Leadership skills can be learned and developed. They include the necessary qualities to guide an individual or group from one point or task to another. Leaders will use their personal knowledge, skills and influence to establish necessary relationships with people and help others meet their goals. Now, how can you relate these qualities to your child and help him or her to become an effective leader? Did you ever think about encouraging them to participate in your county’s local 4-H program?
Consider this: 3,500, 518,000, 60 million & 6 million. Those are some large numbers but what exactly do they represent? 4-H.org states that there are 3,500 staff members, 518,000 volunteers (much like myself) and 60 million alumni members working with 6 million 4-Her’s all across the United States, Puerto Rico and 80 plus countries around the world, to increase one specific thing – leadership skills among today’s youth.
Young students may begin their leadership experiences as early as the 4th grade by merely joining their schools local 4-H club. At this time, the student may begin participating in numerous activities where speaking in front of groups and the idea of cooperating with others in “team” environments become relevant. Completing individual activities, such as their project record books, would help to jump start their leadership development process, as well. Motivated students can also take charge of their local clubs by running for and serving as an officer, like the president or vice president.
As students migrate to the senior high level (high school) in 4-H, additional opportunities to gain leadership skills are available. They can still participate in all of the activities that have previously been mentioned. But, now is the time to expand the horizons by becoming a 4-H teen leader. Now, here is another question…just what is a 4-H teen leader? This is a student between the ages of 13 and 19, one who continually learns & develops leadership skills, helps others meet their goals by using their knowledge, abilities and skills. And, they continually practice these skills through the many experiences & activities that 4-H has to offer.
4-H teen leaders take on more of a responsibility in their local club, work closely with the 4-H leaders and could possibly serve on committees and counsels on the local, regional and state levels. More importantly, they could take a junior high 4-H member under their wing and help them to either develop a 4-H project that they can call their own or assist them with an ongoing project that has already been created. There are other skills that pertain to leadership that a 4-Her needs to master, such as taking the time to improve their written, verbal and interpersonal skills and, in the mean time, gain self confidence and self-respect.
In the beginning, some important questions were asked and large numbers were thrown at you. Those numbers represented all of the 4-H members, 4-H leaders, staff members, volunteers and alumni that work hard each and every day to achieve one primary goal. I am very optimistic that, by now, you have a better understanding of just how significant those numbers are and what that goal is. Each one of those individuals is an important link in the chain that we know as developing leadership through 4-H.
As a parent or teacher, I encourage you to consider promoting the 4H program to your kid(s) and their friends. The benefits of becoming a member of this well-established youth organization are beyond compare.
Dallas Michael Southerland -
I am in the education profession, with nine years of experience teaching high school agriculture courses. This profession has given me the opportunity to increase my knowledge and appreciation for the education system. More importantly, I have been able to expand student’s leadership capabilities, through teaching adequate public speaking skills. http://www.squidoo.com/Leadership-Development-With-4H
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