- Author: Steven Worker
Guidebook and workshop series helps 4-H project leaders learn about their roles, responsibilities, lesson planning, making learning engaging, and working with youth leaders.
California 4-H relies on and recognizes adult 4-H volunteer educators who bring knowledge, experience, and passion to work with youth. Adult 4-H volunteer educators who provide learning experiences (as project leaders) are one of the most important influences on youth development and educational outcomes. California 4-H committed to preparing our volunteers to facilitate high quality youth development and learning experiences to 4-H youth members.
An Update to the 4-H Project Leaders Guide
In August 2023, the UC 4-H Volunteer Educators' Guide: For Those Facilitating 4-H Educational Experiences, authored by a team of 4-H Advisors, was published as a 40-page peer reviewed publication. It was a needed revision to the 2007 4-H Project Leaders' Digest, in order to incorporate the new 4-H Thriving Model of Youth Development, and other emerging research on education.
The guide is useful for 4-H volunteers in community club projects, afterschool club programs, day camps, special interest (SPIN) clubs, teenagers-as-teachers programs, and other educational experiences. The guide provides an overview of the 4-H Youth Development Program, its mission and goals; key program content areas; best practices; volunteer expectations and support; and a look at the underlying science of youth development that support the 4-H approach.
Online Workshop Series for 4-H Project Leaders
In September/October 2023, the volunteer workgroup launched an online workshop series to help make the written guide “come alive” and support 4-H volunteers in meeting, sharing, and learning.
The entire series consists of 4, 2-hour sessions for a total of 8 hours. While the series is probably most beneficial to new 4-H volunteer educators, even those who have been project leaders for years have learned something new.
Thus far, 80 4-H volunteers from 30 counties have completed the 8-hour series! See the list of those who completed the 8-hour series (updated April 1, 2024).
We found statistically significant improvement in all learning objectives:
- Nurturing youth sparks, sense of belonging, and positive relationships with adults;
- Facilitating hands-on experiential education and planning your project;
- Working with all ages and abilities; and
- Creating effective youth-adult partnerships & working with youth leaders.
The sessions were valuable in helping 4-H volunteers strengthen their knowledge of important youth development and educational concepts needed to implement high quality 4-H learning experiences.
“What were the most important things you learned you plan to use in your 4-H projects?”
"I got some ideas on how to development better relationships with youth and ideas on how to help them find their sparks."
"I really appreciated all the very practical suggestions about how to actually strengthen the foundational components - there are several I will by trying out in or projects and meetings."
"I learned I can lean on the established material for youth development. Feeling supported in this new endeavor as I am new to this."
"Talking with other project leaders, and learning tips from more experienced leaders on how to engage youth."
"There is a project plan form after I planned my meetings completely. I will be printing the form and using it."
"Really great to learn more about the 4-H project plan. I've led projects for 5 years and this will be the first year I prepare one (a bit belatedly). Thank you!"
"I'm definitely sharing the project planning document with other project leaders in my club. This was a very helpful tool I was not aware of. Thank you!"
"The importance to have all ages being involved in the projects and allowing the older members teach the younger members."
"The characteristics and implication for activities for each age group presented nicely and I will consider this more in the project activities."
"How to tailor each project/project meeting to all the different age groups and learning abilities."
"Hart's Ladder (thinking how to move up to upper level would help me plan activities & project meetings). Leadership Competence Chart was wonderful."
"Give members more options to voice what they want to learn and how they can learn it. Give them more opportunities to lead and help in any way they can."
Fall 2024 Workshop Series for 4-H Project Leaders
The series is being offered again on Wednesdays in September 2024. Registration is now open! Register
- Author: Gemma Miner
Dear 4-H Volunteer,
Last year during National Volunteer Month, you were in the beginning of so many unknowns. Who knew that you would continue to be challenged to help youth thrive for another year? You had to continue to think hard about your capacity to deliver 4-H programming virtually, to meet young people where they are with new sets of rules and boundaries and far too many pivot points.
For some, the ask was too much given the realities of everyone still at home: working, schooling and managing all the things. We see you; we hear you.
And we understand.
Thank you for your courage to learn and try new ways—again and again and again—to serve youth in your communities.
Thank you for your perseverance even when things did not work the way you thought or wanted them to, even when there were so many roadblocks it brought you to tears.
Thank you for recognizing the look in the eyes of the youth that you serve that said how much they need you right now—and for responding in whatever way you could.
Thank you for all the deep breaths that you took as you managed challenge after challenge after challenge.
Thank you for digging deeply for patience and calm even when it eluded you. Thank you for having the clarity to know when you needed a break.
Thank you for your kindness, always kindness—and for understanding that relationships are what matters most.
Your contributions to help youth in these unprecedented times has never been more critical. We know that your young people struggled with you as they too managed so many stressors. We also know that your youth are resilient and have the confidence to help others to cope. Thank you for providing opportunities for young people to feel supported and for them to contribute.
It is my hope that as we emerge from this pandemic that we are stronger, more creative, more resilient, and more kind. Know that your dedication to help youth lead happy, healthy, thriving lives made a difference to those lives that you touched.
It's your energy, dedication, talent, time, and gifts that makes the impact for youth in California. We see you. We hear you. We appreciate you more than you will ever know.
On behalf of the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program, we thank you for all that you did and do.
In gratitude,
Gemma Miner
Academic Coordinator for Volunteer Engagement
- Author: Gemma Miner
Dear 4-H Volunteer,
It's been a year, hasn't it? One year ago in April, we were all thinking hard about our capacity to deliver 4-H programming virtually. For some, the ask was too much given the realities of everyone suddenly at home: working, schooling and managing all the things. We see you; we hear you. And we understand.
Thank you for your courage to learn and try a completely new way to serve youth in your communities. Thank you for your perseverance even when things did not work the way you thought or wanted them to.
Thank you for recognizing the look in the eyes of the youth that you serve that said how much they need you right now—and for responding in whatever way you could.
Thank you for all the deep breaths that you took as you managed challenge after challenge after challenge.
Thank you for digging deeply for patience and calm even when it eluded you. Thank you for having the clarity to know when you needed a break.
Thank you for your kindness, always kindness—and for understanding that relationships are what matters most.
Your contributions to help youth in these unprecedented times has never been more critical. A recent study by the Harris Poll, found that 67% of 4-H teens report that COVID-19 has created pressures that are too much to handle. They further say that the inability to hang out with friends/family in person and conducting school online bring on their own set of unique stressors. Interestingly, 68% of these same teens report that they consider themselves resilient and have the confidence to help others cope with their mental health struggles. Thank you for providing outlets where everyone had opportunities to feel supported and contribute.
It is my hope that as we emerge from this pandemic that we are stronger, more creative, more resilient, and more kind. Know that your dedication to help youth lead happy, healthy, thriving lives made a difference to those lives that you touched.
It's your energy, dedication, talent, time and gifts that makes the impact for youth in California. We see you. We hear you. We appreciate you beyond measure.
On behalf of the University of California Statewide 4-H Youth Development Program, we thank you for all that you did and do.
In gratitude,
Gemma Miner
Academic Coordinator for Volunteer Engagement
- Author: Gemma Miner
Dear 4-H Volunteer,
Thank you!
Thank you for your dedication, courage and your conviction, for bringing your sense of adventure to share and learn alongside the youth that you mentor.
Thank you for your willingness to try new things, even if they're a little scary—like hosting meetings virtually, or videotaping yourself giving some guidance or demonstration.
Thank you for your compassion and your awareness, for seeing the need and responding. Thank you for sharing your skills and knowledge to help improve lives and build the capacity of youth to learn and grow. This has never been more important.
Thank you for providing opportunities and education – and for knowing that the experiences you share, and the people you help, teach you more than you could have imagined.
Thank you for your patience, respect and perseverance. But most of all thank you for your kindness, and for being the inspiration youth need you to be, in order for them to thrive.
Whether you are a youth volunteer or an adult volunteer, your dedication and support is priceless.
You and I may never know the exact, direct impact you made to help propel a youth member toward a successful life—but that, my friend, is your true purpose. It is your dedication, contribution, talent, time and gifts that make 4-H the amazing organization that it is.
On behalf of the University of California Statewide 4-H Youth Development Program, we thank you for your dedication to help youth lead happy, healthy, thriving lives.
In gratitude,
Gemma Miner
Academic Coordinator for Volunteer Engagement
- Author: Suzanne Morikawa
We are able to continually move our 4-H program forward because of the work of 4-H volunteers. Youth and adult volunteers serve on club, county, Area, and State level committees to plan and organize 4-H events and activities.
Advisory Committees help shape 4-H.
Youth and adult 4-H volunteers impact 4-H at the State level through the State 4-H Advisory Committees. Advisory Committees provide leadership within their respective areas. Committee members offer insight and input for the operation and management of the UC 4-H Youth Development Program.
Meetings are held throughout the year term, mostly through video chats and conference calls. When meeting face-to-face, travel costs and related expenses are reimbursed in accordance with UC policy. The number of meetings vary with the needs of the committee.
We want your voice.
Our goal is to have each Advisory Committee represent and reflect the diverse aspects of 4-H in California, including, but not limited to:
- Youth members and adult volunteers
- Geographic locations
- Years of experience in 4-H
- Program delivery modes
- Community members and partners
Committee terms start on July 1st of each year. Youth (ages 14 to 19) serve one year and adults (volunteers, staff, partners) serve two.
We are currently seeking applicants for the following Advisory Committees:
Policy
Provides leadership and guidance regarding implementation of new or revised 4-H policies.
Camping
Develops strategies to enhance 4-H camping programs.
Civic Engagement
Provides vision and direction for civic engagement programming.
Animal Science Education
Gather input on direction for statewide animal science programs and identify opportunities for youth interested in animal science education.
Shooting Sports
Identifies, discusses, and agrees on recommendations regarding the shooting sports program.
Incentives and Recognition
Reviews, formulates, and evaluates incentives and recognitions.
For more information about the Advisory Committees, the selection process, and committee timeline, please see our Advisory Committees webpage under the About tab on the State 4-H website.
Please spread the word — and apply by May 31st!
