Are You Into It?
Leaders influence and support others in a positive manner for a shared goal. Leaders aren't just elected. You can be a member of committees, small groups and teams. Learning about yourself and how you work with others is a key part of developing leadership skills.
- Understand roles, attitudes, tasks and functions necessary for effective leadership.
- Strengthen local 4-H units in leadership responsibility and encourage other youth.
- Participate in program planning, development, and implementation; help recruit new members and leaders.
Here’s what you can do all year!
Starting Out Basic / Level 1
- Job shadow or interview a local leader
- Take responsibility for a weekly chore in your home
- Plan and present a fun club activity
- Identify non-verbal communication behaviors
- Create a weekly schedule for you and your family
- Organize a space in your home
Learning More Intermediate / Level 2
- Make a list of what motivates you; interview others to find out what motivates them and compare the lists
- Identify characteristics of a good leader and how leaders develop trust
- Practice and deliver a presentation
- Identify talents in your club, group or community
- Work with members to establish ground rules for club meetings
- Experiment with different group decision making techniques
Expanding Horizons Advanced / Level 3
- Plan and present a project workshop
- Run for office in your club
- Create a list of your strengths and weaknesses
- Practice interviewing with an adult
- Write a personal vision and mission statement
- Plan a meeting
- Develop and implement a school survey of students, teachers and administrators
- Identify various leadership styles
Back to 4-H Project Home
Leadership Hot Sheet
(color or B/W pdf)
Leadership Exhibits Tip Sheet
(color or B/W pdf) - coming soon
Poster Exhibits Tip Sheet
(color or B/W pdf)
Exhibitor Fair Information Form
(Word or editable PDF)
Exhibit Evaluation Form (pdf)
Here are other opportunities to explore Leadership:
- Volunteer to serve on your county 4-H Youth Committee
Conduct a workshop at the State 4-H Volunteer Retreat
- Is it fair time? Consider taking an exhibit, a piece of your project learning to the fair for judging and to show off what you have learned throughout the year. It might get selected to go to the Iowa State Fair.
- Contact your county ISU Extension Office for other local workshops, activities, and events.
- Meet others interested in leadership. Check out camps at the Iowa 4-H Center.
- Attend Iowa 4-H Youth Conference and participate in workshops, motivational speakers and a community service project, bringing ideas back to your community
- Apply for National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, State 4-H Council, a Counselor-In-Training position at the Iowa 4-H Center, a Page position at the State Legislature, volunteer or paid positions at the Iowa State Fair
- Interested in a college education in the area of political science, business administration, teaching, public service administration in agriculture or community and regional planning? Schedule a visit with Iowa State University and explore those majors