Enhancing Leadership, Volunteerism, and Public Policy AwarenessPlan of Work

Back to the Program

Hopkins County CES

Title:
Enhancing Leadership, Volunteerism, and Public Policy Awareness
MAP:
Community Leadership Development
Agents Involved:
Katherine Jury, Connor Cooper, Katie Jury, Erika Wood, and Curtis Dame
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Ag Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Community Strategic Planning
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Situation:

Leadership development, community analysis and a constant need for volunteers continues to be a fundamental issue faced by various agencies and non-profit entities in Hopkins County. According to the Center for Economic Development in Kentucky, in 2010 Hopkins County had 46,718 citizens. Volunteerism is valued at $21.17 per hour in Kentucky according to Independent Sector. With that said, Hopkins County Extension volunteer hours annually account for over $150,000 in donated time. Extension in Hopkins County will continue to provide enhancement opportunities and strive to promote community based programming that encourages leadership candidates and volunteers.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Hopkins County will be equipped with competent, effective leaders.


Community members engage others to initiate projects.


Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members.

Intermediate Outcomes:

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 Extension community leadership programs initiate civic engagement.

Initial Outcomes:

Increase knowledge of effective leadership skills.

Develop/enhance the leadership skills of youth and adults.

Citizens: Informed about community systems, better connected to communication networks, more confident and skilled in identifying and implementing strategies for systemic change.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Analyze and deliver training and other resources to

build leadership capacity.


Indicator: Trainings and activity involvement

Method: Surveys and assessments

Timeline: 2019-2020


Intermediate Outcome: Increased participation on community boards, civic groups and organizations.

Indicator: Number of people who reported new leadership opportunities

Method: Surveys and community statistics

Timeline:2019-2020


Long-term Outcome: Leaders initiate projects

Indicator: Numbers of community events and programs increase.

Method: Chamber of Commerce Data and post-assessment surveys.

Timeline: 2019-2020

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: New and current leaders; 4-H club members

Project or Activity: Parliamentary procedure training

Content or Curriculum: Robert's Rules of Order

Inputs: Manuals, Research information, meeting space and extension agents

Date: 2019-2020


Audience: Volunteer, leader and officer trainings.

Project or Activity: Creating reflective learning in leadership classes

Content or Curriculum: Leadership Skills and modules

Inputs: Research information, Partnerships, Materials and Meeting space

Date:2019-2020


Audience: Hopkins County Extension Council

Project or Activity: Public Policy and Community Partnerships

Content or Curriculum: KELD curriculum and CEDIK Resources

Inputs: Extension Agents, Specialists, and CEC Members

Date: 2019-2020


Audience: Leadership Hopkins County Group

Project or Activity: Leadership Hopkins County Program Days, Ag Leadership Day

Content or Curriculum: Extension Agriculture curriculum and Specialist presentations

Inputs: Extension Agents, Producers, Specialists and Volunteers

Date:2017-2020



Success Stories

4-H Shooting Sports/Archery

Author: Katie Mills

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

According to worldarchery.org, there are eight benefits for youth participating in archery.  The benefits are exercise, strength, control, coordination, patience, relax, self-confidence, and socialism.  These are just some of the reasons Hopkins County 4-H has an archery program.  The numbers of interest in the 4-H Shooting Sports archery program have increased more with schools having the NASP program.  We have youth that want to continue to challenge themselves, meet new pe

Full Story

Master Gardener Students Complete Training

Author: Erika Wood

Major Program: Master Gardener

In September of 2019, a new master gardener class was conducted at the Hopkins County Extension Office.  In order to become a certified master gardener volunteer, gardeners must undergo a minimum 12 week training, which consists of 24 hours of core subject courses including: Cooperative Extension/Volunteerism, Botany, Soils, Plant Pathology, Entomology, and Pesticides/Pesticides Safety/Environmental Issues.  Optional classes such as Annuals and Perennials, Home Vegetable Gardening, Com

Full Story

Youths Develop Servant Mentality

Author: John (Connor) Cooper

Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum

In November Hopkins County was able to take two youth delegates in the 4-H Issues Conference. Both youths who attended were new to the conference and had little expectations as to what the conference would look like or what they would gain from it. What they did know is that 4-H issues were geared towards getting them thinking about real-life problems and what role they played in them. As the conference began I saw the youth start to develop a sense of belonging and then even a sense of leadersh

Full Story

Master Gardeners Make A Difference

Author: Erika Wood

Major Program: Master Gardener

Master Gardeners Make A Difference

The Master Gardener program is a volunteer organization dedicated to teaching and training people about horticulture related topics. This program is a part of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and assists county extension agents in providing education and outreach in the community.   Master Gardeners are required to undergo training and complete 40 hours of volunteer service in their first year before becoming certified.  After the first year, Master Gardeners ar

Full Story

Kentucky Volunteer Forum

Author: Katie Mills

Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming

The Kentucky Volunteer Forum is a beneficial program for volunteers all over the state of Kentucky with reaching some from other states and occurs bi-annually.  The forum is located in Lexington, Kentucky and provides an opportunity for 4-H volunteers to gain knowledge through trainings, have recognition, and motivation to keep moving forward to help them succeed.  In 2020, a new record was set with 1138 people in attendance, 112 counties in Kentucky, and 11 states.  There was 183

Full Story

Kentucky Volunteer Form

Author: John (Connor) Cooper

Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming

2020 Kentucky Volunteer ForumSuccess StoryKen Culp, III, Ph.D.Volunteers play integral roles in 4-H programs, performing a variety of duties, functions, and tasks and possessing varied and rich knowledge, skills, and backgrounds (Radhakrishna & Ewing, 2011). The success of Extension programming is due, in part, to the dedication of a large cadre of volunteers (Smith, Dasher, & Klingborg, 2005). Although highly valued, volunteer involvement does not guarantee achievement of Extension'

Full Story
Back to the Program