Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing leadership and volunteer skills for engagement with community, country and world.
Community, Economic and Leadership Development
M. Wilmoth
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
4-H Youth Development Programming
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). They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth, and fresh perspectives for how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991). 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. The demographic makeup of the US has changed significantly over the last few decades and will continue to change in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status (SES), special needs and educational attainment. This changing population and awareness of diversity will continue to change into the future. Three powerful trends in society have contributed to a focus on diversity, inclusiveness and education about this topic. These trends are: 1) a competitive, globalized market in which the US conducts business; 2) substantial changes in the makeup of the US population and, 3) the celebration of individual differences and a movement away from “fitting in”. Some facts related to this:
• 4 of 5 new jobs are the result of foreign trade.
• The percentage of whites in the population continues to decline. Asians are the fastest growing race group while Hispanics are the largest. By 2050, approximately 1 in 2 people (50%) will be non-white.
• The majority of new workers are women and people of color.
• Taken as a whole, people with disabilities make up the largest minority group (15%) in the US.
• The fastest growing age group are those 75+ years old.
An Overview of Diversity Awareness (http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/w/3/30/An_Overview_of_Diversity_Awareness.pdf)
4-H Youth Leadership is about:
• Learning about the concept of leadership and your individual role as a leader.
• Using leadership skills to effectively lead small groups and teams toward common goals.
• Work within your community (club/county/state or beyond) to become an engaged leader who can make a difference.
• Creating a program that encourages, values, promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity at all levels.
• 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 needs.
• 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 wil listen to people who have different ideas from them.
- Number of youth who indicate “they know how to set and accomplish a goal”.
- Number of youth who indicate they “listen to people who have different ideas than me”.
- Number of youth who indicate they “can finish a job I have started”.
- Number of youth who indicate they “can take responsibility for my actions”.
- Number of youth provided with diversity focused education.
- Number of 4-H members leading a project group or project club.
- Number of 4-H members serving as direct mentors to younger youth.
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: Monthly sessions focusing on different leadership topics
Date: September - May
Audience: 4-H Officers
Project or Activity: Learning leadership skills by serving as a club officer
Content or Curriculum: Club Officer manual
Inputs: Training and monthly club meetings
Date: September - May
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Community Service Projects
Content or Curriculum: Citizenship Curriculum
Inputs: Community Service Projects conducted by project clubs.
Collect items to donate to the local Santa's Bus.
School clubs vote on and carry out a project each year.
Date: Ongoing year round community service projects
