Empowering Community Leaders
Leadership and Community Development
Hull, Rex, Stewart
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Community Strategic Planning
Agritourism Planning
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. In Gallatin County there are groups of volunteer leaders within each discipline who share their expertise, and volunteer time with youth and families in their community. Through the efforts of the agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.
• Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
• Gallatin County health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership
• Increase the number of those who practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
• Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
• Participants apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems
• Increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership.
• Participants increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
• Increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Initial Outcome: Participants increase knowledge and skills in personal and community leadership
Indicator: Attendance at programs for community leaders
Method: evaluations
Timeline: 1-3 months
Intermediate Outcome: Participants apply improved leadership skills and implement solutions to community programs
Indicator: Increase of participants and community leaders
Method: evaluations, observations
Timeline: 6-12 months
Long-term Outcome: Gallatin County health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership
Indicator: Participants see themselves as less the single leader with all the answers and more as one who involves others, seeks knowledge from others, and shares leadership responsibility with others.
Method: Evaluations, testimonials, observations
Timeline: Year round
Audience: Agriculture Development Council
Project or Activity: Administration of Phase I Tobacco Settlement Program
Content or Curriculum: GOAP State guidelines
Inputs: Agent time, GOAP resources
Date: Year round
Audience: Hartig Park Board
Project or Activity: Oversight and guidance to Hartig Park and Nature Reserve
Content or Curriculum: Consensus building, brainstorming, goal setting, prioritizing materials from the Management First program
Inputs: Agent time, duplicated materials
Date: Year round
Audience: Gallatin County Cemetery Board
Project or Activity: Oversight and guidance to Old Warsaw Pioneer Cemetery restoration project
Content or Curriculum: Consensus building, brainstorming, goal setting, prioritizing materials from the Management First program
Inputs: Agent time, duplicated materials
Date: Year round
Audience: 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK CES publications
Inputs: volunteers, Extension Staff, facilities
Date: throughout the year
Audience: 4-H Council
Project or Activity: Guidance to the 4-H programming in Gallatin County
Content or Curriculum: UK CES publications
Inputs: volunteers, Extension Staff, facilities
Date: throughout the year
Audience: Gallatin County Homemaker Council
Project or Activity: Guidance to the Extension Homemaker programming in Gallatin County
Content or Curriculum: UK CES publications
Inputs: volunteers, Extension Staff, facilities
Date: Quarterly throughout the year 2024-25
Audience: FCS Collaborators/Community Partners
Project or Activity: FCS Advisory Group
Content or Curriculum: FCS Initiatives, Building Strong Families publication and other FCS publications
Inputs: FCS Extension Agent, Communities partners/Collaborators, volunteers
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Gallatin County Extension Council
Project or Activity: Guidance to the Extension programming in Gallatin County
Content or Curriculum: UK CES publications
Inputs: volunteers, Extension Staff, facilities
Date: throughout the year
Audience: District Board
Project or Activity: Guidance to the CES programming in Gallatin County and financials.
Content or Curriculum: UK CES publications
Inputs: volunteers, Extension Staff, facilities
Date: throughout the year
Audience: Ag Council
Project or Activity: Guidance to the AG programming in Gallatin County.
Content or Curriculum: UK CES publications
Inputs: volunteers, Extension Staff, facilities
Date: throughout the year
Audience: Volunteers
Project or Activity: Volunteer Appreciation Event
Content or Curriculum: Dinner to show appreciation to the many volunteers of Gallatin Co CES.
Inputs: volunteers, Extension Staff, facilities
Date: April 2024/2025
Audience: Chamber of Commerce
Project or Activity: Engage with other Gallatin County Business Owners
Content: Working with community leaders and organizations, UK curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, facilities
Date: Ongoing
Author: Ronda Rex
Major Program: Community Leadership Development
One of the roles of the Gallatin County Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent (FCS) is performing the role of the Advisor to the Gallatin County Homemakers. As the Advisor, the FCS Agent works in tandem with the Homemakers on various community classes, programs and community events focusing on leadership development and engagement. The Gallatin County Extension Homemakers, along with their Advisor, Ronda Rex, create, conduct and facilitate such programs and events as: