Each year, GAE4-HYDP members are eligible to apply for state and national awards. Award entries are based on programming performed or content created from January – December of the previous calendar year. The Membership Recognition Committee coordinates the awards process.
To be eligible to apply for NAE4-HYDP or GAE4-HYDP, members must have their dues received by the GAE4-HYDP Treasurer by the membership deadline (January 12, 2024). Once the membership drive concludes, a list of eligible award members for the 2024 awards cycle can be found here. If you believe there is an error, please contact Brittany Teets, Vice President, at bteets@uga.edu.
Volunteer to Judge Awards
Our association — and all of our awards — rely on the generosity of members who share their time and knowledge to help identify the best practices in 4-H youth development. Judges review and score entries submitted in designated categories and often share that they gain ideas and best practices from reviewing entries they can use in their programs. By completing this survey, please consider volunteering as a judge for this year’s award cycle. The survey will close on February 26, 2024.
Awards Timeline
| February 16, 2024 | Requests for letters of support for NAE4-HYDP awards due to GAE4-HYDP President Jakyn Tyson |
| February 26, 2024 | Deadline to submit survey to serve as a judge. |
| March 10, 2024 | GAE4-HYDP state award and NAE4-HYDP Service award applications due on the state association award Google Form by 11:59 PM EST. |
| March 10, 2024 | NAE4-HYDP awards applications for communicator awards, specialty awards, and first-time attendee scholarships are due in the NAE4-HYDP awards portal and the GAE4-HYDP Google form by 11:59 PM EST. |
| TBD | State judging for NAE4-HYDP communicator awards, specialty awards, and first-time attendee scholarships |
| TBD | State judging for GAE4-HYDP awards, and NAE4-HYDP service awards |
| April 4, 2024 | (Tentative) Award Winners will receive notification |
| TBD | NAE4-HYDP state award winners advance for regional judging |
| TBD | NAE4-HYDP regional award winners advance for national judging |
NAE4-HYDP Awards – Due March 10, 2024, by 11:59 PM EST
Applying for national awards consists of two parts:
- Submit your awards online using national awards portal.
- Complete this Google Form to indicate to the state membership chair and district awards chairs which national awards you have applied for. This is an additional precaution to help us ensure your award application was processed in OpenWater.
To be eligible for NAE4-HYDP awards, applicants must have been active members the year before applying and the current year of application. Dues must also have been received by the state treasurer by January 12, 2024. If additional membership requirements exist for the award, these requirements precede this eligibility requirement.
A Georgia winner will be selected for each award offered by NAE4-HYDP. Our state award winners will then advance to NAE4-HYDP Southern Region judging, with those winners advancing to be judged nationally. A condensed version of the criteria below can be found using the “Awards at a Glance” document; however, it’s encouraged to also look at the judging criteria found in the documents below.
- Communicator Awards
To recognize NAE4-HYDP members for significant accomplishments in presenting 4-H to the general public, civic groups, 4-H groups, or individuals through public information methods.
– - Specialty Awards
To recognize NAE4-HYDP members for significant accomplishments in 4-H programming through a variety of strategies.
– - First Time Conference Attendee Scholarship
The applicant may not have attended a previous NAE4-HYDP Annual Conference as an Association Member. If the applicant attended previously as a guest, they could apply.
Additional resources for the NAE4-HYDP awards, including examples of previous national awards, can be found here.
GAE4-HYDP Awards – Due March 10, 2024, by 11:59 PM
NAE4-HYDP service awards are designed to recognize NAE4-HYDP members for significant accomplishments in various career stages and contributions to the 4-H Youth Development profession.
- Service Awards
Applicants for the following awards should complete the form created by GAE4-HYDP (linked below) to be eligible for consideration.- Achievement in Service Award (ASA) for 3-7 years of service
- Distinguished Service Award (DSA) for at least 7 years of service
- Meritorious Service Award (MSA) for previous DSA winners with at least 15 years of service
- 25 Years of Service (there is no application for this award; however, applicants should submit their name via the Qualtrics above to be eligible.)
Each GAE4-HYDP award listed below has a separate PDF application that should be completed by a current GAE4-HYDP member.
- Continuing Excellence Award
The nominee should have worked for at least 10 years and been a GAE4-HYDP member for 5 consecutive years. Current active involvement in 4-H work is required. Judging based on professional development and association activities. Applications will be scored on the following rubric: Innovative 4-H Programming (50%), Professional Improvement/Development Activities (25%), and GAE4-HYDP Activities (25%).
– - Innovative Work in School Relations
Eligible members may nominate themselves or any agent who has shown innovative work in regard to school relations. Each district will have one winner; the state winner will be selected among the district winners. Applications will be judged on activity (20%), content and scope (40%), and results (40%).
– - Outstanding AmeriCorps/VISTA
Eligible members may nominate their full-time or part-time 4-H AmeriCorps and VISTA members for this award. Each district will have one winner; the state winner will be selected among the district winners. Submissions will be judged on: responsibilities in core programming (15%), responsibilities outside of core programming (15%), significant leadership responsibilities (35%), and accomplishments (35%).
– - Outstanding Individual Volunteer Leader
Eligible members may nominate an individual in their county who has shown outstanding volunteer interest/involvement. Each district will have one winner; the state winner will be selected among the district winners. Judging criteria for the award includes program involvement (20%), roles and responsibilities (50%), and accomplishments (30%).
– - Outstanding New Extension Professional
Recognized for outstanding work (with at least one year of service) in their first 1-3 years of Extension employment. Nominees should stand out among the agent group and work in 4-H during selection. Each district will have one winner; the state winner will be selected among the district winners. Applications are scored on the following categories: Professional Accomplishments (40%), Professional Improvements (20%), Professional Recognition (20%), and Involvement in Other Organizations (20%).
– - Outstanding Program Assistant
Eligible members may nominate their full-time or part-time 4-H Program Assistant for this award. Each district will have one winner; the state winner will be selected among the district winners. Submissions will be judged on: responsibilities in core programming (15%), responsibilities outside of core programming (15%), significant leadership responsibilities (35%), and accomplishments (35%).
– - Outstanding Support by ANR or FACS Professional
Eligible members may nominate any Agriculture and Natural Resources or Family & Consumer Science Agent/Specialist/administrator who has shown outstanding support to 4-H club work. Each district will have one winner; the state winner will be selected among the district winners. Submissions will be judged on 4-H programming involvement (20%), leadership roles within 4-H programming (40%), and 4-H programming accomplishments (40%).
– - Outstanding Support by Public Media
Given to any public news medium that has shown superior support for 4-H club work. Submissions will be scored on communication activities (35%), the scope of media (15%), and purpose and results (50%).
– - Outstanding Support by Retiree/Life Member
Eligible members may nominate any active Extension Retiree who is a GAE4-HYDP Life Member and has shown outstanding contribution to GAE4-HYDP since their retirement. Each district will have one winner; the state winner will be selected among the district winners. Applications will be scored according to association activities and involvement (50%) and 4-H/Extension activities and awards (50%).
– - Outstanding Support Staff
Eligible members may nominate their support staff who actively support the 4-H program. Each district will have one winner; the state winner will be selected among the district winners. Applications are scored based on day-to-day responsibilities (40%) and work beyond regular job duties (60%).
– - Outstanding Volunteer Leader Program
Eligible members may nominate themselves or other counties for outstanding utilization of volunteers in the total 4-H program. Applications will be judged based on methods of recruitment (20%), volunteer leadership roles (20%), leader training (20%), recognition for volunteers (20%), and accomplishments of volunteer-led efforts (20%).
– - Peach of a Profession Scholarship
Must be an active member of GAE4-HYDP for the year they receive the award. It is for a $1,000 scholarship which must be used to attend the NAE4-HYDP Annual Meeting & Professional Improvement Conference. Submissions will be judged by a personal plan (30%), professional development (20%), leadership positions (30%), and extenuating circumstances (20%).
– - Professional Achievement Award
Six outstanding GAE4-HYDP members receive this award every year. It is not awarded on a district basis but on ability. Applicants must be working in 4-H and Youth when the selections are made. The award may be received only once. The nominee must have worked for more than three years but not more than ten years as an Extension professional. Applications are scored on the following categories: Professional Responsibilities/Duties (20%), Professional Growth (40%), and Outstanding Accomplishments (40%).
– - Scholarship
Must be an active member of GAE4-HYDP for the year they receive the award and not have previously received this award. One $500.00 scholarship will be awarded to a member seeking financial aid for academic work or professional improvement. The award will be reimbursed only. The applicant is responsible for submitting the 1-2 page report required and requesting money from the State President within one year. Applications will be scored on professional/academic experiences (40%), the program of study (50%), and the budget plan (10%).
Questions? Contact the Member Recognition Committee, 2024
| Chair | Adrianne Cox ahcox@uga.edu |
| Chair-Elect | Brittani Lee bkelley@uga.edu |
| Northeast District Representative | Jonathan Page jspage@uga.edu |
| Northwest District Representative | Pam Bloch schingoe@uga.edu |
| Southeast District Representative | Billie Ann King bbirchal@uga.edu |
| Southwest District Representative | Katrina Laurel-Searcy katrinalaurel@uga.edu |
| State Staff District Representative | Matt Hammons mhammons@uga.edu |