Member Leadership Opportunities
4-H grows future leaders. From teaching younger 4-H members to participating in regional, state, and national events, 4-H provides opportunities for young people to build life-long leadership skills.
Junior Leader
Junior Leaders are those youth that help lead their 4-H club by organizing community service opportunities and completing projects with their adult 4-H leader. 4-H youth who want to develop their leadership skills can attend a Junior Leadership Training, which is usually held in February. 2020 Training
Teen Leader
Teen Leaders lead their 4-H club alongside an adult 4-H leader. Youth who are in 10th-12th grade are welcome to attend one of the New Leader Trainings, which are offered throughout the year. 2019 Leader Trainings
County Ambassador
County Ambassadors are youth in grades 8th-12th. The role of a County Ambassador is to represent the Baker County 4-H program throughout the county. Duties will include working with a team to plan, coordinate and implement regular 4-H county events such as Information Night, Awards Banquet and Fair. Ambassadors may also be involved in activities such as: Know Your County Government, Farmers Markets and more! Applications are available in May. Apply online.
State Ambassador
The State 4-H State Ambassador team is a group of 10-20 outstanding Oregon 4-H youth. 4-H youth in the 9th-12th grades who are interested in rewarding experiences and opportunities to develop their leadership skills can apply. Ambassador applications are due in the Oregon State 4-H office by March 1. Applicants are interviewed at 4-H Summer Conference in June and the selection is announced. For more information on the State Ambassador program, please review these resources and contact Roberta Lundeberg.
Teens as Teachers
This program is for 9th-11th graders who are interested in receiving training to teach elementary aged youth about nutrition, exercise and environmental health related topics! Teens will learn how to create and teach lesson plans while gaining leadership, public speaking, and facilitation skills while developing their confidence working as a team. 2019-2020 Teen Teacher Application
For more information click here
4-H Camp Counselor
9th-12th grade youth can apply annually to be a Camp Counselor at the "Four Rivers 4-H Camp". Counselors gain invaluable job experience, learn about leadership and responsibility. 4-H Camp is held in late June/early July. Applications are due in February and Counselor Selection Day will be held in March. Selected counselors and alternates must also attend counselor training weekend in April at the Oregon 4-H Center. This opportunity is open to all youth regardless of their affiliation with 4-H. There are also positions for Junior Staff (college age students or older who work at camp and support counselors). 2020 Camp Counselor Information - Register
National 4-H Conference
National 4-H Conference is an annual event held at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Conference events take place in the greater Washington D.C. area where delegates visit the Capitol Mall, Smithsonian Institute museums, legislative office buildings, and federal agencies. 4-H members will learn about civic engagement, practice leadership skills, experience teamwork, and learn more about US history and government processes. Teen delegates will share their perspectives, creative thinking, and “voices” during presentations to federal agencies.This is a state sponsored award trip. Oregon selects two to six delegates, depending on scholarship funds available. Oregon delegates will be selected for (a) their interest in civic engagement and citizenship, (b) their ability to represent Oregon 4-H effectively as public speakers and leaders, and (c) representing the broad perspective of Oregon’s counties and 4-H programs. Most of the costs (registration, travel, lodging & meals) are sponsored by the Oregon 4-H Foundation and Oregon 4-H Youth Development Program. 2020 Oregon Application
National 4-H Congress
Every Thanksgiving weekend, 4-H members from all around the country attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. Delegates hear inspirational speakers, participate in workshops, engage in large-scale community service projects, and enjoy many other fun activities. The Oregon 4-H program views National 4-H Congress as an important opportunity for 4-H members and is committed to providing this experience to as many 4-H members as possible. Because trips to Congress are dependent on donations, a selection process is held each year. Oregon trip winners typically demonstrate a considerable breadth and depth of 4-H experience. State Website
Outreach Leadership Institute
4-H OLI is a program that provides students an opportunity to acquire knowledge about the postsecondary educational system; develop the skills, confidence, and courage needed to get good grades and finish high school; acquire knowledge and skills to apply for postsecondary education and scholarships; and realize the possibility to become a professional and contributing member of society. State Website
Courtesy of Benton County
Awards and recognition
The Oregon 4-H program provides a variety of informal and formal opportunities for youth to gain recognition. In most cases, recognition opportunities begin at the local or county level and then proceed to the state level. Older youth are provided significant opportunities for recognition at both the state and national level. While the recognition programs vary somewhat from county to county, statewide recognition programs are available to all eligible 4-H members.
2016 National Congress Trip Award
- Recognition
- Awards
Oregon 4-H Hall of Fame
Commemorating More Than 100 Years of Oregon 4-H
In 2004 the Oregon 4-H Hall of Fame was established to recognize individuals that have had a significant impact upon the 4-H Program and/or its members and leaders. One hundred people were inducted in 2004 - one person for each year 4-H had existed in the State of Oregon. More honorees are added each year. Visit the Hall of Fame page to search by Year (through 2017), County or Alphabetically.
State Awards
State level 4-H awards are offered each year to individual members who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in the areas of leadership, citizenship, and communication. There is also an Excellence in Teamwork award.
- Applicants must be a currently enrolled intermediate or senior 4-H member
- Members can receive an award once as an intermediate and once as a senior, but there must be at least two years between applications and there must be a major difference in the project or its scope.
- Members may receive only one state award per year.
- For the Excellence in Teamwork award, the project must have taken place within the past 12 months.
- For every award, each county may submit one nominee for every 500 youth enrolled in their county (club enrollment).
- Applications must be written by the 4-H member(s).
**Important Updates and Instructions for 2021 Application Submission**
For criteria on each award, see the links below:
Applications are due in the State 4-H office by March 1, and must be accompanied by a county nomination form
County Medals
County Medals are available to recognize 4 H members in project or activity areas who have demonstrated advanced accomplishments in a 4-H project, as well as in leadership and citizenship activities.
Counties must order and pay for medals directly from the National 4-H Supply Service.
Eligibility
- Members must be in the 7th through 12th grades
- Members may receive only one project medal per year
- Members may also receive a Fashion Revue Medal or an Achievement Medal in the same year they receive a project medal.
- If merited by outstanding accomplishment, members may receive the same medal once as an Intermediate and once as a Senior. (Exception: Fashion Revue and Achievement Medals may only be awarded once to any member).
Selection Procedure
Counties are responsible for developing a procedure to select county medal winners. It is recommended that counties form a Recognition Committee to review medal applications.
Guidelines for Evaluating County Medal Applications
Experiences in 4-H Projects and Activities - 50% As shown by:
- New knowledge, attitudes and skills learned
- Scope and characteristics of projects and activities
- Project and activity participation experiences
Experiences in 4-H Leadership - 25% As shown by:
- Leadership participation
- Offices held and committee assignments
Experiences in Citizenship and Community Service - 25% As shown by:
- Development of positive attitudes toward service to others
- Participation in citizenship and community service activities