Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership and Workforce Preparation
Leadership and Workforce Preparation
Natasha Lucas, Crystal Osborne & Paul Sizemore
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Master Clothing Volunteer
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).
Becoming an active part of the community necessitates that youth and adults value the diversity present and promote inclusivity at all levels of programming and involvement. The demographic makeup of the US has changed significantly over the last few decades and will continue to change in terms of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation,socio-economic status (SES), special needs and educational attainment. This changing population and awareness of diversity will continue to change into the future. Three powerful trends in society have contributed to a focus on diversity, inclusiveness and education about this topic. These trends are: 1) a competitive, globalized market in which the US conducts business; 2) substantial changes in the makeup of the US population and, 3) the celebration of individual differences and a movement away from “fitting in”. Some facts related to this:
•4 of 5 new jobs are the result of foreign trade.
•The percentage of whites in the population continues to decline. Asians are the fastest growing race group while Hispanics are the largest. By 2050, approximately 1 in 2 people (50%) will be non-white.
•The majority of new workers are women and people of color.
•Taken as a whole, people with disabilities make up the largest minority group (15%) in the US.
•The fastest growing age group are those 75+ years old.
4-H Youth 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 your community(club/county/state or beyond) to become an engaged leader who can make a difference.
•Creating a program that encourages, values, promotes and supports
diversity and inclusivity at all levels.
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families. Within Kentucky there are 16,000 KEHA members, 119 Master Clothing Volunteers, and over 150 Champion Food Volunteers who share their expertise, and volunteer time with youth and families in their community. Through the efforts of the FCS agents, paraprofessionals, and volunteers local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions.
•Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities,
community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
•Youth will demonstrate the understanding of diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism in their daily life.
•Youth will identify and address critical issues that impact the community.
•Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
•Youth will use leadership and communications skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
*Kentucky communities' health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational leadership.
*Community problems are solved through active engaged local leaders.
Intermediate Outcomes:
•Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.
•Youth will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in
4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
•Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club, day camp or other project based group of younger 4-H members.
•Youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity issues in their community and personal lives.
•Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.
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.
•Youth will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.
•Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
•Youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
•Youth will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.
•Youth will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
•Youth will learn how to set appropriate, attainable goals.
•Youth will listen to people who have different ideas from them.
*Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership.
*KEHA and FCS Advisory Council members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
*Kentuckians increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Initial Outcome:
-Number of youth who indicate “they know how to set and accomplish a goal.”
-Number of youth who indicate they “listen to people who have different ideas than me.”
-Number of adults who indicate they have gained a leadership skill.
*County Extension Homemakers will recruit new members.
Indicator: Will be measured through personal evaluation indicating their skills gained in leadership and workforce prep.
*Extension Homemaker Clubs will have new members.
Method: Follow up surveys will be conducted. 4-H’ers will participate in county, district and state events focusing on leadership development and workforce prep.
Timeline: 2017-2018
Intermediate Outcome: Number of youth who indicate they “can finish a job I have started.”
*Extension Homemakers and FCS Council will help develop programs.
Indicator: Will be measured through personal evaluation indicating their skills gained in leadership and workforce prep.
*Attend meetings and plan programs.
Method: Survey and observations
Timeline: 2017-2018
Long-term Outcome: Number of youth who indicate they “can take responsibility for my actions.”
*FCS leadership will organize and implement a county program.
Indicator: Will be measured through personal evaluation indicating their skills gained in leadership and workforce prep.
*Program is developed and implemented.
Method: Survey and observations
Timeline: ongoing
Audience: Pre-teens
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service specialist and 4-H Agents
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: Teens
Project or Activity: Teen Leaders for Summer 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum & 4-H Camp Adult &
Teen Leader training curriculum
Inputs: Adult and Teen Leader training, 4-H Teens, 4-H Agents
Date: Summer 2017
Audience: Teens
Project or Activity: Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership and Civic Engagement Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Teens, 4-H Agent, county officials
Date: FY 2017-2018
Audience: High School Seniors
Project or Activity: Workforce Preparation
Content or Curriculum: Jumpstart for Job Seekers
Inputs: 4-H Agent, FCS Agent
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: 4-H Teens
Project or Activity: Community Service Project
Content or Curriculum: participate in Whoo Gives a Hoot Beautification Project
Inputs: 4-H Teen, 4-H Agent
Date: Summer 2017
Audience: Extension Homemakers Leader Training, community members, youth, adults, etc.
Project or Activity: Council Meetings
Content or Curriculum: KEHA materials and UK Extension materials
Inputs: FCS Agent and FCS leaders
Date: FY 2017-2018
Audience: Extension Homemakers and community members
Project or Activity: Monthly leader lessons
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension materials and KEHA Leader Training
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: FY 2017-2018
Audience: Community members, low-income audiences and youth
Project or Activity: Work Ready Workshops
Content or Curriculum: CEDIK materials, KELD material, UK Extension materials, etc.
Date: FY 2017-2018
Author: Crystal Osborne
Major Program: Master Clothing Volunteer
In today’s technologically advanced society, basic life skills such as sewing has become a lost art. “Sewing is a discipline that helps develop self-esteem, confidence, focus, patience, fine motor skills, problem solving, process thinking and visualization. Additionally, sewing encourages creative ability (The Creative Art of Sewing; www.NorthJersey.com; September 13, 2012).” The Owsley County Cooperative Extension Service, through the dedication of an Extensi
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Business Retention and Expansion
This agent was approached by a county official and asked to serve on the Board of Directors for the Owsley County Industrial Authority. Owsley County Industrial Authority operates a metal business located in the Owsley County Industrial Park near the Owsley County Extension Service. Due to some unexpected circumstances some of the leadership was no longer with us and they needed someone to step in and assist with some restructuring within the metal business. After some discussion over a few mont
