What is Communications?  That's how we share information, ideas, and thoughts.  It can be verbal, written, or drawn.  In 4-H we want our members to learn and practice good communication skills.  Giving project reports at club meetings, being an officer, keeping a record book, giving a demonstration, presenting a talk, and much more can be ways that you can build your communication skills.

A good way to share what you have learned is to participate in the county 4-H Communications Day.  This is a countywide event where 4-H members can give presentations, make display posters, be part of a skit, or interview to be on 4-H Camp Staff.

The 2009 4-H Communications Day will be on Saturday, March 7 at Ballico Elementary School in Ballico.  The activities will begin around 8:30 in the morning and will last until early afternoon.   
Evaluation Forms are posted here.  If you have questions please contact the 4-H Office at 385-7418 or the All Star Candidate Kristen Hunsuck.

Application to participate can be found here  Presenter Entry Form 2009 or you can register online here: http://ucanr.org/commday

 

The Merced County 4-H Communications Day will be a fun and exciting day. All 4-H members are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate in some way. If you want to be a Room Host or a Judge, please contact  the 4-H office to sign up.  A room host is an older member who helps in the presentation rooms with introducing the presentations and also assuring that the right speakers and judges are in their assigned classroom. For further information, please contact the 4-H office at 385-7418.  

More for Communications Day

Photos · A picture is worth a thousand words and it’s also a great form of communication! In honor of this form of communication we would like to invite photography members to bring up to two photographs to Communications Day where their entries will be judged.

 

Merced County 4-H Communication Day March 7, 2009

Mini-members are those who are 7 and 8 years of age and will only be given seals of participation on their certificates.

 

1.	Demonstration	2.	Illustrated Talk
3.	Prepared Speech	4.	Interpretive Reading
5.	Impromptu	6.	Share the Fun
7.	Cultural Arts	8.	Educational Display
9.	Audio-Visual	10.	other - photos

  
Down load a copy of the Evaluation Forms so you can see what the judges are looking for in the presentations
Evaluations demos and talks including Scientific*

 1.  Demonstrations  – A demonstration shows how to do something. Member must use a minimum of four posters (visual aids). Overhead transparencies, computer generated slides, or visual aids produced and other mediums are equally acceptable. Topic must be 4-H project or activity related. Team demonstrations are limited to two team members. Age divisions are determined by highest grade of the two members. Models or actual products are encouraged with brand names covered. Organization and visibility of the work area is important. Note cards are allowed at county and sectional levels as long as they do not detract from the presentation. Note cards are not allowed at the state level. Presentation should not exceed 15 minutes.

 4. Interpretive Reading – Members may read any published, written work. It should be age appropriate. Possibilities include, but are not limited to, children’s stories, poetry, essays, and excerpts from novels. The member will introduce themselves and their chosen piece. Include the title, author, characters, purpose and setting, and any other information that would enhance the audience’s understanding of the piece. The characters and setting are created through voice and gestures. The member is presenting the reading as at a story hour, not acting it out. The member may sit or stand. The source material must be present and used during the reading. No props, costumes, or other materials may be used. The member completes the presentation with a short conclusion, which leaves the audience with a vivid memory. At the state level, the introduction and conclusion together are limited to no more than 5 minutes and the reading is limited to 5 minutes. This is limited to individual participants.

Evaluations Extemporaneous
 5.Impromptu – This category is open to intermediate and senior division members.  In the Impromptu category at the county, sectional and state level general topics are announced ahead. Basic research is done prior to the event by the youth. For each topic, the youth is allowed to bring 1 5x7 card of their research on the topic. The member randomly draws one with three minutes to prepare.

Evaluations performances
 6. Share the Fun – This is a skit category that focuses on health, safety, community pride, recreation, or citizenship. This is a group presentation. It should have an introduction which states its purpose. Costumes, props, decorations, and visual aids are encouraged. Audience participation is allowed. Judges may ask questions to clarify judging, but the members are not tested on their answers. At the state level judging is on the American System and the presentation is limited to 15 minutes.

 7. Cultural Arts – This is an individual or group performance presentation such as a dramatic reading, music, dance, or other performing arts. The introduction includes its purpose. Costumes, props, and visual aids are encouraged.

Evaluations Display

 8. Educational Display – This is a visual presentation either set up with a tri-fold board approximately 30x30” on a table top or a larger, up to 48x48” board, set on an easel. Either format will contain the title, member’s name, 4-H club, and a visual depiction of the concept or program featured. It should be readable from at least four feet away. The member will give an oral introduction to the audience and answer judges’ questions. Notes may be used at county and sectional levels, but not at state level.

Evaluations audio visual

 9. Audio visual – This is an individual presentation consisting of slides, video or digital productions. The presentation takes advantage of the format. It is not just using PowerPoint slides in an illustrated talk. The length is appropriate to the subject and format. A slide presentation is supplemented with a verbal commentary, tape recording, or audio track. No costumes or props are used. The member will give an oral introduction to the audience and answer judges’ questions. Notes may be used at county and sectional levels, but not at state level. The member is responsible for the complete production process and for furnishing all equipment needed. Some equipment is available at the county level.

 
And Offered only at State Level —–

*file23*
10. Problem Solving – This category is offered at the state level for senior division members. The member does not need to qualify at the county or sectional levels to enter. Notes are not allowed at state level. Member is judged on the overall effectiveness of the presentation and not the solution presented. Member can support presentation with posters, overhead slides, or computer generated slides. Presentation should be 5 – 10 minutes. A list of state topic “problems” is available at the 4-H office.

 

 ALL PRESENTATIONS

Organization: All oral presentations should be composed of an introduction, body and conclusion. The inclusion of researched information adds weight to a presentation. Originality is encouraged, especially with the title and introduction.

Delivery: Important components of successful speaking are eye contact, sincere manner, correct pronunciation, enunciation, inflection, humor, natural posture and gestures. Audience seated in all parts of the room should be able to see and hear the presenter. The presentation should flow naturally, without gaps. A confident well-prepared presenter will keep the audience’s attention.

Length of presentations: Appropriate to the member’s age and experience and as necessary to cover the subject. See descriptions of each presentation for time limits.

Teams: Teams of two members may present a demonstration or illustrated talk. Both members should have equal opportunity for speaking and “showing.” Speeches, Interpretative Readings and Displays are by individuals only. Share the Fun is a group presentation. Cultural Arts may be presented by individuals or groups.

Number of entries: A member may enter two presentations in different categories plus be part of a group performance at county level. At the sectional level they are limited to just two and at the state event limited to one presentation per member.

Questions: Judges’ questions are appropriate in all categories.

Advancement to next level: A county Gold award (medal or seal) qualifies to advance to Sectional level. A sectional Gold Medal qualifies to advance to state level.

Special needs: If a presenter has special needs this should be stated on the entry form. This may be a need for special consideration due to a disability, or a special need for equipment, or even a need to be scheduled first or last in a room.