National 4-H Council is excited to launch the  4-H Grow True Leaders Campaign to empower this generation of youth with encouragement and real opportunities to lead.  Today, thanks to the Cooperative Extension system, 4-H empowers nearly 6 million young people nationally to be True Leaders.  The campaign launched in April and will run through the end of 2016.

We believe True Leaders aren’t born – they are grown, and that every child has the potential to be a True Leader.  The 4-H experience is proven to grow True Leaders with life skills like confidence, teamwork, curiosity and resilience.  We believe in the power of young people, and want to provide them with opportunities needed to give them the skills they need to lead.  We want to grow more True Leaders.

The Grow True Leaders campaign will engage young people and rally the nation to provide more youth with hands-on development experiences that are proven to grow life skills, where they can “learn by doing,” grow from failure, express their ideas and use their influence to drive positive outcomes.  The campaign will also provide a forum for adults to champion the positive in today’s youth, and recognize more youth as True Leaders.

The Grow True Leaders Campaign focuses on three calls to action – Shout, Share and Support.

SHOUT – Take time from April through June 2016 to honor youth who are making an impact in their lives and the lives of others through Shout Outs on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and your website using hashtag #TrueLeaders.  This is a chance for 4-H Leaders, parents, 4-H alumni, teachers, government officials, coaches, and anyone who influences the lives of children in a meaningful way to shout out and recognize those youth who are true leaders in your life, and as a result, add your voice as a champion for True Leaders across the country.

SHARE – During the period of July through October 2016, 4-H Alumni will be asked to share how the 4-H pledge is relevant in their life today, through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and 4-H websites using hashtag #4-HGrown.

SUPPORT – During November and December 2016, support 4-H locally and nationally through gifting of a $10 digital clover to help raise money for our local 4-H program.

Please take the time to visit  4-H Grows True Leaders Toolkit  to learn more about this campaign.  When we come together as a unified voice, we can raise the visibility and relevance of 4-H, driving awareness of our belief in the Power of Youth across the nation.  Our voices publicly honoring youth who are making an impact will demonstrate in a real and powerful way what it means to be a True Leader.