By Carie Moore
I am a huge advocate for leadership, whether local, state, or for kids right in their schools and 4-H clubs. Last year I won a grant from Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities. (Enrollment is happening now, if you’re interested: https://www.americasfarmers.com/grow-communities/). As part of that grant I wanted the youth lead local program to come to our community.
I have taken the adult class in three different organizations and it’s AMAZING! If you would like to have it done in your area, work place, or other event, contact your local Extension agent. (https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/lead/leadership-development-program/youth-lead-local)
The grant I received helped our county put this event on for the 4-H kids. The class had 14 students from four counties. The kids weren’t afraid to jump into activities thrown at them. They learned about conflict managnement, how to properly conduct a board meeting, personalities and how they fit into committee placement, and how to take a role in a leadership position.
They learned about fundraising, reaching demographics, and how to come up with ideas as a group so everyone’s thoughts, ideas, and opinions get equal weight and discussion.
Diversity and active involvement are key requirements for boards to be effective. Different perspectives and not having the same people serving on all the boards is a struggle in small communities. Voicing your opinion and not agreeing with everything presented is lacking on a lot of boards. The students had no problems on this exercise! Having a mix of gender, occupation, living location, life stages, all open up many points of view. There isn’t as many biases and people feel well represented.
They went over parliamentary procedure and did a mock meeting to make trail mix. They were making motions, amendments, voting, and addressing each other respectfully. In the end, no trail mix was made. They agreed to leave the ingredients separate and each add what they want and make their own. I can honestly say that has not happened at any of my sessions. But it shows they were respectful of everyone’s thoughts and if there were issues with mixing anything in that might cause someone harm (peanuts, salt, etc.).
I was proud of the youth and see potential leadership in many of them. Learning something beforehand gives you more confidence than being asked to serve on a board with no experience. It’s intimidating, but 14 more youth are now ready and willing to step up and serve their communities!