Leadership DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Mercer County CES

Title:
Leadership Development
MAP:
Empowering Community, Leaders, and Volunteers
Agents Involved:
Dana Anderson, Tara Duty, Jessica Bessin, Linda McClanahan
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Community Leadership Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Community Engagement
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Leadership
Situation:

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). Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities to youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create positive futures. Leadership opportunities for youth and adults create a setting reducing the access 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 the candidate for hire. Developing leadership in youth and adults who are involved in both the entire Extension program and 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)

By supporting and engaging young leaders, adults, organizations, and communities experience direct benefits, through stronger connections to other young people in the community (Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001). They have a greater understanding of the problems facing other youth, and fresh perspectives on how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin, McDaniel, Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991).  

The development of life skills [such 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).

Providing leadership opportunities and helping clientele develop leadership skills provides Extension the chance to strengthen our community, develop our community, and build our Extension programs.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth and adults will:

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

• demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism in their daily life

• identify and address critical issues that impact the community

• be productive, contributing adults in the future

• use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis

Extension clientele/leaders will:

• Community issues are solved through active engaged local leaders.

 

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth and adults will:

• demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills in their day to day lives

• utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations

• indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives

• engage in community-based service projects selected to address identified needs

• Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp, or other project-based groups of younger 4-H members


Extension clientele/leaders will

• Serve in volunteer and leadership roles to address community issues

• Identify emerging issues

• Serve in leadership roles to enhance the Cooperative Extension Service program areas

• Implement knowledge gained about leadership positions and leading various groups

• Improved skills in communications, problem-solving or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs


Initial Outcomes:

Youth and adults will:

• learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills allowing them to lead a meeting

• increase knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator

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

• learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity

• acquire decision-making skills gaining an appreciation for civic engagement

• learn how to set (SMART) specific, measurable, attainable, and timed goals

• listen to people who have different ideas from them

Extension clientele/leaders will

• Understand group decision making, team building, and conflict resolution

• Identify, prioritize, and address community issues

• Collaborate with local agencies to address community issues

• Learn about various leadership positions in Extension advisory groups, boards, and committees

• Develop desires and interests in attaining leadership positions on Extension advisory groups, boards, and committees or positions in community programs

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: High School 4-H leadership participants ability to effectively lead a school 4-H club meeting with proper communication and leadership skills

Indicator: Change in participants ability to lead

Method: Testimonials of supervising teacher and participants

Timeline: September-May


Intermediate Outcome: Youth have increased awareness of community needs

Indicator: Number of youth involved in Community/Civic service projects

Method: written evaluation and testimonials of participants and community leaders

Timeline: on-going


Long-term Outcome: Progression from being a member to becoming a leader in 4-H activities and community activities

Indicator: Number of individuals taking a leadership role within 4-H and other organizations

Method: Personal contact of current leader to identify social and practice changes

Timeline: On-going

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth and Adults

Project or Activity: 4-H camp leader training

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp leader guide and Youth Protection guidelines

Inputs:Extension staff, volunteers, Cooperative Extension Service Offices.

Date: April - May


Audience: Youth and club leaders

Project or Activity: 4-H school and specialty club officers

Content or Curriculum: 4-H club officer guide

Inputs:Extension staff, volunteers, Cooperative Extension Service Offices.

Date: All-year


Audience: Middle school youth

Project or Activity: Mercer County 4-H Citizenship Academy

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Citizenship Curriculum

Inputs:Extension Staff, Mercer County and Burgin Independent Schools, community, state and federal leaders

Date: August - September - May


Audience: Youth and Adults

Project or Activity: American Private Enterprise System Program Advisory

Content or Curriculum: APES

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension Facility, local businesses

Date: January - March


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Kentucky Youth Seminar

Content or Curriculum: American Private Enterprise System

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension Facility, UK

Date: June


Audience: Adults/Teens

Project or Activity: 4-H Council

Content or Curriculum: identify issues and conduct relating to 4-H and youth programming

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension Facility, 4-H Council

Date: On-going


Audience: Extension District Board

Project or Activity: Cooperative Extension Service

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Guidelines, and the State of Kentucky

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension Facilities, Volunteers

Date: on-going


Audience: Adults/Teens

Project or Activity: Extension Council

Content or Curriculum: Identify issues relating to Mercer County and Extension Programs and assist in the implementation

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension Facility, volunteers

Date: On-going


Audience: County fair advisory groups

Project or Activity: Livestock shows

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky State Fair guidelines.

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension Facility, Mercer County Fairgrounds

Date: January - July


Audience: Master Clothing Volunteers

Project or Activity: Master Clothing

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Master Clothing Curriculum

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facility, volunteers

Date: on-going


Audience: Adult and teens

Project or Activity: Mercer County Youth Investment Sale committee

Content or Curriculum: Established guidelines for Mercer County

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension Facilities, collaborating agencies, volunteers

Date: On-going


Audience: Youth Protection Committee

Project or Activity: Youth Protection

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Youth Protection Guidelines

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facilities, volunteers

Date: on-going


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facilities, volunteers

Date: on-going


Audience: High School Agriculture and Natural Resources and Related Sciences students

Project or Activity: Jr. MANRRS chapter

Content or Curriculum: Jr. MANRRS resources

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facilities, volunteers

Date: on-going


Activity: Media (news articles, newsletters, videos, podcasts, social media - Facebook

Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, 4-H Agent News Releases, publications, HEEL materials, etc.

Inputs: Extension Staff, Extension Specialist University of Kentucky Ag Communications

Date: Year-long (on-going)


Audience: Master Gardener Volunteers

Project or Activity: Volunteer activities

Content: Master Gardener Manual

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facilities, volunteers

Date: on-going


Audience: Farmers Market Advisory Council

Project or Activity: Farmers Market

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Department of Public Health

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facility, Mercer County Farmers Market Location, local producers

Date: On-going


Audience: Fort Harrod Beekeeping 

Project or Activity: Beekeeping information

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension, KY State, KY State Beekeeping association 

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facility, Volunteers

Date: On-going


Audience: Mercer County Tree Board

Project or Activity: provide oversight and advice on trees in Harrodsburg and throughout Mercer County, educational programs about trees

Content or Curriculum: Tree Board University, Kentucky Division of Forestry

Inputs: Extension Staff, KDF Staff, community volunteers

Date: On-going


Audience: Agriculture Advisory Council

Project or Activity: Identify agriculture and natural resource issues and program needs for Mercer County

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service guidelines, State Ag Advisory Council information

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facility, volunteers

Date: On-going


Audience: Agriculture Development Council

Project or Activity: Identify and prioritize agriculture and related needs for funding in Mercer County and regional or state projects

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Office of Ag Policy guidelines

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facility, volunteers, KOAP

Date: On-going


Audience: Farm City Celebration Committee

Project or Activity: Farm City Celebration

Content or Curriculum: National Farm-City Council, American Farm Bureau Federation, content targeted to needed educational effort identified by the committee

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facility, Mercer County Exhibit Hall, collaborating agencies

Date: January - March


Audience: Mercer County Field Day Committee

Project or Activity: Mercer County Agriculture Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Cooperative Extension Service guidelines, content targeted to educational effort identified by the committee

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facilities, host farm, collaborating agencies, sponsors

Date: March - October


Audience: Leader in Me School 4-H Club Lessons - Third Grade Students at Mercer County School and Burgin Independent School

Project or Activity: Leadership

Content or Curriculum: The Leader in Me Curriculum

Inputs: Extension Staff,  4-H Teen Leaders, school staff

Date: August - April


Audience: Women and Minorities

Project or Activity: Support for Small Business workshops

Content or Curriculum: Chamber resources, Kentucky Small Business Development Center, CEDIK, KFBPW resources

Inputs: Extension Staff, Cooperative Extension facilities, Chamber of Commerce, KFBPW

Date: TBD



Success Stories

Homemaker Growth

Author: Tara Duty

Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

Mercer County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences implemented new recruitment strategies for Homemakers and experienced growth after several years of decreasing membership. Homemakers hosted a recruitment ice cream social, set up a recruitment booth at Pioneer Days at Old Fort Harrod, and also set up a recruitment booth at the Extension offices Summer Open House. These recruitment efforts resulted in 20 new members joining the Mercer County Extension Homemakers. 

Full Story

Heritage Craft Camp

Author: Tara Duty

Major Program: Arts and Community Health

Heritage Craft Camp, formerly The Fort Harrod Area Craft Camp, has been around for almost 50 years. Starting at the North Central 4-H camp then making its way eventually to the Leadership Development Center in Jabez, KY, Heritage Craft Camp has finally landed in Boyle County in 2021. It has gone through several changes since it’s beginning but the purpose has always been the same. The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) used this program as a recruitment tool to enco

Full Story

Middle school teens

Author: Dana Anderson

Major Program: Leadership

Middle school teens

According to research, middle school is a time when young people find their place in this world; they explore where their strengths and interests align (Fagell. P.L., 2019). Retaining 4-H members through their tween years is often a struggle due to the overwhelming demand of school, extra-curricular and church activities. To change this, students in 6-8 grade were invited to join County Junior 4-H Teen Council. This year 4-H Junior Teen Council has an average of 11 youth attending monthly meetin

Full Story
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