KEEPING A PERMANENT RECORD BOOK
I am ________ of the _________ 4-H Club. The subject of my timely speech is "keeping
a permanent record book".
Perhaps some of you do not believe that it is important to keep a record book. However,
it is of the utmost importance, although you may not realize it until you have been a 4-H Club
member for four or five years, and then it is too late to try to work up a complete record book.
A permanent record book is a summary of accomplishments in 4-H Club work given in
an accurate, clear-cut, concise form, which will report the progress of the 4-H Club member in all
the club work. The book should be organized so as to highlight the strong features of the record
relating directly to the award program in which the 4-H member is participating.
A permanent record book should be started when the 4-H club member is in the first year
of club work. It should be so planned that material can be added to the record book as the
individual member progresses in his 4-H activities and achievements.
Perhaps it hasn't occurred to you, but your 4-H record book will one day be a book of
your life during the period that you belonged to 4-H. Pictures in your record book will tell the
story of a little girl growing up. Your book will show where you won white ribbons along with
red and blue ones. Your book will record losses as well as achievements, but if you keep a good
record book for six or seven years, the final story is sure to be one of success.
Being very general, there are a few hints on keeping a record book. They are:
1. Be accurate-do not guess.
2. Always be neat. Neatness can be the deciding factor in close competition.
3. Have material well organized.
4. Correct spelling and good English is essential.
5. Take credit only where credit is due.
6. Members may develop their own technique in working with report forms.
There are many awards for a good record book and many more given when the record
book may be the deciding factor as to who wins a trip. Each time you set down to work
on your record book, keep the 4-H motto in mind, "To Make the Best Better" and you are
sure to be a winner.