Extension
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Local Club and Council Leadership and Community Service
Leadership
Reed
Leadership
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H. The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future. Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success.
Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field. The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others. Employers look for leadership skills in future employees. Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority. By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017).
Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). 4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).
Kentucky 4-H provides youth opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate experiences to advance their leadership skills:
Youth need opportunities to develop social skills, civic and leadership skills, create strong connections with caring adults, have access to safe places to interact with their peers, and support services to allow them to become more independent adults (Blank, M. J., 2017).
Youth need the opportunity to exercise or develop creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration skills (21st Century Skills, 2009).
Youth success is situated around four foundational components: self-regulation, knowledge and skills, mindsets, and values (Nagakoa, et al., 2015).
4-Hers are four times more likely to give back to their communities (Learner, R. M., & Learner, J. V., 2013).
4-Hers in grades 6-12 are nearly four times more likely to make contributions to their communities (Learner, R. M., & Learner, J. V., 2013).
Civic engaged youth are more likely to register to vote, write to a public official, investigate compelling political issues, participate in lawful demonstrations, and boycott certain products or stores.
Youth in the United States are below the international average in their understanding of the role of a citizen and citizens' political rights.
Low participation rates reflect a decline of trust in public institutions and public leaders.
Some youth experience a lack of meaningfulness in civic experiences.
Economic improvements can occur due to the activities of an engaged community
Civic improvements will be accomplished by engaging the community in its entirety civic engagement
Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders
Community members engage others to initiate projects
Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members
Communities become more prosperous
Create opportunities to affect change in the community
Provide access to places where knowledge can be gained
Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
You improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community
Youth are inclusive of all individuals
Youth will volunteer and participate in community service
Youth will engage in civic involvement
Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement
Initial Outcome:
Increase knowledge of context, problems, history, and policies
Aspire to positively affect community and world issues
Develop skills to increase engagement in civic issues by community members
Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
Youth develop/enhance leadership skills
Youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global)
Outcome: By working closely with schools and communities, Kentucky 4-H Programs can provide experiential, real-world opportunities for 4-H Members, Participants, & Families to explore and pursue civic engagement options.
Indicator: Number of 4-H Members and Participants in Civic Education& Engagement Educational Programs, Number of 4-H Members and Participants sitting on local/state civic organization boards, Number of 4-H Members and Participants designing/completing an educational program based on civic need
Method: Surveys and in-person discussions
Timeline: Annually as requested by community partners and schools
Outcome: Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels)
Indicator: Youth plan a community service project in their community
Youth report they serve as a mentor for a younger participant
Youth serve as leaders within their club or county programs
Youth serve in a state or national leadership position
Method: Program Indicators, Number of youth who served as group leaders or officers?(PRACTICE), Number of youth who served as direct mentors to one or more younger youth? (SEEC), State and National Programs: 4-H State Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, 4-H National Congress, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H National Conference, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events
Timeline: annually as programs offered or requested by community partners
Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):
Audience: youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H, community clubs and special interest group community service projects
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Youth Development Civic Engagement Framework, Kentucky 4-H Civic Engagement Curricula Pieces (Agent-Developed), Agent Resource Guide, 4-H Global Education Curriculum
Inputs: Extension personnel, state specialists, Special projects coordinator, community partners, volunteers
Date: annually as planned or requested by partners, schools and clubs
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Club Officer Teams, Community 4-H Clubs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: Extension personnel, School personnel, volunteers
Date: annually during the school year, year-round for community clubs,
as requested special interest groups.
Audience: Youth and adult community members
Project: 4-H Caramel Apple Fundraiser, Adult Council Leadership Development
Content: Leadership and Council orientations and training
Inputs: Extension personnel, School personnel, Volunteers, Fair Board, civic organizations, KELD
Date: annually as scheduled by Extension personnel or requested by community partners
