4-H Leadership

Leadership skills can be learned and developed through the many opportunities 4-H has to offer. 4-H'ers learn about leadership and practice those skills through activities such as taking part in 4-H club meetings, presenting information at various events, designing and implementing activities for younger youth and carrying out community service projects as individuals or with a group. 4-H teaches youth the life skills necessary to effectively lead others. These important life skills will be used in jobs, in careers, in service clubs, in communities and in daily activities as an adult.

By taking part in 4-H, young people can acquire the leadership life skills they need to take responsibility for their actions and to work with others in achieving individual and group goals. In a 4-H leadership project, youth gain experience in several skill areas:

• understanding themselves
• communicating
• getting along with others
• learning to learn
• making decisions
• managing and working with groups

Leadership projects can be independent or group activities.

4-H Teen Leadership

4-H offers opportunities for 4-H teens to become leaders by practicing the skills they are learning.  Click on the 4-H Teen Leadership web site to learn more about how to get involved. 

4-H Leadership Resources

Michigan 4-H Materials to Improve the Communications Skills of Young People and Adults

The Communications Toolkit: Fun, Skill-Building Activities to Do With Kids (4-H 1560)
This publication is designed for individuals who work with young people aged 12 and up and want fun, easy and meaningful communication activities to use with clubs and in classrooms, camps, after-school programs or other settings where youth come together. In the toolkit, you’ll find background information for group leaders, hands-on activities, handouts and other resources that will help youth build on their skills in public speaking, writing, graphics, and video, media and technology. (172 pages, Michigan 4-H, 2000)

Michigan 4-H Club Materials

Helping You Help Officers & Committees (4-H 1467)
This publication is designed for the 4-H club or group organization leader or the person named to work with the officers. It helps leaders guide the club or group in officer selection and includes information to help leaders train officers to be effective. In addition to the leader guide, this publication includes the following five sections:

• So You Are President of Your Club (formerly 4-H 1468)
  This bulletin describes the duties of a 4-H president, including how to conduct a good business meeting. Two worksheets provide an opportunity for presidents to practice planning a meeting and solving common club or group problems.
• So You Are Vice-President of Your Club (formerly 4-H 1469)
  The duties of a 4-H vice-president are described in this bulletin, which highlights program planning responsibilities. Worksheets are included for vice-presidents to practice planning meetings, programs and club or group goals for the year.
• So You Are Secretary of Your Club (formerly 4-H 1470)
  This contains a description of the 4-H secretary’s duties, including how to keep attendance records and take minutes. Practice worksheets are included.
• So You Are Treasurer of Your Club (formerly 4-H 1471)
  This bulletin describes the duties of a 4-H treasurer. It includes tips for keeping an accurate account of receipts and expenses, and outlines checking and savings account management.
• So You Are Reporter of Your Club (formerly 4-H 1472)
  This bulletin gives guidelines for the 4-H reporter, with an example of a news story’s development and tips for writing effective news articles. Practice worksheets are also included.

Group Dynamite Notebook (4-H 1068)
This notebook is designed to increase adult and youth group process skills. Participants learn problem-solving, decision-making and personal management skills in a group setting. Leadership skills and group dynamics are also a focus of the notebook’s experiential learning concept. (250 pages, Michigan 4-H, out of print)

Materials available though the Michigan 4-H Mall

08171 Exploring The Treasures of 4-H
This youth activity guide provides a treasure hunt for youth to explore the joys of 4-H by discovering their interest, exploring potential 4-H projects and finding 4-H where they live with the guidance of parents or other adult helpers.

08172 Exploring 4-H-Treasures of 4-H Help Guide
This activity-packed group guide is designed for teachers, volunteer leaders and other educators. The activities help groups of youth explore the many treasures of 4-H. Activities are grouped into eight categories linked to national education standards.

Step Up To Leadership Curriculum
This National 4-H curriculum includes several booklets that encourage youth of all ages to share in the fun as they learn the dynamic process of leadership. Mentor guides include background information, interactive activities and real life experiences in relationship building, communication, group process, and planning and organizing. All activities offer a cross-cultural perspective. Young children and teens can lead in many ways — at home, in clubs, youth groups, school and the community. The fun continues with an interactive web site to enhance and support learning. Grades K-12.

• 07903  Leadership - Mentor Guide 1:  Mentor guides include background information, interactive activities and real life experiences in relationship building, communication, group process, planning and organizing.
• 07904 Leadership - Mentor Guide 2: Mentor guides include background information, interactive activities and real life experiences in relationship building, communication, group process, planning and organizing.
• 07905  Leadership - My Workbook: For grades 3 to 5, this workbook has activities that offer a cross-cultural perspective. It has activities for young people to assess their current leadership skills, discover more about themselves and others, develop empathy, and practice some basic leadership skills. An interactive web site is available to enhance and support learning.
• 07906 Leadership - My Journal: For grades 6 to 8, this workbook has activities to help youth learn how to set and plan goals. It has activities on building relationships and doing speeches, and it offers a cross-cultural perspective. Young children and teens can lead in many ways - at home, in clubs, in youth groups, in school and in the community.
• 07907 Leadership - My Portfolio: For grades 9 to 12, this workbook has activities to help teens learn how to build relationships, communicate with partners and develop interview skills, and work with groups.  All activities offer a cross-cultural perspective and it includes some practical hands-on activities teens can do. 

Contact Information

For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:

Phone: 517-432-7602
Fax: 517-355-6748
Email: markc@msu.edu

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Last Updated: May 7, 2008
Last Reviewed: December 10, 2007