Developing leadership skills- youth NEW
Leadership Development & Community Engagement
Spurgeon
Leadership
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
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).
- 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
- 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
- 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)
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
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
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
Author: Erica Spurgeon
Major Program: Leadership
For many young people, the decision on what to do after high school is confusing. Most students have plans to attend a university, community college, trade school, or continue working for family. The Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference gives those planning to attend college a glimpse of college life at the University of Kentucky. 4-Hers can pick a major and attend a leadership minor during Teen Conference. The majors offer many options, such as Choir, Vet Science, and Dentistry. During minors, you
Author: Abigail Roy
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
Author: Abigail Roy
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Community members and 4-H’ers expressed an interest in once again having a livestock judging team in Pulaski County. This was a priority in the community due to the valuable skills that youth develop through livestock evaluation.As a result, we created the livestock judging program, working with youth to further their skills in livestock evaluation, decision making, critical thinking, and public speaking. This program consisted of weekly practices where youth were able to work through live
Author: Abigail Roy
Major Program: Leadership
The 100th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference took place at the University of Kentucky from June 11th to 14th, 2024. The conference aimed to achieve several objectives for its participants, including developing leadership and teamwork skills, improving communication abilities, fostering civic engagement, expanding knowledge in 4-H core content areas, and enhancing social skills through networking. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity for youth to become acquainted with the University
Author: Abigail Roy
Major Program: Camping
There is an increased need for youth to develop cooperation, communication, leadership, and social skills in an environment where they are able to be independent. Camp creates this environment for these skills to develop.To address this need Pulaski County spent several months preparing and advertising for camp to get as many youth involved as possible. Once at camp, youth were able to participate in classes and activities that allowed them to thrive and gain these skills with positive spark cha