4-H Delivers

Leadership Conference of Regional Teens Planning Committee

The Issue

An essential element of positive youth development is empowering youth and thereby enabling them to make a difference. By providing youth with knowledge and confidence, they are able to fully utilize their abilities and contribute to their communities in more meaningful ways. This empowerment can be accomplished, in part, by allowing youth to take on leadership roles and demonstrate their energy, creativity, and new ideas.

What has 4-H Done?

The Leadership Conference of Regional Teens (LCORT) is one of the four sectional conferences held each year within the California 4-H program. The focus of this conference is to provide members with an opportunity to meet and share ideas with other youth their age, as well as define and develop their leadership skills. In 2008, this was exactly what the LCORT planning committee set out to do. 4-H adviser Melanie Curtis and members Megan Reese and Craig Diener began planning the conference in March of 2007. The planning committee chose the dancing-related theme of, “Take the Lead!” This emphasis on teambuilding, self-confidence, and reaching new goals set the stage for the conference and motivated members to fully participate in all the activities offered.

In addition to organizing the conference housing, schedule, and activities, the planning committee recruited workshop presenters, found keynote speakers, and booked a DJ. Sending donation request letters sent out to various businesses, the team was able to provide the delegates with useful materials as well as a conference shirt. In between the workshops and speaker sessions, delegates participated in interactive games, watched movies, went to a dance Saturday night, and explored the conference grounds. Overall, the planning committee was able to gain full participation from the delegates and keep them involved during their time at the conference.

The Payoff

The 2008 Leadership Conference of Regional Teens planning committee worked together to develop and lead a conference for 375 youth delegates, presenters, and chaperones from South Central Section. From Friday to Sunday, the delegates heard three speakers, attended thirteen leadership sessions, and participated in recreational and teambuilding activities. The committee worked hard to develop a structured schedule that still allowed delegates ample time to socialize and interact. The conference was a definite success and allowed youth participants to gain new skills and knowledge while building upon their personal leadership.

Author: Carolyn Abrams, State 4-H Office Student Assistant