Members of 4-H clubs from 13 regional counties were among 31 Northwest Iowa 4-H’ers adopting an ambitious leadership agenda last week for the 2008-09 Northwest Iowa 4-H Area Council. The delegation practiced leadership skills on Sunday, Oct. 19, at a two-hour Storm Lake session.

Participants explored skills needed to be both a leader and team member through activities designed to develop leadership skills.

The Area 4-H Council voted to provide leadership to a new ISU Extension youth leadership curriculum called “Ricochet.” They selected a Jan. 3-4, 2009, retreat date to be fully trained in the leadership skills, which will be held in Storm Lake. Participants also agreed to give leadership to the NW Area 4-H Intermediate retreat and to assist with other area events when needed.

Once trained, said Carol Ehlers, Sac County 4-H and youth coordinator, the Area 4-H Council will look for ways to share “Ricochet” leadership learning to middle school-age youth, or in other leadership roles that they hold.

“Ricochet” is a leadership initiative created and sponsored by a Northwest Iowa Youth Development Team from Iowa State University Extension.

“Ricochet to us,” said Ehlers, “means moving lively and energetically with some level of unpredictability. Like Ricochet, middle school youth are finding their place in the world around them and are trying on different roles.

“With preparation, youth can identify them be ready to accept the opportunities that come their way.“

A 42-member youth leadership team chosen from 15 counties to assist ISU Extension 4-H and Youth Program in developing strong leaders and citizens in their communities.

Area 4-H Council youth representatives will continue to be involved in identifying strategies to strengthen leadership education and opportunities for the area and in the counties they represent.

“They will form a network serving as a link between county, area and state 4-H programs,” Ehlers said. “The group will also serve as an advisory for youth leadership programming.”

To find out more about the ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program contact a county 4-H and youth coordinator.

Youth attending the initial meeting included:

Buena Vista: Hannah Fordyce and Shelby Meyer.

Calhoun: Brandi Murley and Brent Sexton

Crawford: Ryan Staley and Katie Staley.

Emmet: Matt Anderson.

Ida: Kysa Bennett and Shiliah Spaulding.

Kossuth: Sherri Zeller and Carla Zeller.

Monona: Jeff Bruning, Paisley Conlon and Andrea Bruning.

O’Brien: Jill Jurgensen, Amy Kreber and Sterling Schnepf.

Osceola: Kevin Berkland

Plymouth: Andy Bainbridge, Ross McNaughton, Sam Leonard, Caine Westergard and Addison Zellmer.

Pocahontas: Allie Kleespies and Reuben Wenell.

Sac: Kent Irwin, Elizabeth Feilmeier, Jessica Schramm and Lexie Cook.

Woodbury: Mark Nelson.