Managing Risk for Project Leaders

Among the many roles of a 4-H project leader is that of "role model." Modeling the safe way to accomplish project-related tasks and finding ways to reduce, avoid, transfer, or assume risk when planning and implementing project experiences will provide members with a physically safe environment that facilitates learning and protects the leaders as well as the members.

To help project leaders focus on issues of Risk Management, use the lesson "Risky Business: Risk Management Essentials" (PDF, 9 pages, 300 KB).

Issues of safety, to protect both members and leaders, are also addressed in the "Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development Policies" (PDF, 7 pages, 70 KB) on the Wisconsin 4-H Web Site. Review or distribute the "Safety" section to make leaders aware of those policies and procedures that apply to them and the projects they lead. Of specific note are policies regarding Shooting Sports projects and high risk projects such as horse, ATV, bicycle, rock climbing, etc.

Enhance:
Enhance the "Risky Business" lesson by using the handout, "Innovative Sharing Situations – Managing Risk for Project Leaders" (PDF, 1 page, 15 KB). Divide the leaders into small groups, and give each group one of the situation statements. Ask each to report back on a solution to the situation that incorporates what they've learned about risk management and modeling safety.

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