Developing leadership skills- youth NEW

Developing leadership skills- youth NEWPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Pulaski County CES

Title:

Developing leadership skills- youth NEW

MAP:

Leadership Development & Community Engagement

Agents Involved:

Spurgeon

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development

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:

Initial 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:
4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
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)
Timeline: Year-Round

Intermediate Outcome:
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
Indicator: # Youth serving in leadership roles
Method:
4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
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)
Timeline: Year-Round

Long-term Outcome:
Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders
Indicator:
Youth come back to Pulaski County to take on leadership roles within their community
Method:
Observation
Timeline:
Yearly

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Speech and Demonstration
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers, Teachers
Date: School year

Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: School Clubs; school enrichment
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, Teachers
Date: school year

Audience: Middle School Students
Project or Activity: Afterschool, Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Art curriculum, Teen Leadership, 4-H Photography curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers
Date: September-May

Audience: High School Juniors/Seniors
Project or Activity: APES, KY Youth Seminar
Content or Curriculum: 4-H APES Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers, counselors
Date: school year

Audience: High School Students (freshmen-Senior)
Project or Activity: Capitol Experience, Teen Council, Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers, teachers
Date: school year

Audience: High School Students (freshmen-Senior)
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Program
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers, teachers
Date: school year (September - April) Monthly

Success Stories

4-H Summit 2024

Author: Erica Spurgeon

Major Program: Leadership

Middle school is a crucial period for youth development, marked by significant physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. Fostering leadership skills in middle school students is essential for preparing them for future challenges and responsibilities. Engaging them through interactive and enjoyable activities not only makes learning fun but also instills vital qualities such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making.At this age, youth encounter numerous physical, cognitive, langua