Developing leadership skills- youth NEW
Leadership Development & Community Engagement
Spurgeon
Leadership
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
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)
Initial Outcome:
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:
- 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:
- 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)
Timeline: Year-Round
Intermediate Outcome:
- 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
Indicator: # Youth serving in leadership roles
Method:
- 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)
Timeline: Year-Round
Long-term Outcome:
- Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders
Indicator:
- Youth come back to Pulaski County to take on leadership roles within their community
Method:
- Observation
Timeline:
- Yearly
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Speech and Demonstration
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers, Teachers
Date: School year
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: School Clubs; school enrichment
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, Teachers
Date: school year
Audience: Middle School Students
Project or Activity: Afterschool, Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Art curriculum, Teen Leadership, 4-H Photography curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers
Date: September-May
Audience: High School Juniors/Seniors
Project or Activity: APES, KY Youth Seminar
Content or Curriculum: 4-H APES Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers, counselors
Date: school year
Audience: High School Students (freshmen-Senior)
Project or Activity: Capitol Experience, Teen Council, Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers, teachers
Date: school year
Audience: High School Students (freshmen-Senior)
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Program
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, 4-H Adult Volunteers, teachers
Date: school year (September - April) Monthly