Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership & Volunteerism 2024
Community Vitality
Julie Brown, Joanna Coles, Janet Turley & Kristin Hildabrand
Family and Consumer Science
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis for the Cooperative Extension Service. The Cooperative extension service provides opportunities to youth, adults and families to help improve their leadership ability and create more positive futures. Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth 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 persons they hire. Developing leadership in youth and adults who are involved in extension programs is a priority. By assisting the development of leadership skills in our youth and adults we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow.
•Communities are equipped with competent, effective leaders.
•Community members engage others to initiate projects.
•Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members.
•Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
•Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
•Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
•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
•Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles.
•Graduates in formal leadership roles increase their involvement/action.
•Graduates of community leadership programs initiate civic engagement.
•Practice personal leadership and teamwork skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
•Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
•Apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.
•Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
•Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp or other project based group of younger 4-H members.
•Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.
•Increase knowledge of effective leadership skills, personal development and community leadership.
•Citizens: Informed about community systems, better connected to communication networks, more confident and skilled in identifying and implementing strategies for systemic change.
•KEHA and FCS Advisory Council members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
•Youth and adults will learn the communication, 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, team player and communicator.
•Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
•Youth will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
•Youth and adults will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.
Initial Outcome: Participants learn leadership skills
Indicator: Number of individuals who participate in leadership programs and percentage of increased knowledge
Method: Post activity evaluation and numbers of participants in potential leadership activities
Timeline: July 2023 – June 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals actively engages in leadership & volunteer roles
Indicator: Number of volunteers engaged in leadership roles & number of volunteer hours
Method: Observation, word of mouth, personal testimony
Timeline: July 2023 – June 2024
Long-Term Outcome: Empower effective volunteers and leaders to benefit Warren County and surrounding communities
Indicators: Number of effective leaders in significant leadership roles
Method: Observation, word of mouth, personal testimony
Timeline: On Going
Audience: Warren County Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Kick-Off Night
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Club promotion materials
Inputs: Agent’s time, volunteer time, promotion, facilities, display boards
Date: July-August 2023
Audience: 4-H Club & Project Leaders
Project or Activity: 4-H Club Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: Warren County 4-H Club Leader Notebook
Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Assistant’s Time, volunteer time, promotion, facilities,
resource kits, lesson plans, notebooks, promotion items
Date: July-August 2023
Audience: Warren County 4-H Club Officers
Project or Activity: 4-H Officer Training
Content or Curriculum: Officer Manual
Inputs: Agent’s Time, officer trainers, club officer packets, officer pins, installation
ceremony
Date: November 2023
Audience: Warren County Volunteers
Project or Activity: Reality Store/Dollars & Sense/Career Shadowing/APES/
Communications Nights/Camp
Content or Curriculum: Reality Store & Dollars & Sense Curriculum, APES
materials, judges and room hosts packets
Inputs: Agent’s Time, volunteer time, orientation, information letter, display signs,
facilities
Date: July 1, 2023– June 30, 2024
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Capitol Experience
Content or Curriculum: Citizenship Curriculum
Inputs: Agent’s Time, transportation, legislator appointments, program
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Warren County 4-H Teens & Tweens
Project or Activity: KY 4-H Teen Conference & Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Development
Inputs: Agent’s Time, promotion, secure workshops/tracks, transportation,
supervision
Date: March – June 2024
Audience: Warren County Homemaker Council
Project or Activity: Homemaker Council
Content or Curriculum: State Homemaker Manual
Inputs: Agent’s Time, volunteers, facilities
Date: Fall & Winter 2023 and Spring & Summer 2024
Audience: adults
Project or Activity: Homemaker Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Manual
Inputs: Agent’s Time, Staff Assistant’s Time, materials
Date: July 2023 – June 2024
Audience: Boards & Councils
Project or Activity: Leadership Training
Content or Curriculum: District Board Notebook, CEC Notebook, Homemaker
Notebook, Cattlemen Notebook, 4-H Council Notebook,
Horse Advisory Team Notebook, John Swack 4-H
Advisory Board Notebook
Inputs: Staff Assistant’s Time, materials
Date: September 2023 – August 2024
Audience: Leaders
Project or Activity: Myers Briggs Personality Assessment
Content or Curriculum: Understanding Personality Preferences in Workplace
Inputs: Agent’s Time, Curriculum
Date: Fall 2023
Author: Julie Brown
Major Program: Leadership
Successful leaders must acquire communication and leadership skills to be effective. The 4-H program is a great organization for youth to learn and practice these skills to develop into future leaders. With hard work and effort, youth and teens can hone their skills to achieve their goals. Avery Cole is a shining example of how 4-H can shape leaders to be impactful communicators and effective leaders. After 8 years of 4-H involvement, Avery achieved two of the highest honors in 4-H-- Emeral
Author: Janet Turley
Major Program: Leadership
Twelve hundred and thirty-six volunteers, extension agents and specialists from across Kentucky attended the largest volunteer forum in the nation, the Kentucky Volunteer Forum, in February 2024. This forum, located in the heart of Lexington, KY at the Central Bank Convention Center, featured educational workshops, recognition events and networking opportunities. Volunteers received valuable information, ideas, and resources to strengthen their local 4-H and extension programs. Participants atte
Author: Julie Brown
Major Program: Leadership
Middle school is a crucial period for youth development, marked by significant physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes. Fostering leadership skills in middle school students is essential for preparing them for future challenges and responsibilities. Engaging them through interactive andenjoyable activities not only makes learning fun but also instills vital qualities such as communication, teamwo
