Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H Leadership
Leadership Education and Volunteer Development
Steve Conrad, Paul Adkins, Christy Eastwood
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-
H. The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities to youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create most positive futures. 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 the persons they hire. 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)
The development of life skills, such as leadership, allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension)
Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community
organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and
multiculturalism in their daily life.
Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in
the workplace on a daily basis
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 or other project based group of younger 4-H members.
Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives.
Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address
identified need.
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 will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.
Youth will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic
engagement.
Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.
Youth will listen to people who have different ideas from them.
Initial Outcome: Greater understanding of different personalities
Indicator: Increased tolerance of one another
Method: written evaluation
Timeline: after program
Intermediate Outcome: 4-H youth serving as leaders in school/other organizations
Indicator:class/club officers with 4-H background
Method:observation & survey
Timeline:6-18 months
Long-term Outcome:4-H youth joining/serving as leaders in community organizations
Indicator:Community leaders with 4-H background
Method: observation & possible survey
Timeline: 15-20 years
Audience: teens, 16-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: state supported
Inputs: extension staff and resources; adult volunteers; camp staff
Date: summer
Audience: 4th & 5th Grade students
Project or Activity: 4-H Leadership Club
Content or Curriculum: state supported
Inputs: Elementary Schools, curriculum, Extension staff & resources
Date: October 2017-March 2018
Audience: 6th-12th Grade Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership academy/council, 4-H Teen Summit, 4-H State Teen Conference, and 4-H Issues Conference
Content or Curriculum: state supported
Inputs: School Volunteers; Extension Staff & Resources
Date: September 2017-July 2018
Author: Stephen Conrad
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Research has shown that youth leadership development can have positive effects on behaviors and skills including communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, and goal achievement (21 Progress). Each of these skills is linked to higher student achievement, lower drop-out rates, and better post school outcomes. For these reasons, The Boone County Cooperative Extension Service offered youth leadership programming to students at Yealey Elementary. 30 students (selected by the teachers)
Author: Paul Adkins
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
From Child Psychology: A Handbook of Contemporary Issues, Balter, L., & Tamis-LeMonda, C.S. (2006) notes that there are “strengths present within all young people and involves concepts such as developmental assets, positive youth development, moral development and noble purpose, civic engagement, well-being, and thriving. All concepts are predicated on the idea that every young person has the potential for successful, healthy development and the belief that all youth possess the capaci
Author: Paul Adkins
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
The Boone County Extension County Extension Council and 4-H Council expressed need to develop additional opportunities for teenagers in Boone County. America After 3PM a 2014 report by the Afterschool Alliance revealed that 15% of youth in Kentucky participate in an afterschool program, yet 44% would be enrolled in a program if one were available to them. 76% of parents surveys agreed that afterschool programs give working parents peace of mind, more work needs to be done to ensure that all yout
Author: Paul Adkins
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Boone County Schools identified a need for leadership education with their students. The school district realized that students identified as a leader in the gifted and talented program in 4th and 5th grades were limited on opportunities to grow their leadership skills. Some schools use leadership education with 4-H to fulfill this need while others identify students that could benefit from developed leadership skills. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learni
