Springfield, Ill.—One weekend with over 100 seventh and eighth-grade youth learned ways to improve their leadership skills at the 2024 construction-themed 4-H Junior Leadership Conference held Nov. 2-3 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield.
“The core value of JLC is to teach the next generation of leaders about the skills that will help them become better leaders in their clubs and communities,” says Ross Vancil, chair of the 2024 Youth Leadership Team.
This year’s conference was constructed by 25 Illinois Youth Leadership Team members who planned and facilitated the Junior Leadership Conference with the hopes of sending home the youth participants with newfound leadership and communication skills. Members from other state teams were also in attendance, including 4 Healthy Living Ambassadors, Livestock Ambassadors, and Influencers.
“The Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference offers a unique opportunity for our youth to grow as individuals and as leaders,” says Katie Duitsman, University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development specialist.
Participants started the weekend with workshops focusing on small-group communication, networking, true leaders in equity, and teamwork. Within these workshops, youth engaged in interactive activities and discussions, while learning effective leadership strategies.
On Sunday, the youth continued to construct leadership skills corresponding to nurturing environmental consciousness while fostering a sustainable future in their community service workshop.
“Through engaging workshops, inspiring speakers, and hands-on activities, our participants will develop the confidence and skills to reach their full potential,” says Duitsman.
This conference would not have happened without the organization and facilitation of the members of the Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team, a team of uniquely trained high school and college-aged 4-H members and young adult 4-H alumni.
A portion of the conference expenses was covered by the Illinois 4-H Foundation which raises private funds to support the Illinois 4-H program. Additional sponsors included the Illinois Farm Bureau.
Source: Katie Duitsman, Illinois 4-H Specialist, pilcher3@illinois.edu
Writer: Sophia Schneider, Media Communications Intern, 4-H State Office, sschn1@illinois.edu
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.