Minnesota Operation: Military KidsExtension > Youth Development > Minnesota 4-H > Projects > Leadership > State Ambassadors
State Ambassadors
The Minnesota State 4-H Ambassadors provide leadership and service to the program. They serve all 4-H youth and act as spokespeople for 4-H youth development programs. They serve as educational reID-affidavit-formssources by teaching, planning leadership conferences, and working for 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair. They also work to fulfill county requests for leadership trainings, award ceremonies, retreats, and promotions of 4-H to other organizations. A considerable amount of time and energy goes into spreading the word about 4-H and its positive impact on youth. For information on county ambassadors programs, contact your local county office.
Role
This commitment will require active involvement beginning in their counties and regions, and continuing on to the state level through a mandatory orientation, serving at the State Fair, followed by Fall and Winter retreat to ensure successful delivery of BLU (Building Leadership through Understanding) then the year will end with Spring retreat to learn the curriculum that will be delivered at the YELLO (Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Outloud!) Conference. The ambassadors will also work within Extension's Regions fulfilling requests for leadership trainings, awards ceremonies, or retreats.
Teachers
Ambassadors are trained to teach and facilitate hands-on workshops and trainings at the local, county, regional, and state levels to educate youth and adults about such topics as leadership, service, diversity, and teamwork.
Spokespeople
Ambassadors represent and promote Minnesota 4-H, its programs, and its youth at various events, including the state fair, local and regional 4-H events.
Facilitators
Ambassadors work with state and regional Extension staff and other youth to plan and facilitate various local, regional, and statewide events such as the annual 4-H Regional Retreats and YELLO! Conference.
Eligibility
Any Minnesota 4-H member who has completed 10th grade and has at least one year of 4-H eligibility remaining. Five ambassadors will be selected to serve a second year. Individuals must be 4-H members; therefore those who will be in their second year past high school are ineligible to serve a second year.
Expectations
Selected Ambassadors must agree:
- To serve as an ambassador for one year, starting with mandatory orientation Tuesday, June 25 through Thursday, June 27, 2013. Ambassadors are required to be present for all of the orientation. There are no exceptions.
- To accept the two-fold responsibility of being an educator and a spokesperson.
- To be positive role models to all 4-H youth.
- To serve as spokespeople and helpers throughout the State Fair, Aug. 22- Sept. 2, 2013.
- To attend mandatory orientation and all mandatory retreats, events, and scheduled appearances.
- To work with 4-H and Extension staff to provide positive opportunities to all youth.
- To actively plan and facilitate regional and statewide youth leadership events.
- To actively promote inclusion and respect for diversity within 4-H programs.
- To be responsible for providing one’s own transportation to all ambassador commitments.
Application process
The April 12 application deadline to be an Ambassador in 2013-14 has passed. Application information for 2014-15 will be posted here in spring of 2014.
Criteria for Selection:
The Extension Center for Youth Development is committed to ensuring that the Ambassador Program is representative of the diversity of Minnesota, is represented by youth who are exceptional in their leadership/service to their communities, and can professionally represent the entire Minnesota 4-H Youth Development Program. Specifically, applicants will be scored on:
- Application and written questions - 25%
- Interview - 25%
- Public presentation - 25%
- Recommendation from Program Coordinator/Program Director - 25%
2013-14 Minnesota State Ambassadors
See more photos of this year's ambassadors
State & regional events
To view county or local club events, visit the county website.
BLU - Building Leadership and Understanding
Building Leadership and Understanding (BLU) is an exciting and fun leadership adventure. More than 400 youth from across Minnesota come together to learn and practice valuable leadership skills that they will use in their communities throughout their lives. More info.
YELLO! Conference
Youth Exploring Leadership and Learning Out Loud! is an annual statewide, four-day leadership conference with group discussions, workshops, service opportunities, challenging speakers and hands-on activities designed for youth. More info.
Citizenship Washington Focus
CWF is a citizen and leadership event for high school youth from across the United States. Youth learn about government, the legislative process, meet with elected officials and visit many national monuments and historical sites in Washington D.C. More info.
National 4-H Conference
The National 4-H Conference is a working conference in which youth and adults, at the invitation of the Secretary of Agriculture, assist in the development of recommendations to help guide 4-H Youth Development Programs nationally and in their communities. More Info.
Minnesota State Fair
4-H plays a pivotal role in youth development and public education at the Minnesota State Fair. More than 7,000 4-H youth have the opportunity to interact with the public and educate fairgoers through 4-H exhibits, demonstrations, performances, and 4-H promotion. More info.
Contact
Jacquie Lonning, State Program Manager, Citizenship, jlonning@umn.edu, 612-624-9117
