Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Community Leadership Development
Strengthening Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Economic Development
Jill Harris, Lee Ann McCuiston
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical for the sustainability of communities that support and strengthen families. Economic, social, political and technological advances in society create a higher demand on people to demonstrate more effective leadership and volunteer skills. Leadership skills, including, communication, managing, decision-making, listening, self-motivation and understanding-self, etc., are essential in job employment and career advancement. In Todd County, the County Extension Council, Homemakers Council, 4-H Council, and FCS Advisory Council, as well as city/county leadership indicated a need for leadership development. The Cooperative Extension Service 4-H, Agriculture, and FCS Agents are committed to engaging, educating, and empowering local citizens to investigate issues, make responsible decisions, and take ownership of solutions.
Leadership skills, including, communication, managing, decision-making, listening, self-motivation and understanding-self, etc., are essential in job employment and career advancement. Based on an America’s Promise Voices Study (2005) a survey of young people aged 10-17, 34% do not believe they have the skills to be successful in life. When asked which “Promise” is missing out of their lives, 67% indicated that “opportunities to serve” is the missing promise. The Todd County Extension Service can be that missing link to provide “opportunities to serve” for youth ages 9-19, as well as adults. It is vital to instill the values of volunteerism and strong leadership in our young people. Strong leaders are vital to the future of our communities, and to the organizations with whom Cooperative Extension works. Youth are the future leaders of our communities, country and our world, thus the importance of leadership training is great. The Todd County Extension Service plans to enhance the leadership and volunteerism of the youth and adult clientele through education and practice.
The Todd County Extension Service collaborates with local officials, businesses, schools, and organizations to help further develop the community in areas such as agritourism, tourism, workforce development, health and wellness, and economic development.
4-H parents,agriculture clientele, and county council members will use the leadership skills gained through training and involvement with Extension Programs to:
--Serve as leaders of Extension organizations to identify critical issues affecting Extension and 4-H youth
--Serve as leaders of other organizations, thus enabling them to identify and address critical issues that directly affect the citizens of the community.
--Utilize the leadership skills obtained in the county to provide leadership in Extension organizations in the district, region, state, and nation.
--Serve as mentors to other adult volunteers in order to improve the programming outreach of Extension.
4-H Youth, 4-H Teen Council Members, 4-H Teen Club Members, 4-H Camp Counselors and other community youth engaged in leadership programming will use the leadership skills gained through training and involvement with Extension Programs to:
--Serve as quality mentors and teachers for Extension in the county, district, state and nation as well as through other community organizations.
--Identify and address critical issues facing the young people of Todd County.
--Exhibit independence away from home.
--Establish a commitment to generosity.
--Gain a sense of belonging and volunteer spirit for the 4-H program and the Cooperative Extension Service and other city, county and community organizations.
FCS:
Todd County's health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership
Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
Extension Homemaker members teach classes to empower others.
Extension volunteers will:
--Use acquired delegating skills to carry out programs and lead groups or clubs.
--Serve as committee chairs and members to carry out programs and events.
--Conduct public issue programs and consider opinions of others at meetings.
--Serve as officers for local councils.
--Engage in community service and recruitment practices for the community.
--Market the Extension program by word of mouth, with the Report to the People, Agriculture Awareness Day, and Building Strong Families.
--Organize events for the county fair.
--Communicate effectively with family members and other community leaders.
--Interview possible Extension Volunteers who work one-on-one with youth.
--Serve as committee chairs or members for Extension at the district, regional, state, or national level.
Extension youth and other youth involved in leadership programming will:
--Use acquired delegating skills to carry out programs and facilitate leadership groups or clubs
--Serve as committee members and/or chairs to carry out programs and events
--Consider others’ opinions at meetings
--Serve as officers for organized clubs
--Engage in community service and recruitment practices for the community
--Market the Extension program by word of mouth to other youth in the community
--Work together through group processes at leadership camp, trips, conferences, etc.
--Communicate effectively with family members and other community leaders
--Communicate effectively with youth in camp or classroom settings
--Coordinate fund raisers and other community service efforts
--Attend leadership trips, conferences and retreats in and out of state
--Make new friends
--Work and serve on city/county boards or councils and have an active role in county government
Number of FCS participants 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.
Apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.
Extension volunteers will:
--Learn proper parliamentary procedure and meeting format such as committee setup, agenda,etc.
--Gain an understanding of leadership styles.
--Acquire decision making skills.
--Learn community needs and important issues.
--Gain knowledge of self-esteem and goal setting practices.
--Learn proper communication techniques.
--Understand the importance of diversity.
--Learn the importance of community service activities.
--Understand the importance of risk management and youth protection standards.
--Gain an appreciation for volunteerism.
--Learn how to recruit new members for councils and committees.
--Gain an understanding of the differences in youth and adults .
Extension youth and other youth involved in leadership programming will:
--Learn proper parliamentary procedure and meeting format
--Gain an understanding of leadership styles.
--Acquire decision making skills.
--Learn community needs and important issues.
--Gain knowledge of self-esteem and goal setting practices.
--Learn proper communication techniques.
--Understand the importance of diversity.
--Learn the importance of community service activities.
--Understand the importance of risk management and youth protection standards.
--Gain an appreciation for volunteerism.
--Learn how to recruit new members for clubs.
--Learn how to work with adults on community boards and councils.
FCS:
Todd Countians increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership.
KEHA and FCS Advisory Council members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
Todd Countians increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Long term outcome: 4-H teens and adults who acquired a sense of belonging, loyalty and leadership skills will return as 4-H leaders through summer 4-H camp, communications event judges and volunteers and other 4-H events.
Indicator: The number of volunteers who once were 4-H members in Todd County who return to serve as a camp counselor, event volunteer or judge.
Method: Data collection and follow up survey.
Timeline: End of a 4 year plan of work.
Intermediate outcome: 4-H youth and adult volunteers will use delegating, team work and communication skills while at summer 4-H camp and other 4-H events in working with youth.
Indicator: The number of youth who report an experience of leadership at 4-H camp, communications events and other 4-H sponsored events .
Method: End of week survey for camp and end of year survey and follow up focus group.
Timeline: July - after summer camp and end of program year with teens.
Initial Outcome: 4-H youth and adults will acquire delegation, team work and leadership skills through 4-H club and council meetings, camp training and other trips/conferences.
Indicator: The number of youth and adults who report an acquisition of leadership skills through 4-H involvement.
Method: Survey
Timeline: End of program year.
FCS:
Long-term Outcome: Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders
Indicator: Significant community issues that are addressed or solved
Method: Data collection
Timeline: Yearly, compile at the end of 4 years
Intermediate Outcome: Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders
Indicator: Significant community issues that are addressed or solved
Method: Survey number of people involved in FCS programs addressing significant community issues
Timeline: Yearly
Initial Outcome: Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders
Indicator: Todd County residents who are involved with FCS programs will increase knowledge and skills in community leadership
Method: Pre and post survey; Follow-up checklist on actions taken and results
Timeline: Beginning and end of FCS programs
All Extension agents will:
--Provide training to 4-H Council Members, CEC Council Members, Homemaker Council Members, District Board Members, Fair Board Members, etc. at monthly, quarterly and annual meetings to insure improved programming.
--Encourage other community members to get involved in Extension work by becoming a council member or group (club) leader.
--Work one-on-one with leaders to train them on how to get involved in Extension on the district, regional, state, or national level.
--Involve clients in community service activities that focus on volunteerism such as: the back pack program, trash-pick-up, food drives, etc.
--Serve on other community advisory councils in order to gain support from existing agencies.
--Train clientele in parliamentary procedure.
--Recruit leaders to attend workshops, serve as chaperones, etc.
--Maintain the Youth Protection and Risk Management Committee and provide updates on policy in regards to the standards and requirements.
--Involve members of the County Extension Council in planning and evaluating programs to
insure effective programming.
The 4-H Youth Development Agent and 4-H volunteers will:
--Provide training to 4-H Teen Council Members, 4-H camp teen counselors and teen educators for 4-H leadership activities at monthly, quarterly and annual meetings to insure improved programming.
--Encourage other community youth to get involved in Extension work by becoming a teen council member or camp (club) teen leader.
--Work one-on-one with teen leaders to train them on how to recognize and adapt to the developmental needs of youth.
--Involve 4-H members in community service activities
Audience: FCS Council outreach activities
Project or Activity: Community Outreach Activities
Content or Curriculum: FCS
Inputs: KY Cooperative Extension Service FCS Agent, KY CES publications and resources, Extension Leadership publication, community partners, KEHA members
Date: Yearly
Audience: FCS collaborations with community partners
Project or Activity: Outreach activities
Content or Curriculum: FCS
Inputs: KY Cooperative Extension Service FCS Agent, KY CES publications and resources, Extension Leadership publication, community partners, KEHA members
Date: Yearly
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Quilt Trail Development
Content or Curriculum: FCS
Inputs: FCS Agent, Extension Homemakers, Community Partners
Date: Year round
Audience: Public
Project or Activity: Basket-making classes
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Proud
Inputs: Kentucky Proud Certified Extension Homemaker member, FCS Agent
Date: 4 times per year
