Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Leadership, Life Skills, and Volunteer Skills
Leadership and Life Skill Development
Lisa Hagman, 4-H, Angelia Swihart, FCS
Leadership
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Master Clothing Volunteer
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).
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).
*Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders for local 4-H Clubs and 4-H camps and in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
*Youth will be productive,contributing adults in the future.
- 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
- Homemaker will lead sewing classes and lessons as a Certified Master Clothing Volunteer.
*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, overnight, or other project based group of younger 4-H members.
*Homemakers will Lead Clubs and Lessons for youth and adults.
*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 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
- Homemakers will increase their knowledge of textiles and construction techniques.
Initial Outcome: Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
Indicator: Youth will participate, discuss, and evaluate leadership styles.
Method: observation, discussion
Timeline: September 2023-April 2024
Intermediate Outcome: 4-H Teen Club members will utilize leadership skills in the 4-H Camp Setting.
Indicator: leadership skills displayed while working with younger 4-H members
Method: observation, self-evaluation
Timeline: June 2023
Long-term Outcome: 4-H youth will attend camp and serve as adult and teen counselors. Master Clothing Volunteer will lead sewing activities for Youth and Adults.
Indicator: Camp attendance; Lead Community Sewing Classes.
Method: Observation
Timeline: June 2023
Audience: 4-H Camp Volunteer Adult and Teen Leaders
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp Leader Training materials
Inputs: 4-H Camp, State 4-H Office
Date: June 2023
Audience: 4-H Campers
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: overnight camp
Inputs: 4-H Camp, State 4-H Office
Date: June 2023
Audience: 4-H Shooting Sports Certified Coaches
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports Practices and Competitions
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches' manual per each discipline
Inputs: State 4-H Office, County 4-H Council, Volunteer Coaches
Date: July 2023-June 2024
Audience: 4-H Members, Livestock Club Members, 4-H Rabbit Club Members, Afterschool Members, Cloverbud Members
Project or Activity: Speeches/Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Core Curriculum
Inputs: Hancock County Public Schools, Afterschool programs, Volunteer Leaders
Date: September 2023-April 2024
Audience: High School, Middle School, and Afterschool 4-H Club Members, Livestock Club, Rabbit Club, Cloverbud Club
Project or Activity: Leadership Skill Development, 4-H Summit, 4-H Teen Conference, Green River Area Teens, 4-H Teen Council
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Inputs: Hancock County Public Schools, State 4-H Office
Date: September 2023-May 2024
Audience: 4-H Culinary Arts Club
Project or Activity: cooking and nutrition
Content or Curriculum: Family and Consumer Sciences and Health Core Curriculum
Inputs: Hancock County Middle School, Hancock County High School, Youth Service Center, Community Education
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Adults, Teens and Youth
Project or Activity: Master Clothing Volunteer
Content or Curriculum: Master Clothing Volunteer
Inputs: Green River FCS Agents, MCV Trainers, Hancock Co. FCS Agent,
Date: October 2023-May 2024
Audience: Adults, Teens and Youth
Project or Activity: Homemaker JR. Wildcat Club, Homemaker club meetings
Content or Curriculum: Homemaker Club Lessons
Inputs: Homemakers, Green River FCS Agents, Hancock Co. FCS Agent
Date: October 2023-May 2024
Audience: All 9th-12th Grade Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Reality Store
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences Core Curriculum
Inputs: Hancock County Middle and High Schools, Youth Services Center and numerous community volunteers
Date: April 2024
Audience: 4-H Livestock Club Members
Project or Activity: Speech/Demonstration and Record Book
Content or Curriculum: Speak Up publication, How to Give a 4-H Demonstration publication, and the Hancock County 4-H Livestock Record Book
Inputs: Hancock County 4-H Livestock Club leader, Hancock County Fairboard, 4-H Volunteer Leader
Date: July 2023-June 2024
Audience: 4-H Cloverbud Club
Project or Activity: 4-H Public Speaking
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communication Curriculum
Input: Volunteer Leader
Date: April 2023
Audience: 4-H Rabbit Club
Project or Activity: Parliamentary Procedure
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Input: Volunteer Leader
Date: September 2023-June 2024
Audience: 8th-12th Grade Students-4-H Teen Club members
Project or Activity: Green River Area 4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership
Input: 4-H Agents, State 4-H Office, 4-H Camp, 4-H core curriculum areas, etc.
Date: September 2023-April 2024
Audience: 8th-12th Grade Students-4-H Teen Club members
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership
Input: State 4-H Office
Date: June 2024
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
The Kentucky State Fair is a culminating event of yearly 4-H project work. Project work is defined by including the following: “(a) Planned work in an area of interest to the 4-H member, (b) Guided by a 4-H adult volunteer who is the project leader, (c) Aimed at planned objectives that can be attained and measured, (d) Summarized by some form of record keeping, and (e) A minimum of six hours of project instruction” (National 4-H Council, 2013). In 2023, Kentucky 4-H members exhibited
Author: Angelia Swihart
Major Program: Apparel and Textiles (Non-Master Clothing Volunteer)
Sewing is a dying art and in Hancock County there has been a great interest to learn this life skill. Newly retired women seeking new skills or hobbies and things they didn't have a chance to do when working full time. Sewing can be beneficial to health by reducing stress, building self-esteem, and building self-worth when accomplishing tasks and learning new skills. Adults were taught basic sewing techniques, sewing tools and how to use them, as well as constructing items
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Exercise and Activity for residents of assisted living centers is a necessity for good health. Residents often enjoy have day to day task and these routines can be apart of an exercise regiment that promotes mobility and wards off obesity. Additionally, assisted living centers often operate on tight budgets and are constantly looking for sources of healthy food at an affordable price.The Hancock County Cooperative Extension Service, Audubon Area Community Services and local businesses all
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Leadership
Hancock County has a population of 8300 which makes us a very rural community and firearms are prevalent in the majority of the homes. With the 4-H Shooting Sports program focusing on safety, this is a very important program to offer our community and especially our youth. The focus of all 4-H programs is the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens. The National 4-H Shooting Sports program stands out as an example. Youth learn marksmanship, the safe a
Author: Angelia Swihart
Major Program: Apparel and Textiles (Non-Master Clothing Volunteer)
Today, basic life skills such as sewing have become a lost art. “Sewing is a discipline that helps develop self-esteem, confidence, focus, patience, fine motor skills, problem solving, process thinking and visualization.” Scientists have conducted studies on the relationship between quilting, sewing and wellbeing. One even interviewed a quilting and knitting group and discovered that a solid social network was fostered, self-esteem increased motivation, and even the
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Leadership
Leadership education builds several important assets in Kentucky youth and provides critical elements of youth development (Search Institute, 2004; Pittman, Irby & Ferber, 2001.) Youth who participate in leadership development opportunities are exposed to a variety of opportunities for personal development. Leadership activities help youth:-develop confidence in their leadership potential and their own sense of identity-improve their self-esteem-enhance their communication skills in sharing,
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
4-H offers many opportunities for youth to explore and discover their sparks. High quality 4-H program settings provide youth a place to belong, matter and explore their personal spark. Hancock County 4-H partners each year with the Hancock County Middle School Youth Service Center to offer an afterschool Culinary Arts Club to the 6th-8th grade students. At the conclusion of the year, the members are rewarded with a culinary-based field trip. The Ky Wildflour Bakery was a field trip d
Author: Evan Tate
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
The problemThe educational program responseThe local Breckinridge, Grayson and Hancock County areas have noticed an increase in the number of women taking active roles in the agriculture enterprises recently. Based on US Census of Ag Data, 35% of the primary farm owners in this area are women. This is due to many factors: succession, new residents interested in farming, better resources for women, and general interests, to name a few. This area of Kentucky is also expanding in diverse ent
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The Kentucky 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Academy (NRESci) strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2020-2025 Environmental Education Master Plan (2020), “… the average Kentuckian is able to answer correctly slightly less than half of
