Adult Volunteer Leader
Self-Improvement Series
Welcome to the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Mississippi Corridor Cluster, Adult Volunteer Leader Self-Improvement Series. This is the third in a series of five independent study lessons designed especially for adult volunteers that work with youth.
Take your time to go through the lesson, writing down any special question or problems you have. Plan to ask and discuss those questions with other volunteers, more experienced leaders or contact the Mississippi Corridor Cluster county extension office nearest you. We appreciate your comments. They help us determine future efforts for providing training.
Introduction
Many youth programs center around projects. Projects help youth learn by doing. They are the "foundation tools" for helping young people develop life skills. Life skills are the long-range benefits youth gain from participation.
By understanding the importance of project work and its role in developing life skills, you will be better equipped to serve as a project leader.
Objectives
- Understand that projects are the tools for helping young people develop life skills.
- Solve situations showing what project work involves.
- Become familiar with a variety of projects.
Projects: The World's Work
Welcome to project leadership! Whether you are a group organizational leader or a project leader you are a V.I.P. That is, you are a very important person in the life of many boys and girls. You are their guide, advisor, teacher, counselor and their helping hand as they work with their projects.
Project leadership can also provide you with the opportunity to grow and to pursue your need for life-long learning. Take a moment to think about what you want to do or achieve as a result of being a project leader.
Write down one or two goals that you would like to achieve during the next year in relation to a project area.
"Projects are a piece of the world's work which members have chosen to do this year. When the projects are completed it will represent ME, the member, my thinking, my skill of hand, my work ideals." This is part of a quote from O.B. Boggs, West Virginia Extension Service.
We all have things to work on. Growing up means being able to do harder and harder things. Sometimes everyone feels frustrated and helpless because there are things we want to do but can't. These are tough challenges to meet and accept.
One of the joys a project leader has is helping young people with their piece of the world's work. You can help them to set goals, to try harder, and to take on new challenges.
Different Ages Have Different Needs
If you are working with beginning members, your role is even more critical. A child development theorist, Erik Erikson, puts forth the theory that people go through eight stages of development.
Nine to 12 year olds are in the fourth stage called, "Industry and Accomplishment" according to Erikson. Words which describe youth in this stage are:
- Excited about doing
- Acting
- Exploring
- Daring
- Inventive
Children who are encouraged in their efforts to make and do things and who are allowed to finish products are praised and rewarded. In turn, these children incorporate the praise into positive traits of their personality.
For example: 4-H projects, school assignments and scout badges provide the opportunity for youth to explore and accomplish things. These incentives are vital to developing the Industry and Accomplishment stage.
In order for children to accomplish these tasks and to feel good about their job, they need caring people like you to share not only your know-how and skills in a project area; but also to share feelings like love, pride, friendship, tenderness, kindness, trust, understanding, and acceptance.
The Molder
I took a piece of plastic clay
And idly fashioned it one day
And as my fingers pressed it still
It moved and yielded to my will.
I came again when days were past
That bit of clay was hard at last
The form I gave it still it bore
And I could fashion it no more.
I took a piece of living clay
And gently pressed it day by day
And molded with my power and art
A young child's soft and yielding heart
I came again when years had gone
It was a man I looked upon
He still that early impress bore
And I could fashion it no more.
-- Author Unknown
Projects Develop Life Skills
Life Skills are the long-range benefits youth gain from participation. The term "skill" used here means more than the physical abilities such as writing, sewing and athletic achievement. It includes a combination of acting, feeling and thinking. It is an ability that makes a difference in every day living.
For example, Minnesota 4-H has identified five life skills that form the basic framework for their project work:
- Learning how to learn - to help youth develop a spirit of inquiry.
- Relating to change - to help youth learn skills in coping with a changing environment.
- Using knowledge - helping youth develop and disseminate ideas and technology.
- Developing and accepting self - to help youth discover and pursue personal potential.
- Developing social responsibility - to help youth practice leadership skills, provide service, and learn to live and work with others in a postive manner.
Special project leaders are teachers and they are the learning link to the members. Project leaders are vital to the youth program.
This We Believe
- The boy and girl are more important than the projects.
- The member should be their own best product.
- No award is worth sacrificing the reputation of a member or leader.
- Competition is a natural human trait and should be recognized as such. It should be given no more emphasis than other fundamentals.
- Learning how to do the project is more important than the project itself.
- Many things are caught rather than taught.
- A blue ribbon member with a red ribbon project is more desirable than a red ribbon member with a blue ribbon project.
- To learn by doing is fundamental in any sound educational program.
- Generally speaking, there is more than one good way of doing most things.
- Every member needs to be noticed, to feel important, to win, and to be praised.
- Our job is to teach members how to think, not what to think.
How will you plan your next project experience with youth to incorporate what you have learned in this lesson?
Topic 3: Projects - The Gateway to Boys and Girls
to return to the beginning of this series.
to go to Topic 4: Strengthen Your Group Through Planning.
Understanding Youth
Supporting the Family
Understanding Recognition and Awards