Each year, faculty are required to include at least one success story for one of their Extension programs.  In addition, all faculty are required to include at least one success story about involvement with minorities (you are required to report which program your culturally relevant success story is under when you complete your affirmative action report in the spring).

There is a very simple “formula” you can follow to write concise, meaningful success stories:

1.    Problem- state the problem that was addressed

2.    Program- describe the Extension program (not just an activity) that was conducted to address the problem

3.    People- describe who conducted the program and who the program was for (target audience)

4.    Partners- state who the community partners were (if any)

5.    Impact- report the long term outcome (should be social, economic, or environmental).  The impact answers the “so what?” question.

Sample Outcome Statements and Success Stories for Organizational Strategies:

As a result of marketing efforts, 2,100 youth have participated in 6 hours or more of educational programming offered through the ______ County 4-H Program.  In addition, 7 new clubs were established.  When compared to children who participate in non 4-H related out-of-school activities (sports, Scouting, etc), 6^th graders currently participating in 4-H clubs and after-school programs are 1.6 times more likely to enroll in college. (Source: Tufts University Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, 2007).

As a result of marketing and public relations efforts, Clover County 4-H has been able to not only maintain ___% of its club members, but club membership has increased an average of __% each year.  This supports the implied impact based on recent research conducted by Tufts University (Learner, 2007), which found that these long-term, sequential educational experiences offered through 4-H provides a ladder for youth to excel more so than youth who are not involved multiple years.  In addition, children who had participated in 4-H for at least one year by 8^th grade are about 3.5 more likely to contribute to their families, self, and communities.  They are also 1.3 times more likely to be on the lowest trajectories for both depressive symptoms and or risk/delinquent behaviors. (Source: Tufts University Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development).  When asked how 4-H membership has contributed to who he is today, one youth reported "4-H has helped give me the confidence to speak up and not give into peer pressure."  One parent reported "the 4-H afterschool program has given my child a place to go and do constructive things with her time afterschool instead of sitting at home watching TV and playing video games." 

4-H Club Enrollment in 20___ was____.  In 20___, enrollment was up to ____.  This is an average annual increase of ___%.

As a result of 4-H Expansion and Review Committee efforts, one new community club was developed in a geographic location which has not had a 4-H club in existence within the last 20 years.  This new club now provides and opportunity for access to 4-H opportunities that are convienient for families, especially those with single-parent head of household and those with limited resources such as transportation. 

Average grants and monetary donations for the last four years was $16,004.00 per year (not including in-kind donations or the value of volunteer hours).  Average 4-H club membership was 185.  This brings the average annual economic benefit to $86.51 per 4-H club member per year, and allows 4-H to continue to be an affordable and accessible youth development program to ____ county families.