County Ambassador Program

Time Commitment

• Minimum 16-18 months commitment

Required Qualifications

1. Applicant must be between 14-18 years old and meet the 4-H membership requirements.
2. 2. Applicant must have completed at least one year of membership in 4-H prior to the year of application.
3. Applicant must have demonstrated leadership experience and skills by providing evidence of completion of the following five requirements or documentation of having achieved a Gold Star Rank (a signed star rank chart).
   • Mastery of a project as demonstrated by at least 6 hours of instruction, documented by a statement of skills
   • 40 hours of significant leadership roles, at least half through 4-H
   • 30 hours of citizenship and/or community service, at least half through 4-H
   • 10 public speaking engagements, at least 5 of which must have been given at a 4-H event
   • Demonstrate involvement in 4-H as evidenced by a list of activities that are a combination of 15 of the following: project skill activities, 4-H events attended, and honors/recognition. Definitions for these three categories are found in the Record Book Manual under the section describing the Personal Development Report (PDR). Completing a PDR is not an application requirement for County Ambassador.

Required Skills

Ambassador is a working rank in 4-H. Candidates need to be eligible for the award and willing to do the work that is expected. Ambassadors are role models for younger members and should exhibit strong, positive leadership skills. They need to be effective leaders individually and in a team setting, by exhibiting a positive attitude and showing respect for the contributions of each team member. Evidence of proficient public speaking skills is required. Ambassadors will get much practice during the year but must already be able to speak with confidence in front of an audience.

Printable Version

1) Applicants must submit essay responses with their ONLINE APPLICATION.

Written Responses to Three (3) Essay Questions

The following questions must be answered and submitted with the online Ambassador Application.  Applicants are encouraged to prepare their responses in advance and copy/paste in the application. Essay responses should be limited to 300 words per question.

1. Why do you want to become a 4-H County Ambassador?
2. What do you hope to gain from your County Ambassador experience?
3. What do you hope to give to 4-H from your County Ambassador experience?

2) Applicants must email the following documents to centralsierrafourh@ucanr.edu with the Subject “EDC Ambassador Application”.

4-H Resume

Prepare a 4-H Resume highlighting leadership and citizenship skills, as well as personal and professional development. 4-H Resume Template

3) Written Evidence of Leadership Experience and Skills (ALL 1-5 or achievement of Gold Star Rank)

• Mastery of a project: A minimum of 6 hours of instruction, supported by a skills statement.
• Significant leadership roles: 40 hours, with at least 10 hours within 4-H.
• Civic Engagement and/or community service: 30 hours, with at least 6 hours through 4-H.
• Public speaking engagements: 10 total, including at least 2 at 4-H events.
• Involvement in 4-H: A list of 15 activities, which may include project skill activities, attendance at 4-H events, honors, and recognition.

Note: Definitions for project skill activities, 4-H events attended, honors, and recognition can be found in the California 4-H Record Book Manual Star Ranks Path, Section 2: Personal Development Report (PDR). Applicants can use the PDR or the Summary of 4-H Work form to demonstrate completing at least 15 activities items in the Achievement Program. Completing a PDR or an Emerald Star I, Emerald Star II, or Impact Star Achievement form is not an application requirement for County Ambassador.

OR

• Achievement of a Gold Star Rank: confirmed by a signed and dated Star Rank chart or other relevant documentation.

4) Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Recommendations may not be from a parent/guardian, sibling or other family member residing in the same household as the applicant.

• One letter from a 4-H youth member
• Two letters from adults who have knowledge of your leadership experience, skills, and character. At least one of these letters must be from a 4-H adult who has knowledge of your skills and character demonstrated in the 4-H Youth Development Program.