Opinion

Get used to record keeping, it's a necessary life skill

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Unless one is a tax preparer, accountant or some other records retention professional, most likely the thought of recording, maintaining and preserving records is not too exciting for most.

Yet record keeping is a necessary life skill and most careers have at least some sort of record keeping requirement. Currently Extension staff members are completing federal and state reports that are annually required for record keeping. One needs to keep records for personal income taxes, warranties or receipts for proof of purchase.

And 4-H members have significant opportunities to develop record keeping skills. While working on projects during the winter, spring and/or summer, there is the need to keep financial records for many projects. Manuals and record sheets are also to be kept and maintained.

Now at the conclusion of the 4-H year, it is important to complete the "My Record of Achievement" (MRA) form to record the activities that are completed by the 4-Her during the year. One might say seriously, a third-grader needs to turn in a record? The answer is yes!

First and foremost, starting early with MRA form submission makes it a habit allowing one to get started on a necessary life skill.

One good way to get started as one begins a new year is to print the MRA form and place it by the family calendar or on the refrigerator etc. so as 4-H'ers attend meetings, activities and events throughout the year that these activities can be easily recorded. Placing the MRA form in a prominent place will remind one to record necessary items.

Secondly, points do accumulate over multiple years. Thus as awards are presented at the November awards program, these are not solely based on the previous year; rather the points are accumulated over multiple years.

While the due date for "My Record of Achievement" was Aug. 23 to be assured consideration for 2013 awards, we allowed these to be received through Friday, Aug. 30 with assurance they will be tabulated in time for the fall awards program. Afterward forms will still be accepted and will be processed if time permits for the awards program.

The 4-H Member Awards and Volunteer Recognition Program will occur Sunday, Nov. 3, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

Completion of MRA forms is also required for those who will be applying for 4-H scholarships at both the state and county level. For future planning, these scholarship applications should be assembled by Christmas break so they can be submitted for the early January deadlines. Please call if you have questions or ask your 4-H leader who will be willing to help. The MRA form is on the Purdue Extension-Putnam County website and found on the 4-H Youth Development page.

Visit our homepage at www.extension.pur-due.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week's column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events.

It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming events

ASAP -- Pick up State Fair and remaining 4-H projects returned to office.

Sept. 27 -- Entry deadline for Indiana Beef Evaluation Program Winter Test.

Sept. 28 -- Adventures in Gardening, Hendricks County Fairgrounds.