Learning Styles Print learners Auditory learners Tactile learners Visual learners Kinesthetic learners Interactive learners Independent learners.

Learning Styles

Print learners Auditory learners Tactile learners Visual learners Kinesthetic learners Interactive learners Independent learners Observational learners

Experiential Learning Model

4-H Skillathons

Are participant centered Involve "do, reflect, and apply" The learning is facilitated The process is facilitated Realistic tasks are expected Praise and recognition for learners is

incorporated

Criteria for 4-H Youth Development Programming

A 4-H club: enrolls at least 5 members from at least 3

families conducts a minimum of 6 regular club

meetings per year, supplemented by other activities

meeting typically includes a time for a business and educational program and for social/recreational interaction.

A 4-H club Typically elects officers or youth leaders meets in any location (homes, military base,

schools, libraries, etc.) adapts to and supports mobility of youth and

parents, linking them to 4-H programs in other counties and states.

meets interests and needs of youth is advised by screened/trained adult staff or

volunteers

Criteria for 4-H Youth Development Programming

Criteria for 4-H Youth Development Programming

A 4-H club: includes opportunities to learn and apply

skills such as leadership, citizenship, community service and public speaking

provides individual project experiences in science, engineering and technology, citizenship and healthy living

provides programs, curricula and procedures based in research, which are developmentally appropriate

A 4-H club: provides members and volunteers access to

resources of land-grant universities and to county, state and national 4-H opportunities

uses experiential learning as a primary teaching approach

fosters youth-adult partnerships that encourage active involvement and participation by youth and adults

Criteria for 4-H Youth Development Programming

Criteria for 4-H Youth Development Programming

A 4-H club: provides safe and healthy physical and

emotional environments

Typical Policies of 4-H Clubs

A set number of members with completed enrollment papers.

Club is organized with youth officers. One or more appointed and trained club

leaders. An official club name is chosen. Club rules are established.

Typical Policies (cont'd)

At least 6 regular meetings plus project meetings are scheduled.

A written educational plan for the club program is on file at county 4-H Office.

A copy of the club enrollment is kept on file with the county 4-H Office.

Enrollment Policies for 4-H Members

Enrollment of members, volunteers and leaders is required each year and is done through the county 4-H Office.

New members joining throughout the year must submit enrollment papers immediately to county 4-H Office.

Other forms such as code of conduct may also be submitted each year.

Enrollment Policies of 4-H members (cont'd)

Eligibility for competition and some project involvement are determined by birth date or grade in school.

Contact your county 4-H agent for specific policies in your state.

Enrollment Policies for Volunteers

Volunteers must also complete enrollment forms each year.

Screening and training prior to serving as 4-H leaders are usually required.

Position descriptions are provided for volunteer leaders.

Fiscal Policies for 4-H Clubs

4-H clubs do not pay taxes on income generated by the club.

Some states have membership dues to cover insurance or other specific costs.

Liability and accident insurance varies in each state. Contact your county 4-H agent for information about insurance coverage in your state.

Reporting Policies of 4-H Clubs

County 4-H programs report data through their states to National 4-H Headquarters at USDA. Includes demographic summary of

members and volunteers Number of clubs in the county Information about the 4-H programs

Nine Steps for Establishing a 4-H Club

Step 1 -- Contact the county 4-H Agent

Step 2 -- Attend local 4-H volunteer/leader training

Step 3 -- Obtain county and state 4-H policies and guidelines

Nine steps (cont'd)

Step 4 -- Assess youth, parent and community needs and interests

Step 5 -- Recruit potential club members

Step 6 -- Conduct an organizational meeting

Nine steps (cont'd)

Step 7 -- Recruit project leader(s) and distribute curricula

Step 8 -- Complete and submit enrollment and other appropriate reports

Step 9 -- Assist with club rules or by-law preparation

High-context Youth Development

Experiences in which young people and adults have close connections over a long period of time.

Step 1Identify Specific Life Skills

Examples of life skills developed through 4-H club meetings:

leadershipcommunication decision makingproblem solvingteamworkcooperationaccepting differences

Step 2Involve Youth and Leaders

Club meetings should be planned and conducted by youth members.

Youth-run meetings attract more young people to the club and keep everyone involved.

Step 3Plan for Balance and Variety

Rule of thumb for 90-minute meeting:Business meeting 15 minutes

Educational program 30-45 minutes

Recreation, social 30 minutes

Guiding Principles:The Essential Elements of 4-H

BelongingA positive relationship with

a caring adultAn inclusive environmentA safe environment

MasteryEngagement in learningLearn new skills

IndependenceOpportunity to see oneself

as an active participant in the future

Opportunity for self-determination

GenerosityOpportunity to value and

practice service for others

A Yearly Plan

Clearly states the agreed upon club goals.

Informs everyone on what to expect as members.

Outlines each persons' responsibilities.

Gives everyone time to prepare for meetings and events.

A Yearly Plan (cont'd)

Promotes a balanced experience with a variety of activities.

Helps the group measure how successful they were in reaching their goals.

Constructing a Yearly Plan

1. Determine interests, needs and desires of all club members.

2. Next, put those suggestions into a plan.

Ideas for Gathering Information

Idea box

Wall parking lot or sticky board

Web-based survey

Roll call survey

4-H is for you! The activities that your club plans for the year should be the things the members of your club want to do. By completing the sentences in each leaf of the clover you will help your club plan the coming year’s activities.

Clover Survey

I am curious about…

We could help our community by…

My hobbies are…

Just for fun we could…

Setting Goals For Your 4-H Club

Good goals: Reflect interests of the club. Target life skills. Are stated clearly. Are realistic, achievable and measurable. Fit within the developmental capabilities of

members. Promote cooperation, learning and skill development. Provide individual and group achievement incentives.

Examples of 4-H Club Goals

25% of club members will exhibit computer projects in the county fair.

Our club will participate in two community service projects during the coming year.

Our club will recruit at least three new members during the coming year.

Club Goals (cont'd)

Our club will offer healthy snack options at every meeting during the coming year.

Our club will attend one city council meeting during the coming year.

A Typical 4-H Program Plan

Includes: Meetings on a fixed day every month. Educational trips or presentations by

special guests. Recreational activities. Special events such as holiday parties. Community service projects. Project work.

A Typical 4-H Program Plan (cont'd)

Includes: Opportunities for member presentations. One club recognition activity. One 4-H promotional activity. One meeting to plan the program for the

following year.

Marketing to Youth

Youth today get information from the digital world. When marketing to young people, especially teens, remember:

Youth pay more attention to digital marketing than traditional forms of marketing.

Use technology that youth use such as PodCasts, Facebook and YouTube.

Advertisements can be produced at minimal cost and posted to YouTube, while PodCasts can be made available on websites.

Sites such as Facebook can be used to create virtual groups and clubs for dissemination of information.

All of these marketing techniques can be developed and managed by teen technology clubs.

Guide to Creating Your 4-H Marketing Plan

1. What experiences can 4-H provide to your age group that they would see as a benefit?

2. What are some special events and activities that 4-H is involved with that appeal to your audience?

3. What are some strategies you could use to let your audience know about 4-H and your club?

Your Club’s Marketing Strategy

• List 3 things your club will do to attract members

• How will this be accomplished?

• Who will be responsible?

Transitioning Youth to New 4-H Communities

4-H agents can provide contact information for all state 4-H offices.

4-H agents can make phone calls to help the transitioning member.

4-H agents can provide other youth development professionals information to help transition youth to new communities.

Transitioning Youth to New 4-H Communities

4-H club leaders can assist youth who are moving by helping get all their 4-H records and paperwork in order.

4-H club leaders can assist new 4-H members by making sure members have all the information they need to be successful in their new club.

Reasons Why People Volunteer

To help their families To work with youth To learn new skills To help the community To meet and get to know people in

the community

Reasons Why People Volunteer

To develop leadership skills

To use personal skills and knowledge

To learn more about community efforts and activities

Club Leader Role

Supports youth by providing encouragement, ideas and learning opportunities

Recruits other volunteers and parents to assist with project and club activities

Club Leader Role

Links the club to the county 4-H program by keeping communication open between the club and local 4-H agent

Makes sure that 4-H clubs contribute to and make use of community resources

Project Leader Role

Creates positive learning environment where needs of all youth are met

Provides experiences that teach the subject matter using experiential learning methods

Provides opportunities to develop life skills

Helps youth set realistic goals for projects and helps reach those goals

Skills and Attitudes of Volunteers

An understanding of youth development principles

Shares age-appropriate responsibilities with youth

Has high expectations and holds youth accountable

Recognizes the accomplishments of youth

Skills and Attitudes of Volunteers

Fair, objective, honest and sincere

Facilitates teamwork

Develops leadership skills of youth

Supporting and Recognizing Volunteers

Maintain contact with volunteers (internet, personal contact, phone)

Develop clearly focused agendas for volunteer meetings

Handle conflicts immediately Encouragement and recognition are

essential

Volunteer Recognition Ideas

1. Publicly thank volunteers. Write a news release for local paper highlighting their contributions.

2. Ask for volunteers' input into programs, events, workshops.

3. Invite volunteers to participate in staff meetings and conferences.

Volunteer Recognition Ideas

4. Ask a volunteer to speak on behalf of the 4-H program to an outside agency.

5. Promote a volunteer to a higher level of responsibilities.

6. Write a letter of reference.7. Nominate volunteers for community,

state or national awards.

Volunteer Recognition Ideas

8. Encourage youth to send thank-you notes.

9. Feature volunteers in print or media promotional publications.

10. Provide recognition tokens such as plaques, certificates, pins.

Volunteer Recognition Ideas

11. Offer perks such as free admission, parking, reserved seating, etc.

12. Have a Volunteer of the Month Award.

13. Host a banquet, luncheon, party or reception in the volunteers' honor.

Characteristics of Recognition

Recognition is a basic human need. Recognition must be designed to

build self-esteem. A balance between intangible and

tangible recognition is essential. Adult support is essential. All 4-H members need to experience

recognition for their efforts.

Characteristics of Recognition

Recognition is more meaningful when it occurs soon after it is earned.

Appropriate recognition for individual 4-H'ers varies with stage of development, past experiences, family lifestyle, community and cultural heritage.

Characteristics of Recognition

Opportunities for self-assessment and reflection within the recognition process allow for youth to learn and grow.

5 Types of Recognition

1. Participating in educational experiences.

2. Progress toward self-set goals.3. Achieving standards of excellence.4. Peer competition.5. Excellence in cooperation.

Participation Recognition

Recognizes attending, participating and successfully completing an activity.

Can take the form of a name in the paper, t-shirt, participation ribbon, etc.

Progress Toward Self-Set Goals Recognition

Not limited to the outcome at the end of the project and is useful when several steps are involved in reaching a goal. This form of recognition: Can be used with all ages Requires that goals must be realistic and

reachable Progress is evaluated by youth and adults Progress is measured using young person's

own goals and plans

Achievement of Standards Recognition Recognizing accomplishments as they compare

to pre-determined standards. Key elements are: Standard used to measure success is an

outside source Adults must assure standards are clearly

defined and youth are well informed Involves a judging system. 4-H uses a

ribbon placement system The standard measures quality of work and

is not a comparison to others

Peer Competition Recognition

Comparison to peers can negatively influence younger members' self-perception

Desire to win may overpower desire to learn. Help youth remain focused on the experience rather than the competition.

Rules and procedures must be clear.

Peer Competition Recognition

Negative stress, conflict, etc., can be reduced by assuring everyone understands expectations.

Adults must remember that this form of recognition is designed to promote the development of youth rather than the success of their program.

Competition should be optional. It does not motivate ALL youth.

Excellence in Cooperation Recognition

Key components: Involves all youth in the group Is measured against mutually agreed

upon goals and supports looking at a variety of ideas

Ultimate goal is not recognition Everyone is recognized