Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Leadership, Life Skills, and Volunteer Skills
Leadership and Life Skill Development
Lisa Hagman-4-H, Angelia Swihart-FCS
Leadership
Leadership
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Master Clothing Volunteer
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).
Many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked facet of youth development and education (MacNeil,2000). The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and their
communities. Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders -these skills are needed for success in today's world (MacNeil,2000).
Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003).
*Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders for local 4-H Clubs and 4-H camps and in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
*Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
- 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
- Homemaker will lead sewing classes and lessons as a Certified Master Clothing Volunteer.
Adult Volunteers will contribute to the positive youth development and asset building for 4-H members.
*Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.
*Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
*Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp, overnight, or other project based group of younger 4-H members.
*Homemakers will Lead Clubs and Lessons for youth and adults.
*4-H volunteers will encourage youth to find their spark and develop these interests.
*Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.
*Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
*Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
- 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
- Homemakers will increase their knowledge of textiles and construction techniques.
Initial Outcome: Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
Indicator: Youth will participate, discuss, and evaluate leadership styles.
Method: observation, discussion
Timeline: September 2024-April 2025
Intermediate Outcome: 4-H Teen Club members will utilize leadership skills in the 4-H Camp Setting.
Indicator: leadership skills displayed while working with younger 4-H members
Method: observation, self-evaluation
Timeline: June 2024
Long-term Outcome: 4-H youth will attend camp and serve as adult and teen counselors. Master Clothing Volunteer will lead sewing activities for Youth and Adults.
Indicator: Camp attendance; Lead Community Sewing Classes.
Method: Observation
Timeline: June 2024
Audience: 4-H Camp Volunteer Adult and Teen Leaders
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp Leader Training materials
Inputs: 4-H Camp, State 4-H Office
Date: June 2025
Audience: 4-H Campers
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: overnight camp
Inputs: 4-H Camp, State 4-H Office
Date: June 2025
Audience: Youth Ages 11-13
Project or Activity: KET Movie Making Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: KET moving making lessons taught by KET professionals
Inputs: Hancock County 4-H, KET
Date: July 2024
Audience: 4-H Shooting Sports Certified Coaches
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports Practices and Competitions
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches' manual per each discipline
Inputs: State 4-H Office, County 4-H Council, Volunteer Coaches
Date: July 2024-June 2025
Audience: 4-H Members, 4-H Rabbit Club Members, Afterschool Members, Cloverbud Members, Homeschool Club members
Project or Activity: Speeches/Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Core Curriculum
Inputs: Hancock County Public Schools, Afterschool programs, Volunteer Leaders
Date: September 2024-April 2025
Audience: High School, Middle School, and Afterschool 4-H Club Members, Rabbit Club, Homeschool Club, Cloverbud Club
Project or Activity: Leadership Skill Development, 4-H Summit, 4-H Teen Conference, Green River Area Teens, 4-H Teen Council
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Inputs: Hancock County Public Schools, State 4-H Office
Date: September 2024-May 2025
Audience: 4-H Culinary Arts Club
Project or Activity: cooking and nutrition
Content or Curriculum: Family and Consumer Sciences and Health Core Curriculum
Inputs: Hancock County Middle School, Hancock County High School, Youth Service Center, Community Education
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Adults, Teens and Youth
Project or Activity: Master Clothing Volunteer
Content or Curriculum: Master Clothing Volunteer
Inputs: Green River FCS Agents, MCV Trainers, Hancock Co. FCS Agent
Date: October 2024-May 2025
Audience: Adults, Teens and Youth
Project or Activity: Homemaker JR. Wildcat Club, Homemaker club meetings
Content or Curriculum: Homemaker Club Lessons
Inputs: Homemakers, Green River FCS Agents, Hancock Co. FCS Agent
Date: October 2023-May 2024
Audience: All 9th-12th Grade Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences Core Curriculum
Inputs: Hancock County Middle and High Schools, Youth Services Center and numerous community volunteers
Date: April 2025
Audience: 4-H Cloverbud Club
Project or Activity: 4-H Public Speaking
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communication Curriculum
Input: Volunteer Leader
Date: April 2025
Audience: 4-H Rabbit Club
Project or Activity: Parliamentary Procedure
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Input: Volunteer Leader
Date: September 2024-June 2025
Audience: 8th-12th Grade Students-4-H Teen Club members
Project or Activity: Green River Area 4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership
Input: 4-H Agents, State 4-H Office, 4-H Camp, 4-H core curriculum areas, etc.
Date: September 2024-April 2025
Audience: 8th-12th Grade Students-4-H Teen Club members
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership
Input: State 4-H Office
Date: June 2025
Audience: 4-H Leaders in Shooting Sports, Camp, Homeschool Club, Cloverbuds, and Rabbit Club
Project or Activity: Leader Training/Certifications
Content or Curriculum: Ky 4-H Nearpod Trainings, agent trainings, camp leader training/materials
Input: State 4-H Office
Date: September 2024-June 2025
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
In our increasingly interconnected world, young people must acquire the knowledge and skills to engage effectively. Local economies now rely more than ever on international resources, and those who thrive in this interconnected economy are adaptable individuals who embrace multiculturalism. Passport Kitchen is a program designed to help young people take their first steps in developing these skills. It not only promotes family mealtime but also fosters life readiness skills. For
