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.