Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership and Communications
Developing Youth, Volunteer Leadership and Communications
Branstetter, Blankenship, Bell
4-H Youth Development Programming
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Many leadership scholars and youth development professionals agree that leadership development is an important, but often overlooked facet of youth development and education (MacNeil, 2000). 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). Additionally, young people help to re-energize adults and counteract negative stereotypes of youth when they are successfully engaged in leadership within their communities (Zeldin & Camino, 1999; Fiscus, 2003).
4-H Youth and Volunteer Leadership is about:
- Learning about the concept of leadership and your individual role as a leader.
- Using leadership skills to effectively lead small groups and teams toward common goals.
Work within our community (club/county/state or beyond) to become an engaged leader who can make a difference.
•Youth and Volunteers will serve as teen and adult leaders in our community, organizations, and as mentors for younger youth. Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future, leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
•Homemaker members in the County will grow their club memberships beyond current levels, through recruitment of new and diverse members.
•Youth and Volunteers will demonstrate leadership, mentor, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives. They will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other community organizations.
•Homemaker members will serve as active volunteers in creating and carrying out, their annual County plan of work aiding with Family and Consumer Sciences and 4 – H activities and conducting service projects that benefit the community.
•Youth and Volunteers will increase their knowledge about leadership and communication, how to be an effective leader, team player, decision maker, listening and communicator.
•Metcalfe Co. Homemakers will increase their knowledge regarding the connection between the local Homemakers organization, the area organization of Mammoth Cave and the State level organization, KY Extension Homemakers Association and the opportunities available to them as members, to serve beyond their own community.
Long Term Outcome: Youth and Volunteers will serve as teen and adult leaders in our community, organizations, and as mentors for younger youth. They will be productive, contributing adults in the future, leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
Indicator: Number of volunteers and youth in leadership and communication roles
Method: Observation, Pre and Post Written Test
Timeline: 2018-19
Intermediate Outcomes: Youth and Volunteers will demonstrate leadership, mentor, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives. They will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other community organizations.
Indicator: Number that participate in county, area and state events
Method: Observation, Pre and Post Written Test
Timeline: 2018-19
Initial Outcome: Youth and Volunteers will increase their knowledge about leadership and communication, how to be an effective leader, team player, decision maker, listening and communicator.
Indicator: Number that participate in county, area and state events
Method: Observation, Pre and Post Written Test
Timeline: 2018-19
Long term outcome: Homemaker members in the County will grow their club memberships beyond current levels, through recruitment of new and diverse members.
Indicator: Number of new members who join Homemakers each year.
Method: Review membership renewals and new member enrollments, in November annually.
Timeline: 2017-2020 Intermediate outcome: Homemaker members will serve as active volunteers in creating and carrying out, their annual County plan of work; aiding with Family and Consumer Sciences and 4 – H activities and conducting service projects that benefit the community.
Indicator: Member volunteer service hour log records, members and club applications to the KEHA VSU award program, 4 – H and FCS volunteer sign – in sheets, County Homemaker Council Plan of Work and sign – in sheets from
Method: Observation, review and documentation of Volunteer service data sources as listed in Indicators above.
Timeline: 2017 - 2020
Initial outcome: Metcalfe Co. Homemakers will increase their knowledge regarding the connection between the local Homemakers organization, the area organization of Mammoth Cave and the State level organization, KY Extension Homemakers Association and the opportunities available to them as members, to serve beyond their own community.
Indicator: Member participation in local and area Homemaker leader training activities. Member support and adoption of service learning projects, supported at the Area and State levels. Members serving in officer or chairperson positions at the Area or State level.
Method: Observation; review of leader training sign – in sheets and evaluation information, documentation of County homemaker participation in Area ad State level activities.
Timeline: 2017-2020
Intermediate outcome: Homemaker members will serve as active volunteers in creating and carrying out, their annual County plan of work; aiding with Family and Consumer Sciences and 4 – H activities and conducting service projects that benefit the community.
Indicator: Member volunteer service hour log records, members and club applications to the KEHA VSU award program, 4 – H and FCS volunteer sign – in sheets, County Homemaker Council Plan of Work and sign – in sheets from
Method: Observation, review and documentation of Volunteer service data sources as listed in Indicators above.
Timeline: 2017 - 2020
Initial outcome: Metcalfe Co. Homemakers will increase their knowledge regarding the connection between the local Homemakers organization, the area organization of Mammoth Cave and the State level organization, KY Extension Homemakers Association and the opportunities available to them as members, to serve beyond their own community.
Indicator: Member participation in local and area Homemaker leader training activities. Member support and adoption of service learning projects, supported at the Area and State levels. Members serving in officer or chairperson positions at the Area or State level.
Method: Observation; review of leader training sign – in sheets and evaluation information, documentation of County homemaker participation in Area ad State level activities.
Timeline: 2017-2020
Intermediate outcome: Homemaker members will serve as active volunteers in creating and carrying out, their annual County plan of work; aiding with Family and Consumer Sciences and 4 – H activities and conducting service projects that benefit the community.
Indicator: Member volunteer service hour log records, members and club applications to the KEHA VSU award program, 4 – H and FCS volunteer sign – in sheets, County Homemaker Council Plan of Work and sign – in sheets from
Method: Observation, review and documentation of Volunteer service data sources as listed in Indicators above.
Timeline: 2017 - 2020
Audience: 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Volunteer Orientation
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Extension Office, Volunteers
Date: Fall 19
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Officer Orientation
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Extension Office
Date: Fall 19
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Club meetings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Extension Office
Date: 2019-20
Audience: 4-H Council
Project or Activity: Monthly Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Volunteer Development
Inputs: Agent, Extension Office, Community Partners, Volunteers
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Extension Office, Volunteers
Date: Fall 19 and Spring 20
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County TAG
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Agent, Extension Office, Community Partners
Date: Fall 19 and Spring 20
Audience: Metcalfe County Homemaker Volunteers
Project or Activity: 10 annual Homemaker Club meetings (4 traditional Homemaker clubs currently organized, 1 special interest Quilting club and Homemaker members at large).
Content or Curriculum: Extension needlework, sewing, quilting and heritage craft resources, monthly Homemaker Leader Training materials, other Extension publications, research based programs from partner organizations such as Alzheimer’s Know the 10 Signs, Alzheimer’s Association.
Inputs: Homemaker volunteers, Extension Agent, Extension Office space and resources such as copying, Community Partners.
Date: Ongoing, 2017 – 2020
Audience: Metcalfe County Homemaker Volunteers
Project or Activity: 5-6 annual Homemaker County Council meetings attended by the County officers, chairmen and Club presidents.
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association manual, by-laws and constitution; Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers manual, by-laws and constitution; Metcalf Co. Homemakers by-laws and constitution; Metcalfe Co. Homemakers Annual budget; minutes from previous meetings, Robert’s Rules of Order; IRS financial and fundraising guidelines for 501 – C 3 organizations.
Inputs: Homemaker volunteers, Extension Agent, Extension Office space and resources such as copying, Community Partners.
Date: Ongoing, 2017 – 2020
Audience: Metcalfe County Homemaker Volunteers
Project or Activity: 5-6 annual Mammoth Cave Area Homemaker Council meetings and KEHA Annual State meeting attended by the County Homemaker president and the MCA Homemakers 1st VP for Program, who is a Metcalfe County Homemaker member and the Metcalfe County Homemakers Vice President (President elect) and other Metcalfe County Homemaker member volunteers.
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association manual, by-laws and constitution; Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers manual, by-laws and constitution; Metcalfe Co. Homemakers Annual budget; minutes from previous meetings, Robert’s Rules of Order; IRS financial and fundraising guidelines for 501 – C 3 organizations.
Inputs: Homemaker volunteers, Extension Agent, Extension Office space and resources such as copying, Community Partners.
Date: Ongoing, 2017 – 2020
Audience: Metcalfe County and MCA Homemaker members
Project or activity: Etiquette Rules that all Youth Need to Know Homemaker Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: KEHA manual and other KEHA created materials, FCS Agent compiled lesson materials.
Inputs: Homemaker leader volunteers, FCS Extension Agent time, Extension office meeting space and resources such as copying and internet access, community partners.
Date: September 2019
Audience: Metcalfe County and MCA Homemaker members
Project or activity: Swedish Weaving
Content or Curriculum: KEHA manual and other KEHA created materials, FCS Agent compiled lesson materials.
Inputs: Homemaker leader volunteers, FCS Extension Agent time, Extension office meeting space and resources such as copying and internet access, community partners.
Date: January 2020
Audience: Metcalfe County Homemaker Volunteers
Project or Activity: Annual fundraiser activities to support the annual Homemaker provided college scholarship, 4 – H camp scholarships, donation to the Metcalfe County Library summer reading project and the University of Kentucky and KEHA Ovarian Cancer Research and Screening project.
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association manual, by-laws and constitution, Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers manual, by-laws and constitution; Metcalf Co. Homemakers by-laws and constitution; Metcalfe Co. Homemakers Annual budget; IRS financial and fundraising guidelines for 501 – C 3 organizations.
Inputs: Homemaker volunteers, Extension Agent, Extension Office space and resources such as copying, Community Partners.
Date: Ongoing, 2017 – 2020
Audience: Metcalfe County Homemaker Volunteers
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Homemakers, Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers and KY Extension Homemakers Cultural Arts Contests.
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association manual, by-laws and constitution; cultural Arts contest guidelines, Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers manual, by-laws and constitution; Metcalf Co. Homemakers by-laws and constitution; Metcalfe Co.
Inputs: Homemaker volunteers, Extension Agent, Extension Office space and resources such as copying, Community Partners.
Date: June 2019, October 2019 and May 2020
Audience: Producer members and customers of the Metcalfe Co. Farmer's Market
Project or Activity: Metcalfe Co. Farmer's Market volunteer Board of Directors
Content or Curriculum: KYDA Farmers Market manual, KYDA training guidelines for the SR and WICFMNP vouchers, SNAP guidelines, GAP guidelines, Robert's Rules of Order
Inputs: Volunteer time, Extension FCS and ANR Agent time, Extension District Board property and office space, copying
Date: Ongoing 2017 – 2020
Audience: Metcalfe County Residents
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Floral Hall Adult and Youth open competitions.
Content/Curriculum: Metcalfe County Fair board and Extension guidelines for floral hall Ag competitions. Rules and class guidelines for the Floral Hall Adult and Youth Open event.
Inputs: Volunteer time, Extension office staff time, Extension FCS Agent time, Extension office space, Metcalfe County Fair board funds
Date: June 2019
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Summer 4-H camps is a place where children get the experiences they can use for a lifetime. There are the simple challenges of learning how to shoot a bow, going on a hike, conquering a high ropes course, making their bed, clean-up after themselves, or gaining independence. There are much more complex challenges of getting along with a new group of peers, learning how to ask for help from others, or taking manageable amount of risks without a parent following after you. Psychology Today states t
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Creating the next generation of agriculture aware citizens has been stressed as a priority for Metcalfe County 4-H. A large percentage of Metcalfe County citizens are employed in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries. In response, Metcalfe County 4-H conducts the 4-H Country Ham Project annually. Metcalfe County 4-H Council receives a grant for the GOAP to off-set the cost of the hams for our families. This makes it more affordable for our youth. This project offers an opport
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
The Metcalfe Blasting Barrels 4-H Shooting Sports Club provides youth an opportunity to develop physically and mentally. Youth have personal goals for proper use of equipment and improving accuracy. They practice safety, and promote safety in our community. One Metcalfe County 4-H Certified Volunteer shared, he is amazed of how the youth have grown and become better shooters in a short time! He added “Safety is our top priority but its icing on the cake when our youth can win trophies!&rdq
Author: Amy Branstetter
Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
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's goals and fulfillment of learners' needs (Bolton, 1992).
