Extension
It Starts With Us
Increase Community Leadership Development & Volunteerism among Adults and Youth
Leadership & Volunteerism Development
Meagan Klee
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Casey County struggles with diverse leadership and participation in community organizations. Existing volunteers are overworked and need new, fresh volunteers to step up. Kentucky is ranked 41st of out the 50 states in volunteering (Corporation for National & Community Service). There is a need for volunteer and leadership development to provide youth and adults the skills to be productive and engaged members of society.
By providing leadership education to youth and adults, community members will be more confident with their leadership and communication skills. Community members will take active roles in community organizations and committees and address local issues. Community members will improve their self-esteem, self-confidence, and interpersonal skills, as well as get better acquainted with the community and its members.
Community members will serve on the County Extension Council, 4-H Council, Client Protection Committee, etc. as well as committees/boards in the community. Volunteer Leaders will demonstrate leadership skills while participating in meetings and activities. Adults will accept increased leadership positions in Extension programs and in the community. Youth will strive to be officers in community clubs and school clubs and become more active in the community.
The number of youth and adults attending Extension and community meetings will increase. Community members (youth & adults) will learn skills to improve their self-esteem, self-confidence, decision making, team building, and conflict resolution. Community members (youth & adults) will enhance their leadership and communication skills. Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills and become an involved community member.
Initial Outcome: Community Leadership Roles
Indicator: Number of parents & teens involved in the 4-H Council, CEC, CPC, Teen Club, D5 4-H Teen Council; number of youth and adult participants accepting leadership roles in the community
Method: one-on-one discussion, evaluations
Timeline: All Year
Intermediate Outcome: Communication & Leadership Skills
Indicator: Becoming an officer or committee chair on council/board, etc.; participants use gained knowledge; participants address community-related issues; participants create/form new organizations or programs.
Method: interviews, evaluations
Timeline: All Year
Long-term Outcome: Community & State Leaders
Indicator: Becoming state 4-H Officer, becoming president/chair of an organization; leading community organizations/functions
Method: interviews
Timeline: All Year
Audience: youth & adults
Project or Activity: 4-H Leadership Development: Casey County Teen Club, D5 4-H Teen Council, State Teen Council, Casey County 4-H Council, Client Protection Committee, County Extension Council, YELP, State Planning Committees
Content or Curriculum: KELD, GEMS, Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: youth & adult volunteers
Date: All Year
Audience: youth & adults
Project or Activity: Kentucky 4-H Volunteer Forum
Content or Curriculum: state-supported curriculum and workshops
Inputs: youth and adult attendees
Date: January/February 2020
Audience: 9-18 year olds
Project or Activity: 4-H Officer Training & Reception
Content or Curriculum: state-supported curriculum
Inputs: Community Volunteers
Date: September/October
Audience: 14 year olds and up
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: state-supported 4-H Camp Leader Training materials
Inputs: youth and adult volunteers
Date: June
Audience: 12-19 years old
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club
Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential, state-supported curriculum
Inputs: youth leaders and adult volunteers
Date: August - July
Author: Meagan Klee
Major Program: Community Engagement
The mission of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Cooperative Extension Service is to make a difference in the lives of Kentucky citizens through research-based education. Through partnership with Kentucky State University, Cooperative Extension takes the University to the people in their local communities, addressing issues of importance of all Kentuckians. It has been said that Extension is the “best kept secret” in our communities, in tha
