Virtual Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference Reaches Larger Audience

Summary

Georgia 4-H high school youth participated in a virtual leadership conference with youth from surrounding southern states. The Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, or SRTLC, is held annually to allow attending youth and adults to develop leadership skills as well as to practice networking skills with 4-H’ers from other states. Because this year's conference was held virtually and without a program fee, more youth were able to participate in the event than ever before.

Situation

4-H is the nation's largest youth development organization, with leadership development being a core focus. This aligns with the mission of Georgia 4-H to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society. This mission is largely accomplished by providing various leadership opportunities for our state's youth in partnership with caring adults trained in positive youth development. The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development found that youth involved in 4-H are 3.4 times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth who do not participate in 4-H. Leadership studies indicate that youth who participate in leadership roles are highly motivated and more developmentally adjusted than their peers, and, in general, are more likely to feel an improved sense of support from their local communities (Anderson, Sabatelli, and Trachtenberg, 2006). Furthermore, if adolescents are to develop the skills necessary for adulthood, they must learn basic skills for everyday life (Carnegie Council for Adolescent Development, 1995). 4-H provides opportunities for youth to learn about and practice the life skills necessary to effectively lead others through activities such as SRTLC, where youth may serve on the planning committee, teach workshops, and engage in community service projects at SRTLC each year. These important life skills will be utilized in work life, in service organizations, and in contributing to one's community both now and in the future. By taking part in an event like SRTLC, young people can acquire the leadership life skills they need to become socially responsible for their actions and to work well with others to achieve individual and collective group goals. Youth gain experience in understanding themselves, communicating, getting along with others, making decisions, and managing and working with groups. The ability to build networks of connection and support is another invaluable life skill that 4-H helps to teach and foster. While we've all likely heard the expression, "It's not what you know -- it's who you know," the U.S. Department of Labor suggests that our networks may be just as important to successful job searching as one's life skills and experience. In fact, according to Cornell University's Career Center, almost 80% of available jobs are not widely advertised, which makes reinforces the importance of having large networks of connections (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/odep/topics/youth/softskills/networking.pdf)

Response

The Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, or SRTLC, is held annually to allow attending youth and adults to develop leadership skills as well as to practice networking skills with 4-H’ers from other states. To comply with COVID-19 restrictions, it was decided that this year’s leadership conference would be held virtually. With workshops, networking events, virtual campfires and dances, leadership lessons, and informative roundtable discussions being held over video conference, ninety-eight Georgia 4-H’ers along with hundreds of 4-H’ers from other southern states registered to take part in SRTLC.

Impact

Despite the challenges of hosting an online multistate event during challenging times, the virtual SRTLC was a tremendous success. 40 adults and 449 youth from twelve different states took part in the virtual conference over the span of three days. These participant numbers reflect a roughly 10% increase over prior years' numbers, when participant numbers were constrained by the physical event venue. Moreover, many participants this year had never been able to attend before. “Even though it wasn’t in person,” Georgia 4-H’er Allie Braddy commented, “my first SRTLC was great!” Other 4-H participants said the conference was “fantastic” and “a blast.” 4-H’er Abby Malone added, “Can’t wait to do it again next time!” Besides the scheduled workshops and trainings, 4-H’ers also donated school supplies to their local county schools as part of the event-sponsored service project. Participants completed an online survey that captured information about the donated school supplies and allowed 4-H’ers to upload photos of themselves serving their communities. Georgia 4-H’ers contributed generously, and, with the help of fellow 4-H’ers from across the region, thousands of items were donated to schools in need. “SRTLC is an outstanding opportunity to help youth develop leadership skills, citizenship skills, and help them find opportunities to put those skills to use in their community,” said Jason Estep, 4-H State Specialist. “Plus, it is one of the best ways to meet 4-H’ers from other states and learn about their 4-H programs!” Youth that attend SRTLC are empowered and inspired to make positive changes across the southern region through leadership development, networking opportunities and collaborative partnerships. Youth and adult participants present educational workshops and roundtables on topics ranging from dancing for exercise to driver safety, from leadership styles to 3-D printing, and more.

State Issue

Youth & Family Development

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: Multi-State/Regional
• County: Clarke
• Location: College Station, Athens
• Program Areas:
  • 4-H Youth