Empowering Community LeadersPlan of Work

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Simpson County CES

Title:
Empowering Community Leaders
MAP:
Building Human Capital
Agents Involved:
Christy Ramey, Catherine Webster, Jason Phillips
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
4-H Family and Consumer Science Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Mobilizing Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)
Situation:

Research shows that effective leadership is one of the factors necessary for success within today’s communities and organizations. Knowing one’s own leadership skills and characteristics is a critical starting point; without intrapersonal leadership knowledge it is difficult to understand what effective leadership looks like within an interpersonal, organizational or community context.

Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Simpson County is critical for the sustainability of the community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthening the community and addressing critical issues. In response to a local community visioning activity, the Cooperative Extension Service in Simpson County took the lead in developing a community leadership program to recruit and train new and emerging community leaders. There is continued request for the program by both individuals and the Chamber of Commerce – our partner in the program. Trained leaders and volunteers will help stimulate economic development, community engagement and implement Extension programming. In addition, the development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people. Helping youth develop leadership competencies makes them better able to solve community problems and enhances their civic participation. Young leaders demonstrate high career aspirations, increased self-esteem, and improve high school completion rates.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes:

Critical community issues are identified and effectively addressed through active engaged local leaders. Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth. They will also use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the future.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Community leaders apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.


Participants in leadership programs demonstrate improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.


Extension program leaders will accept leadership positions and fulfill responsibilities such as conducting meetings, completing reports, and serving on committees.


Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills learned during their time in 4-H, in their day to day lives. They will engage in community based service projects and one day become adult leaders.

Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome:

Participants in Leadership Franklin Simpson identify the leadership needs and opportunities in the community and build their individual leadership skills.


Adults increase knowledge, skills, and confidence through participation in leadership workshops and communication programs.


Youth will learn the communication, leadership, and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting. They will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator. Youth will acquire decision making skills, learn how to set goals, and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.

Evaluation:


Outcome: Current and graduated Leadership Franklin-Simpson class members assume positions of leadership in addressing community issues and facilitating community projects.


Youth learn the concept of leadership then effectively use the leadership skills learned.


Indicator: Participants serve on committees, serve as officers in organizations or committees, and move into higher leadership positions. Evaluations from new class members indicate they acquired new leadership skills.


Youth / 4-H members can lead a group, serve as mentors to younger youth, set & accomplish goals, finish a job they started, take responsibility for their own actions, and respect others ideas.


Method: Agent observation, verbal communication with program participants, reports of local coalition, committee and group activities will document the involvement of current and past Leadership program participants. Alumni group will demonstrate leadership skills through the formation of an Alumni Association that holds quarterly meetings and has a board of directors.


For youth, agent observation and written evaluation of program participants.


Timeline: July 2019– June 2020




Learning Opportunities:

Indicate the audience you intend to reach through specific learning opportunities that will be provided. First, describe the project or activity. Then, describe the content that will be delivered or the curriculum used. Next, indicate the inputs or resources used to conduct the program (e.g., volunteers, paid staff, facilities, grant funds, etc.). Finally, tell when the project/activity will occur.


Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):


Audience: General population

Project or Activity: Leadership Franklin-Simpson

Content or Curriculum: KELD

Inputs: Community Leaders, Leadership Alumni, Chamber of Commerce,

Donations from businesses, Agent time, Staff time

Date: April 2020-October 2020


Audience: Leadership Alumni Board

Project or Activity: Planning the 2017 Class, safety committee, community

committee

Content or Curriculum: KELD, strategic planning

Inputs: Leadership graduates, volunteers, guest speakers, meeting spaces

Date: July 2019-June 2020


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Walking with Your Elected Officials

Content or Curriculum: MAPP

Inputs: Magistrates, City councilmen, Get Healthy Simpson Coalition, Leadership graduates, Agent led

Date: Spring 2020




Audience: Agriculture representatives

Project or Activity: Motivating & Educating Agricultural Leaders (MEAL)

Content or Curriculum: self-assessment tools, ag opportunities & challenges, communications, issues management, media training, producer and consumer connection, working with elected officials, farm transitions & ag law

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facility, UK publications, newsletters, news articles, radio programs

Date: June 2018 – March 2019


Audience: Master Gardener Graduates

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Community Volunteer Projects

Content or Curriculum: Providing community service through horticulture education, demonstrations, donations, etc.

Inputs: Master Gardener Volunteer’s time, agent’s time, paid staff, UK resources

Date: July 2019 – June 2020


Audience: 4-H Clubs

Project or Activity: 4-H Club Officer and Leader Trainings

Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential, County 4-H Club Leader Handbook, State 4-H Website/Agent Resources

Inputs: Extension Office, Staff, Agents, 4-H Council, 4-H Volunteers/Leaders/Members, Community Park, School District

Date: August 2019-January 2020


Audience: 4-H Volunteers

Project or Activity: 4-H Fundraisers

Content or Curriculum: Parents/Leaders/Members plan & leader fundraisers to benefit 4-H Camps, Clubs, Council, & John Swack Scholarhips

Inputs: Extension Agent, Office/Pavilion, & Staff, Community Park, County Clerk, TSC, Piggly Wiggly, Downtown Franklin Square, Franklin 1st UMC

Date: July 2019 – June 2020


Audience: Extension Volunteers

Project or Activity: 4-H Council and Homemaker & FCS Councils

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Council By-Laws, Homemaker Council By-Laws

Inputs: 4-H Leaders, Homemakers, Extension Agents, Extension Office, Community Leaders

Date: July 2019 – June 2020




Success Stories

Agriculture Breakfast Country Ham Auction

Author: Catherine Webster

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

The country ham has been a food tradition in Kentucky for hundreds of years.  The Kentucky 4-H Country Ham Project began over twenty years ago with just forty youth.  Today some 800 youth across Kentucky cure country hams each year, ending at the Kentucky State Fair in August.  The 4-H hams are judged by KY Country Ham Producers while the 4-H members present a speech on some aspect of curing hams.  4-H participants learn about food production and how the country ham fits into

Full Story

Leader Recognition

Author: Catherine Webster

Major Program: 4-H Volunteer Programming

Leader Recognition

The Kentucky Volunteer Forum is the premier volunteer development opportunity for Kentucky 4-H. It equips county volunteers with the skills and resources necessary to deliver 4-H programming to all youth.  In 2020 Simpson County had eleven volunteers & two teens register for the forum, the 4-HYD Agent presented three educational workshops, and the ANR agent served as a room host.  Two of the volunteers assisted with the John Swack 4-H booth and three assisted the 4-HYD agent with t

Full Story

Agriculture Awareness Committee Helps Promote 4-H Country Ham Project

Author: Jason Phillips

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

The country ham has been a food tradition in Kentucky for hundreds of years.  The Kentucky 4-H Country Ham Project began over twenty years ago with just forty youth.  Today some 800 youth across Kentucky cure country hams each year, ending at the Kentucky State Fair in August.  The 4-H hams are judged by KY Country Ham Producers while the 4-H members present a speech on some aspect of curing hams.  4-H participants learn about food production and how the country ham fits into

Full Story
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