Developing Leadership & Volunteer Skills
Leadership & Community Development
Corinne Belton, Regina Browning, Sheila Fawbush
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
4-H Youth Development Programming
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Ag Policy
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Shelby County is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long-term commitment to strengthen families. Within Shelby County there are strong leaders across all program areas who share their expertise and volunteer their time with youth and families in their community. The leaders are engaged, educated and empowered to understand issues and to take ownership for implementing solutions.
Many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked, facet of youth development and education (Macneil, 2000). The development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of youth in their communities. Leadership skills, such as goal setting, problem solving and sound decision-making are not only necessary for leaders, these skills are needed for success in today's world (Macneil, 2000). "Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation" (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem and improved high school completion rates.
*Shelby County infrastructure is strengthened through effective local leadership
*Community problems are solved through active, involved adult and youth local leaders
*Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future
*Youth will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
*Number of youth and adults who:
-practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach
-improved skills in communication, problem solving, teamwork or group process in addressing organizational issues or needs
-apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems
*Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, daycamp or other project-based group of younger 4-H members.
*Increase KOSA in personal leadership
*Increase KOSA in organizational leadership
*Increase KOSA in community leadership
*Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting
*Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals
*Youth will listen to people with different ideas from their own
Initial Outcome: Increase in KOSA in personal, organizational and community leadership
Indicator: The number of individuals who increased KOSA in personal, organizational and community leadership
Method: Observation and end-of-training evaluation
Timeline: Conclusion of training and meeting throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of leadership skills
Indicator: Better communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills
Method: Observation
Timeline: Throughout the year following learning opportunities
Long-term Outcome: Program participants are contributing within the community to address local needs and youth are successful in the workplace
Indicator: Community problems are solved and youth are gainfully employed
Method: Observation and self-reporting
Timeline: Annually
Audience: Program participants
Project or Activity: Leadership Shelby/Young Leaders
Content or Curriculum: Sponsor Extension leaders to attend program, assist with Ag Day for each program
Inputs: Extension leaders, local farms and agribusinesses
Date: September 2019-June 2020
Audience: Extension Leaders
Project or Activity: Horticulture & Agriculture Advisory Council, committees and projects
Content or Curriculum: Leadership development and Extension materials
Inputs: UK publications and volunteers
Date: Year Round
Audience: Citizens interested in Horticulture activities, Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Maintaining Tim McClure Botanical Gardens
Content or Curriculum: MG curriculum, Extension publications
Inputs: Master Gardeners, horticulture technician, MG curriculum, Extension publications
Date: July-November 2019, March-June 2020
Audience: Extension and community leaders
Project or Activity: True Colors Personality Assessment Training/Generational Differences
Content or Curriculum: True Colors curriculum
Inputs: True Colors curriculum, agents
Date: As requested
Audience: Extension leaders
Project or Activity: FCS Council
Content or Curriculum: Leadership & Extension Materials
Inputs: UK publications & volunteers
Date: October 2019, January 2020, April 2020
Audience: District Board
Project or Activity: District Board
Content or Curriculum: District Board Handbook, KRS statutes
Inputs: handbook, statutes
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Camp Teens/CITs
Project or Activity: Camp Training
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Camp Leader's guide
Inputs: Curriculum, Camp information
Date: May/June 2020
Audience: 4-H Camp Adult Volunteers
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Camp Leader's guide
Inputs: Curriculum, Camp information
Date: May/June 2020
Audience: 4-H Horse and Livestock Leaders
Project or Activity: Livestock & Horse Leader Certifications or Re-certifications
Content or Curriculum: Livestock and Horse Leader training
Inputs: training materials, classes, activities, Certification Training
Date: Annually
Audience: 4-H Shooting Sports Coaches
Project or Activity: Coaches Certification
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports Training
Inputs: Volunteers, training materials, fees
Date: October 2019, February 2020
Audience: 4-H Leaders
Project or Activity: 4-H Council and Volunteer Opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Extension Leadership Materials
Inputs: 4-H and UK curriculum
Date: year round
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: various workshops and tracks
Inputs: marketing, recruitment
Date: June 2020
Audience: 4-H Middle Schoolers
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: various workshops and tracks
Inputs: marketing, recruitment
Date: March 2020
Audience: 4-H School Clubs
Project or Activity: Officer Elections, Parliamentary Procedure
Content or Curriculum: Club Handbook, Robert's Rule of Order
Inputs: Volunteers,Curriculum
Date: October 2019
Audience: Shelby County Extension Council members
Project or Activity: Leadership and Council Training
Content or Curriculum: KELD curriculum
Inputs: KELD curriculum
Date: quarterly; Jul and Oct 2019; Jan and Apr 2020
Audience: Shelby County Extension Council new members
Project or Activity: New member training
Content or Curriculum: History of Shelby County Extension; Shelby County Data; Kentucky Law regarding extension councils; getting to know you
Inputs: Extension History; College of Ag Info; State Law, Extension Council members
Date: October 2019
Audience: Community Adults & Youth
Project or Activity: Leadership is M.O.R.E.
Content/Curriculum: Leadership is M.O.R..E. Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Leadership is M.O.R.E. Curriculum
Date: Winter 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: Teen Council
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Leadership Curriculum, volunteers
Date: Monthly
Audience: 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Volunteer Forum
Content/Curriculum: Workshops, tracks, trainings for volunteers
Inputs: Marketing, recruitment, financial support
Date: February 2020
Author: Sheila Fawbush
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
The Shelby County Extension Homemakers is one of the largest civic and volunteer organizations in Shelby County with 235 members. Extension Homemakers work to improve the quality of life for their families and communities through leadership development, volunteer service and education.There are four Shelby County Homemakers serving on the Louisville Area Homemaker Council and 15 serving on the Extension District Board or Extension Council. One Shelby County Homemaker has been selecte
Author: Corinne Belton
Major Program: Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Shelby County has long been known for having a strong volunteer base. Many individuals who have not actively assumed leadership roles have been identified by agents as potential effective leaders. In an effort to encourage these individuals, the ag agent and 4H agent worked together to develop the Leadership is M.O.R.E. program with the purpose of developing training materials and delivery methods that inspire volunteers to expand their roles and to seek out opportunities to develop
Author: Regina Browning
Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Shelby County has long been known for having a strong volunteer base. Many individuals who have not actively assumed leadership roles have been identified by agents as potential effective leaders. In an effort to encourage these individuals, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent and 4H Agent worked together to develop the Leadership is M.O.R.E. program with the purpose of developing training materials and delivery methods that inspire volunteers to expand their roles and to s
Author: Sheila Fawbush
Major Program: Master Clothing Volunteer
Studies indicate that sewing is not only a productive hobby and life skill, it can reduce stress and increase an individual’s feeling of self-worth. The Shelby County Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Agent and Jefferson County 4-H Agent served as the Cooperative Extension Service’s Louisville Area Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV) Contact and Assistant Contact Agents. The FCS Agent coordinated the Louisville Area Master Clothing Volunteers (MCVs) statewide training attendance and ass