Professional Development

Learning Delivery Systems:
Venues for obtaining training, professional development and networking

The “Current and Emerging 4-H Leadership Development” initiative is designed to accelerate the development of current leaders and prepare emerging leaders for greater responsibility and strong leadership in 4-H for years to come.

Programs include:

Choosing to Lead
Emerging and aspiring leaders, and teams of leaders currently working in the 4-H system are encouraged to participate in the “Choosing to Lead” program. The purpose of Choosing to Lead is to give the big picture of 4-H, assess leadership and management styles, and build a network of colleagues for the future of 4-H. The course will discuss key competencies in youth development, 4-H program management and 4-H organizational systems. Participants can expect to leave the session with a better understanding of the big picture of 4-H and opportunities for professional growth, as well as insights to their leadership and management style, with plans for development.

Choosing to Lead is scheduled to be held annually in conjunction with NAE4-HA national conference (October/November) and will last approximately 1.5 days, with another half day of sessions throughout the planned conference program. See our News page for announcements.

Art of Leadership Series
Join your colleagues for the Art of Leadership program as part of the Current and Emerging Leadership Initiative in 4-H. This professional development opportunity is expressly for

• Individuals newly hired or assigned to a key leadership role in their state or across the 4-H system
• State 4-H Program Leaders with less than 5 years in their current position

The Art of Leadership program will give you an opportunity to examine your role as a leader in one of the largest youth development organizations in the U.S. You will examine your leadership role, not just for today but into the future. For most busy program leaders, administrators, and 4-H faculty there is never enough time for personal reflection and planning. This session will give you that rare opportunity: to reflect on your leadership role and how you, together with other 4-H colleagues, can have an impact on 4-H youth development.

Dates are: February 19-21, 2008 – Tucson, AZ and September 15-18, 2008 – Burlington, VT. Registration deadline is December 15, 2007.

Download these documents for additional information:
- 4-H Art of Leadership announcement
- 4-H Art of Leadership registration form
- 4-H Art of Leadership information packet

4-H Art of Leadership Training Partners

4-H Art of Leadership training partners assist in planning and delivering the 4-H Art of Leadership program.  The purpose is to continue to make the program relevant, inclusive and sustainable, and expand the pool of leaders that can positively impact the long-term success of 4-H. 

4-H Art of Leadership training partners will be responsible for program planning and logistics, marketing the program among peers, content development, delivery and evaluation, facilitation and mentoring of participants, and assist in training the next group of trainers.  Art of Leadership training partners will shadow in Year 1 and give primary leadership/train the next group in Year 2 (with support from current facilitators).  

Who is Eligible:   Previous 4-H Art of Leadership participants must have completed both sessions.  (Currently 2005, 2006, 2007 cohorts.) Three trainers will be identified each year.

Time Commitment :  It is a 2-year time commitment.  Planning will begin fall of 2007 using conference calls and on-line planning tools.  Full participation is expected at the sessions in February and September for two consecutive years (2008-2009). 

Costs and Benefits :  Expenses of training partners will be supported through program registration.  In Year 1, 50% of the expenses will be covered.  In Year 2, 100% of the expenses will be covered.   

Download the role description and application form.

Orientation for Newer State 4-H Program Leaders
State 4-H Program Leaders newly hired or who have been in their position for less than 3 years are encouraged to attend a pre-conference orientation held annually in conjunction with the spring State 4-H Program Leaders meeting. This one and one-half day session will help Newer State Program Leaders grasp the broad portfolio of 4-H programs and activities, learn the complexities of funding, cope with the demands of people-management—and build some lasting relationships. Contact Barbara Stone (bstone@csrees.usda.gov) for information regarding the orientation.

Accomplishments

An evaluation report of the 4-H Current and Emerging Leadership Initiative documents the impacts of these programs.

Impact report - Choosing to Lead

Impact report - Art of Leadership

Impact report - Orientation for Newer State 4-H Program Leaders

Full report - 4-H Current and Emerging Leadership Initiative