Developing leadership skills for community and civic engagementPlan of Work

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Jefferson County CES

Title:
Developing leadership skills for community and civic engagement
MAP:
Leadership development
Agents Involved:
C. Durr, C. Hall, V. Holland, S. Lewis, W. Long, B. Pratt, and K. Smith
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Family and Consumer Science
Situation:
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical for the sustainability of communities. Strong community leaders are committed to investigating issues, making responsible decisions, and taking ownership of solutions.

Leadership opportunities for youth reduce risk factors that can negatively impact their success. The development of life skills, like as leadership, allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension).

Basic leadership knowledge and skills are essential for success across age groups and 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 the persons they hire. Developing leadership in the youth and adults is a priority.
Long-Term Outcomes:
• Youth and adults will serve as leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger children.

• Youth and adults will identify and address critical issues that impact the community.

• Youth and adults will use leadership skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.

• Community members are equipped with effective leadership skills to motivate others to initiate projects.
Intermediate Outcomes:
• Youth and adults will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.

• Youth and adults will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.

• Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles.
Initial Outcomes:
• Youth and adults will learn the leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.

• Youth and adults will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader and team player.

• Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.

• Youth and adults will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics
Indicator: Youth and adults successfully identify positive and negative leadership characteristics in post-survey
Method: Pre- and post-survey/tests
Timeline: Before and after programs

Intermediate Outcome: Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles.
Indicator: Increase in youth and adults serving as leaders and mentors with
Extension and other community organizations.
Method: Observation and records
Timeline: After training and programs

Long-term Outcome: Youth and adults will serve as leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors
Indicator: Increase in youth and adults serving as leaders and mentors with
Extension and other community organizations
Method: Observation and records
Timeline: After training and programs
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program & Volunteer Activities

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener curriculum

Inputs: Guest speakers/volunteers, mentors, agent, classroom,

lab

Date: Spring 2022


Audience: Adults and Advisory Council Members

Project or Activity: Build Organizational Leadership

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)

Inputs: UK/KSU Specialists, Extension leadership

Date: July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022


Audience: Extension Homemakers Club Presidents

Project or Activity: President’s Training

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA),

Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service publications

and resources

Date: 2022


Audience: Extension Homemakers Educational Chairmen

Project or Activity: Educational Program Chairmen Training

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum

Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA),

Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service publications

and resources

Date: September 2021


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV)

Content or Curriculum: MCV Curriculum, Continuing education hours for

certification

Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,

grants

Date: Sept. 2021 – Aug. 2022


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: 4-H Advisory Council

Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,

The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training

Toolkit

Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,

grants

Date: Sept. 2021 – Aug. 2022


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Horse, Dog, and Livestock Volunteer

Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,

The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training

Toolkit, Continuing education hours for certification

Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,

grants

Date: Sept. 2021 – Aug. 2022


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Camp

Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,

The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training

Toolkit

Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,

grants

Date: Sept. 2021 – Aug. 2022



Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: School Clubs

Content or Curriculum: After School Agriculture, Essential Elements of 4-H

Youth Development Program, The Power of Experiential

Learning Mentor Training Toolkit

Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,

grants

Date: Sept. 2021-Aug. 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Teen Summit & Teen Conference

Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,

The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training

Toolkit

Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,

grants

Date: Sept. 2021 – Aug. 2022


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Communications

Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,

The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training

Toolkit

Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,

grants

Date: Sept. 2021 – Aug. 2022



Success Stories

Teen Club Service Learning

Author: Chanda Hall

Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development

Opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities allows young people to become productive members in their community.  The Jefferson County 4-H Agents, 4-H assistants and 4-H Teen club planned and implemented activities within the meetings held monthly.  Along with activities on Leadership, they also planned service-learning projects.  The Jefferson County 4-H Teen club planned a service day in December making dog treats and toys to be donated within the County to several

Full Story

Kentucky 4-H Summit 2022

Author: Kelly Smith

Major Program: Leadership

According to research, middle school is a time when young people find their place in this world, they are exploring where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Therefore, it is imperative to provide positive experiences where young people may explore the world in a safe environment. Historically, there is a decline in enrollment numbers throughout the middle school years in 4-H programming, Kentucky 4-H hosts the Kentucky 4-H Summit Leadership Conference for middle schoolers

Full Story
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