ED
Texas CLUB 4-H Club Managers Tool Box
TEXAS 4H LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The 4H program offers youth many opportunities to learn and apply leadership skills. Service opportunities exist for members from the club level on through the state level and even at the national and international levels. Numerous training and networking activities are available for members as they mature and seek out increasing amounts of responsibility. Ambassadors The Texas 4H Ambassador Program aims to project a clear and accurate image of the Texas 4H and Youth Development Program. The ambassador program has several specific goals: to tell and show key audiences what the 4H Youth Development Program is and who it impacts; to develop leadership and communication skills among the 4H'ers selected to make ambassador presentations; to make families and youth more aware of 4H and the benefits it offers; to inform elected officials about the 4H program and get them involved; to tell current and potential donors about 4H and give them opportunities to support the program efforts that interest them; to and change or improve the 4 H image among selected audiences. County Youth Boards The County Youth Board serves a strategic function by helping the County Extension Agent determine what programs should be implemented from year to year, reviewing the educational impacts of programs, determining how to reach new youth audiences, and helping decide whether task forces or coalitions are needed to address priority issues. The Youth Board is made up of 8 to 15 youth and adults (three youth to one adult) who work or have interest in the area of youth development and who represent the demographics and diversity of the county. Youth members not only represent the 4H and Youth Development Program but other youth organizations in the county (FFA, Boy/Girl Scouts, Student Councils, etc.). Leadership Councils Youth has the opportunity to serve as an officer of a club, or on the county, district and even state leadership council. Each level of leadership is governed by a set of standing rules. Most councils are advised by adult leaders or Extension professionals who assist in discussions and business. Contact your County Extension Agent for information about serving in these roles. District Leadership Labs Most Extension districts host a 2 to 4day leadership retreat where senior 4H members receive indepth training. Dates and costs vary from district to district. Information is mailed to county Extension offices in the Spring of each year. The goal of leadership lab is for participants to take information that they learn back to their local club or county and teach others. Junior Leadership Retreat Junior Leadership Retreat provides youth ages 913 a state level leadership development experience. Workshops are facilitated by Texas 4H Council and other senior level 4H youth and focus on leadership, group dynamics, leading recreation and more. Additionally, youth experience service opportunities. The workshop is conducted annually in November at the Texas 4H Conference Center. Career Awareness and Youth Leadership Laboratory The Career Awareness and Youth Leadership Laboratory is an educational program held each year during the month of June on the Prairie View A&M campus for youth ages 14 to 19. Handson workshops expose youth to careers in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, communications and entrepreneurship.
Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.
Texas 4H Congress This mock legislative educational event is held in Austin in evennumbered years. During the four day program, senior 4H youth experience the legislative process first hand. By roleplaying senators, representatives, lobbyists and press corps members, youth are exposed the full political scene. Activities range from debating bills in the actual Texas Legislature chambers to socializing with advocates and opponents at evening receptions. Youth return to their communities with a better understanding of how our state government works. Information is sent to county Extension offices in the Winter preceding the event year. National 4H Congress This educational program for senior 4H members is designed to teach participants the citizen's political approach to community action for youth. In addition, youth delegates participate in programs that focus on citizenship, leadership and communication. Youth between the ages of 14 and 18 on August 31 of the year attending are eligible to apply for Congress. Also, delegates must be participating in youth development programs in which Extension is a partner (4H clubs, special interest groups, school curriculum enrichment, and ENPY). Information and application forms will be sent to each county office and each countybased Prairie View Cooperative Extension faculty member in March. Applications are due in May and finalists are interviewed at Texas 4H Congress in June. National 4H Conference This weeklong event held in Chevy Chase, Maryland involves youth, volunteers and staff in determining 4H program directions at all levels. Participants are involved in an array of operations committees, consulting groups, pre/post conference commitments and obligations. Participants are expected to add to discussion in an effort to gain input from all levels of involvement. Citizenship Washington Focus Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a leadership program for high youth school from across the country. Every summer thousands of young people participate in this weeklong program held at the National 4H Center. Participants broaden their appreciation for other cultures, as well as their own, increase their commitment to citizen involvement,
understand the importance of civic and social responsibilities, and participate in a 4H experience at the national level. This program is designed for county groups. PROJECT SPECIFIC LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 4H Youth Technology Team The 4H Youth Technology Team concept surfaced as a result of a Texas youth delegation participating in the National 4H Youth Technology Conference. 4H youth selected for this team will focus toward incorporating technology into current projects and developing an individual 4H project that would attract youth interested in computer technology. Clothing Board The Texas 4H Clothing and Textiles Advisory Board offers 4H members, volunteer leaders and County Extension Agents an opportunity to help determine and expand the 4H clothing program by recommending and implementing special activities and new project ideas. Members are selected through an application process in the Fall. Food and Nutrition Project Team The purpose of the Texas 4H Food and Nutrition Project Development Team is to promote education and activities through the 4H food and nutrition project. The team meets two times a year (Winter Summer). The goal of the group is to coordinate events and provide educational experiences that enable 4H members across the state to become knowledgeable and gain skills in the food and nutrition project area. Youth, at least 14 years of age, and adults may serve on the project team. All members serve a twoyear term. A call for applications is distributed to county Extension offices in late summer/early fall. Food & Nutrition Ambassadors The purpose of the Texas 4H Food and Nutrition Ambassadors is to provide support to the county, district, regional and state Extension staff in an effort to promote the 4H Food and Nutrition project by assisting with the delivery of educational material related to food and nutrition. 4H members must be at least a freshman or 14 years of age as of August 31 of the current 4H year. Applications are
distributed to county Extension offices in the spring and are due June 1st of each year. National Dairy Conference The National 4H Dairy Conference is for 15 to 18 yearolds who have participated in the 4H Dairy Program for at least three years. The Dairy Conference is an educational program designed to provide a way for the dairy industry to meet the developmental needs of youth; provide a better understanding of the production, processing, marketing and use of dairy products; and provide a broader understanding of careers available in dairy production, processing, marketing, and selected areas. The conference is held in conjunction with the World Dairy Expo and the National Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in Madison, Wisconsin in October. Shooting Sports Ambassadors Senior 4H Shooting Sports members may apply from July through the end of November to be 4H Shooting Sports Ambassadors. Ambassadors represent the program and the state at a variety of events and promote the program in their regions. SpecTra Special Training in Spectacular Tradition ...