Muskegon County 4-H Teen Leadership Project Guidelines and Portfolio Instructions

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1 What is leadership? Muskegon County 4-H Teen Leadership Project Guidelines and Portfolio Instructions Leadership is the ability to motivate, inspire and create an environment for each member of a group to participate. Leadership skills can be learned and developed by anyone. They include all of the qualities necessary to guide a group from one point to another. Leaders use their personal knowledge, skills and influence to establish relationships with people and help others meet their goals. Leaders need to understand varieties of leadership styles, skills and qualities and know in which situations to use them. Ideal leaders are able to lead and teach leadership at the same time. Leaders become effective by modeling the skills and characteristics they seek to pass on to others. They acquire trust by being a person of good character and they achieve power by empowering others. Leadership is something you believe in, but also something you put into action! A great way to learn about leadership is through developing leadership skills. 4-H offers youth the opportunity to learn about leadership skills and practice them at the same time. Deciding to be a teen leader in 4-H means looking at your involvement in your club and community and changing the way you participate by kicking it up a notch! By learning leadership skills, teens can take on new roles, and more effectively put their ideas into action. Overall objectives of 4-H teen leadership: Achieve a broad understanding of the meaning of leadership and the qualities of a leader. Understand and practice ethical character. Participate in team building. Encourage involvement for every individual in the group. Develop follow-through and responsibility. Improve written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Gain self-confidence and self-respect. Practice and acquire leadership skills. Examples of leadership skills teens learn and practice as a 4-H teen leader: Communicating Decision making and problem solving Resolving conflicts (negotiating) Motivating people Advocating ideas Creating positive images Gaining self-confidence Building coalitions among groups Developing job skills 1

2 What does a 4-H teen leader do? A 4-H teen leader is a youth between the ages of 13 and 19 who is interested in developing and practicing his or her leadership skills. Teens can become a 4-H teen leader in two general ways: by developing their personal leadership skills and/or by completing a 4-H teen leadership project. Teens can develop their leadership skills in many ways and places. They can attend Kettunen Center workshops, regional events like Leadermete, statewide events like 4-H Exploration Days or 4-H Capitol Experience, or national events like Citizenship Washington Focus and National 4-H Congress. Teens can also participate in web-based learning to develop their skills. Most importantly, teens can personally develop leadership in their community and club by putting what they have learned into action. Commonly, teen leaders take on more responsibility in their club, work closely with adults and 4-H staff, serve on committees or councils, and/or help younger 4-H ers in their project areas. How do I complete the Muskegon County 4-H Teen Leadership Project? How to become a designated teen leader with Muskegon County 4-H: Pick up a Muskegon County 4-H Teen Leader Project from the 4-H office or download the project online at: Discuss your interest in completing the 4-H Teen Leader Project with a parent or guardian. Complete the Teen Leader Commitment Form found in the project packet. Turn this form in to the MSU Extension Office. Use the Tips for developing your leadership plan included in the Teen Leader Project packet to begin brainstorming what your leadership project might entail. Meet with your 4-H club leader(s) to discuss your interest in completing the Teen Leader Project, and agree on your role and responsibilities in the 4-H club. Complete the Teen Leadership Planning Template with your club leader(s). As you complete your Teen Leadership Project, save any photos, flyers, or other information that will help create a well-rounded project presentation. It is always important to set goals for any project. Complete the Setting Project Goals Chart with your leader. If you attend any leadership training, please document it on the 4-H Teen Leader Training Chart. You are welcome to make the chart bigger if needed especially for the what did you learn, section. 2

3 Keep track of all the activities you do as a teen leader. The 4-H Teen Leader Activity Chart will help keep you organized in this area. Complete the Teen Leadership Project Reflection and Self-Evaluation forms when your project is complete. If you complete multiple tasks in one year, one set of forms for each project you complete in a year should be submitted. Ask an adult leader to complete the Adult Leader Evaluation when project is complete. Develop a portfolio during the Teen Leader Project as a way to display what you have accomplished. Refer to the 4-H Teen Leader Portfolio instructions in the packet. After successful completion of the Teen Leader Project portfolio, you will be designated as a teen leader with Muskegon County 4-H and recognized as such at the annual Muskegon County 4-H Recognition Banquet. You may also apply for the Muskegon County 4-H Teen Leader of the Year Award. 3

4 TEEN LEADER COMMITMENT FORM *Please complete and return to the MSU Extension Office. 97 E. Apple Ave. Muskegon, MI Date: Name: Address: Phone: Club Name: 4-H Leader s Name: Age as of January 1 of the current year: Teen Leadership Project: Personal Commitment: I have a desire to develop my leadership qualities and I am willing to commit myself to provide leadership in the 4-H Youth Development Program. I am willing to work with a 4-H Leader and/or staff member to: 1. Identify my Teen Leadership Project. 2. Set attainable goals for my Teen Leadership Project. 2. Develop a plan to achieve my Teen Leadership Project goals. 3. Meet periodically with my 4-H club leader(s) to evaluate my progress. 4. Keep a record of my project. 5. Develop a display to describe what I have accomplished with my Teen Leadership Project. 6. Be interviewed by a community member on my Teen Leadership Project. Signature of Youth Member: Signature of Parent/Guardian: Signature of 4-H Leader: 4

5 Tips for developing your leadership plan: In order to make your leadership experience a worthwhile one, we encourage careful planning. The time you invest in the teen leadership experience has the potential of benefiting you greatly in the future. To help get you off to a good start, consider the following: 1. Start your project by determining needs look within your club, at the community, and yourself. Decide what needs, concerns, or interest could be fulfilled. 2. Explore Resources list all the help available from people, organizations, printed materials and personal experiences. Don t hesitate to approach your club leader or county 4-H Extension Educator. Many adults in your life would be thrilled to assist you! 3. Choose resources and plan determine which of the listed resources you will use and develop a plan of action that will enable you to meet your goal. 4. Set goal(s) define exactly what you would like to achieve in your teen leadership project. 5. Pursue learning opportunities to help you accomplish your goals. Discuss opportunities with your family, club leaders, and peers. 6. Share your experiences as you go through the leadership project year this is your opportunity to gain from the experience of others by telling them what you have done and what you plan to do. To be most effective, be open to feedback. You may learn tips from others that will cause you to make changes in plans. 7. Listen to advice from your family, club leaders, other members, 4-H Extension Educators, developmental committees. Ask questions if you don t understand. 8. Evaluate measure the progress you made toward meeting your goal. 9. Reassess needs look again at the club, the community, and yourself after completion of a project. What did you gain? Was it worthwhile? 10. Have fun while learning and congratulate yourself on a job well done! 5

6 TEEN LEADERSHIP PLANNING TEMPLATE I will be responsible for the following task(s): I will work with (age and number of youth or adults you will have a direct impact on): How and when I will complete this task (list steps in sequential order): List of names of the people available to help, if needed: List of specific skills and/or attitudes you plan to improve with your leadership plan: Other preparation needed: Teen Leader Signature: Adult Leader Signature: 6

7 Setting Project Goals Chart Goals for project Example: My year s project: to make a more ecofriendly school. Goal: Start a recycling program at my school Goal 1: Specific tasks for each goal Get permission from school officials and staff. Locate a recycling center in our region who is willing to work with our school Obtain recycling containers to place in locations throughout the school Date for task to be completed Materials/Resources needed for each task 9/25/2006 *person to meet with and call the school staff *letter formally asking permission 11/15/2006 *Someone to call the recycling centers in our area *Someone to drive us to meet the manager of the recycling center 1/15/06 *people to research where we can get the containers *money to possibly buy containers if they can not be donated Goal 2: Goal 3: Goal 4: Goal 5: Teen Leader Signature: Date: Adult Leader Signature: Date: 7

8 4-H Teen Leader Training Chart Use this chart to record the leadership trainings, conferences and workshops that you attend in which you learn about leadership or acquire other information that prepares you to be a teen leader. Add rows or columns to the chart as needed. Type of training, conference or workshop you attended Date of the activity (day, month, year) Name of session(s) you attended Number of hours of training Briefly describe what you learned. Teen Leader Signature: Date: Adult Leader Signature: Date: 8

9 4-H Teen Leader Activity Chart This chart can help you keep track of all the activities you do while you are a teen leader. Do not record meetings and events where you were not involved in leadership development or in a leadership role. Type of Activity (meeting, clinic, workshop, provided service) Date of Activity (day, month, year) Leadership Role/Assistance Provided Number of 4-H Members Assisted Number of Hours Dedicated Teen Leader Signature: Date: Advisor Signature: Date: 9

10 TEEN LEADERSHIP PROJECT REFLECTION 1. Workshops attended or other resources I utilized: 2. A description, including examples, of how my leadership project impacted specific individuals, my 4-H club, community, or county 4-H program: 3. As a result of completing this teen leadership project, I feel my skills in the following areas have improved (check all that apply): Communicating Decision making and problem solving Resolving conflicts (negotiating) Motivating people Advocating ideas Creating positive images Gaining self-confidence Building coalitions among groups Developing job skills Other (describe): Other (describe): 4. Choose one of the items you checked in question #3 and explain why you feel this skill has been improved, use an example if possible. 10

11 5. Please include any recommendations or suggestions for improving our 4-H club program or the county 4-H program for the coming year. Be specific and explain how and why you feel these changes should be made: Teen Leader Signature: Date: Adult Leader Signature: Date: 11

12 SELF-EVALUATION Original task planned: Was the task completed? If yes, when? Describe the outcome. If you were to perform this task again, what would you do differently? What type of supervision or help would have improved the experience? Should this task be continued? Why or why not? Give examples of how your skills and attitudes have changed since starting this project. Teen Leader Signature: Date: Adult Leader Signature: Date: 12

13 ADULT LEADER EVALUATION 1. Briefly describe the achievements and barriers that the teen had in performing their leadership project. 2. As a result of completing this teen leadership project, I feel the teen s skills in the following areas have improved (check all that apply): Communicating Decision making and problem solving Resolving conflicts (negotiating) Motivating people Advocating ideas Creating positive images Gaining self-confidence Building coalitions among groups Developing job skills Other (describe): Other (describe): 3. In the future, how would you change your involvement to improve the experience for the teen leader? 4. In your opinion, how can the Muskegon County 4-H office improve the teen leadership project? Adult 4-H Leader Signature: 13

14 4-H Teen Leader Portfolio Instructions The 4-H Teen Leader Portfolio is a way to keep track of all the work you completed as a teen leader. It includes the following: Cover page Teen Leadership Planning Template Setting Project Goals Chart 4-H Teen Leader Training Chart 4-H Teen Leader Activity Chart Teen Leadership Project Reflection Self-Evaluation Adult Leader Evaluation Photos, fliers or other information to supplement your project Keep in mind: Complete each step of this portfolio, and meet with your 4-H leader to have each of the steps signed after completion. Meeting with your leader is an opportunity to get input about your work and gives the leader a chance to see what you are doing! You can think of this portfolio as an organized scrapbook which includes photos, newspaper clippings and other personalized information. It is strongly recommended that all documents in the 4-H Teen Leader Portfolio be typed and that they look as professional as possible. Every new year you are involved as a teen leader, you will need to complete all the required forms again. Keep together all materials from previous years. Add any previous records up to the current year. As a result, when service as a 4-H teen leader is complete, you will have a history and representation of all the learning, work and hours you have accomplished through 4-H. Use the many resources available to you, both in 4-H and in your community. Explore your resources and make use of them. Don t forget to ask for help if you need it. Your 4-H Teen Leader Portfolio is something you can be proud of a unique representation of you and your commitment to 4-H! 14

15 4-H Teen Leader Portfolio Cover Page Name: Club: Address: 4-H Age as of January 1, 20 : Number of Years as a 4-H Teen Leader: 4-H Teen Leadership Project: 4-H Club Leader, 4-H Advisor, other people who helped me with my leadership development: 15

16 Other Resources TEEN LEADERSHIP PROJECTS 1. Promote 4-H by giving demonstrations and helping others give demonstrations. 2. Provide leadership for a community service learning project. 3. Provide leadership as a member or chairman of a committee at the local club, county or state level. 4. Visit 4-H'ers and their parents to explain 4-H projects, programs, events and to check progress the member is making on his/her projects. 5. Be responsible for teaching a group of members in a specific project. 6. Help members with selection of their projects. 7. Help members develop goals and assist in evaluation periodically. 8. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister to one or more 4-H'ers. 9. Assist with record-keeping - club records and/or help members to keep records of their 4-H experience. 10. Serve as a club officer or assist and train club officers. 11. Recruit new 4-H leaders and members. 12. Participate in the planning and conducting of workshops for teens 14. Be a member of a County or State Programming Committee. 15. Interest 4-H drop-outs into becoming involved in 4-H again. 16. Help 4-H club or group with good meeting procedures. 17. Plan a 4-H promotional event 18. Provide leadership for a 4-H fundraising event. 19. Be a teen member of the 4-H Council. 20. Provide office assistance for county 4-H programs. 21. Promote 4-H through newspaper articles, radio, TV, school, window displays, etc 22. Be a camp counselor 23. Work with club leaders to create an educational or promotional display to educate others in the community about 4-H Youth Development 24. Mentor a child in your community or volunteer at a living facility for the elderly 16

17 Adults and Teen Leaders as a Team: Responsibilities of the Club Leader The adult advisor plays an important role in the success of a teen s leadership development. At times they are a coach, at times, an advisor and at times, a mentor. The working relationship between the adult and teen is as important as the completion of the activity that the teen leader chooses. Teens need the support of a caring adult who challenges and supports their activities and guides them in the process. The 4-H advisor or leader plays a critical role in the 4-H Teen Leader Program. Why do we have Teen Leaders? Teen leaders are important because they: Can relate well with their peers and with younger 4-H members. Can learn leadership by practicing. Have fresh ideas and lots of opinions to share. Can be valuable resources. Have the time and energy to increase the number of club activities and events. Are capable of, and willing to accept responsibility. Are enthusiastic, positive and creative. What are the goals of 4-H Teen Leadership? Encourage older youth to remain in 4-H. Provide older youth with an opportunity to demonstrate and practice their skills. Instill positive self-image in teens. Develop job and life skills in teens. Realize the importance of community service. Assist youth in developing and carrying out a plan to reach a goal. Provide opportunity for older youth to work in teams with their peers. Develop citizenship skills to create citizens for a better society. Create new volunteers for the future. Specific responsibilities with Muskegon County 4-H Teen Leaders With the Teen Leader, decide on responsibilities of the teen leader and help him/her develop a teen leadership plan early in the project year. Encourage your Teen Leader to make a list of the most pressing needs of their club, the community, and the country! A conversation with 4-H members will help your Teen Leader to identify their needs and goals. Assist your Teen Leader in setting goals for his/her responsibilities. Keep your Teen Leader informed throughout the year of the club, community, county, and state 4-H activities in which he/she may wish to participate. Encourage your Teen Leader to attend county and/or state leadership meetings and developmental committee meetings that have a bearing to their responsibility. 17

18 Help your teen leader get acquainted with local and county resources that are available. In each community there are many resource people who would be flattered if asked to assist with a specific portion of a 4-H project or activity. Schedule periodic meetings with your teen leader to discuss how the plan is to be carried out. It is acceptable for the teen leader to add, amend, or delete items from their original plan. They should confer with you before doing so. Secure awards information from the Muskegon MSU Extension Office and encourage your teen leader to participate in awards and recognition programs that best fit his/her interests and achievements. Career planning is a subject of intense interest to older 4-H members. Help your teen member by providing career planning information, or refer them to their school guidance counselor or 4-H Extension Educator. Encourage your Teen Leader to complete the required forms. Stress the importance of neatness, correct grammar and spelling. Adhere to deadlines. Typewritten forms are preferred. 4-H Teen Leader Training Opportunities Kettunen Center offers a variety of teen and adult leader training opportunities. For more information contact the Muskegon County 4-H office at (231) or visit Kettunen Center online at: Contact Information For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact the Muskegon County MSU Extension Office at (231) Acknowledgments The Muskegon County 4-H Teen Leadership overview was adapted from: Michigan State 4-H Youth Development. (2006). 4-H Teen Leadership. Re-trieved November 13, 2014, from Kent County Michigan State University Extension Program. (1997). Kent County 4-H teen leader project. Grand Rapids, MI: Author. MSU is an affirmative action, equal-opportunity institution. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. 18