Empowering Community & LeadersPlan of Work

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Webster County CES

Title:
Empowering Community & Leaders
MAP:
Community Vitality
Agents Involved:
Raymer, Shadrick
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Leadership
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Volunteer Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
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


The Kentucky Extension Community Assessment surveyed Webster County citizens and 38% identified a priority for more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, 32% identified a need for more youth community leadership opportunities and 21% identified a need for more active community volunteers


Through the efforts of the Webster County Extension agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.


With limited industry and businesses many youth and adults travel outside the county for jobs and work force training. Through the efforts of the Webster County Extension agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers, local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions that will support the strengthening of families and the county. 


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 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). Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy).     

Long-Term Outcomes:

Our communities health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership.

Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.

Increase in number of KEHA and MCV members in the county.

Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.

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

Extension Council, Extension District Board, Extension Homemakers Council, FCS Council, 4-H Council, Cattleman's, Farm Bureau and Farmers Market will provide leadership for Extension Programming. 


Intermediate Outcomes:

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

Participants increase knowledge and skills in community leadership

Extension volunteers, Farm Bureau Leaders, Cattleman's Association and youth will practice and sharpen personal leadership and communication skills in clubs, schools and community outreach while assessing needs, developing programs and implementing solutions for community problems. 


Support will be provided to local adult and teen Extension volunteers and encourage leaders to serve in roles within and outside of Extension. 


Support will be provided to the local Blue Ribbon Day and encourage volunteers to participate in other local leadership organizations.

Initial Outcomes:

Extension participants will gain an increased awareness and desire to participate in programs to improve their communication, organizational and leadership skills and serve as officers and club/workshop leaders.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants will gain an increased knowledge base, self-confidence, willingness and desire to serve their community 

Indicator: Increased number of volunteers participating and assisting in programs 

Method: Monthly statistical reports 

Timeline: Program year 2021-2021 


Intermediate Outcome: Growth in volunteer led programs and clubs 

Indicator: Increased number of volunteers serving on councils and committees 

Method: Monthly statistical reports 


Long Term Outcome – Community is strengthened through strong local organizational leadership; community problems are solved through engaged local leadership.

Indicator – Increase in the following: •Number of volunteers whose personal and interpersonal leadership knowledge and skills improved •Number of volunteers who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach •Number of volunteers addressing community problems by assessing needs, developing programs and/or implementing solutions •Number of hours volunteers spent training others on behalf of Extension. •Number of youth reached by volunteer-led Extension programs/activities •Number of adults reached by volunteer-led Extension programs/activities

Method- new members take leadership roles within the organizations, leaders take roles in community groups, increase in number of volunteers, Monthly statistical, observations, and testimonials 

Timeline: Annually-ongoing




Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference 

Content or Curriculum: Annual Leadership Conference for High School Youth 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship 

Date: Spring 2021


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit 

Content or Curriculum: Annual Leadership Conference for Middle School Youth 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) staff and facility, public schools, community action, family resource and youth service centers, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources, local organizations and business sponsorship 

Date: Spring 2021




Audience: Extension Volunteers and Officers, KEHA, 4-H Council members, CEC members 

Project or Activity: Officer training and leader updates 

Content or Curriculum: KELD, Step Up to Leadership, Unlock Your Leadership Potential 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers 

Kentucky CES publications and resources 

Date: 2020-2021 program year 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy 

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership 

Date: 2020-2021 program year 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Club 

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership 

Date: 2020-2021 program year 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Board 

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership 

Date: 2020-2021 program year 


Audience: WCMS 4-H Leadership Club 

Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs 

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership 

Date: 2020-2021 program year 


Audience: 4-H Project Club Officers 

Project or Activity: 4-H Project Clubs 

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement 

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership 

Date: 2020-2021 program year 



Audience: Webster County Extension Homemakers (KEHA), MCV

Project or Activity: KEHA leadership training, MCV

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD) Section 1, Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV) orientation

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers, Kentucky CES publications and resources

Date: Fall


Audience: Webster Quilt Trail Committee

Project or Activity: Promote tourism, present at local events

Content or Curriculum: KELD, extension publications, quilt brochure

Inputs: Extension agents, Quilt committee, National quilt trail information

Date: All year

Audience: Youth


Project or Activity: 4-H Camp Counselors

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved core curriculum for leadership and civic engagement

Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, community and business leadership

Date: Annually



Success Stories

Teen Leads 4-H Virtual Experience

Author: Wade Raymer

Major Program: Leadership

When the COVID-19 global pandemic forced Kentuckians into quarantine youth and families began spending more time at home, minimizing opportunities for youth to engage in typical extracurricular activities. Due to this situation the Kentucky 4-H Program began the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences on social media platforms. The goal of the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences was to maintain ways for youth and families to engage with 4-H projects, events and activities while learning new life skills th

Full Story
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