How to Plan the County Design Contest

WHAT IS THE DESIGN CONTEST:

• An opportunity for 4-H clothing members of all ages to change the design of a given existing pattern, make the outfit, and model it.  They are then judged against a set of criteria.

WHO IS IN CHARGE:

• County Family and Consumer Science Chair and Clothing Chair
• The committee will be comprised of 1/3 youth and 2/3 adult volunteers

WHEN:

• Variable, usually in May or late Spring.  Judging in the morning, followed by lunch and the fashion show in the afternoon.  Lasts 4-6 hours.   

WHAT TO DO:

• 1 year in advance

-Contact youth advisor to select date

-Reserve rooms that are wheelchair accessible.  When reserving facility, obtain a lease agreement (if not already in place) and submit unsigned to YDA for processing.

-Notify Council Vice President of date to place on calendar.

• 6 months in advance:

-Begin publicity

-Recruit youth and begin holding committee meetings to choose a theme

• 3 months in advance:

-Continue publicity

-Develop budget and check figures with Council treasurer

-Recruit moderators

-Solicit donations for prizes

-Post applications on the web.  Applications must first be approved by YDA. 

-Send applications to all eligible youth through the 4-H Office

·        1 month in advance:

-Publicize specific time, location, directions, and rules of the event in the Timely Topics.  Monthly deadline is the 15^th. 

-Meet with committee

-Confirm facility

-Appoint activity coordinator to help occupy participants while they are waiting to be judged

• 1 week in advance:

-Re-confirm facility

-Group applications together and assign judging times

• Day of:

-Set up 1 hour before participants arrive

-Assign judging locations

-Conduct a judges orientation

-Welcome participants and answer questions

-CLEAN UP afterwards

• 1 week after:

-Update the binder for the following year

-Send thank-you cards to judgeS

SUBCOMMITTEES

• Activity Coordinator
• Refreshments
• Greeting members/families/handing out program
• Greeting judges
• Recruit judges

SAMPLE PUBLICITY IDEAS:

• Report at County Council Meeting/Executive Board meetings
• Send information in county club packets
• Advertise in the Timely topics
• Volunteer to attend club meetings and report
• Promote the event and encourage members to attend and participate

OTHER HELPFUL ADVICE

• Participants are divided into age groups and judged according to their level of expertise
• The activity coordinator may choose to put on modeling seminars or other appearance and self-presentation seminars during the time in between judging.  She or he may also choose to do games, crafts, or other activities, it is up to the coordinator.