Apply Now! Jr. Leadership Florence County 4-H Program Application 2024-2025 Year

Brought to you by Clemson Extension, The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and Francis Marion University
Apply Now! 2024-2025 Year

Applications are due by March 30, 2024.
Junior Leadership Florence County (JLFC) is a ten-month program in which area high school sophomores and juniors are empowered to become trustees of the Florence County community. Throughout the ten months of the program, students will learn diverse valuable leadership skills, including time management, community issue awareness, and business ethics. The program also provides training in personal development, skills training, volunteering opportunities and team building. Another benefit of the program is gaining new contacts through networking and relationship building.

In addition to the monthly class sessions, JLFC students must complete at least four community service hours. Students are strongly encouraged to complete additional service hours to be eligible for The President’s Volunteer Service Award Categories: Bronze (100-174 Hours) Silver (175-249 Hours) Gold (250+ Hours)

The program is presented by the Florence County Extension Service, The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, and Francis Marion University, with support from local businesses to provide professional personnel, facilities, and other aspects of the sessions throughout the school year. Program leadership and staff attend all activities, functions and meetings about the program.

School administrators must endorse each candidate. Each student must also pay a $75 commitment fee when selected. The commitment fee also provides each student with a SC 4-H membership.

Donations from civic clubs, companies, foundations and individuals make this program possible.
4-H is the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension Service, a nationwide partnership of federal, state, and county governments, and the private sector. 4-H Youth Development programs are offered on an age-appropriate basis to all youth, ages 5-19, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status.

2024-2025 Applicant Letter
Congratulations on your decision to apply for the prestigious 2024-2025 Junior Leadership Florence County Program! A maximum of 30 current high school freshman and sophomores from across Florence County will be selected to participate in this ten-month program during their sophomore or junior year.

Before beginning the application, please read the following information carefully and make sure that you do not have any conflicts. All applicants should confirm with a parent/guardian and school official before applying. The cost of the program is a $75 commitment fee. If selected, the $75 fee will be due by June 30.
Eligibility:
- Students must be classified as high school sophomores or juniors during the 2024-2025 school year.
- The program is open to public, private and home schooled students who live and/or attend school in Florence County.
- Students must be in good academic standing with their school and must have a written endorsement from their high school principal or guidance counselor as well as support of their parent/guardian.
Student Commitments:
- Both students and parents must review orientation information and sign a memorandum of understanding.
- Attend the mandatory opening retreat in July. (We are waiting on the new school calendars to come out prior to setting the opening retreat date.) Historically, the opening retreat has been held either the Monday-Tuesday the week before school starts
- Only 1 excused absence will be allowed during the program monthly sessions. In order to graduate, all participants must attend at least 8 out of the 9 monthly sessions that are held on a weekday normally from 9-3.
- Students are expected to abide by the Code of Conduct during each session/activity/event.
- Each member must complete a minimum of 4 community service hours during the program year and report to the program coordinator. If member would like to apply for The President’s Volunteer Service Award, this will require time outside of the scheduled JLFC program dates.
- Applicants must have transportation to/from the Florence County Office noting that sessions will take place across the county.
Selection Process:
- All written applications will be reviewed by professionals from out of the Florence County area and the highest scoring written applicants will be asked to attend a 3-person interview. Members of the JLFC Advisory Board and local business leaders will serve as the interview panelists. Rubrics for both are attached.
- JLFC is committed to cultural and economic diversity and considers all students who have demonstrated leadership skills and talents.
- All applicants will be notified of the status of their application no later than April 15th.
  
  First Round - Application Screening (Not all applicants will receive an interview)
  Second Round - Invitation for In-person Interview
  Third Round - Notified of Interview Decision
  
  Good luck with your application, and please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Freddricka L. Pressley if you have any questions at 843-687 8644 or email fpressl@clemson.edu.

Application
Personal Information
Name*
Preferred Name
Address*
City*
Zip*
Student's Mobile Phone
Student's E-mail Address*
example@example.com
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Age*
Sex (Male/Female)*
School Attending*
Current Grade (2023-2024)*
Name of Parent(s)/Guardian with whom you reside *
Parent/Guardian’s E-mail Address:*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian's Mobile Phone:*

Organizations & Activities

Please list up to FIVE (5) school, volunteer, religious, social, ethnic, athletic, etc. organizations or activities with which you have participated during high school, in order of importance to you:

*Type N/A in boxes that does not contain information.*
Organizations and Activity 1: *
Year(s):*
Position(s) Held:*
Organizations and Activity 2: *
Year(s):*
Position(s) Held:*
Organizations and Activity 3: *
Year(s):*
Position(s) Held:*
Organizations and Activity 4: *
Year(s):*
Position(s) Held:*
Organizations and Activity 5: *
Year(s):*
Position(s) Held:*

Short Answer Questions
Question 1: What is your definition of the word: LEADER?*
Question 2: What career do you plan to pursue? What appeals to you about this profession?*
Question 3: In your opinion, what is good citizenship?*
Question 4: Why do you want to participate in Junior Leadership Florence County and what do you hope to gain from the experience?*

Student and Parent/Guardian Commitment

By submitting this application to the program, the applicant is indicating that he/she and their parent(s)/guardian(s) have read the rules and requirements and agree to adhere to them. We understand that the student will be required to make up any work that is missed according to school policies. We also understand that the student and a parent must attend the orientation and that each student is required to attend the opening retreat and at least eight of the nine sessions in order to graduate from the program. Failure to meet the attendance policy will result in not graduating from the program and the commitment fee will not be refunded. We also understand that Junior Leadership Florence County is not responsible for transportation of students to and from the meeting sites. The program will only be responsible for transportation during each session.
Student's Signature*

Clear
Parent/ Guardian's Signature*

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date

School Approval & Endorsement Form Request
The School Approval & Endorsement Form link will be emailed to your guidance counselor or principal. Please make sure to notify them, prior to listing their contact information.
Name of School*
School Representative's Name*

First NameLast Name
School Representative Title*

Guidance CounselorPrincipal
Email*
example@example.com
Phone*
Should be Empty:

Brought to you by Clemson Extension, The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce and Francis Marion University

Apply Now! 2024-2025 Year

2024-2025 Applicant Letter

Eligibility:

Student Commitments:

Selection Process:

Application

Personal Information

Organizations & Activities

Short Answer Questions

Student and Parent/Guardian Commitment

School Approval & Endorsement Form Request