County 4-H Ambassadors

The County Ambassador Program is designed to help outstanding teen 4-H’ers develop leadership and public relations skills while promoting the county 4-H program. A County 4-H Ambassador encourages community participation in 4-H. If people know what the 4-H program in their area does and how kids benefit from it, they are more likely to become involved as 4-Hers, volunteers, and donors. Remember, if we do not “tell the 4-H story” then no one will tell the 4-H story. Often 4-H’ers are more successful in telling the 4-H story – after all, they have personally experienced it!

Qualifications for Weber County Ambassadors:

· Currently enrolled in 9^th – 12^th grades

· Enrolled in 4-H for at least two years

· Active in local club

· Enthusiastic about 4-H

· Have time to fulfill County Ambassador role

· Responsible

· Willing to attend Ambassador orientation and planning meetings

· Willing to plan and complete an individual Ambassador project

· Willing to serve in Ambassador roles when asked

Duties of County Ambassadors

· Attend Ambassador orientation and planning sessions

· Recruit new members and help organize new clubs

· Represent 4-H in a public relations role

· Promote 4-H with potential members, parents and general public

· Help conduct 4-H events

· Organize 4-H promotion activities

· Develop personal leadership skills and self-confidence

· Encourage financial support for 4-H

· Make friends and have fun

Application Process: County Ambassadors will be selected each year through an application and interview process. Applications are available on the county website and are due to the County 4-H Office by September 15. Interviews will be held to evaluate applicant’s knowledge of 4-H, interest in service, and communication skills. Selected applicants will begin their service in October.

Orientation and Planning: The County Ambassador Orientation will be held in October. This is a mandatory event for all County Ambassadors. Additionally, Ambassadors will meet about every other month to plan upcoming events and provide support for individual projects.

Recognition: Each County Ambassador will be honored at 4-H Achievement Night with a bronze, silver or gold award, based upon the points earned on the County Ambassador Service Record.

Dress for Weber County Ambassadors: Each County 4-H Ambassador will receive a polo shirt. When representing 4-H as an Ambassador, always dress appropriately wearing your Ambassador shirt and slacks (or a skirt of a modest length), preferably black or khaki, and dress shoes. Occasionally, jeans and sneakers/boots may be more appropriate for the role you are performing; however, make sure to wear appropriate jeans that help present a positive image for 4-H (clean, no holes, not low rise or faded, etc.).

County Ambassador Project: Each Ambassador will plan and conduct an individual project. This will be a major project conducted by and through the leadership of the Ambassador. The Ambassador will consult with the 4-H agent regarding his or her interests, skills, and project ideas, as well as the county’s needs. The project must fit into one of the following categories:

1. 4-H Public Relations and Awareness

2. 4-H Fund Raising

3. 4-H County Teen Development

4. 4-H Member Recruitment

Each Ambassador will write a project proposal (see sample project proposal) and establish a timeline for completing their project. The project can start and finish any time during the 4-H year (October 1^st – September 30^th). The project could also be utilized as a State Ambassador project, if desired.

County Ambassador Individual Project Deadlines:
November 15	Submit project description and timeline to 4-H Agent
October 15 (the following year)	Submit final project report to 4-H Agent

Project Summary: Each County Ambassador will prepare a written summary of their project. It is typically submitted in a notebook, with tabbed dividers for the following sections:

· Table of Contents

· County Ambassador application and acceptance letter

· Resume

· Project proposal and timeline

· Project report (the who, what, when, where, and why of your project)

· Supporting documentation: thank you letters you wrote to people who assisted you with your project, photographs, newspaper and/or newsletter articles, congratulation letters you received, etc.

If you finish your report early enough, it can be submitted as a County Fair entry (SEE Class FF, Lot 1: Ambassador project notebooks).