Boone County CES

Title:

4-H Leadership

MAP:

Leadership Education and Volunteer Development

Agents Involved:

Steve Conrad, Christy Eastwood, Gina Ligon

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership

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 (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels)

• Indicator of Success for Outcome
  • 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 of Evaluation
  • Oral or 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey at conclusion of learning activity
  • Program Indicators
• Number of youth who served as group leaders or officers?(PRACTICE)
• Number of youth who received education related to diversity and inclusivity? (KOSA)
• Number of youth who served as direct mentors to one or more younger youth? (SEEC)
• Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
• Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)

Learning Opportunities:

• 4-H Leadership
  • Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens,  (Every month with 4-H Teen Club 22-23)
  • State and National Programs: 4-H State Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events  
  • 4-H Clubs Officer Training (Sept. 2022)
  • 4-H Council Officer Training (Sept. 2022)
  • 4-H Camp AC/JC Training (May 2023)
  • 4-H Livestock Committee Officer Training (Oct. 2022)
  • School Leadership Groups (monthly Sept. 2022-April 2023)

• 4-H Global Education
  • Local, State and National Programs: 4-H International Exchange Program,  
  • Global Gourmet cooking group (summer 23)

Success Stories

4-H Teen Survival Camp

Author: Gina Ligon

Major Program: Leadership

 4-H Teen Survival Camp was trialed in 2021 as a one-day camp for teenagers.   After the one-day camp, it was brought to our attention, teen programs in our county was lacking.  The 4-H Teen Survival class began filling and waiting list was created.   Parents of the community informed us they were looking for summer outdoor programs.    In 2022, Lacey Kessell the Boone County Environmental Agent, Gina Ligon a Boone County 4-H Youth and Development Agent, and Ch

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