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. Youth must submit their completed service record no later than October 15 at the conclusion of their term.

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).