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Dear
Leader:
So you've volunteered and have been selected to
be a new 4-H leader! Congratulations! You're starting an interesting,
challenging and rewarding experience. Because we know you have many
questions about this new venture, we believe you'll find the information in
this and subsequent letters helpful.
This is the first in a series of six letters
that you will receive in the next few months, along with supporting
materials. We suggest you keep these materials together in a notebook for
easy reference. When you have all six letters and the additional reference
materials, you will have a useful 4-H leader's handbook.
At the end of each letter is a section titled,
"How I can use the information in this letter?" This section
gives you the chance to think about the information in each letter and how
you might use the information effectively in your club.
What is 4-H?
4-H is the youth audience of the Cooperative
Extension System in the United
States. Young people, between the ages
of 8 and 19, participate in individual and group learning experiences that
help them learn skills for living. Five- to seven-year-olds learn life
skills through CloverKids group activities. In Missouri, 4-H is part of University
Outreach and Extension. The State 4-H Office is located on the Columbia campus of the University of Missouri.
4-H leaders are considered volunteer staff
members at the University
of Missouri. At the
local level, each county has an extension center which administers the 4-H program.
At the national level, 4-H is under the leadership of the United States
Department of Agriculture.
The most widely recognized symbol of 4-H is the
4-H clover. This emblem is a green four-leaf clover with a white or gold
"H" in each leaf, representing Head, Heart, Hands and Health.
The 4-H name and emblem may be used by local
chartered 4-H clubs and other officially affiliated 4-H organizations. The
use of the 4-H name and emblem should be consistent with the educational
purposes, character-building objectives and dignity of the 4-H program. It
cannot be used to endorse commercial firms, products or services. If there
are questions about the appropriate use of the 4-H emblem, contact your
local University of Missouri Extension Center.
How does the 4-H
program work?
It is said, "It is better to build a child
than to mend an adult." This, in a nutshell, is the main objective of
the 4-H program. 4-H is a learn-by-doing program. This "experiential
learning" occurs when youths participate in an activity, look back to
reflect on the activity, draw conclusions or observations from the
experience and relate the experience to other or future experiences in
their lives. Through the experiential learning process, young people
develop basic, transferable skills useful in real life experiences today
and in the future. Through experiential learning, youths learn skills for
living. Life skills may be categorized as three types:
Competency — developing skills and knowledge; strengthening and using
decision-making skills; communicating with and relating to other people.
Coping — responding to life situations; developing a positive
self-concept; establishing priorities consistent with one's values.
Contributory — sharing with others; developing leadership skills; responding
to the needs of others and of the community.
These life skills enable youth to become
self-directing and productive, to lead satisfying lives, to contribute to
society and to function effectively in a changing world.
Of primary importance in this learn-by-doing
approach, is the 4-H project. The project is a set of activities centered
around a specific subject. Each member or group selects one or more
projects according to interest and ability. Each project requires the
member or group to establish goals, work toward those goals and evaluate
the progress made.
What's more important
— the 4-H project or the 4-H boy and girl?
The 4-H members, of course! 4-H is a people
program. It's objective is to assist in the development of boys and girls.
Projects are tools for teaching young people by stimulating their interest.
A commonly stated example of the 4-H philosophy is, "A blue ribbon
4-H'er with a red ribbon project is better than a red ribbon 4-H'er with a
blue ribbon project."
What is the 4-H
leader's job?
To help youths develop skills from their
experiences in club groups, leadership activities and projects. Youngsters
remember better if they actually experience something and have an
opportunity for some "hands-on learning." 4-H encourages skills
that will be useful to them now and in the future. 4-H helps each member
develop good habits, experiment with new and challenging ideas, and
practice problem-solving skills.
To teach 4-H members how to think, not what to think.
4-H helps develop creative thinking in young people by giving them a chance
to make decisions on their own. They'll learn by making their own choices.
To recognize and encourage 4-H members so they
feel noticed and important. The most significant recognition that can be
given to members is praise, attention or compliments letting them know they
are important and what they have done is worthwhile. For some, 4-H may be
the only place they get this support.
This is what 4-H is all about — the
personal development of boys and girls.
Welcome to the world of
4-H!
Missouri 4-H
recognizes the importance of good character in everything that is done. 4-H
staff and volunteers as well as 4-H members and their families know that a
person of character:
· Is a good person — someone to look up to and admire;
· Knows the difference between right and wrong and always tries to do
what is right;
· Sets a good example;
· Makes the world a better place;
· Lives according to the "Six Pillars of Character" —
Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.
Another helpful MU publication is Learn
by Doing LG783 (PDF)
Adapted from
Dodd, M.A., Hoglum, L., and Robinson, M. (1998). Letters to New 4-H
Leaders. Oregon State University
Cooperative Extension Service, Corvallis,
Ore.
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