What is the True Leaders in Equity Institute? 4-H believes in youth and adults working in partnership to leverage the unique strengths that each group brings to their communities and world. 

The True Leaders in Equity Institute will equip teams to be change agents within the Cooperative Extension System as we seek to create more welcoming and inclusive environments, particularly for nine marginalized groups of people and four affinity groups.** This training and leadership opportunity challenges participants to work together to ideate and champion an equity-related project that will grow 4-H in their communities. 

Sessions will enable teams to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of key principles and concepts related to equity and inclusion; 
• Identify a particular equity indicator and/or issue where they can "go deep" and focus on for the next year;
• Develop their skills and competences in equity leadership and make connections to people, organizations, and tools that can be helpful to them for their projects; and
• Create an overall framework for their project for the next year and a specific 90-day action plan to implement when they return home. 

When is the Institute? 

July 10 – July 13, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda

Who can attend? 

We seek applicants who exude the following characteristics:

• Aged 15 – 19
• A desire to champion equity in your community
• A passion for or experience creating belonging for the groups indicated below
• Connection to Cooperative Extension System through 4-H, Well Connected Communities, SNAP-ED volunteering, National Mentoring Project volunteering or other Extension programs

As a local 4-H educator, what is my role with 4-H True Leaders in Equity Institute? 

Your support is vital. We invite you to:

• Encourage youth to apply with other team members and with an adult partner.
• Help connect youth with adults who are interested in equity.
• Review the registration form with your 4-H’er(s) prior to submission to ensure all guidelines are followed.
• Ensure youth and adults who are applying understand how, when, and where to submit reimbursement claims (if applicable), as information is provided from Council.

As an appointed extension staff person, what is my role with 4-H True Leaders in Equity Institute?

• The appointed extension professional will work as a support system to the team and act as liaison between Council and their state team.
• Help to ensure youth/adult team effort is meeting a state identified need and the youth/adult work gets anchored in the states’ system. 

Can I save my registration mid-way through completion? 

Online registrations cannot be saved once started. We recommend that you pick a time when you can devote your attention to completing the registration form once you start it. 

When does registration close? 

Registration will be open through June 1, 2023 unless we sell out before then so we encourage you to register early. 

If registrants or I have questions when applying for the True Leaders in Equity Institute, who should we contact? 

For general award questions, please email TLEI@fourhcouncil.edu. For online submission issues, please contact: aglinski@fourhcouncil.edu

What is your refund policy?

All refund requests must be made by providing written notice to Council by June 15, 2023. Your refund request must include the order number, ticket number(s) and reason for requesting a refund. If your request is received by June 15, 2023 with the required information, you will receive a refund in full. After June 15, 2023, Council will not refund any amounts paid by you to Council. You may have the option to transfer your registration to another attendee. Council will not be liable for any transfer of fees or payments from one attendee to another attendee.

Where can I find the required forms?

• A signed Media Release Form required per person
• A signed Youth Code of Conduct Form required per youth
• A signed Adult Code of Conduct Form required per adult

**Children and Youth with Disabilities, Disconnected Youth, Immigrant Youth, Incarcerated Youth, Mental Health and Well-being, Underrepresented Youth, Youth Experiencing Homelessness, Youth in Foster Care, LGBTQ Youth; African American, Latinx, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American