Civic Engagement and Leadership

Civic Engagement

Arkansas 4-H has three mission mandates - Civic Engagement/Leadership, Healthy Living, and Science - these mandates reiterate the founding purposes of Extension: community leadership, quality of life, and technology transfer in the context of 21st century challenges and opportunities. 

Learn, lead, and begin to make a difference with 4-H Civic Engagement. As you learn more about your community, county, and state government, your leadership, communication, and decision making skills improve as you develop a sense of pride in your surroundings. Many 4-H members do citizenship activities throughout their 4-H career by participating in events such as National 4-H week, National Opportunities, by serving on community government boards, and serving within club and county leadership. 

Arkansas 4-H Civic Engagement/Leadership programs are the foundation of 4-H work in Arkansas. Whether serving as a local 4-H club president, conducting a community service project, or running for a state office, 4-H civic engagement programs empower young people to become well-informed citizens actively engaged in their communities. Talk with your County Extension leaders about how you can be engaged civically!

Leadership

Arkansas 4-H is committed to fostering youth development and growing future leaders. Through club, county, and even state participation, youth develop and exercise leadership skills, gain a greater awareness of their civic responsibilities, participate in service projects, and be represented on community decision bodies. Youth learn to be engaged, well-informed citizens who are active in their local and global communities. 

Through leadership development programs, Arkansas 4-H fosters important life skills, including: 

• Leadership 
• Civic Engagement
• Communication 
• Public Speaking
• Concern for others
• Contribution to a group

Civic Engagement and Leadership Projects