Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H Leadership
Community, Economic and Leadership Development
Misty Wilmoth
Leadership
Leadership Facts and Trends:
Kentucky 4-H provides youth opportunities to engage in developmentally appropriate experiences to advance their leadership skills:
- Youth need opportunities to develop social skills, civic and leadership skills, create strong connections with caring adults, have access to safe places to interact with their peers, and support services to allow them to become more independent adults (Blank, M. J., 2017).
- Youth need the opportunity to exercise or develop creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration skills (21st Century Skills, 2009).
- Youth success is situated around four foundational components: self-regulation, knowledge and skills, mindsets, and values (Nagakoa, et al., 2015).
- 4-Hers are four times more likely to give back to their communities (Learner, R. M., & Learner, J. V., 2013).
- 4-Hers in grades 6-12 are nearly four times more likely to make contributions to their communities (Learner, R. M., & Learner, J. V., 2013).
Situation:
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)
- Outcome to be Evaluated
- 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 of Success for Outcome
- 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 of Evaluation
- 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)
Learning Opportunities/Programs for Agents/Youth
- 4-H Leadership
- Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens, My Leadership Workbook (Level 1), My Leadership Journal (Level 2), My Leadership Portfolio (Level 3), Leadership Mentor Guide 1: K-5, Leadership Mentor Guide 2: 6-12
- State and National Programs: 4-H State Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, 4-H National Congress, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H National Conference, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Global Education
- Curriculum: Empowering Students to Improve the World in Sixty Lessons (Version 1), 4-H Backpack to Adventure: Youth Leaders in a Global World, WeConnect: A Global Youth Citizenship Curriculum
- Local, State and National Programs: 4-H International Exchange Program, Kentucky 4-H International Service-Learning Program, Local Cultural Events/Clubs
- Training: Agent In-services
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
References:
Blank, M. J. (2016, 2017). What do young people need to succeed? Coalition for Community Schools at the Institute for Educational Leadership. Retrieved 25 February 2020: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-do-young-people-need_b_9564524
Learner, R.M., Learner, J.V., and Colleagues. (2013). The positive youth development of youth: Comprehensive findings from the 4-H study of positive youth development. Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development. Tufts University. Retrieved 25 February 2020: https://4-h.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/4-H-Study-of-Positive-Youth-Development-Full-Report.pdf
Locke, D., Boyd, B., Fraze, S., and Howard, J. W. (2007). Service-learning and leadership life-skills: An experimental study. Journal of Youth Development. 2(1), 1-17.
Nagakoa, J., Farrington, C. A., Ehrlich, S. B., Heath, R. D., Johnosn, D. W., Dickson, S., Turner, A. C., Mayo, A., and Hayes, K. (2015). Foundations for youth adult success: A developmental framework. The University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research. Retreived 25 February 2020: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED559970.pdf
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2009). P21 Framework Definitions. 1-9. Retrieved 25 February 2020: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED519462.pdf
Rutledge, J., Spivey, L., Pracht, D., Pointer, G. (1997, 2017). Unlocking your leadership potential. University of Florida- IFAS Extension.
United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy. (2017). Framework for developing global and cultural competencies to advance equity, excellence and economic competitiveness. Retrieved 24 February 2020: https://sites.ed.gov/international/global-and-cultural-competency/
Author: Daniel Carpenter
Major Program: Leadership
The COVID-19 epidemic has taken a lot from all of us in 2020. We’ve seen local kids that have missed interaction with their peers, graduations, proms, and many other social activities. Many of our 4-H participants missed out on doing so many things in person and had to do them virtually instead. It had gotten to the point that, “going virtual” was starting to be paired with an eye roll from many clients. When 4-H Council met to discuss options for the awards banquet, it was dec
Author: Misty Wilmoth
Major Program: Leadership
Three LaRue County 4-H teens attended the 2021 State 4-H Teen Conference. Of the three, one was a Bronze Award winner, another was a Silver Award winner, and one earned the top honor of the State 4-H Emerald Award. Also, LaRue County had its first State 4-H Officer elected since 1990 and only fourth State 4-H Officer ever. Madison Wilmoth was elected as the 2021-2022 State 4-H President. Madison credits attending 4-H Camp has helping her come out of her shell as a elementary sc
