Youth and Volunteer DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Bracken County CES

Title:
Youth and Volunteer Development
MAP:
Community Leadership Development
Agents Involved:
4-H
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:

Many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked facet of youth development and education (MacNeil ,2000). The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their communities. Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders-these skills are needed for success in today's world (MacNeil, 2000). Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003).

By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations and communities experience direct benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community (Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001). They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth, and fresh perspectives for how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991). Additionally, young people help to re-energize adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership within their communities (Zeldin, & Camino, 1999; Fiscus, 2003).


Becoming an active part of the community necessitates that youth and adults value the diversity present and promote inclusivity at all levels of programming and involvement. The demographic makeup of the US has changed significantly over the last few decades and will continue to change in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status (SES), special needs and educational attainment. This changing population and awareness of diversity will continue to change into the future. Three powerful trends in society have contributed to a focus on diversity, inclusiveness and education about this topic. These trends are: 1) a competitive, globalized market in which the US conducts business; 2) substantial changes in the makeup of the US population and, 3) the celebration of individual differences and a movement away from “fitting in”. Some facts related to this:

-4 of 5 new jobs are the result of foreign trade.

 -The percentage of whites in the population continues to decline. Asians are the fastest growing race group while Hispanics are the largest. By 2050, approximately 1 in 2 people (50%) will be non-white.

 -The majority of new workers are women and people of color.

 -Taken as a whole, people with disabilities make up the largest minority group (15%) in the US.

 -The fastest growing age group are those 75+ years old.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and

as mentors for younger youth.

Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their

daily life.

Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community

Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.

Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on

a daily basis.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.

Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other

venues with 4-H and other community organizations.

Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp or other

project based group of younger 4-H members.

Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal

lives.

Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run

a meeting.

Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team

player and communicator.

Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative

leadership characteristics.

Youth will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.

Youth will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.

Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.

Youth will listen to people who have different ideas from them.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will increase knowledge of effective leadership skills

Indicator: # of individuals participating in leadership programming and % of knowledge gained

Method: Post evaluation and # of participants

Timeline: 2018-2019


Intermediate Outcome: Individuals will actively engage in leadership and volunteer roles

Indicator: Volunteer hours and # of volunteers

Method: observation, personal testimonies

Timeline: 2018-2019


Long-term Outcome: Individuals will serve as leaders in their community and community organizations

Indicator: # of effective leaders in significant leadership roles

Method: observation, follow-up surveys, testimonies

Timeline: 2018-2019

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Council officers and members

Project or Activity: meetings

Content or Curriculum: reports and updates

Inputs: agent, volunteers, agendas, minutes, reports

Date: meetings held every other month


Audience: 4-H club leaders and volunteers

Project or Activity: various clubs and projects

Content or Curriculum: UK and CES publications/curriculum, adapted resources/materials

Inputs: volunteers, agents, cert. hours, training

Date: 2018-2019


Audience: 4-H Teen club/volunteers

Project or Activity: MS club, day camp, 4-H Camp

Content or Curriculum: leadership development

Inputs: agents, teens, planning, resources, handbooks

Date: 2018-2019


Audience: 8th graders

Project or Activity: Leadership Academy

Content or Curriculum: UK/4-H Resources

Inputs: agents, volunteers, teachers, school staff

Date:2018-2019


Audience: 5th/6th graders

Project or Activity: Leadership/Communication Boot Camp

Content or Curriculum: UK/4-H Resources

Inputs: agents, volunteers, teachers, school staff

Date: 2018-2019




Success Stories

Cloverbuds: The development of a new 4-H generation

Author: Molly Jordan

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

Historically, in Bracken County, Augusta Independent students have been an underserved audience. Seeing this as a 4-H agent, I wanted to begin introducing 4-H to students in hopes that they would get involved in our programs. Understanding the impact that 4-H has on a young person’s life, I approached the school with the idea of developing a Cloverbud program in grades K-3rd. The primary goal of the Cloverbud program is to promote children's healthy development - mentally, physically,

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Adulting 101 Teaches High School Seniors Real Life Skills

Author: Molly Jordan

Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming

The life of the high school senior is full of “adult” decisions: selecting a college, picking a major, choosing a career path, and moving out! Although today’s adolescents are technologically advanced compared to prior generations, they sometimes lack basic practical living skills.  After being approached by school officials with this very same concern, the Family Consumer Science Agent and 4-H Youth Development Agent decided a crash course was needed. The Adulting 10

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Cloverbud Camp-First time experience for many

Author: Molly Jordan

Major Program: Specialty Camps (overnight camps that take place outdoors)

Studies have proven that children involved in educational outside of school are more likely to become successful members of society. The 4-H Cloverbud Program is a way to reach kids at a younger age to get them involved in the 4-H Program. This program serves as a stepping stone to introduce youth to all the various 4-H programs and activities. In Bracken County, our Cloverbud program has been confined to afterschool activities and short summer day camps. In an effort to engage younger youth in

Full Story
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