Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth & Adult Leadership Development
4-H Leadership & Communications
R. Ford
4-H Youth Development Programming
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
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).
By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations and communities experience direct benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community (Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001). Additionally, young people help to re-energize adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership within their communities (Zeldin, & Camino, 1999; Fiscus, 2003).Becoming an active part of the community necessitates that youth and adults value the diversity present and promote inclusivity at all levels of programming and involvement.
-Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
-Youth and adults will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.
-Youth and adults will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
-Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
-Youth and adults will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
-Youth and adults 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 clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
-Senior 4-H members and adults will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp, summer 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 and adults will learn the communication, leadership, procedural skills, and other resources that are necessary to run a meeting.
-Youth and adults will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
-Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
Initial Outcome: Number of youth and adults will learn the communication, leadership, procedural skills, and other resources that are necessary to run a meeting.
Indicator: Day Camps, project clubs, recruitment of new leaders and summer camp
Method: Observation, recruitment and client protection
Timeline: throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: Number of senior 4-H'ers and adults becoming leaders or co-leaders of project club, day camp, afterschool programs & summer camp.
Indicator: afterschool events, 4-H Summer Camp
Method: Observation
Timeline: throughout the year
Long-term Outcome: Number of youth and adults that demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.
Indicator: all aspects of the 4-H program
Method: verbally observation
Timeline: throughout the year
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity:4-H Club Officer Election & training
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Club training materials
Inputs: agent, volunteers & teen leaders
Date: September & October 2019
Audience: 8th graders-11th graders
Project or Activity: Multi-County Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Unlock Your Leadership Potential, Mentor Curriculum & Build Your Future Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Councils and local businesses & agencies
Date: September 2019-May 2020
Audience: Adults and 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity:
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development
Inputs: all 4-H volunteers
Date: throughout the year
Audience: 4-H Council Members
Project or Activity: volunteer training
Content or Curriculum: Certification, KELD, Councils 101
Inputs: 4-H Council, Shooting Sports Certification, Livestock Certification
Date: throughout the year
Audience: 4-H Camp Adult & Teen Leaders
Project or Activity: camp leader orientation
Content or Curriculum: 4-H & ACA camping materials
Inputs: agents, camp manager, camp specialist
Date: January - June 2020
Author: Raven Ford
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks and possessing varied and rich knowledge, skills, and backgrounds (Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). 4-H youth development programs within Extension depend heavily on adult volunteers and provide extensive education to volunteer leaders. 4-H traditionally focuses on positive youth development, but adult volunteers are the mainstay of the programs.The purpose of the Kentucky Volunteer Forum i
