Marshall County CES

Title:

Empowering Community Leaders

MAP:

Community Leadership & Engagement

Agents Involved:

LDM, NB, VW

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Empowering Community Leaders (general)

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Master Gardener

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. Within Kentucky there are 16,000 KEHA members, 119 Master Clothing Volunteers, 8,575 Master Gardener Volunteers, and over 150 Champion Food Volunteers who share their expertise, and volunteer time with youth and families in their community. Through the efforts of the FCS agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.

By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations and communities experience direct benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community (Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001). They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth, and fresh perspectives for how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991). Additionally, young people help to re-energize adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership within their communities (Zeldin, & Camino, 1999; Fiscus, 2003).

4-H Youth Leadership is about:

* Learning about the concept of leadership and your individual role as a leader.

* Using leadership skills to effectively lead small groups and teams toward common goals.

* Work within your community (club/county/state or beyond) to become an engaged leader who can make a difference.

* Creating a program that encourages, values, promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity at all levels.


Master Gardener Program:
The Extension Master Gardener Program was created to meet an increase in requests from home gardeners for horticultural information.  This increase derives primarily from the urban and transient nature of modern American life. Fifty years ago, an Extension agent dealt with the questions of a few hundred farm families. In many regions, however, land that once constituted a single farm now encompasses several subdivisions, increasing the number of families an Extension office must serve. In additions, many of these families are unfamiliar with the grasses, shrubs, trees, and diseases that comprise the microenvironment of their new home.  They often will call their local Extension for advice on what to plant and how to care for it.

Consequently, Master Gardeners have become a vital part of Extension’s ability to provide consumers with up-to-date, reliable knowledge so they can enjoy and protect the plantings around their homes. Master Gardening also has become a fun and useful volunteer activity that has given its participants a sense of community spirit, accomplishment, and intellectual stimulation.

Extension Homemakers

The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) is a volunteer organization that works to improve the quality of life for families and communities through leadership development, volunteer service, and education. The organization was developed in cooperation with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Across the state, County Extension Agents for Family and Consumer Sciences work closely with KEHA members and clubs to provide educational programming and coordinate community activities. Marshall County Extension Homemakers plan of work includes educational programs and service activities for related opportunities throughout the community.

Long-Term Outcomes:

--Kentucky communities' health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership

--Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders? Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.

--Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.

--Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community

--Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.

-- Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis

Intermediate Outcomes:

Number of people who:

--practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach

--improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs

--apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems

- 4-H Teens will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp or other project based group of younger 4-H members.

--Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives.

--Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.

Initial Outcomes:

--Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership

--KEHA members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership

--Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills as community leadership? Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.

--Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.-- Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.

--Youth will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.

--Youth will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.

-- Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.

-- Youth will listen to people who have different ideas from them.

-- KMG increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership

Evaluation:

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Learning Opportunities:

Audience: volunteer leaders, KEHA members

Project or Activity: KEHA leader training, Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)

Content or Curriculum: KEHA resources, KELD curriculum

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers, Kentucky CES publications and resources, community partners, KEHA, Master Clothing Volunteers

Date: FALL 2019-FALL 2020

Audience: Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSCs), Libraries, Schools, non-profit organizations

Project or Activity: Master Clothing Volunteers

Content or Curriculum: MCV curriculum

Inputs: 30, 31, 32

Date: FALL 2019-Fall 2020

Audience: Marshall County 4-H Club Members & 4th - 12th Grade Students

Project or Activity: Leadership 4-H Club Lessons / Officer Elections & Role Experience/Specialized Lessons when requested from club leaders or teachers.

Content or Curriculum: 4-HCCS "Step Up to Leadership" and "Unlock Your Leadership Potential"

Inputs: Marshall County Extension for 4-H Youth Development Agent, Extension Assistant, 4-H Club Leaders, and 4-H Teen Volunteers.

Date: 2019-2020

Audience: Marshall County 4-H Members and Teen & Adult Volunteers

Project or Activity: Volunteer Service/Civic Engagement

Content or Curriculum: Marshall 4-H Volunteer Service Scholarship Program

Inputs: Marshall County Extension 4-H Youth Development Agent, Extension Assistant, Marshall County 4-H Members and Teen & Adult Volunteer, Marshall County 4-H Council, and local community organizations.

Date: 2019-20 Club Year

Audience: Marshall County 4-H Teens

Project or Activity: Teen led 4-H School Enrichment, Club, Day Camps, etc Lessons

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Curriculum for topic(s) to be taught.

Inputs: Marshall County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, Extension Assistant, 4-H Teen Members

Date: 2019-20

Audience: Volunteer leaders, KGA members

Project or Activity: KY Master Gardener

Content or Curriculum: KMG Lessons, and other local learning opportunities 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers, Kentucky CES publications and resources, community partners, KMG, Master Gardener Volunteers

Date: FY 2020

Success Stories