Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Leaders for our Communities, Country, and World
Leadership and Volunteer Skills
Lacy May, Cathy Sparks, and Courtney Jenkins
Family and Consumer Science
Community Leadership Development
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
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 young people and their communities. Leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving, and sound decision-making, are not just 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 also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003).
In addition to improving these skills in youth, leadership and volunteer development are also important for adult leaders in Extension. Adult leaders can have great impact on their communities, and their help in recognizing and addressing community issues is critical.
* Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
* Youth and adults will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
* Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
* Youth and adults will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace and effective leaders in their community on a daily basis.
* Youth and adults will demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills in their day to day lives.
* Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H Clubs, activities, and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
* Senior4-H members 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 and adults will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.
*Youth and adults will learn the communication, leadership, and procedural skills that will allow them to effectively run a meeting.
* Youth and adults will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator.
* Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
* Youth and adults will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.
* Youth and adults will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
*Youth and adults will listen to people who have different ideas than themselves and take those ideas into consideration.
Indicator: Number of adult leaders and 4-H members successfully leading a club/council.
Method: Observation and Surveys
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp, or other project based group of younger 4-H members. Adults will demonstrate leadership skills within clubs and organizations in the community.
Indicator: Number of Senior 4-H members leading clubs, teaching at day camp, and completing projects.
Method: Service projects, 4-H Programming
Timeline: May - August/Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future. Adults will be successful in identifying and developing solutions for critical community issues.
Indicator: Number of youth using the skills learned during Extension programming and accomplishing goals that have been set.
Method: Observation, Extension Programming, Program Evaluations
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience:Youth
Project orActivity: Summer Day Camp
Content orCurriculum: Various 4-H Curriculum
Inputs:Staff and Volunteers
Date: July2016-2020
Audience:Youth
Project orActivity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content orCurriculum: My Leadership Portfolio, Community Service
Inputs:Staff, State Staff, 4-H Council Members, Extension Facilities
Date:Summer 2016-2020
Audience:Youth
Project orActivity: 4-H Teen Council
Content orCurriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service
Inputs:Staff and Volunteers, Community Partners
Date:Throughout Year
Audience:Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: Camping Curriculum
Inputs :Staff, Volunteers, Camping Facilities, State Staff
Date: Summer 2016-2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Inclusion of all 7 Core Areas
Inputs: Staff and Teachers
Date: September 2016 - May 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: Teambuilding with Teens, Community Service
Inputs: Staff
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Leadership Magoffin County
Content or Curriculum: KELD, CES Publications
Inputs: UKCES Agents, UK CES Specialists, UK CED Staff
Date: December-October
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Extension Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: KELD, CES Publications
Inputs: UKCES Agents, UK CES Specialists, UK CED Staff
Date: December-October
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Extension Homemaker Leader Lessons
Content or Curriculum: KELD, CES Publications
Inputs: UKCES Agents, UK FCS Specialists, UK CED Specialists
Date: Ongoing
Author: Cathy Sparks
Major Program: Health
The Youth Service Center Director for the Herald Whitaker Middle School contacted our office concerning some issues that the school had been having with Self Esteem and Behavior among their students. There had been concerns of students teasing other students and even some issues with aggressive behavior of students toward one another, since their return to in-person learning. Concerns were also expressed about the effects that the isolation of Covid-19 has had upon students and their behav
Author: Cathy Sparks
Major Program: Camping
4-H Camp The Covid-19 pandemic took things from everyone around the country. For KY youth it took away proms, state sports tournaments, vacations, and for extension programs it took away 4-H Camp. On a more serious level, the pandemic brought to the forefront the importance of physical, emotional, and mental health of youth in our communities. According to the CDC, ways to help our youth cope during this unprecedented time, is to recognize behavior changes, reinforce
