Making An Impact with Civic Engagement Presented By Robbie Casteel and Taunee Whittenbarger Robbie Casteel and Taunee Whittenbarger 4-H Youth Development Cumberland County

Issue: Civic Engagement State 4-H Initiative State 4-H Initiative Addressed local needs as identified by our 4-H Advisory Council, Extension Committee and County Commissioners Addressed local needs as identified by our 4-H Advisory Council, Extension Committee and County Commissioners Cumberland County was celebrating it’s 150 th birthday. Cumberland County was celebrating it’s 150 th birthday. It was an election year. It was an election year. No program was available to the 4 th – 6 th grade classes related to local citizenship. No program was available to the 4 th – 6 th grade classes related to local citizenship.

Plan September 2005: September 2005: “Vote for Your Voice” lesson “Vote for Your Voice” lesson 4-H Voter Registration cards 4-H Voter Registration cards Club members campaigned for office in clubs Club members campaigned for office in clubs October 2005: October 2005: Club officer elections Club officer elections Public Speaking rules (Civic Engagement topics) Public Speaking rules (Civic Engagement topics) Voter registration review sheet Voter registration review sheet “Letters of Hope” service project “Letters of Hope” service project

Plan November 2005: November 2005: Club Speech contest Club Speech contest Poster Contest rules (Civic Engagement topic) Poster Contest rules (Civic Engagement topic) Cumberland County History lesson Cumberland County History lesson Scavenger Hunt Scavenger Hunt December 2005: December 2005: No club meetings No club meetings Club posters were judged at each school Club posters were judged at each school

Plan January 2006: January 2006: Cumberland County Geography lesson Cumberland County Geography lesson January assignment January assignment February 2006: February 2006: “They’re Official” county official lesson “They’re Official” county official lesson February assignment February assignment

Plan March 2006: March 2006: Club evaluations Club evaluations April 2006: April 2006: Local school and county Clover Bowl Local school and county Clover Bowl May 2006: May 2006: 4-H Recognition Day (482 4-H’ers attended) 4-H Recognition Day (482 4-H’ers attended)

Impact Responsible Citizenship LSES 200 youth believe that people working together can help others who are less fortunate. 200 youth believe that people working together can help others who are less fortunate. 200 think they can made a big difference in their community by helping others. 200 think they can made a big difference in their community by helping others. 149 understand how community leaders are elected. 149 understand how community leaders are elected.

Impact 205 are proud of the country they live in and what it stands for. 205 are proud of the country they live in and what it stands for. 217 honor and respect military veterans and those giving service to this country. 217 honor and respect military veterans and those giving service to this country. 184 think it is important for citizens to vote in elections. 184 think it is important for citizens to vote in elections. 482 club members exceeded KASA level impact by actually completing a service project. 482 club members exceeded KASA level impact by actually completing a service project.

Impact Service Project Data: 14 different types of service projects were completed by 4-Hers. 14 different types of service projects were completed by 4-Hers. 760 hours spent serving others. 760 hours spent serving others H’ers participated in the Hurricane Katrina “Letters of Hope” State 4-H service project H’ers participated in the Hurricane Katrina “Letters of Hope” State 4-H service project.

Issue: Civic Engagement Because of the success of Because of the success of H Advisory Council, Extension Committee and County Commissioners agreed that the theme should continue. 4-H Advisory Council, Extension Committee and County Commissioners agreed that the theme should continue. expressed a concern for the youth's lack of appreciation for our freedoms and voting privileges expressed a concern for the youth's lack of appreciation for our freedoms and voting privileges desire to see more youth engaged in civic involvement desire to see more youth engaged in civic involvement The teachers requested that we continue with the them by focusing on state and national citizenship. The teachers requested that we continue with the them by focusing on state and national citizenship. supported TN Department of Education Benchmarks supported TN Department of Education Benchmarks helped them prepare for Terra Nova tests helped them prepare for Terra Nova tests

Plan October 2006: October 2006: Elected club officers Elected club officers Public Speaking rules Public Speaking rules topics on Tennessee topics on Tennessee related to their project related to their project November 2006: November 2006: Judged speeches Judged speeches Discussed “Souper Citizens” service project Discussed “Souper Citizens” service project

Plans December 2006: (no club meetings) December 2006: (no club meetings) “Souper Citizens” pickup at each school “Souper Citizens” pickup at each school 2559 cans of soup donated to “Bread of Life” ministries 2559 cans of soup donated to “Bread of Life” ministries January 2007: January 2007: 4 th Grade: “Tennessee: America at It’s Best” 4 th Grade: “Tennessee: America at It’s Best” 5 th and 6 th Grade: “U.S. Symbols and Landmarks” 5 th and 6 th Grade: “U.S. Symbols and Landmarks” Poster Contest rules Poster Contest rules Citizenship or Leadership theme Citizenship or Leadership theme 4-H: A Tennessee Tradition Theme 4-H: A Tennessee Tradition Theme

Plan February 2007: February 2007: “Tennessee Government” lesson “Tennessee Government” lesson Judged posters Judged posters March 2007: March 2007: “Women’s History Month” lesson “Women’s History Month” lesson Evaluation of 20% of clubs Evaluation of 20% of clubs Collected project folders Collected project folders

Plan April 2007: April 2007: School and County Clover Bowl School and County Clover Bowl May 2007: May 2007: “4-H Night at Chuckles” Recognition Event “4-H Night at Chuckles” Recognition Event th through 6 th graders met requirements and were invited th through 6 th graders met requirements and were invited

Impact Responsible Citizenship LSES 193 youth believe that people working together can help others who are less fortunate. 193 youth believe that people working together can help others who are less fortunate. 124 youth have learned about important leaders who contributed to our nation. 124 youth have learned about important leaders who contributed to our nation. 168 feel a sense of responsibility toward their school and community. 168 feel a sense of responsibility toward their school and community. 175 have a sense of pride about their school and community. 175 have a sense of pride about their school and community. 177 youth are concerned about the well-being of others. 177 youth are concerned about the well-being of others. 205 think citizens should be active in the community. 205 think citizens should be active in the community.

Impact 737 club members donated 2559 cans of soup to Bread of Life ministries through the “Souper Citizens” canned soup drive service project (estimated donation total $1280). 737 club members donated 2559 cans of soup to Bread of Life ministries through the “Souper Citizens” canned soup drive service project (estimated donation total $1280) club members delivered an informative speech related to a citizenship topic or their project 1133 club members delivered an informative speech related to a citizenship topic or their project 671 club members expressed ideas related to citizenship by participating in the poster contest. 671 club members expressed ideas related to citizenship by participating in the poster contest. Approximately 70% of teachers either gave extra credit or a grade for the speech and poster contests. Approximately 70% of teachers either gave extra credit or a grade for the speech and poster contests.

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