H Councils who meet to develop and recommend program changes to the California State 4-H Leaders' Council. They may plan, implement, and evaluate regional events.

Resource Leaders: Certified Volunteer leaders who assist project leaders in subject matter areas. Resource leaders provide subject matter training and guidance for project leaders.

Reynolds Award: Record Book award for outstanding project work in animals, home arts, and other categories. Criteria and entry information is available at the 4-H Office.

Sectional Field Day: A chance for the county gold medal winners to compete against the gold medal winners of other counties in presentations, public speaking, cultural arts, and song leading "Share the Fun" activities. All 4-H members may participate in other activities such as judging contests, impromptu speaking contest, etc., which are conducted as part of this event.

Share The Fun: A countywide event where clubs prepare and present skits. Members may also participate in Song Leader competition and Cultural Arts competition. The county winners compete at Regional Field Day.

Shooting Stars: A non-competitive leadership program for 4-H youth in 9th through 12th grades. This program is designed to provide leadership training and growth opportunities in volunteerism and community service. It also serves as a bridge to other leadership programs, including the 4-H All-Star Program. Contact the 4-H Office for more information.

Small Animal Science Pet Show: An exhibition of 4 H members' small animals, costumed pet contest, pet parade, and educational information.

Star Ranks: A system providing an opportunity for 4 H members to focus attention on personal achievement. Any 4-H member can attain the first 4 stars (bronze, silver, gold, and platinum) by meeting the requirements and standards of the state as described in the PDR. The Emerald Star, All Star, and State Ambassador awards are determined by selection committees. Please visit http://www.ca4h.org/4hresource/ir/recordbook/competition.asp and http://www.ca4h.org/4hresource/forms/index.asp for more information and forms.

State Ambassador: Youth who have excelled in the areas of leadership and community service and have been selected to serve the California State 4-H Program in roles that promote leadership through education and service.

State Leaders' Forum: An annual forum usually held the first weekend in November near Monterey, California, sponsored by the State 4-H Leaders' Council. The forum offers an opportunity for project and club leaders to attend training sessions on a variety of subjects as well as idea sharing. It is also an opportunity to meet with State Staff. All 4-H project and club leaders are encouraged to attend.

State Leadership Conference: a conference for 4-H members, 8th grade graduates and above, from all the counties in California. It is held each year at a University of California campus to enable the youth to become familiar with the University system and the 4 H program.

Tagging Days: This is mandatory for any market animal going to County Fair. Beef is 90 days, all other animals 60 days prior to fair. Only one animal per specie may be tagged. Dates will be announced in Clover Lines and the Ventura County Fair Entry Guide.

TIC Conference (Teen Involvement Conference): This 2 night leadership camp is open to all southern section members 13-19 years old. It is usually held at Pathfinder Ranch in Riverside in January of each year.

Teen Leader: This is mandatory for any market animal going to County Fair. Dates will be announced in Clover Lines and the Ventura County Fair Entry Guide which is also available on the Ventura County Fair website at http://www.venturacountyfair.org .

Trick Or Treat So Others Can Eat: An annual food drive co-sponsored by Foodshare in which 4-H members "trick or treat" on Halloween for non-perishable food items instead of candy. The items are then donated to Foodshare for local distribution to hungry people in Ventura County.

Ventura County Fair: A summer event held at the Ventura County Fairground, Seaside Park, and sponsored by the 31st District Agricultural Association. 4-H members may exhibit in the youth an/or livestock departments. The livestock auction is held on the last Friday of the fair.

Western Regional 4-H Leaders' Forum: An annual forum for all 4-H leaders of the 13 western states who take turns as sponsors. The forum's format is the same as that of the State Leaders' Forum.