The primary objective of Civic Engagement projects includes the following:
- Support youth in becoming community leaders and responsible citizens.
- Youth will learn, participate, and engage others in responsible citizenship and service learning.
- Youth gain experiential knowledge in being a good citizen, understanding and interacting with cultural diversity, and become young leaders within their communities.
- Engage youth in caring about their greater community, feeling empathy and concern for others, and cooperating with one another for positive community results.
Citizenship
Citizenship Learning Objectives: Being a good citizen is an essential part of any 4-H project. For example, in the Citizenship project, youth will learn how to actively participate in their community as a contributing member. This looks like leading your club, helping younger peers, or even attending the National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C., where youth will broaden their appreciation, respect for themselves, and reflect on their position in the world.
Youth in this program:
- Learn about local government and the legislative processes at the state and national levels.
- Leadership (presentation/demonstration).
- Youth will engage in changing a piece of the public world, discovering the possibilities of democratic citizenship, and building a commitment to acting in new and exciting ways.
- Effectively communicate with peers and community members around the action project through various means (I.e., social media, written communication, etc...)
- Citizenship: 4-H Citizenship: Government is Us! Is a 6-unit citizenship and leadership course from Michigan State Extension
- National 4-H Citizenship Curriculum
- Citizenship Project Sheet from University of California Extension
Community Service
Community Service Objectives: In the 4-H pledge, members state that they will strive to use their head, heart, hands, and health to improve their club, community, country, and world. Community service projects are meant to demonstrate leadership, strengthen local 4-H units in leadership responsibility and encourage other youth to effect change on important community issues. Community service projects are strongly related to service learning projects, but are different in that they are focused on community needs and can be tailored to any community need that exists.
- Community service ideas guidebook from Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension
- Community service tips from Kansas State Cooperative Extension
- Guidebook of Community Service Projects from Texas A&M Extension
Cultural Understanding
Cultural Education Objectives: At the core, all 4-H projects teach youth tolerance and respect for others. In the Cultural Education project, youth gain first-hand experience in learning about cultures different than their own. They will make global connections and learn about multiple perspectives through several experiences like the International Exchange program or the True Leaders in Equity Institute.
Youth will:
- Gain an understanding of cultures within their local community
- Youth will learn about the intersectionality of identities
- Understanding privilege, equality, and equity and how they shape our lives and communities
- Opportunity to participate in state level or national level events (I.e., AZ 4-H Summit, True Leaders in Equity Institute, International Exchange, etc...)
- Juntos 4‑H is a program that helps Latino youth (grades 8 – 12) and their families gain the knowledge and skills they need to bridge the gap between high school and higher education.
- Evaluation Tool for Working in Indigenous Communities provides a framework for building 4-H programs in First Nations indigenous communities.
- Arizona 4-H is proud to partner with States' 4-H International Exchange to bring youth from other countries to Arizona.
- University of Michigan Extension's Global and Cultural Education page with many resources for projects
- 4-H Cultural Awareness Fact Sheet from Purdue Cooperative Extension
Leadership
Leadership Objectives:
- Understand roles, attitudes, tasks and functions necessary for effective leadership
- At the club level, youth participate in program planning, development, and implementation; Help recruit, train, and mentor new members and leaders to continue their service
- Expected to demonstrate leadership beyond the club level Strengthen local 4-H units in leadership responsibility and encourage other youth
Opportunities for leadership abound in Arizona 4-H! There are many ambassador programs and clubs throughout the state including:
- The State 4-H Ambassador Program, which provides 4-H teen leaders with the opportunity to advocate for 4-H youth, represent Arizona 4-H, and develop as generational leaders.
- Healthy Living Ambassador clubs in Pima County and Santa Cruz County.
- STEM Ambassadors
- 4-H Tech Changemakers
- National 4-H Leadership Curriculum
- 4-H Teen Leadership Guide from Michigan State University
- Compilation of 4-H Teen Leadership Activities from Virginia Cooperative Extension
Public Speaking
Public Speaking Objectives: Utilizing communication skills (i.e., Public speaking/demonstrations) to motivate others to effect change on important community issues
Resources:
- Communication Day: This annual event features youth competing in five different categories of public speaking contests.
- 4-H Presentation Manual from University of California Extension
- Guide for Public Speaking from Texas A&M Extension
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension's Guide to Making Great Speeches
Service Learning
Service Learning Objectives: In the 4-H pledge, members state that they will strive to use their head, heart, hands, and health to improve their club, community, country, and world. Community service projects are meant to demonstrate leadership, strengthen local 4-H units in leadership responsibility and encourage other youth to effect change on important community issues. Service learning is different from community service in it's focus on the practical skills and abilities learned by youth in a project.
- Guide to service learning from USDA and National 4-H
- Guide for service-learning projects from Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Oklahoma State University Extension's volunteer fact sheet on Service learning vs. Community Service