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Summary

Oconee County 4-H facilitated 66 youth led project clubs over the courses of the past four years. A project club is a special interest club in 4-H that is planned and led by a high school 4-H member. Through this experience 4-H members wrote lesson plans, made a budget, utilized classroom management strategies, demonstrated professionalism, and applied soft skills. In addition to high school 4-H members gaining invaluable leadership skills, over 550 elementary and middle school students participated in these classes having a positive interaction with older 4-H members and establishing good role models.

Situation

Research shows that increasing leadership in adolescence can reinforce self-esteem and be a catalyst for being successful adulthood. Adolescent leaders are also prepared for future leadership roles that are linked to higher wages. (Karagianni & Montgomery, 2017, p. 87). Ahmed and Bach (2014) identify honesty, integrity, drive (achievement, motivation, ambition, energy, tenacity, and initiative), self-confidence, vision and cognitive ability as the dominant traits found in leaders. Youth development practitioners create situations to build these leadership traits in safe environments. Adolescents learn how to navigate common leadership challenges by immersing themselves in leadership development exercises such as leading and organizing 4-H project clubs.

Response

Oconee County 4-H provided authentic leadership development experiences through the use of youth led project clubs. The objectives of students leading these clubs was to build confidence in their leadership aptitude, improve their ability to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas, and improve problem-solving skills. Since 2017, the leadership development program has directly impacted 40 high school 4-H members.

Impact

Each high school student, was coached by the 4-H agent on how to plan and implement their project club. One hundred percent of the project club leaders indicated that they “strongly agreed” they showed growth in each objective. In addition to the project club objectives, One hundred percent of project club leaders also indicated that they were able to apply the leadership skills they had gained through leading a project club to other areas of their life. 4-H members shared powerful statements describing how they benefited from the project club program. "Leading a project club put me in a better position to be able to be a leader in the classroom. As a special education major, that is extremely important. Leading a project club improved my people skills and communication skills." "Because I was online schooled, project clubs were one of the only ways I could really grow as a leader. It also allowed me to explore my interests."

State Issue

Youth & Family Development

Details

  • Year: 2020
  • Geographic Scope: County
  • County: Oconee
  • Location: J. Phil Campbell Sr. Research and Education Center, Watkinsville
  • Program Areas:
    • 4-H Youth

Author

  • Ashley, Kelle Elisabeth
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