Improve leadership skills, strengthen volunteerism, & promote community and economic development.Plan of Work

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Hickman County CES

Title:
Improve leadership skills, strengthen volunteerism, & promote community and economic development.
MAP:
Empowering Leaders and Strengthening Community
Agents Involved:
Melissa Goodman, Paula McCuiston, Mattea Mitchell
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Community Strategic Planning
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:
Economic, social, political and technological advances in society create a higher demand on people to demonstrate more effective leadership and volunteer skills. Leadership skills, including, communication, managing, decision-making, listening, self-motivation and understanding-self, etc., are essential. In 2015 over 62.6 million people volunteered their time. The proportion of the population who volunteered in America in 2015 was 22.9 percent. These volunteers contributed unpaid service equivalent to over 9 million full-time employees. (Independent Sector). In order for Cooperative Extension to reach Hickman County, leadership skills must be developed in youth and adults to multiply efforts. A focus of Extension will be to build volunteer base and increase leadership skills.


Hickman County has had a high turnover of small businesses in recent years and many businesses have left. We have many commuter employees. Our unemployment rate was 6.2% in February 2016 which is mirror the KY percentage rate. Our clientele feel it is important for Cooperative Extension to address and facilitate community and economic development, especially in the areas of bringing the community together, civic pride, and communication of like-minded organizations.


Long-Term Outcomes:
Extension Homemaker organization will become a sustainable volunteer organization in the county.

4-H participants will become contributing members of society.
Clientele will serve as leaders of other organizations, thus enabling them to identify and address critical issues that directly affect the citizens of the community.

Council members will utilize the leadership skills obtained in the county to provide leadership in Extension organizations in the district, region, state, and nation.

Hickman County would be a sustainable community that thrives together.
Residents will understand the importance of supporting local businesses and organizations.

Residents will work together to create a better Hickman County.

Organizations will accomplish more by collaboration and cooperation.

Arts and Local Tourism as well as the Farmers Market will become viable entities of the community.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Youth and Teens will practice leadership through volunteer opportunities & community service.

Adults will practice leadership through increased volunteerism and taking on leadership roles.

Program councils will become more involved in program planning and leadership of Extension Programming.

Quilt Square Tourism will marketed by Hickman County Residents and Businesses

Participants broaden participation in community service and community events.

Businesses and Community Members will engage and utilize strategic planning

Hickman County Clientele will internalize civic pride.

Initial Outcomes:
Participants will gain an understanding of leadership styles
Participants will acquire decision making skills
Participants understand importance in diversity
Participants learn importance in volunteerism
Participants aspire to increase involvement in leadership roles.
Participants gain knowledge in leadership and communication skills.
Program Council members/CEC will aspire to active participation.
Clientele will increase knowledge of community events and assets through marketing.
Organizational Leaders will increase knowledge and skills for collaboration.
Business and Community Leaders will gain positive opinion and aspirations for strategic planning.
Evaluation:

Intermediate Outcome: Youth & teens will take on leadership roles

Indicator: Participants are participating as leaders in the community

Method: Observing, participation, follow-up surveys

Timeline: 17-18 Program Year


Intermediate Outcome: Extension Homemakers will take on leadership roles

Indicator: Participation and Roles filled

Method: Observation, participation, follow-up surveys

Timeline: 17-18 Program Year


Intermediate: Participants will increase knowledge of leadership skills

Indicator: Knowledge of leadership skills

Method: Pre/Post Assessment

Timeline: 17-18 Program Year


Intermediate Outcome: Increased Communication among Organizations in County

Indicator: Positive Correlations of questions on survey

Method: Survey and Word of Mouth

Timeline: Spring 18


Initial Outcome: Participation in Western KY Quilt Trail

Indicator: Number with Quilt Sq. on Barn/Business

Method: Survey

Timeline: Program Year 17-18

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Youth Entrepreneurship w/DIY Club

Content or Curriculum: Be the “E”, Agent provided curriculum

Inputs: Extension Agents, 21st Century FLIGHT program

Date: 2017-2018 school year


Audience: Youth, Adults Families

Project or Activity: Spring Chicken Festival

Content or Curriculum: Community Involvement, 4-H Curricula, CEDIK Resources: Tourism

Inputs: Chamber of Commerce, Volunteers/Collaborators, Agents

Date: Spring Annually


Audience: Community and Small Businesses

Project or Activity: Neighbor Helping Neighbors: Shop Local

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs: Chamber of Commerce, Local Businesses

Date: Program Year 17-18



Audience: Teens and Adults

Project or Activity: Work Ready Soft Skills and Workforce Prep Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Career Exploration and Workforce Readiness curricula

Inputs: Workforce Development Board, Extension Staff, County Gov't, Hickman County HS

Date: Spring 2017


Audience: High School Sophomores

Project or Activity: Chamber Youth Leadership Program

Content or Curriculum: YELP, KELD, CEDIK Resources, FCS Empowering Leaders Resources

Inputs: Chamber of Commerce, Extension, Community Education, High School, Local Businesses and Gov't

Date: Program year 17-18


Audience: General Population

Project or Activity: Hickman County Quilt Trail

Content or Curriculum: KY Arts Council

Inputs: KY Arts Council, Hickman County Arts Council, GRRO, Tourism Resources

Date: Program year 17-18


Audience: General Population and Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Hickman County Extension Homemakers

Content or Curriculum: KEHA, FCS Material

Inputs: KEHA, FCS

Date: Program Year 17-18


Audience: Youth / Community Members

Project or Activity: Community Service Day

Content or Curriculum: The Leader in Me, Unlock Your Leadership Potential

Inputs: Extension Staff, Family Resource Coordinator, Community Education Director, School Faculty, Master Gardeners, Library, CO

Date: Fall 17 / Spring 18




Success Stories

Civic Engagement- Empowering Hickman County Leaders

Author: Melissa Goodman

Major Program: Empowering Community Leaders (general)

Civic engagement helps create and cultivate vibrant communities.  Studies have shown social capital is necessary for effective government and economic development.  Part of social capital is engaging in the legislative process, serving on local boards/councils, and contributing in topics important to that community. Overall in the US, social capital has been on the decline. Currently, Kentucky ranks 48th in civic health.   In response to the need to increase civic engagement,

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