Training Tuesday: Developing and Strengthening Relationships — The Heart of 4-H!

Training Tuesday!

Looking to bring more heart, connection, and purpose to your 4-H Volunteer training? Each week, we’re sharing inspiring, research-based resources designed to strengthen your 4-H program and empower volunteers to shine. Supporting volunteers in reaching their goals and delivering high-quality youth experiences is at the heart of Volunteer Involvement across our CCE System (VIPP). These lessons are crafted to encourage collaboration, spark engagement, and help you share the 4-H story to build lasting bonds and meaningful growth!

Today’s Highlight: Developing and Strengthening Relationships — The Heart of 4-H!

Want to create a sense of belonging and connection in your 4-H program? This lesson dives into how strong, supportive relationships lay the foundation for youth development and volunteer success. Participants will explore communication techniques, trust-building strategies, and ways to nurture authentic connections that empower youth to reach their full potential.

The Developing and Strengthening Relationships lesson offers hands-on tools and reflection activities to help volunteers deepen their connections—with youth, families, and fellow leaders alike. By investing time and care into these relationships, volunteers can create positive, lasting impacts that ripple throughout the 4-H community.

The Developing and Strengthening Relationships Activities, along with the Fact Sheets, and PowerPoint Slides for the Interpersonal Characteristics Building domain, are available on the National Volunteerism Resource Hub —a project of the PLWG National 4-H Volunteerism Charter Group designed to house resources that strengthen the preparation, engagement, and development of 4-H volunteers nationwide.

These resources are based on the Volunteer Research Knowledge and Competency (VRKC) Taxonomy Model—a research-backed guide that maps out the key skills needed for volunteers to thrive in 4-H. From communication and organization to program management, educational design, and positive youth development, each skill area helps volunteers bring out the best in every young person they serve!

Questions? Reach out to Kelly Campbell (kmc86@cornell.edu )