Browsing by Author "Harrington, Rebecca"
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Item Developing Leaders of Today(St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension Services, 2009-10) Haugen, Heidi; Harrington, RebeccaYouth aren’t just “leaders of tomorrow;” they can be leaders today. This poster session focuses on youth leadership and civic engagement research and how to apply it to youth work in the context of positive youth development. As a public organization, Extension has a responsibility to help develop engaged citizens. Rurthermore, “civically active youth present a remarkable opportunity for advancing Extension programs and significantly contributing to the development of new programs and policies” (Brennan, Barnett, & Baugh, 2007). Poster authors will share findings of a literature review conducted on youth leadership and civic engagement, including the following keys to success: perceiving youth as citizens and leaders of today, not simply “in training;” building strong Youth-Adult Partnerships and relationships; contextualizing leadership and citizenship; understanding civic engagement as more than “service” to community; applying Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles. Poster authors will also invite poster viewers to reflect on their own programs and plans to create authentic leadership experiences with young people participants and to reflect on their own youth programs and experiences with the use of an online “Essential Elements Program Planning Tool.”Item Minnesota 4-H Retention Study(St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota Extension Service, 2009-10) Harrington, Rebecca; Sheehan, TrishaWhile the Minnesota 4-H Club program has been growing over the last five years, nearly 30% of youth do not re-enroll annually. Understanding why youth join, stay, and leave the 4-H program is important in developing strategies to increase the retention rate, ultimately 17 continuing the positive growth trend. The 4-H Retention Study, a joint effort between Extension in Minnesota and Wisconsin, began in the fall of 2007. The team developed a survey based on youth participation data, retention research, and staff observations. Minnesota conducted two on-line surveys, netting 325 responses. This poster will outline the study problem and methodology along with early results and key findings from Minnesota’s 4-H retention study data. Working with Dr. Dale Blyth, the research team has begun analysis and will share preliminary data. Results of interest include reasons youth join, stay and leave 4-H; satisfaction with Extension Office and 4-H club information; project meeting experiences; and comparing participation in youth activities beyond 4-H during and after 4-H participation. Results of the study will be used to increase the quality experience for 4-H members, develop tools as 4-H clubs work with new families, and inform the field of youth development in retaining youth in programs.Item Minnesota 4-H Retention Study Brief(University of Minnesota Extension Center for Youth Development, 2010) Harrington, Rebecca; Sheehan, Trisha; Blyth, DaleWhile the Minnesota 4-H Club program has been growing over the last six years, over 25% of youth do not re-enroll annually. Wanting to know how 4-H could improve its member retention rate, the Minnesota 4-H Retention Study asked 4-H members who left the program why they decided to join, stay and ultimately leave 4-H.