Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership
Developing Leadership Skills
Tashjian, FCS Agent, AG Agent
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
4-H Youth Development Programming
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Leadership development is an important but often overlooked facet of education. The development of leadership skills allows individuals to make responsible decisions, have a better understanding of values, improve communication skills and enhance relationships with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension). 4-H programs offer opportunities for students to learn and put into practice these essential skills. In order to become good leaders and obtain success in life, students must practice goal setting, problem solving and effective decision making (MacNeil, 2000). Studies show that youth with leadership skills are better able to provide service to community and demonstrate higher career aspirations. They have higher self-esteem and are more likely to obtain a high school diploma. Thus, by assisting the development of leadership in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida). Employers look for leadership skills in persons they hire and communities are strengthened when youth leaders are developed. Youth help to energize adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership within their communities. Being heavily involved in the positive leadership experiences that 4-H provides also reduces the probability that students will choose more risky activities that could impede their success.
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. Through the efforts of the FCS agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.
--Youth serve as leaders in their communities and as mentors for younger youth.
--Youth demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and
multiculturalism in their daily life.
--Youth identify and address critical issues that impact the community.
--Youth become be productive, contributing adults.
--Youth use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful.
-Local community's’ health and economy are strengthened through strong local
organizational leadership
-Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
--Youth demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills daily.
--Youth use leadership skills learned in 4-H with 4-H and other groups.
--Senior 4-H members become leaders in their county 4-H program.
--Youth participate in service projects.
-Practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
-Practice Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process
in addressing organizational issues and needs.
--Youth learn communication, leadership and procedural skills and are able to run
a meeting.
--Youth learn how to become an effective leader, team player and communicator.
--Youth learn about diversity and demonstrate inclusivity.
--Youth learn and practice good decision making skills and gain an appreciation
for civic engagement.
--Youth practice listening to others who have different opinions and ideas.
-Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership.
-KEHA and community members increase knowledge and skills in organizational
leadership.
-Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Initial Outcome: Middle and high school 4-H'ers become more invested in
the Graves County 4-H Program.
Indicator: Increase participation in leadership programming (Teen
Summit, Southern Region Teen Leadership, Area and State
Teen Councils, Achievement, Culinary Contests, Leadership
Club, Communications Events and Citizenship
Method: Comparison of members registered for a variety of 4-H
programs
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Students demonstrate leadership and teamwork in clubs and
4-H events.
Indicator: Number of participants demonstrating behavior changes and
number participating in leadership opportunities
Method: Agent observation
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Members graduate from Junior 4-H status (elementary
age)into middle and high school 4-H programs.
Indicator: Membership in middle and high school 4-H increases in
number
Method: Agent observation
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Middle and High School 4-H'ers take on leadership roles
and serve as mentors for junior 4-H'ers.
Indicator: Junior 4-H'ers complete projects and become involved in
4-H beyond preliminary club membership.
Method: Comparison of members registered for School, County,
Area and State Events (clubs, culinary programs, fair
entries,achievement events)
Timeline: Ongoing
-Initial Outcome: Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in personal
leadership.
-KEHA and community members increase knowledge and skills in organizational
leadership.
-Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Indicator:
-Number of volunteers who report knowledge of personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach
-Number of individuals gaining knowledge of community problems by assessing community needs, developing and implementing solutions.
Method: Program of Work Year-end Reporting
Timeline: July-June
Intermediate Outcome:
Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
Indicator:
-Number of individuals who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
-Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership skills (such as increased confidence as a leader, more effective interaction with diverse learning styles and culture, mastered the art of influencing others, improved public speaking)
Method: Participant report
Timeline: July-June
Longterm Outcome:
-Kentucky communities’ health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership.
-Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
Indicator:
-Number of volunteers who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
-Number of individuals who use communication, problem solving or group process skills to address organizational issues and need.
Method: Participant Reporting
Timeline: July-June
Audience: Graves County 6th - 8th graders
Project or Activity: Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H materials
Inputs: Local, county, district and state network,
communications & networking, funding, travel, staff
time, program administration, printed and online
resources
Date: Annually in the spring
Audience: Graves County Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Issues Conference
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H materials
Inputs: Local, county, district and state network,
communications & networking, funding, travel, staff
time, program administration, printed and online
resources
Date: Annually in the fall
Audience: Graves County Teens
Project or Activity: Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: County, Area and State Materials
Inputs: Local, county, district and state network,
communications & networking, funding, travel, staff
time, program administration, printed and online
resources
Date: Annually in the summer
Audience: Graves County Youth
Project or Activity: Achievement Program
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H materials
Inputs: Local, county, district and state network,
communications & networking, funding, travel, staff
time, program administration, printed and online
resources
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Graves County Youth
Project or Activity: State 4-H Teen Council
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H materials
Inputs: Local, county, district and state network,
communications & networking, funding, travel, staff
time, program administration, printed and online
resources
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Graves County Youth
Project or Activity: Junior Leaders
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H materials
Inputs: Local, county, district and state network,
communications & networking, funding, travel, staff
time, program administration, printed and online
resources
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Graves County Youth
Project or Activity: Officer education, club involvement and procedural
education
Content or Curriculum: State 4-H materials
Inputs: Local, county, district and state network,
communications & networking, funding, travel, staff
time, program administration, printed and online
resources
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Homemakers, community members
Project or Activity: KEHA Leadership
Content/curriculum: CES Publications/resource
Inputs: UK Specialist, KEHA, community partners
Audience: Community members with sewing experience and interest
Project: Master Clothing Volunteer Program
Content: Master Training Program
Inputs: UK Curriculum; state specialists; volunteers
Audience: KEHA Homemakers; Community members
Project: Empowering Community Leaders
Content: CES publications
Input: UK Specialist, community partners, volunteers
Audience: Homemakers
Project: Officer Training
Content: UK publications
Input: UK Specialist, KEHA Program of Work Resources, FCS Agents
Author: Tracey Tashjian
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
The 4-H Achievement Program gives youth the opportunity to gain experience in goal setting, record keeping, planning, organizing, seeing tasks through to completion, and sharing accomplishments with other youth and adults. Youth develop and practice written and verbal communication skills by completing the application, cover story and preparing/participating in the interview process. The recognition and rewards aspect of the program help youth make the correlation between hard work a
