Hardin County CES

Title:

Empowering Community Leaders

MAP:

Developing Leadership Skills for Community and Civic Engagement

Agents Involved:

Parrett

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD): Developing Core Leadership Skills

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Empowering Community Leaders (general)

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Community Strategic Planning

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, 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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

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

Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.

New leaders take on roles in community organizations and on boards.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increase the 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

Join community boards and organizations

Initial Outcomes:

Participants who attend programs or workshops, or receive leadership education through Cooperative Extension will:
-increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership.
-increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.

KEHA and FCS Advisory Council members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase in knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Indicator: Participants in Cooperative Extension leadership programs will join community boards and organizations, and will report and increase in knowledge and skills.
Method: Evaluations provided with curriculum, attendance at board meetings
Timeline: 0 - 3months after education

Intermediate Outcome: Increase in the number of people who practice personal leaderships skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
Indicator: Reports of an increase in the utilization of skills learned through Cooperative Extension, participants taking on leadership roles within their organizations
Method: Follow up evaluations
Timeline: 6-12 months after education

Long-term Outcome: Community problems are solved through active and engaged local leaders
Indicator: A decrease in community issues, a solution to a particular community issue, rotation of leadership on community boards
Method: Follow up evaluation, active participation on community boards
Timeline: 12-24 months

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Homemakers
Project or Activity: Officer Training
Content or Curriculum: KELD
Inputs: CES agents, specialists and volunteers, CES resources, KELD publications, state KEHA board
Date: August - June

Audience: General Population, specific workplaces in need of conflict resolution
Project or Activity: Leadership Lunch and Learns, Staff Development Days, etc..
Content or Curriculum: KELD, Strategic Planning, CEDIK
Inputs: CES agents, specialists and volunteers, worksites, KELD publications and resources, HR managers of local industry, Kentucky Career Center
Date: September - March

Audience: Young Professionals
Project or Activity: Personality Differences and Conflict Resolution
Content or Curriculum: KELD, CEDIK
Inputs: CES agents, specialists and volunteers, CES resources and publications, CEDIK resources and publications, local leaders, elected officials
Date: October - July

Success Stories