4-H Members’ Public Speaking Experience Through County Leadership Activities
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2009
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-osu12595577262021-08-03T05:57:36Z 4-H Members’ Public Speaking Experience Through County Leadership Activities Eckenwiler, Jennifer Ann Communication Rhetoric 4-H youth development skills county leadership activities 4-H Club public speaking communication leadership <p>The youth organization, known as 4-H, strives to serve the young people of today to be capable and dedicated citizens of the future. The 4-H program is one which provides young people ample opportunity to take part in a wide array of activities and gain valuable experiences that will assist them throughout their lives.</p><p>Employers all across the nation continuously purport that effective communication skills are of the utmost importance and top priority when it comes to employment. Therefore, the competency of skills and how often those skills are practiced through involvement in the 4-H program has become an increasingly important area of research for 4-H professionals.</p><p>The researcher investigated the leadership and communication skill competencies of senior Ohio 4-H members in their last year of eligible 4-H membership. The purpose of the study was to compare skill competency during a 4-H member’s early 4-H career (ages 8-13) to their older years in 4-H (ages 14-19). The mixed-method study utilized a random sample of 4-H members in their last year of 4-H and only involved in the program in the State of Ohio. Data were collected utilizing Akers’ (2000) High School Agricultural Communications Competencies and McCroskey’s (1982) Personal Record of Communication Apprehension-24 surveys (both adapted for use in the study). The study explored skill competencies of 4-H members as well as investigated members’ level of involvement in county leadership activities and other outside activities.Additionally, 4-H members’ perceptions of the impact of 4-H on them was examined. The study also sought to explore reasons members were motivated to remain in the 4-H program as well as the area of programming individual’s county 4-H educator works with them the most.</p><p>The findings from objective 1 indicated an increase in respondents’ skill abilities (and gain in competency) from member’s younger years in 4-H to their older years in 4-H. The second objective revealed numerous responses as to the impact of 4-H on individuals. Themes such as influence in choosing a career path, becoming leaders, confidence and capability of handling situations, and opportunity to take on responsibility were among some of the common responses. The third objective revealed that respondents were more involved in county activities when older, respondents were more involved in 4-H club activities when younger and older, and respondents reported being more involved in 4-H club activities than county leadership activities when older, however, still very involved on the county level.</p><p>Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that teaching 4-H member’s life skills at a young age and practicing them over a period of time enhances the individuals’ confidence in their abilities as well as helps to better prepare them for college, the workforce, and beyond.</p> 2009 English text The Ohio State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259557726 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259557726 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Communication Rhetoric 4-H youth development skills county leadership activities 4-H Club public speaking communication leadership |
| spellingShingle |
Communication Rhetoric 4-H youth development skills county leadership activities 4-H Club public speaking communication leadership Eckenwiler, Jennifer Ann 4-H Members’ Public Speaking Experience Through County Leadership Activities |
| author |
Eckenwiler, Jennifer Ann |
| author_facet |
Eckenwiler, Jennifer Ann |
| author_sort |
Eckenwiler, Jennifer Ann |
| title |
4-H Members’ Public Speaking Experience Through County Leadership Activities |
| title_short |
4-H Members’ Public Speaking Experience Through County Leadership Activities |
| title_full |
4-H Members’ Public Speaking Experience Through County Leadership Activities |
| title_fullStr |
4-H Members’ Public Speaking Experience Through County Leadership Activities |
| title_full_unstemmed |
4-H Members’ Public Speaking Experience Through County Leadership Activities |
| title_sort |
4-h members’ public speaking experience through county leadership activities |
| publisher |
The Ohio State University / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2009 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1259557726 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT eckenwilerjenniferann 4hmemberspublicspeakingexperiencethroughcountyleadershipactivities |
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