Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H Leadership
Leadership Education and Volunteer Development
Steve Conrad, Christy Eastwood
Leadership
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 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
- Oral or 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey at conclusion of learning activity
- 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)
- 4-H Leadership
- Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens,
- State and National Programs: 4-H State Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events
- 4-H Clubs Officer Training (Sept. 2021)
- 4-H Council Officer Training (Sept. 2021)
- 4-H Livestock Committee Officer Training (Oct. 2021)
- School Leadership Groups (monthly Sept. 2021-April 2022)
- 4-H Global Education
- Local, State and National Programs: 4-H International Exchange Program,
- Global Gourmet cooking group (Mar, Apr, May 2022)
- ELNA-English Learning cooking group (Sept. 21-May 22, monthly)
Author: Stephen Conrad
Major Program: Leadership
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 School. 32 students (selected by the te
Author: Gina Ligon
Major Program: Leadership
According to research, middle school is a time where young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is imperative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. Historically, there is a decline in enrollment numbers throughout the middle school years in 4-H programming, Kentucky 4-H hosts the Kentucky 4-H Summit Leadership Conference for middle schoolers
Author: Gina Ligon
Major Program: Leadership
Boone County 4-H Teen Club was developed because there was a lack of a 4-H Teen Council and teen participation outside of the livestock and horse programs. 4-H Teen Club is a leadership group which allows teens to feel a part of group, get to be themselves, learn new leadership skills, and give back to their community. General Leadership Youth who participate in leadership development opportunities are exposed to a variety of opportunities for personal development. Leadership activiti
