Extension
It Starts With Us
Strengthening and Empowering Community Leaders, Volunteers, and Youth
Volunteerism and Leadership Development
Reiss Baxter, Meagan Klee, FCS Agent
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Volunteer Development
Leadership
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H. The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future. Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success.
Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field. The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others. Employers look for leadership skills in future employees. Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority. By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017).
Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). 4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders in Casey County is critical for the sustainability of the community’s infrastructures which support long term commitment to strengthen families. Through local efforts for leadership development through the Cooperative Extension Service, youth, teens, and adults will continue to gain beneficial information to be applied to leadership positions.
- Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in the community and community organizations.
- Teens and adults become mentors for younger participants.
- Youth become CITs, Teen and Adults Leaders at 4-H Camp.
- Participants will identify and address critical issues impacting the community.
- Participants will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
- Participants will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
- Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills in their daily lives.
- Senior 4-H members will become leaders/co-leaders of 4-H Clubs, projects, and/or day camps.
- Youth will attend 4-H Camp year after year developing leadership and team building skills.
- Participants will engage in community-based service projects to address community needs.
- Participants will utilize leadership skills during 4-H club meetings, activities and other Extension programs.
- Participants learn communication, leadership and procedural skills allowing them to run a meeting.
- Participants will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator.
- Participants will learn about differing leadership styles identifying positive and negative leadership characteristics.
- Participants will acquire decision-making skills.
- Participants will gain appreciation for civic engagement.
- Participants will listen and respect people with differing ideas and perspectives.
- Long-Term Evaluation
- Number of participants taking on leadership roles in Extension programs (i.e. group leaders, officers, etc.).
- Number of participants taking on leadership roles in community organizations.
- Number of members involved in Extension Advisory Councils.
- Number of youth who participated in Civic Education and Engagement educational programs.
Intermediate Evaluation
- Number of youth who served as direct mentors to one or more younger youth.
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?”
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
- Number of youth and adults who engaged in volunteer service in their communities through the 4-H program.
- Number of 4-H youth and adults who have volunteered in a non-4-H community non-profits two or more times during the year.
- Number of 4-H members or participants who sit on local, regional, or state boards for civic organizations.
- Number of youth who designed and completed an educational program based on civic need (community service project)?
Initial Evaluation
- Number of youth who received education related to diversity and inclusivity.
- Number of youth and adults who participated in volunteer training/orientation (i.e. club officer orientation, volunteer education/certification, etc).
- Number of hours of youth or adult volunteer related education provided in the county (i.e. orientations, trainings, education workshop, club management seminars, etc).
- Number of youth and adults who have participated in a community-based service project.
- Number of hours of service contributed.
Audience: Casey County 4-H Council, Homemakers Council, FCS Council, ANR Advisory Board, County Extension Council, general public, and Chamber of Commerce Leadership Programs
Project/Activity: Leadership Development Training
Content/Curriculum: KELD, Councils 101
Input: Volunteers, Council/Board Members, Community Partners
Date: September – May
Audience: Casey County Extension Council, Homemakers Council, FCS Council, ANR Advisory Board, 4-H Council
Project/Activity: Casey County Extension Expo
Content/Curriculum: KELD
Input: Extension Council members and volunteers plan and implement community event.
Date: October
Audience: Casey County 4-Hers (6th – 12th grade)
Project/Activity: 4-H Teen Council
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Inputs: Monthly meetings, coordinated service projects, fundraisers.
Date: July – June
Audience: 4-H Club Officers
Project/Activity: 4-H Officer Training
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Club Officer Training Manual, Parliamentary Procedure
Inputs: Training, monthly meetings
Date: August – May
Audience: 6th – 12th Graders
Project/Activity: In School 4-H Club/Enrichment
Content/Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential, Step Up to Leadership, Backpack 4-H Curriculum
Input: Students will participate in leadership development through hands-on activities.
Audience: Casey County 4-H Teen Council
Project/Activity: Angel Tree Service Project
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Civic Engagement Curriculum
Input: Donation collection, Christmas shopping for youth and families
Date: November – December
Audience: Casey County High School Youth
Project/Activity: Issues Conference
Content/Curriculum: Leadership and Community Needs Identification and Problem Solving
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Local Volunteers
Date: November
Audience: Casey County Middle School Youth
Project/Activity: Kentucky 4-H Summit
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Local Volunteers
Date: March
Audience: 4-H Camp CITs, Teens, and Adults
Project/Activity: 4-H Camp Leader Training, 4-H Camp-a-Palooza
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Camp Leadership Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Local Volunteers
Date: April - May
Audience: Casey County 4-Hers (8th – 12th grade)
Project/Activity: Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Local Volunteers
Date: June
