4-H LeadershipPlan of Work

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LaRue County CES

Title:
4-H Leadership
MAP:
Community, Economic and Leadership Development
Agents Involved:
Misty Wilmoth
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Leadership
Situation:

Leadership Facts and Trends:

Kentucky 4-H provides youth opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate experiences to advance their leadership skills: 

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:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:
Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities/Programs for Agents/Youth

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: State 4-H Teen Council and Leadership Boards

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum

Inputs: Meetings and State 4-H Teen Conference

Date: year round


Audience: 4-H Officers

Project or Activity: Learning leadership skills by serving as a club officer

Content or Curriculum: Club Officer manual

Inputs: Training and monthly club meetings

Date: September - May


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: 4-H Community Service Projects

Content or Curriculum: Citizenship Curriculum

Inputs: Community Service Projects conducted by project clubs.

Collect items to donate to the local Santa's Bus.  Trash for cash project conducted by two 4-H Clubs.

School clubs vote on and carry out a project each year.

Date: Ongoing year round community service projects


References: 

Blank, M. J. (2016, 2017). What do young people need to succeed? Coalition for Community Schools at the Institute for Educational Leadership. Retrieved 25 February 2020: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-do-young-people-need_b_9564524 

Learner, R.M., Learner, J.V., and Colleagues. (2013). The positive youth development of youth: Comprehensive findings from the 4-H study of positive youth development. Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development. Tufts University. Retrieved 25 February 2020: https://4-h.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/4-H-Study-of-Positive-Youth-Development-Full-Report.pdf

Locke, D., Boyd, B., Fraze, S., and Howard, J. W. (2007). Service-learning and leadership life-skills: An experimental study. Journal of Youth Development. 2(1), 1-17.  

Nagakoa, J., Farrington, C. A., Ehrlich, S. B., Heath, R. D., Johnosn, D. W., Dickson, S., Turner, A. C., Mayo, A., and Hayes, K. (2015). Foundations for youth adult success: A developmental framework. The University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research. Retreived 25 February 2020: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED559970.pdf 

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2009). P21 Framework Definitions. 1-9. Retrieved 25 February 2020: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED519462.pdf 

Rutledge, J., Spivey, L., Pracht, D., Pointer, G. (1997, 2017). Unlocking your leadership potential. University of Florida- IFAS Extension. 

United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy. (2017). Framework for developing global and cultural competencies to advance equity, excellence and economic competitiveness. Retrieved 24 February 2020: https://sites.ed.gov/international/global-and-cultural-competency/ 



Success Stories

Leadership Boot Camp

Author: Misty Wilmoth

Major Program: Leadership

The Kentucky 4-H leadership program provides opportunities for youth to grow their leadership skills in a safe and welcoming environment. Youth are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and experience new things. Our goal is to help youth gain the leadership skills they will use for life. One opportunity youth have to gain necessary skills is 4-H Leadership Boot Camp. This year the Kentucky 4-H Leadership Boot Camp was held February 2nd and 3rd at Lake Cumberland 4-H Camp. This two-d

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4-H Teen Summit

Author: Misty Wilmoth

Major Program: Leadership

According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is imperative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. Historically, there is a decline in enrollment numbers throughout the middle school years in 4-H programming, Kentucky 4-H hosts the Kentucky 4-H Summit Leadership Conference for middle schoolers

Full Story
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