Adults are often to blame if competition pushes aside the co-operative
spirit in 4-H clubs.
A focus on the grand champion animal at 4-H livestock events, and
placing ribbon winners at the front of the sales list can send the
wrong message, said two specialists at the Saskatchewan 4-H Council
meeting.
“Winning is not why 4-Hers say they participate,” said Joanne Missler.
“Yet we adults tend to plan competitive events.”
Missler told the Oct. 26 seminar that 4-H members say they are in the
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club to learn new skills, have fun or be with friends. She said
teenagers can handle competition better than younger children.
The advantages of co-operation are that it encourages social
interaction and improves communication skills.
However, competition should not be dismissed entirely. It is useful in
improving skills, helping groups bond and measuring performance.
Missler said a healthy balance can be achieved by ensuring that in
individual projects, members are judged against a standard rather than
each other. The process should be more important than the product.
“Everyone can win and can strive to do the best they can.”
This can be done by giving awards for attendance and activity
participation, rather than excelling at something.
Several tactics can be used to lessen competitiveness at achievement
days and livestock shows.
- The judge could be given the authority to award ties such as two
firsts and three seconds.
- The club leader could assist the judge in determining placings and
giving awards based on personal improvement and factors over which the
member has control such as showmanship and grooming rather than an
animal’s conformation.
- The judge could give reasons for each member’s placing that include
positive steps for improvement.
- Teams could include senior, intermediate and junior members who would
work on an animal or project, so the group shares the credit.
A leader at the meeting added that reducing competition in 4-H “goes
against the grain of the industry, but are we here for the industry or
for fun?”
