Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership and Volunteer Engagement
Empowering Community Leaders
Hance, Proctor, Utz
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Community Leadership Development
Leadership
Volunteers are important in building engaged and empowered communities. 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. Effective leaders are crucial to the health and vitality of every community and the success of every program. Volunteers contribute hours to community service and to the Extension service in planning, developing and implenting programs. The strengthening of leadership through Council and community participation will allow our community to grow and prosper. Experience, and the acquisition of leadership skills, will equip youth and adults to assume more leadership roles with Extension, school, civic and government organizations, and community activities to foster an improvement of the quality of life. Leadership development can build the capacities of individuals, groups, and organizations to identify and resolve community issues. Through the efforts of the agents and volunteers, local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.
KEHA - The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association mission is to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education, leadership development and volunteer service. With membership totaling more than 13,000 statewide, KEHA members are engaged leaders and active volunteers.
- Kentucky communities’ health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership
- Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
- Community capacity will be strengthened through strong local organization leadership
KEHA - KEHA members serve as active Extension and community volunteers engaged in addressing community needs.
- Practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools, associations, 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
KEHA - KEHA leaders will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area and/or state level.
The number of KEHA volunteer service hours reported annually for KEHA, Extension and Community activities will increase.
- Volunteers will increase their knowledge and skills in personal leadership.
- Volunteers will increase their knowledge and skills in community leadership
- KEHA Advisory Council, County Extension Council members, and volunteers increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
KEHA - KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training.
KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.
Outcome: Volunteer leaders will practice personal leadership skills in council meetings, community outreach, and clubs
Indicator: Number of individuals who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach; Number of adults and youth utilizing improved skills in communication, problem solving or group process in addressing community issues and needs
Method: Observation of members
Timeline: July 2020-2025
Outcome: KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal and organizational leadership through club lessons, special interest workshops, and annual officer training.
Indicator: Number of Extension programs/activities conducted by Extension Homemaker members; Number of hours KEHA members volunteered for Extension activities/events and community service activities/events. Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership knowledge and/or number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership skills gained through county and/or area officer training.
Method: end of program evaluations, surveys, observation of members
Timeline: July 2020-2025, on-going
Outcome: KEHA leaders will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area and/or state level.
Indicator: Number of KEHA members who utilized knowledge gained through officer training to fulfill a KEHA leadership role at the club, county, area and/or state level.
Method: Observation, review of officer directories
Timeline: on-going
Initial Outcome: Volunteers increase their knowledge and skills in personal and organizational leadership
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations regarding: personal and interpersonal leadership, organizational leadership, community leadership, public policy/governmental process.
Method: Observation of members
Timeline: July 2020- June 2025
Intermediate Outcome:Volunteer leaders will practice personal leadership skills in council meetings, community outreach, and clubs.
Indicator: Number of individuals who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach; Number of adults and youth utilizing improved skills in communication, problem solving or group process in addressing community issues and needs; Number of Extension programs/activities conducted by Extension Homemaker members; Number of hours KEHA members volunteered for Extension activities/events and community service activities/events.
Method: Observation of members
Timeline: July 2020- June 2025
Long-term Outcome: Kentucky communities’ health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership
Indicator: Number of people who are involved in addressing significant community issues.
Method: Observation of demonstrated leadership for community project management (committee, councils,etc.)
Timeline: July 2020 - June 2025
Audience: Trimble County Residents and Community
Project or Activity: Trimble County Cooperative Extension Open House
Content or Curriculum: UK resources, publications
Inputs: Hance, Utz, Proctor
Date: October 2024
Audience: Trimble County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA Officer and training / County KEHA Kickoff, KEHA State Meeting
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Training Toolkit, KEHA Manual, KEHA Website, workshops
Inputs: Proctor, State Advisors
Date: Annually each fall 2024 and spring 2025
Audience: Trimble County Homemaker Council, Members
Project or Activity: Leader trainings and lessons
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development Program, KEHA Leader lessons
Inputs: Proctor, KEHA
Date: October 2024, November 2024, February 2025, March 2025, April 2025
Audience: Extension Volunteers
Project or Activity: Volunteer Leader Appreciation
Content or Curriculum: Leader Appreciation Event
Inputs: Hance, Utz, Proctor, Extension Council volunteers
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Recruitment of Extension Council volunteers
Project or Activity: Council Membership recruitment
Content or Curriculum: Volunteer Leader Handbook, KELD
Inputs: Agents, Council committee members, Community Leaders
Date: September 2024, on-going
Audience: Extension Council Volunteers
Project or Activity: Leader Orientation and Training
Content or Curriculum: SEAL, KELD
Inputs: Agents
Date: November 2024, April 2025
Audience: Trimble County Extension District Board
Project or Activity: Leader Orientation and Training
Content or Curriculum: District Board PowerPoint, Leader Handbook SEAL, KELD
Inputs: Agents, Specialists
Date: January - February 2025
Audience: Trimble County 4-H Camp Leaders
Project or Activity: Multi County Training
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp Volunteer Training packet, American Red Cross CPR & First Aid
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers
Date: June 2024
Audience: 4-H School Club Officers
Project or Activity: 4-H Officer Training
Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential
Inputs: Agents, Specialists and Local School Teachers
Date: September 2023
Audience: 4-H School Club Officers
Project or Activity:
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Utz, County members, Specialists
Date: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Author: Jane Proctor
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) is a dedicated volunteer organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for families and communities through leadership development, volunteer service, and education. Local and state Cooperative Extension professionals partner with KEHA to provide research-based education and guidance as members design and implement impactful educational programs and projects. Strong community leadership is vital for sustainability and development, he
