Leadership & Volunteer DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Montgomery County CES

Title:
Leadership & Volunteer Development
MAP:
Leadership and Volunteer Development
Agents Involved:
Comer & Hamilton
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Community Leadership Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Community Engagement
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Leadership
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Volunteer Development
Situation:

Leadership development builds the capacities of individuals, groups, and organizations to resolve community issues. Volunteer development can enhance the potential for community service. The two disciplines share a common focus: human capacity-building for public well-being (CREES, 2004). The Cooperative Extension Service is an important community partner in developing these capacities. The community of Montgomery County continues to evolve as one engaged in the development of educational, economic, recreational, cultural, historical, leisure, and environmental opportunities. The Cooperative Extension Service takes the lead in providing meaningful leadership opportunities that lead to an enhanced quality of living; addresses community issues; maximizes resources through partnerships and collaborations; and provides guidance to continue the progressive development of an engaged community.

Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky.  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.

4-H provides youth opportunities to engage in developmentally-appropriate experiences to advance their leadership skills: 

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). 

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).  





Long-Term Outcomes:


Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders 

Community members engage others to initiate projects 

Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members 

Communities become more prosperous 


Intermediate Outcomes:

Extension leaders put skills into practice by becoming more engaged and taking on leadership roles to prepare the community for the future

Extension leaders are inclusive of all individuals 

Extension leaders engage in civic involvement to solve local issues

Youth improve skills in communication or problem-solving in addressing community issues/ needs

Youth become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles to increase their leadership involvement and opportunities

Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community 

Youth will volunteer and participate in community service 

Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement 


Initial Outcomes:

Community members participate in leadership development programs such as Leadership Montgomery County.

Community members are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident, knowledgeable, and  skilled in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global) 

Community members take on new leadership roles in Agricultural related organizations.

Youth learn skills in communication, leadership and meeting procedure that allow them to run an effective club meeting.

Youth increase knowledge of effective leadership skills

Youth develop/enhance leadership skills 


Evaluation:

Outcome to be evaluated:  Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels)

Indicator of Success for Outcome

Method of Evaluation

Timeline: FY'2021-24


Initial Outcome: Community members take on new leadership roles in Agricultural related organizations.

Indicator: Number of Community members take on new leadership roles in Agricultural related organizations.

Method: Observation and evaluation

Timeline: FY'2021-24


Intermediate Outcome: Extension leaders serve in volunteer and leadership roles to address emerging community issues.

Indicator: Number of Extension and Community leaders serving in volunteer and leadership roles

Method: Observation and evaluation

Timeline: FY'2021-24


Long-term Outcome: Our community provides meaningful leadership and service opportunities building the human capacity for the good of all the community.

Indicator: Number of leader driven activities that help to benefit the lives of county citizens.

Method: Observation and evaluation

Timeline: FY'2021-24

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Club meetings

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Step Up to Leadership

Inputs: Volunteer time/support; Extension staff/support staff time; research information

Date: July 2019-August 2020


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Leadership Montgomery County

Content or Curriculum: Extension leadership publications,

Inputs: Agent advisor support/time; travel; funding; support staff time;

Date: July 2021 through May 2022


Audience: Agriculture Community members

Project or Activity: Agricultural Related Organizations

Content or Curriculum: Meetings and Activities

Inputs: Agent advisor support/time; travel; funding; support staff time;

Date: July 2021 through May 2022


Learning Opportunities

4-H Leadership



Success Stories

Change of Career Path

Author: Sarah Congleton

Major Program: Staff Development

Leadership is an important component in the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent profession. A Student from the University contacted the Montgomery County Extension Office to inquire about shadowing the Agriculture Agent as her major is Agriculture Education. However, she would also like to shadow the 4-H Youth Development Agent and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent to get the full experience of Extension programming. The University of Kentucky Student shadowed the Family and Consumer Scienc

Full Story

Addressing the Needs of Others Suffering Loss

Author: Charles Comer

Major Program: Leadership

4-H has a rich history of completing service projects to benefit the community. The 4-H pledge includes the words, “I pledge my hands to larger service for my club, my community, my country and my world.” Through 4-H, young people have opportunities to design their own service learning based upon what they see is a need in their community. Once the need is identified, 4-H members decide how to address the need, whether it is conducting a food drive for the local food bank or picking

Full Story

Welcome back 4-H Summit

Author: Charles Comer

Major Program: Leadership

Welcome back Kentucky 4-H Summit.  March 2020…it was missed due to the pandemic.  It went virtual in 2021 with the pandemic continuing.  But 2022, middle school 4-H members were ready and waiting for an in-person opportunity that engaged their minds and heightened their interests in 4-H leadership opportunities. Through the 2022 4-H Summit program, middle school members had the opportunity to create friendships with peers from across a big part of the state of Kentucky

Full Story

Aspiring to be Leaders

Author: Charles Comer

Major Program: Leadership

The teen conference returned to full participation in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down typical programming in 2020 and 2021.  Many youth reported they were eager to return to face-to-face experiences especially Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference.  As a result, the leadership event attracted 489 conference participants to the University of Kentucky campus: 389 youth and 61 adults from 84 Kentucky counties. It was sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food,

Full Story
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