Extension
It Starts With Us
Creating leadership programming to enhance volunteer skills for community leaders
Developing Leadership and Volunteers
Cabrina Buckman, Melissa Schenck and Dennis Morgeson
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Master Gardener
Effective leadership is necessary for success within today's communities and organizations. Knowing one's leadership skills and characteristics is key to understanding leadership. Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority. By assisting the development of leadership skills in today's youth, we improve the ability to face the challenges of tomorrow. The Washington County Extension Service is dedicated to developing leaders through various programs and opportunities to serve on local, state, and national levels.
Participants of leadership programs will serve as volunteer leaders and/or mentors to others.
Leaders will continue to influence policy and economic growth on local and state levels.
Youth and adults will serve as leaders in community organizations and will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism in their daily life.
Participants are more active as formal and informal community leaders.
Participants collaborate with coalitions, councils, and other leaders.
Youth and adults will demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills in their day to day lives.
Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives.
Basic understanding of leadership development and its application to the community.
Develop adequate perceptions of leadership due to training opportunities for organizational and community leaders.
Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
Youth and adults will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
Initial Outcome: Basic understanding of leadership development and its application to the community
Indicator: participant responses
Method: class discussion
Timeline: following programs
Intermediate Outcome: Demonstration of leadership skills, teamwork, communication, and diversity awareness
Indicator: leader responses and skills put into practice
Method: evaluations and surveys
Timeline: following each session
Long-term Outcome: Practice of leadership skills, teamwork, communication, and diversity awareness
Indicator: increased volunteerism and participants assuming leadership roles
Method: observation
Timeline: yearly
Audience: 7th grade students, high school juniors and seniors, council and board members, community participants
Project or Activity: Junior Leadership, Teen Leadership, KELD, Master Gardeners, Homemakers, 4-H Council, Agriculture Development Board, WC Cattlemen's Association, Washington on Wellness Coalition
Content or Curriculum: 4-H leadership core curriculum, KELD materials
Inputs: Extension resources and specialists, community and civic organizations
Date: yearly
Author: Cabrina Buckman
Major Program: Community Leadership Development
The Washington County Extension Service partners with Washington County Schools each year to plan and facilitate Teen Leadership Washington County. Integral goals of this program include learning more about leadership, community, and career opportunities in a variety of fields. In addition to assignments and a retreat, the program includes group days that focus on local government, health, business and industry, financial management, media, law and civic responsibilities, state gover
Author: Melissa Schenck
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks and possessing varied and rich knowledge, skills, and backgrounds (Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). The success of Extension programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher, & Klingborg, 2005). Although highly valued, volunteer involvement does not guarantee achievement of Extension's goals and fulfillment of learners' needs (Bolton, 1992).
