Leadership and Volunteer DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Woodford County CES

Title:
Leadership and Volunteer Development
MAP:
Leadership and Volunteerism
Agents Involved:
Elizabeth Coots, Ryan Farley, Faye Kuosman, Adam Probst
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Master Clothing Volunteer
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Situation:

Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. Through the efforts of the extension agents and volunteers, local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions. Woodford County is a community that is maintaining its population with limited amounts of growth. Community volunteers tend to stay involved in the community for long periods of time. Despite this, new volunteers and citizens must be engaged and encouraged to take on leadership roles within their community. An effective Cooperative Extension Service will continue to develop new leadership in order to maintain support and provide input to our programs.


Long-Term Outcomes:

The community will have a diverse mixture of experienced and new volunteer leaders that can effectively determine community needs and assist with the delivery of educational programs to the citizens of Woodford County. Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.

Intermediate Outcomes:

County advisory councils will be composed of individuals representing all areas of the community. Youth will serve as active members of advisory groups. Certified and master volunteers will help deliver educational programs in 4-H animal science, 4-H shooting sports, sewing, horticulture, and cooking.

Initial Outcomes:

Advisory councils will meet on a regular basis and provide input regarding educational needs. Youth will gain experience in communication skills, parliamentary procedure and community leadership. Citizens will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership, citizens will increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Diverse mix of active community volunteers

Indicator: community organizations, advisory councils

Method: review of attendance, minutes, membership rolls

Timeline: Yearly


Intermediate Outcome: Advisory councils with representation from all areas

Indicator: membership, attendance, rotation of officers

Method: review of council minutes, meeting attendance

Timeline: Yearly


Initial Outcome: Youth will gain experience in parliamentary procedure

Indicator: 4-H Club officer involvement, meeting activities

Method: review of minutes, written evaluation from club leaders

Timeline: Yearly

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Local elected officials

Project or Activity: Legislative Appreciation Dinner

Content or Curriculum: Report to the People

Inputs: Open house, multi-media presentation

Date: Annually


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Monthly Leader Lessons

Content or Curriculum: CES publications

Inputs: Agent's time, Volunteers, Extension Homemakers, Extension Facilities

Date: September-May


Audience: Advisory Council Members

Project or Activity: Council meetings

Content or Curriculum: SEAL materials

Inputs: Agents time

Date: Year-round


Audience: High School Seniors

Project or Activity: Woodford Leadership Tomorrow

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs: Community organizations to host tours

Date: September - May 


Audience: Adult volunteers interested in horticulture

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Manual

Inputs: Extension agents, Specialists

Date: Fall of every other year


Audience: Adult volunteers interested in sewing/textiles

Project or Activity: Master Volunteer in Clothing Construction

Content or Curriculum: Master Volunteer in Clothing Construction curriculum

Inputs: Extension agents, Specialists, Past volunteers

Date: Semi-annually


Audience: Youth age 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Communications Day

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communications Curriculum

Inputs: Sponsorship from Kiwanis, Homemakers Organization, Volunteer Judges

Date: January - July


Audience: Fifth Grade students

Project or Activity: 4-H Parliamentary Procedure Lesson

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Step Up to Leadership

Inputs: classroom club presentation

Date: Yearly


Audience: Adult Volunteers

Project or Activity: Certified 4-H Volunteer programs

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Animal Science, 4-H Shooting Sports, 4-H Equine, 4-H Sewing

Inputs: Volunteer Leader Workshops

Date: Year-round


Audience: Community Residents

Project or Activity: Leadership Woodford County

Content or Curriculum: KELD, other extension resources

Inputs: Area Agents Time, Specialists, Community and Civic organizations

Date: Every year



Success Stories

Woodford County 4-H Explores Woodford County

Author: Ryan Farley

Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

Developing educational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic for 4-H audiences in Woodford County provided a way for 4-H to actively engage clientele while more traditional delivery methods were not an option. The use of social media and email allowed for contact between families and provided a means to communicate opportunities directly to youth. In partnership with the Woodford County Historical Society, Woodford County 4-H developed the Woodford County 4-H Explores! Program. Designed to en

Full Story

Extension Master Gardener Leadership Development Toolkit

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Master Gardener

Certified Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) play crucial roles in county extension offices throughout the state of Kentucky. After receiving training and certification, they are expected to serve their communities by conducting educational programs and service projects in addition to continuing education. An important component to the program nationally is leadership development, however there is no official leadership development training for EMG in most Kentucky counties.Because these volunteer

Full Story

Master Gardener Training

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Master Gardener

The Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) Program is a volunteer management and outreach program of the Cooperative Extension Service. It is an intensive fifteen week horticultural training for individuals who then volunteer as Master Gardeners in their communities. Based on data from 2015 and 2016, 50 counties in Kentucky have EMG programs that engage 1,445 active volunteers across the state.The Woodford County Extension Horticulture Agent partners with the Franklin County Extension Horticulture Age

Full Story

4-H Teens create Leadership Council

Author: Ryan Farley

Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

Woodford County 4-H is in prime position to provide leadership development opportunities for high school youth in the community. As the community seeks more opportunities to develop youth into career and college ready, opportunities to meet, lead, plan and serve help prepare youth for their next steps. In response, Woodford County 4-H created the 4-H Teen Leadership Council for current 8th grade students through 12th grade students. The council met monthly and not only participated in leadership

Full Story

Achievement Workshop Encourages Soft-Skill Development

Author: Ryan Farley

Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

According to the recent Community Needs Assessment, Woodford County youth need more opportunities to prepare themselves for the workforce. One such soft-skill necessary for a successful career is organization and writing. In an effort to provide such an opportunity and encourage Woodford County 4-H Youth to participate in the state 4-H Achievement program, a workshop was provided. Participants not only spent time learning about the Achievement application but also were able to begin work on thei

Full Story
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