Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team

From planning and leading the Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference, to walking the halls of the Illinois State Capitol talking to legislators, to representing Illinois 4-H at state and national events throughout the year, the Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team provides an invaluable “youth voice” to our University of Illinois Extension State 4-H program.

The Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team involves 15-22 4-H members and recent 4-H alumni (ages 16-21) who coordinate and assist with various area and statewide 4-H activities. Team members are involved in planning and implementing the Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference; assisting behind the scenes with events such as Illini Summer Academies and Illinois State Fair; serving as the training team for the Speaking for Illinois 4-H program; and serving on various statewide 4-H committees and boards (i.e. Illinois 4-H Foundation Board of Directors, Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee), among other duties.

The Youth Leadership Team offers 4-H members and recent 4-H alumni an opportunity to give back to the 4-H program while further enhancing their leadership skills. The Team is actively involved in assisting the State 4-H Office in planning, implementing, and evaluating various 4-H events and activities; representing Illinois at National 4-H Conference; and serving as a youth voice of the Illinois 4-H Youth Development Program.

Current Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team, 2017-2018 4-H Year

Hannah Barger, Pope County Grace Betz, Will County Joshua Cole-Brodnax, Rock Island County

Lindy Couch, Henry County Ryder Flener, Hardin County Krzysztof Gajda, Winnebago County

Alex Hartke, Effingham County Taylor Hartke, Effingham County Ethan Heidrich, Kendall County

Justene Jennings, DeKalb County Parker Karrick, Marion County Paw Kaw Ku, Rock Island County

Shelby Ledbetter, Rock Island County Brittney Muschetto, Will County Amareon Naudain, Sangamon County

Charlotte Roberts, Lake County Josh Rossi, Grundy County Kaley Rouse, Stark County

Grace Skelton, Logan County Beth Warden, Cass County Anthony Warmack, Grundy County

Isabella Warmack, Grundy County

Advisors: Deb Stocker, Extension Specialist - State 4-H Office; Erica Austin, Metro Youth Development Educator - Springfield; Brad Braddock, Marion Co. 4-H Volunteer

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Eligibility

Photo of two Youth Leadership Team Members

Eligibility

Teens must be 16-19 years of age by September 1 of the current 4-H year in order to apply for the Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team. Terms are 2-years in length. Members may apply for a second term as long as they will be within the age requirements for the entire term.

Benefits

As a Youth Leadership Team member, teens receive training in leadership development, team-building, public presentations and more. You actively participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Jr. Leadership Conference, including planning and teaching workshops, leading mixers and recreational activities, reviewing budget, and developing marketing and promotional pieces. You also participate in at least two other regional or statewide events throughout the year or serve as a 4-H teen representative to a statewide committee. Youth assist at events such as Legislative Connection, Illini Summer Academies, Illinois State Fair, Salute to Ag Day, etc. Youth serve on the Illinois 4-H Foundation Board of Directors and Illinois Farm Bureau Youth Education Committee. Members have first opportunity to represent Illinois at National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C. And, youth build communication skills as they work with staff in their region.

Applications

Applications are available the spring of each year and are due around mid-June for interviews at the Illini Summer Academies or August 1 for interviews at Illinois State Fair. Team members are named before September 1. At least two face-to-face meetings are held each year, including a 2-1/2 day retreat in the fall and the weekend of the Jr. Leadership Conference in February (Friday night through Sunday late afternoon). Teleconferences are held throughout the year. Other dates for commitments vary throughout the year.

Requirements

Photo of Youth Leadership Team Member with youth

Requirements

Team members must be active participants in at least 2 statewide events and the Junior Leadership Conference each year. Team members must attend at least 75% of both face-to-face meetings; 75% of the scheduled teleconferences each year of their term and attend Speaking for Illinois 4-H training within the first year of team membership. Team members are required to make quarterly reports to Extension staff in their assigned counties.

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