Elliott County CES

Title:

Leadership Development

MAP:

4-H

Agents Involved:

4-H Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Civic Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Natural Resources

Situation:

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).    

Long-Term Outcomes:

• 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 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• 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 Outcomes:

• 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) 

Evaluation:

Outcome to be Evaluated: Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community by: 

- planning a service project 

-serving as mentors

-increasing participation in local, state, and national levels 

Indicators: 

• 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: 4-H Common Measures Survey

Timeline: July 2021 - June 2024 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Elementary School Youth 

Project or Activity: Leadership Boards 

Content or Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens, My Leadership Workbook (Level 1), My Leadership Journal (Level 2), My Leadership Portfolio (Level 3), Leadership Mentor Guide 1: K-5, Leadership Mentor Guide 2: 6-12 

Inputs: Elliott County School System and Elliott County Extension Agents

Date: September 2021

Audience: 4-H Livestock & 4-H Shooting Sports 

Project or Activity: Mentorship Programs

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Mentor Guide 1: K-5, Leadership Mentor Guide 2: 6-12

Inputs: 4-H Livestock Certified Leaders, 4-H Shooting Sports Teen and Adult Certified Coaches and Elliott County Extension Agents  

Date: July 2021 - June 2024 

Audience: High School Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy 

Content or Curriculum:

• Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, 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 

Inputs: Elliott County 4-H Council Volunteers and Elliott County Extension Agents 

Date: November 2021 - April 2022