Thriving by Design: gather input, reflect & set goals is the 2025 4-H leadership training for 4-H volunteers and youth leaders. Participants (both youth & adults) will:
Discover various activities to gather input
Utilize data to set a goal
Explore the indicators of youth thriving
Building off of the 2024 Amplifying Youth Voice annual volunteer training, this year’s training facilitates activities to ensure all voices are heard. During the 2025 training, the content and activities are focused on planning and goal setting but can be used for a variety of ways such as brainstorming or decision making.
Local 4-H programs are working hard to ensure that 3-4 volunteers and youth from each club, project, activity or event attend this annual volunteer training on behalf of their 4-H group. Statewide webinars are just one way to attend.
Local training offerings
Connect with your local 4-H Extension Educator to learn more about the possibility of local, in-person offerings or search the UMN Extension courses and event page for specific details.
Statewide Webinar Information
The Minnesota 4-H Volunteer Systems team is offering two statewide webinars. The same content is being offered on both dates. You need to attend only one.
October 8 at 7:30 pm
November 10 at 6:30 pm
Each webinar is scheduled for 90 minutes. The registration link is the same for each date.
It is important for us to recognize where we are empowering youth to be leaders now, not just in the future. We are responsible for making space for their voice in all of our programs so they can learn, grow and flourish. During this training, participants reflected on their personal beliefs about youth voice, their behaviors in how they show up in youth adult partnerships, and learned about the essential ingredients in strengthening youth voice and youth adult partnerships in the 4-H program.
Handouts from amplifying youth voice (Google Drive folder)
The 2023 Annual Volunteer Training “4-H for All Abilities” is about creating inclusive environments for youth with disabilities. Almost 17% of public school students in Minnesota receive special education services through their school. This means that all 4-H programs have participants with disabilities.
Explore this 90 minute closed-captioned recording on how our programs can build their capacity to better support this important underserved audience of young people. Access the 4-H for all resource links handout for the training, including a copy of the slide deck, participant handouts and more!
The 2022 Minnesota 4-H Annual Volunteer Training focused on "Learning as adventure" and how volunteers can create the context for youth to grow their learning comfort zones. Participants learned practical activities and tools for supporting young people in managing stress, stepping into new experiences with courage, and taking ownership of their learning.
Access learning as adventure handouts (Google Drive folder) for the 2022 statewide Annual Volunteer Training webinars, including a copy of the PowerPoint slide deck, activity guides and more!
A spark is a passion for a self-identified interest or skill that metaphorically lights a fire in a young person’s life, providing energy, joy, purpose, and direction. Youth sparks are an essential ingredient for thriving. This 75-minute volunteer training had the goal of understanding sparks and how adults can support youth in their development.
During the fall and early winter of 2020, four 60-minute virtual gatherings were offered for volunteers to receive tools, resources, and ideas to connect with the youth in their club or program. These informational and conversational webinars took the place of the regularly scheduled 2020 Annual Volunteer Training. Participants were given time to network with other volunteers in breakout rooms to share thoughts, ideas, and challenges. See the online and virtual skills page for more detailed information and resources shared during these webinars.