Franklin County CES

Title:

Developing informal and formal leadership skills for youth and adults

MAP:

Recruiting, Retaining and Empowering Community Leaders

Agents Involved:

K.Perry, T. Thomas, K. Bishop, A. Leonberger

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Communications and Expressive Arts

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)

Situation:

Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical for the sustainability of communities. Strong community leaders are committed to investigating issues, making responsible decisions, and taking ownership of solutions.

Leadership opportunities for youth reduce risk factors that can negatively impact their success. The development of life skills, like as leadership, allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension).

Basic leadership knowledge and skills are essential for success across age groups and in almost any field. The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others. Employers look for leadership skills in the persons they hire. Developing leadership in the youth and adults is a priority.

Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H.  The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future.  Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success. 

Basic leadership knowledge & skills are essential for success in almost any field.  The skills associated with leadership are necessary when working in a group or communicating with others.  Employers look for leadership skills in future employees.  Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the 4-H program is a priority.  By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve their ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017). 

Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop sociology-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United States Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy).  4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).   

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Youth and adults will serve as leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger children.

• Youth and adults will identify and address critical issues that impact the community.

• Youth and adults will use leadership skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.

• Community members are equipped with effective leadership skills to motivate others to initiate projects.

*Community members engage others to initiate projects 

*Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members 

*Communities become more prosperous 

 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles with Cooperative Extension and other community organizations.

• Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
• Youth improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
• Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
• Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community 
• Youth are inclusive of all individuals 
• Youth will volunteer and participate in community service 
• Youth will engage in civic involvement
• Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement  

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth and adults increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
• Youth and adults develop/enhance leadership skills 
• Youth and adults are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global) 

.

Evaluation:

Outcome: 

• Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels)

Indicator of Success for Outcome:

• Youth plan a community service project in their community
• Youth report they serve as a mentor for a younger participant 
• Youth serve as leaders within their club or county programs
• Youth serve in a state or national leadership position

Method: 

• 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
• Program Indicators

Timeline: After each training and program

Outcome: Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles.

Indicator: Increase in youth and adults serving as leaders and mentors with Extension and other community organizations.

Method: Observation and records

Timeline: After training and programs

Outcome: Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics

Indicator: Youth and adults successfully identify positive and negative leadership characteristics in post-survey

Method: Pre- and post-survey/tests

Timeline: Before and after programs

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adults & Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Council

Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program, The Power of Experiential Learning, Mentor Training Toolkit, KEHA Leader Training

Inputs: CES Agents, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,

Date: September – August

Learning Opportunities/Programs for Agents/Youth

• 4-H Leadership
  • Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens, My Leadership Workbook (Level 1), My Leadership Journal (Level 2), My Leadership Portfolio (Level 3), Leadership Mentor Guide 1: K-5, Leadership Mentor Guide 2: 6-12 
  • State and National Programs: 4-H State Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, 4-H National Congress, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H National Conference, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events 
  • Training: Agent In-services 

• 4-H Global Education
  • Curriculum: Empowering Students to Improve the World in Sixty Lessons (Version 1), 4-H Backpack to Adventure: Youth Leaders in a Global World, WeConnect: A Global Youth Citizenship Curriculum
  • Local, State and National Programs: 4-H International Exchange Program, Kentucky 4-H International Service-Learning Program, Local Cultural Events/Clubs    

Training: Agent In-services

Success Stories