Extension
It Starts With Us
Empowering Community Leaders (FCS)
Leadership Education and Volunteer Development
Diane Mason
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within Boone county is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. Within Boone County there are approximately 300 Extension Homemaker members and two Master Clothing Volunteers who share their expertise, and volunteer time with youth and families in the community. There is also a leadership advisory council that oversees the operation of the Boone County Extension Homemakers Association that provides leadership opportunities at the local, area, and state levels.
Through the efforts of the Family and Consumer Sciences agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.
Kentucky communities’ health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership
Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
Those living and working in the area understand Cooperative Extension and all it has to offer to improve lives.
There will be an increase in the number of people 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 increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership including teamwork, group facilitation, organization management and functioning, and parliamentary procedure.
•Boone County Extension Homemaker Advisory Council and Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Committee members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership and of the Cooperative Extension Service system.
•Organization members increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Initial Outcome: increase in knowledge, skills and aspirations in personal leadership qualities and organizational change
Indicator: Number of individuals addressing community problems by assessing community needs, developing and implementing solutions. Volunteer led meetings are run effectively and efficiently following a pre-planned agenda.
Method: questionnaires, observation
Timeline:January and June 2021
Intermediate Outcome: skills and behaviors will help implement programs and solutions for community issues and needs
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting improved knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations regarding: personal and interpersonal leadership, organizational leadership, community leadership, public policy/governmental process.
Number of individuals who practice personal and interpersonal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
Number of individuals who use communication, problem solving or group process skills to address organizational issues and need
Individuals will volunteer to serve as officers, committee chairs, and leaders of an organization
Method: surveys, interviews, observation
Timeline: May 2021
Long-term Outcome: local communities are active, engaged and productive with Extension affiliated or trained individuals exhibiting strong local leadership
Indicator: successful workplace and community environments, number of community problems resolved through actively engaged local leaders
Method: data collections, interviews, evaluations
Timeline: four years
Audience: Extension Homemaker members, new advisory council members, and club officers
Project or Activity: Basic Parliamentary Procedure, Financial Management and Organizational Skills
Content or Curriculum: state curriculum, KELD
Inputs: materials, books, marketing items, instruction
Date:July 2020
Audience: Extension Homemaker Advisory Council and Club Leaders
Project or Activity: Financial Fitness for Organizations
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Extension materials
Inputs: educational materials
Date: August 2020
