Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers

OBJECTIVE Identify 3 ways youth can develop life skills as a 4-H club member.

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers Life Skills Hendricks, P.A. (1998)

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers The Essential Elements In the 4-H Club Youth see themselves as active participants in the future of their club. Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity Youth help develop an inclusive environment for all club members. Youth have opportunities to try, make mistakes, and learn. Youth have opportunities to value and practice service to others.

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity Head Heart Hands Health Thinking, Managing Relating, Caring Working, Giving Being, Living The 4-H PledgeThe Essential ElementsLife Skills The 4-H Connection

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers Youth Development Objectives Increased: planning and organizing skills teamwork, leadership, and social skills communication and public speaking skills self - responsibility and decision-making skills record keeping management skills and commitment making new friends.

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers ACTIVITY Mastering Maximum Impact Small groups of participants Materials Mastering Maximum Impact of Club Members Worksheet Pens/pencils In small groups, complete the Mastering Maximum Impact of Club Officers Worksheet. Be ready to share your discussion with the whole group.

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers Thinking: Evaluating relevance Assessing accuracy Understanding systems Thinking critically Life Skills

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers Communication: Listening Interpreting Conveying information Articulating thoughts and ideas Life Skills

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers Teamwork and Leadership: Working as a team Contributing to a group effort Encouraging others Life Skills

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers Life Skills Lifelong Learning and Self-direction: Continually improving capabilities Setting goals and improving skills Engaging in mentoring Learning from one’s mistakes

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers Life Skills Professionalism and Ethics: Demonstrating accountability Developing effective work habits Practicing ethical behavior

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers REFLECTION How do you feel about focusing on the Essential Elements or life skills when working with clubs? What do you see as some of the most important Essential Elements/life skills youth can learn through participating in clubs? What challenges do you think might face club members, officers or the club meeting program in your youth center? What implications could officers building life skills have on your club?

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers REFLECTION How will you introduce youth in your program to the idea of participating in a 4-H club? How will applying the Essential Elements of 4-H and life skills effect the youth and club(s) you work with? What steps will you take to ensure 4-H members are positively involved as members and officers in your club? What idea will you take back to help your club run more smoothly and ensure skills are being developed?

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers CONCLUSION Key Concepts 4-H club members and officers can learn and share the Essential Elements with other youth through their leadership Life skills learned in clubs are skills needed later in life Life skills and Essential Elements can be effectively delivered through the club format, especially to youth who serve as club officers Remember each state and community 4-H program looks a little different. Contact your local extension agents for assistance on 4-H club officer training materials

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers REFERENCE Hendricks, P.A. (1998). Developing Youth Curriculum Using the Targeting Life Skills Model, Iowa State University Cooperative Extension, Iowa State University, Ames Iowa. 4-H 101: The Basics of Starting 4-H Clubs, Retrieved 1/15/12, Positive Youth Development; Developing Life Skills, VRKC: Volunteer Research Knowledge Competency Taxonomy

Working with 4-H Club Members and Officers REFERENCE 4-H Club Officers and Committees 4-H Experience & Service Officers Training Ohio Workforce Preparedness - Skills for Success, retrieved 8/30/11 Selecting 4-H Club Officers and Committee Members

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