Extension
It Starts With Us
Improve leadership skills, strengthen volunteerism, & promote community and economic development.
Empowering Leaders and Strengthening Community
Melissa Goodman, Paula McCuiston, Mattea Mitchell
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Community Strategic Planning
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Economic, social, political and technological advances in society create a higher demand on people to demonstrate more effective leadership and volunteer skills. Leadership skills, including, communication, managing, decision-making, listening, self-motivation and understanding-self, etc., are essential. In 2015 over 62.6 million people volunteered their time. The proportion of the population who volunteered in America in 2015 was 22.9 percent. These volunteers contributed unpaid service equivalent to over 9 million full-time employees. (Independent Sector). In order for Cooperative Extension to reach Hickman County, leadership skills must be developed in youth and adults to multiply efforts. A focus of Extension will be to build volunteer base and increase leadership skills.
Hickman County has had a high turnover of small businesses in recent years and many businesses have left. We have many commuter employees. Our unemployment rate was 6.2% in February 2016 which is mirror the KY percentage rate. Our clientele feel it is important for Cooperative Extension to address and facilitate community and economic development, especially in the areas of bringing the community together, civic pride, and communication of like-minded organizations.
Extension Homemaker organization will become a sustainable volunteer organization in the county.
4-H participants will become contributing members of society.
Clientele will serve as leaders of other organizations, thus enabling them to identify and address critical issues that directly affect the citizens of the community.
Council members will utilize the leadership skills obtained in the county to provide leadership in Extension organizations in the district, region, state, and nation.
Hickman County would be a sustainable community that thrives together.
Residents will understand the importance of supporting local businesses and organizations.
Residents will work together to create a better Hickman County.
Organizations will accomplish more by collaboration and cooperation.
Arts and Local Tourism as well as the Farmers Market will become viable entities of the community.
Youth and Teens will practice leadership through volunteer opportunities & community service.
Adults will practice leadership through increased volunteerism and taking on leadership roles.
Program councils will become more involved in program planning and leadership of Extension Programming.
Quilt Square Tourism will marketed by Hickman County Residents and Businesses
Participants broaden participation in community service and community events.
Businesses and Community Members will engage and utilize strategic planning
Hickman County Clientele will internalize civic pride.
Participants will gain an understanding of leadership styles
Participants will acquire decision making skills
Participants understand importance in diversity
Participants learn importance in volunteerism
Participants aspire to increase involvement in leadership roles.
Participants gain knowledge in leadership and communication skills.
Program Council members/CEC will aspire to active participation.
Clientele will increase knowledge of community events and assets through marketing.
Organizational Leaders will increase knowledge and skills for collaboration.
Business and Community Leaders will gain positive opinion and aspirations for strategic planning.
Intermediate Outcome: Youth & teens will take on leadership roles
Indicator: Participants are participating as leaders in the community
Method: Observing, participation, follow-up surveys
Timeline: 17-18 Program Year
Intermediate Outcome: Extension Homemakers will take on leadership roles
Indicator: Participation and Roles filled
Method: Observation, participation, follow-up surveys
Timeline: 17-18 Program Year
Intermediate: Participants will increase knowledge of leadership skills
Indicator: Knowledge of leadership skills
Method: Pre/Post Assessment
Timeline: 17-18 Program Year
Intermediate Outcome: Increased Communication among Organizations in County
Indicator: Positive Correlations of questions on survey
Method: Survey and Word of Mouth
Timeline: Spring 18
Initial Outcome: Participation in Western KY Quilt Trail
Indicator: Number with Quilt Sq. on Barn/Business
Method: Survey
Timeline: Program Year 17-18
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Entrepreneurship w/DIY Club
Content or Curriculum: Be the “E”, Agent provided curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents, 21st Century FLIGHT program
Date: 2017-2018 school year
Audience: Youth, Adults Families
Project or Activity: Spring Chicken Festival
Content or Curriculum: Community Involvement, 4-H Curricula, CEDIK Resources: Tourism
Inputs: Chamber of Commerce, Volunteers/Collaborators, Agents
Date: Spring Annually
Audience: Community and Small Businesses
Project or Activity: Neighbor Helping Neighbors: Shop Local
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Chamber of Commerce, Local Businesses
Date: Program Year 17-18
Audience: Teens and Adults
Project or Activity: Work Ready Soft Skills and Workforce Prep Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Career Exploration and Workforce Readiness curricula
Inputs: Workforce Development Board, Extension Staff, County Gov't, Hickman County HS
Date: Spring 2017
Audience: High School Sophomores
Project or Activity: Chamber Youth Leadership Program
Content or Curriculum: YELP, KELD, CEDIK Resources, FCS Empowering Leaders Resources
Inputs: Chamber of Commerce, Extension, Community Education, High School, Local Businesses and Gov't
Date: Program year 17-18
Audience: General Population
Project or Activity: Hickman County Quilt Trail
Content or Curriculum: KY Arts Council
Inputs: KY Arts Council, Hickman County Arts Council, GRRO, Tourism Resources
Date: Program year 17-18
Audience: General Population and Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Hickman County Extension Homemakers
Content or Curriculum: KEHA, FCS Material
Inputs: KEHA, FCS
Date: Program Year 17-18
Audience: Youth / Community Members
Project or Activity: Community Service Day
Content or Curriculum: The Leader in Me, Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: Extension Staff, Family Resource Coordinator, Community Education Director, School Faculty, Master Gardeners, Library, CO
Date: Fall 17 / Spring 18
Author: Melissa Goodman
Major Program: Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Civic engagement helps create and cultivate vibrant communities. Studies have shown social capital is necessary for effective government and economic development. Part of social capital is engaging in the legislative process, serving on local boards/councils, and contributing in topics important to that community. Overall in the US, social capital has been on the decline. Currently, Kentucky ranks 48th in civic health. In response to the need to increase civic engagement,
