Extension
It Starts With Us
Leadership Development
Empowering Community Leaders
Alissa Ackerman, Ag Agent, FCS Agent
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD): Developing Core Leadership Skills
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
Family and Consumer Science
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in the Cooperative Extension Service. Through opportunities offered by the Extension Service, families and youth can help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future. These opportunities for youth and adults create a setting that reduces risk factors that can negatively impact their success. By individuals participating in leadership positions and opportunities, they can gain knowledge, commitment and awareness to issues within the county.
Basic leadership knowledge and 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 Extension Service is a top priority.
Communities will be equipped with competent, effective leaders
Community members will engage others to initiate projects
Civic engagement will be possible and desirable for community members
Youth and adults will put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in non-formal leadership roles, taking on leadership roles, increasing involvement /action
Youth and adults will improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
Youth and adult participants will enhance leadership skills by initiating projects that meet the needs of their community
Participants will increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
Individuals will be informed of community systems, better connected to communication networks, more confident in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community
Long-Term Outcome: Extension leaders accept leadership positions and become engaged in solving issues strengthening Clay County.
Indicator: number of adults utilizing improved skills in addressing community issues and needs.
Method: Leaders actively engaged in program planning and utilization.
Timeline: July 2020 - June 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Extension leadership access needs and develop programs and implement solutions to improve Clay County.
Indicator: number of citizens indicating increased leadership knowledge, skills and confidence.
Method: Word of mouth, leaders actively engaged.
Timeline: July 2020 - June 2024
Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership, organizational leadership and community leadership.
Indicator: Attendance of Clay County citizens increasing leadership knowledge and skills through participation in leadership programs.
Method: Word of mouth, end-of-year evaluation and number of leaders participating in learning experiences.
Timeline: July 2020 - June 2024
Long-Term Outcome: Youth develop into contributing adults that are active participants in programs and or program development
Indicator: Number of former youth members engaged in leadership roles as adults
Method: Active count
Timeline: 2020-2024
Intermediate Outcome: Increased confidence leads to leadership roles
Indicator: Number of participants that assume council roles, club leadership roles, and Leadership Conventions.
Method: Leaders actively engaged and active count.
Timeline: 2020-2024
Initial Outcome: Youth gain knowledge to be prepared to speak in front of crowds
Indicator: Number of youth involved in communication events.
Method: Head count
Timeline: 2020-2024
Audience: Homemaker leaders
Project or Activity: Homemaker Council Meetings (6-8 per year)
Content or Curriculum: Agenda
Inputs: Officer responsibilities, leaders, Family & Consumer Science Agent
Date: on going
Audience: Homemakers
Project or Activity: Homemaker Officer Training
Content or Curriculum: Extension Homemaker Leader Handouts, True Colors
Inputs: Leader training material, leaders, Family & Consumer Science Agent
Date: August 2021
Audience: Homemaker Leaders
Project or Activity: Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: Lesson resources/Curriculum
Inputs: Family & Consumer Science Agent
Date: August and February 2021-2022
Audience: Extension Adults/Council Members
Project or Activity: Family & Consumer Science Council Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Agenda/Supplemental Issue Material, True Colors
Inputs: Family & Consumer Science Agent
Date: on going
Audience: Agriculture Development Council
Project or Activity: Council Meetings (5-7 per year)
Content or Curriculum: Agenda
Inputs: Officer responsibilities, leaders, Agriculture/Natural Resources Agent
Date: Throughout the year
Audience: Agriculture Advisory Council
Project or Activity: Council Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Agenda
Inputs: Officer responsibilities, leaders, Agriculture/Natural Resources Agent
Date: Semi-annually
Audience: Extension Leader/Adults
Project or Activity: Extension District Board
Content or Curriculum: Agenda/Extension Board/Council Manual
Inputs: Extension Board Training material/All Agents
Date: on going
Audience: Extension Leader/Adults
Project or Activity: County Extension Council
Content or Curriculum: Agenda/Extension Council/Board Manual
Inputs: Extension Council Training Material, All Agents
Date: on going
Audience: Extension Leader/Adults and Youth
Activity: 4-H Council
Content or Curriculum: AgendaInputs: 4-H Agent
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Teens & Volunteers
Activity: KY Volunteer Forum
Content or Curriculum: Specialist and Agent SupportedInputs: 4-H Agent/ Volunteers, Specialist
Date: Biannually
Audience: Extension Leader/Adults
Activity: Volunteer Certification Training
Content or Curriculum: University or State Provided Inputs: 4-H AgentDate: As needed
Audience: Adults and Youth
Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: Camp Staff and County ProvidedInputs: 4-H Agent
Date: Annually
Audience: Adults and Youth
Activity: Communications Day (Speeches, Demonstrations, Variety Show)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H CurriculumInputs: 4-H Agent/leaders
Date: Annually
Audience: YouthActivity: 4-H Teen Club/Teen Community Development
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent
Date: Monthly
Audience: Youth - Middle School
Activity: 4-H Summit
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent, leaders, specialist
Date: Annually
Audience: Youth - High School
Activity: Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agent, volunteers, specialist
Date: Annually
Author: Alissa Ackerman
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Research recognizes the positive benefits and importance of youth involvement in the arts. These beneficial influences include: social interaction, physical development, cognitive development, imagination, creativity and problem solving skills (Barton, 2015). However, throughout the years, schools have experienced budget cuts in programs related to the arts. Data also shows students that participate in school art programs have higher test scores and higher graduation rates than those who do not
Author: Alissa Ackerman
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
4-H Speeches and Demonstrations Strengthen Confidence Enhancing public speaking was identified as a need for students among the Clay County Extension Council and 4-H Council members. Youth across many classrooms also agreed that public speaking is intimidating and felt uncomfortable when completing this task As a community, Clay County strives to prepare youth with tools needed to become successful individuals. One of those tools is the opportunity for students across the county
