1	You’re A 4-H Project Leader! . . . Now what should you do?
2	First things first . . . Missouri 4-H wants to ensure the safety of its members! Please help us by participating in the youth protection measures . . . . . .Complete and sign the volunteer leader forms before you start !
3	Who Are Project Leaders? Project leaders may be - - men women teens parents/ guardians grandparents Friends with skills to share
4	Project Leader Qualifications Interest in & understanding of youth Desire to help youth “learn by doing” Willingness to learn; time & energy to devote Knowledge of subject Ability to communicate ideas & skills Ability to share decision-making & responsibility with youth Willingness to maintain relationships with parents/ guardians Enthusiasm, patience, & understanding Highly ethical Commitment to 4-H youth protection policy
5	Project Leader Rewards Watching youth learn & grow Respect & friendship of youth Respect & thanks of parents & community Recognition of accomplishments by club & county Opportunity for personal growth & learning Opportunity for increasingly responsible leadership Out-of-pocket expenses are deductible from income tax You can have fun!
6	Getting Started From club leaders, collect - name address phone number email address of the 4-Hers in “your” project group
7	Getting Started . . . Review project goals in the 4-H “Clover” Pick up project literature from club leader & read for project overview Review 4-H Project Record blank What kinds of records should project members keep?
8	Let’s See What is Required For project completion? For record keeping? To exhibit at the fair/ exhibit day? Number of project meetings? For community service? For members to receive county awards?
9	What is Required? For project completion? Check with club leader for club/ county rules [usually 1/2 of club meetings & at least 6 hrs. of project instruction, perhaps exhibit] For record keeping? Report to club leader or secretary the dates of meetings & who attended (LG ###) Members fill out Project Record Y620
10	What is Required? To exhibit at the fair? Consult county/ state fair listings, available at local Extension Center Are members in “good standing”? [check with leader for requirements established by club &/or county] The number of project meetings? At least 6 hrs teaching/ contact time [during any combination of meeting times - - 3 or more]
11	What is Required? For community service? Club may recommend members complete community service related to the project. For 4-Hers to receive county awards? Members who complete project & are in “good standing” may apply for county awards, using county-designated application.
12	Sources of help . . . Project literature 4-H “Clover” 4-H newsletter [contains important updates and new resources] Your club’s leaders & parents Local University of Missouri Extension Center Library and research-based Internet sites Community resource people
13	Your FIRST project meeting: Involve parents / families Get acquainted [have fun - - get mixer ideas from recreation leader] Discuss expenses Plan future meeting dates & times Set goals (individual and group) Discuss record keeping & awards
14	Project Meeting Plans Meeting # ____ Date ________ Place________ What I want to accomplish Materials & equipment needed Tasks I must do How the members will participate Assignments for the next meeting Announcements
15	Teaching techniques to use . . . Learning by Doing (LG783) Demonstrations (LG744) Judging (LG730) Quiz Bowl (LG 732) Skill A Thons (LG 733) Field trips Conference judging Research - recommended sources (help members critically evaluate sources of information)
16	Experiential Learning Model
17	Life Skills
18	Demonstrations Members learn when leader shows & tells them how to master a skill. Members reinforce learning by repeating the demonstration (“show & tell”) Encourage members to give project demonstrations for parents, at club meetings and at contest events
19	Demonstrations help members develop a positive self-concept acquire self-confidence express ideas clearly respond to questions spontaneously acquire knowledge
20	Why Project Judging is Important Provides opportunities for members to improve decision-making skills Members learn to defend or justify the decisions they made Helps members understand how their exhibits will be judged at Exhibit Day/Fair Lets leaders know the members’ current level of knowledge related to project
21	Teaching Judging Members 8-11 years plan few, simple choices choices closely related to what they know give positive feed back Members 12-14 years increase complexity and number of choices encourage contests provide positive feed back Members 15-18 years encourage improving skills in oral reasons encourage regional & state contests [if available] may help members decide their career interests
22	Why Use Field Trips? Advantages - can increase member interest in the project may increase project group rapport & commitment may stimulate career interests may introduce new environments & new people/ resources
23	Field Trips Steps in planning a meaningful trip involve project members in careful planning you pre-visit the location/ person in charge make clear the trip’s purpose to members & parents involve parents in planning safe, insured transportation promote trip to members in an appealing way evaluate the learning carry over into project activities
24	Conference Judging Exhibits Purposes to find out what members learned critiquing the items made Process member takes item[s] made in project to be judged at exhibit day member sits down with judge judge discusses with member how member created the item, the process used, lessons learned, etc. the exhibit is evaluated for what the child is capable of doing and if his/ her goals were met
25	Conference Judging Exhibits Questions members may be asked Did you enjoy working on this project? Why? How did you improve your skills? Why did you choose this item? Explain what kinds of materials you used. What was the easiest part? What were your goals for this project? What was the most difficult part of creating this item? Who helped you with the project, and how did they help? What would you like to do next year?
26	Conference Judging Exhibits Philosophy Creating a blue ribbon exhibit is not the most important goal, creating a blue ribbon kid is the most important goal. Creating an item to exhibit for judging is a means to positive learning, self-evaluation & completion of goals. Participating in conference judging can build a sense of mastery and competence in children.
27	Helping Youth Learn In order to learn youth need Clear self-determined goals Accommodation for individual abilities Motivation Active involvement in learning Self-evaluation
28	4-Hers Learn By Doing Youth retain knowledge 10% from reading 20% from listening 30% from seeing 50% from hearing + seeing 70% from explaining to others 90% from saying + doing 4-H Youth learn by: reading project info listening to leader seeing posters, etc. watching project demonstrations discussing & judging project items giving demonstrations
29	What to Expect from Members Some will require more moral support while others will need more physical assistance. Their needs will depend on their “Ages and Stages of Development” (Ages and Stages of 4-H Youth Development LG782)
30	Now You’re All Set . . .