Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award
The Illinois 4-H Foundation created the Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award to annually recognize an Illinois family who has substantially benefited from and who continue to be advocates for the Illinois 4-H program over multiple generations.
To be nominated, a family must have a minimum of:
- three generations of representation
- 15 different family members (including in-laws) that have either been 4-H members, leaders, or volunteers
- 100 cumulative years of 4-H membership or volunteerism
Selection will be based on:
- Total number of family members with 4-H connections
- Total number of years in 4-H involvement
- Diversity of experiences and recognitions earned by the 4-H members
- The collective impact that family members have made as advocates of their respective county and state 4-H programs.
Previous winners include:
- The Leona Mast Family (2009)
- The Leo and Shirley Hennenfent Family (2008)
- The Bauer-Hileman Families (2007)
- The Fred A. Francis Family (2006)
- The Thomas & Fern Troyer Rice Families (2005)
- The Howard Peverly & Marvin Schnitzler Families (2004)
- The Clarence & Mabel Ropp Family (2003)
- The W.B. Otwell Family (2002)
Nomination Process:
- The family member taking the lead on the nomination should complete the online nomination form. This form will notify the Illinois 4-H Foundation that you will be submitting a complete nomination via the mail by June 1.
- Complete as many copies of the Family Member Biography Form as needed so each family member is listed on a separate form.
- Provide up to a two-page typed "Family 4-H Story" reflecting on how 4-H has impacted your family and how your family has supported 4-H.
- Mail a cover page, (which should include the family name as you would want it to appear on the award, name of nominator (or contact person), email address, home address, phone and fax number), all individual family biography forms, and the Family 4-H story to:
Illinois 4-H Foundation
1401 South Maryland Drive
Urbana, IL 61801 - Deadline for 2010 award is April 1, 2010.
Illinois 4-H Larry Fischer Leadership & Spirit Award
The Illinois 4-H Foundation created the Larry Fischer Leadership & Spirit Award in 2001 to honor county 4-H or Extension foundation board members or other county fundraising volunteers who exemplify the spirit of "making the best better" for their county's 4-H or Extension fundraising efforts.
Larry Fischer has been a dedicated volunteer for Illinois 4-H for many years. His effective and inclusive leadership style and his passion and spirit for the youth that 4-H serves earned him the respect that resulted in his name being associated with this Leadership & Spirit Award. An Adams County native and a graduate of both Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and the University of Illinois, Fischer is the Director of Agricultural Programs at John Wood Community College. Larry Fischer served on the Illinois 4-H Foundation board for eight years and was elected to two terms as President.
Nomination Information
Nominees must have served on the county 4-H or Extension foundation board or in a similar volunteer role as a fundraiser for county 4-H or Extension programs. The person nominating the volunteer should complete the following application and submit a letter of nomination, which includes the nominee's:
- Significant contributions to the county's 4-H or Extension fundraising efforts
- List of outstanding professional accomplishments
- Notable contributions in citizenship and community service
- Other notable honors, special recognition, civic and volunteer activities, and philanthropic interests.
Additionally, submit at least two letters of support, a one-page biographical sketch, and a one or two-page description of career accomplishments (a resume or curriculum vitae are also acceptable).