Leadership, Community and Economic DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Oldham County CES

Title:
Leadership, Community and Economic Development
MAP:
Leadership, Community and Economic Development
Agents Involved:
Kelly Woods, Traci Missun, Chris Duncan
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Situation:

County Extension Council and program councils identified Leadership, Family Living, and Self-Reliance skills as ongoing priorities for Oldham County.


Oldham County population is estimated at over 65,000. Unemployment rose from 3.0% in 2000 to 8.6% in 2009 and is currently at 6.6%. The poverty rate rose from 4.4% in 2000 to 6.4% in 2011, and the child poverty rate rose from 5.3% to 8.0% from 2000 to 2011. (UK CEDIK data)


Oldham County has one of the highest income rates in the state but it still lags behind other areas of the United States in household income indicators, personal income, unemployment and underemployment, plus revolving debt loads.


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). Furthermore, helping young people develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation (O'Brien & Kohlmeier, 2003). Young leaders also demonstrate higher career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improved high school completion rates (Bloomberg, Ganey, Alba, Quintero, & Alcantara, 2003).


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 for how to address these problems (Des Marais, Yang, & Farzanehkia, 2000; Zeldin, McDaniel,Topitzes, & Lorens, 2001; McGillicuddy, 1991).


Situations have been identified through County Extension Council, program councils and community issues activities and feedback. Extension Council reviewed and prioritized several top county issues that Extension can address through programs: Family Development and Cultivating Family Living; Financial Skills; and Beginning Farmer and Self Reliance Skills.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Maintain or increase number of citizens prepared to assume leadership roles both in Extension and in the community. Youth will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful on a daily basis.

Intermediate Outcomes:
Leaders collaborate to work effectively toward common goals. Volunteers take leadership positions to carry out Extension programs and direct clubs. Participants adopt practices or skills to improve financial success and/or be better prepared for job markets. Youth will utilize leadership skills learned in 4-H.
Initial Outcomes:
Participants develop effective leadership, business and other personal skills. Participants develop skills that support community and economic development. Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to become an effective leader.
Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Maintain or increase number of citizens prepared to assume leadership roles both in Extension and in the community.

Indicator: Number of leaders

Method: Tally of applications

Timeline: 2017-2018 program year


Intermediate Outcome: Leaders collaborate to work effectively toward common goals. Volunteers take leadership positions to carry out Extension programs and direct clubs. Participants adopt practices or skills to improve financial success and/or be better prepared for job markets.

Indicator:  Number of volunteer hours reported; self-reported skills achievement, including adopting practices and providing instruction based on knowledge and skills learned

Method: Program Volunteer Review; written and verbal evaluation response; number of participants passing skills tests (Private Pesticide Applicator/Commercial Pesticide Applicator, Master Gardener)

Timeline: 2017 - 2018 program year


Initial Outcome: Participants develop effective leadership, business and other personal skills. Participants develop skills that support community and economic development.

Indicator: Number of participants reporting this

Method: Written and verbal evaluation response

Timeline: 2017-2018 program year


Learning Opportunities:

Activity: Teen Leadership Workshop for Camp

Audience: Teen Leaders and Counselors In Training

Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership; Camp Handbook

Inputs: Teen Leaders

Date: June or July 2018


Activity: Shooting Sports Coaches Certification

Audience: New Shooting Sports Coaches

Content or Curriculum: State 4-H Shooting Sports Curriculum

Inputs: Coaches, KY 4-H Shooting Sports Committee

Date: October 2017 and February 2018


Activity: Camp Leader Orientation

Audience: Adult, Teen and CIT Camp Leaders

Content or Curriculum: State 4-H Camp Handbook; Leader in Me

Inputs: Campers Leadership, CES Staff, 4-H Council

Date: June or July 2018


Activity: 4-H Club Leader Orientation

Audience: New and Current 4-H Leaders

Content or Curriculum: Club Leader Handbook, 4-H Policies

Inputs: 4-H Council, Club Leaders

Date: September 2017 and as needed for new leaders


Activity: 4-H Reality Store Volunteer Orientation

Audience: Reality Store Volunteers

Content or Curriculum: Reality Store Curriculum

Inputs: Rotary Clubs, School PTA Boards, CES staff, Extension Volunteers, Metro United Way

Date: September 2017, March and April 2018


Audience: 4-H age youth

Project or Activity: Speech and Demonstration Program

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Public Speaking Curriculum

Inputs: CES staff, CES volunteers, ribbons, OCPS, 4-H Council

Date: January – April 2018


Audience: Oldham County Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Leadership Retreat

Content or Curriculum: KELD Leadership Curriculum

Inputs: Louisville Area Agents

Date: Spring 2018


Audience: Roederer Correctional Complex Inmates

Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training at Prison

Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials and video

Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Roederer Horticulture Instructor

Date: Winter 2018


Audience: Residents

Activity: Gardening Programs

Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials and video

Inputs: Master Gardener Volunteers, Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant

Date: Ongoing; 2017-2018


Audience: Residents

Activity: Master Gardener Classes

Content or Curriculum: UK and other Extension training materials and video

Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant, UK Extension Specialists, Local Experts

Date: September - November 2017



Success Stories

4-H Leadership Development

Author: Kelly Woods

Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

Leadership development opportunities benefit the individual as well as the community. Youth and adults involved in leadership activities cultivate confidence, enhance their communication skills, value diversity, practice effective decision making, and build social skills. Seeking to strengthen the community, the Oldham County Extension Council identified leadership development as a priority for all residents, youth and adults.Oldham County 4-H set a goal to provide club leaders with further lead

Full Story

Communication Savy

Author: Kelly Woods

Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum

Public speaking skills are ranked number one among the skill sets of professionals. Other guiding factors for developing public speaking skills include leadership development, increased self- confidence, and ability to accept feedback. (University of California, 4-H Presentation Manual, revised 2016) Oldham County 4-H involved over 329 members in the 4-H Public Speaking program with 314 presenting at the club level, 29 attending the county event, 9 attending the District Event and 5 Oldham

Full Story

Master Gardeners Break Community Service Record Again

Author: Traci Johnson

Major Program: Master Gardener

Oldham County's population is just over 65,000.  Residential areas make up about one-half of the county, and information about food and landscape production is in high demand. Extension Master Gardener volunteers help address this need through a variety of service work in Oldham County.  Their work helps foster self-reliance skills, a goal identified by Oldham County Extension Council for the county plan of work.  Master Gardeners complete the Extension Master Gardener program

Full Story
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