Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Leaders for our Communities, Country, and World
Leadership and Volunteer Skills
Cathy Sparks, Courtney Jenkins, 4-H Agent
Family and Consumer Science
Community Leadership Development
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
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).
In addition to improving these skills in youth, leadership and volunteer development are also important for adult leaders in Extension. Adult leaders can have great impact on their communities, and their help in recognizing and addressing community issues is critical.
* Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth.
* Youth and adults will identify and address critical issues that impact the community
* Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
* Youth and adults will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace and effective leaders in their community on a daily basis.
* Youth and adults 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 Clubs, activities, and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
* Senior4-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 and adults will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.
*Youth and adults will learn the communication, leadership, and procedural skills that will allow them to effectively run a meeting.
* Youth and adults will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator.
* Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
* Youth and adults will learn about diversity and will demonstrate inclusivity.
* Youth and adults will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
*Youth and adults will listen to people who have different ideas than themselves and take those ideas into consideration.
Indicator: Number of adult leaders and 4-H members successfully leading a club/council.
Method: Observation and Surveys
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: 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. Adults will demonstrate leadership skills within clubs and organizations in the community.
Indicator: Number of Senior 4-H members leading clubs, teaching at day camp, and completing projects.
Method: Service projects, 4-H Programming
Timeline: May - August/Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Youth will be productive, contributing adults in the future. Adults will be successful in identifying and developing solutions for critical community issues.
Indicator: Number of youth using the skills learned during Extension programming and accomplishing goals that have been set.
Method: Observation, Extension Programming, Program Evaluations
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Summer Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Various 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Staff and Volunteers
Date: July 2022
Audience:Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: My Leadership Portfolio, Community Service
Inputs :Staff, State Staff, 4-H Council Members, Extension Facilities
Date: Summer 2022
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Council
Content or Curriculum: Leadership, Teambuilding, Community Service
Inputs: Staff and Volunteers, Community Partners
Date: Ongoing
Audience:Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Camp
Content or Curriculum: Camping Curriculum
Inputs :Staff, Volunteers, Camping Facilities, State Staff
Date: Summer 2022
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Inclusion of all 7 Core Areas
Inputs: Staff and Teachers
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: Teambuilding with Teens, Community Service
Inputs: Staff
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Leadership Magoffin County
Content or Curriculum: KELD, CES Publications
Inputs: UKCES Agents, UK CES Specialists, UK CED Staff
Date: December-October
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Extension Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: KELD, CES Publications
Inputs: UKCES Agents, UK CES Specialists, UK CED Staff
Date: December-October
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Extension Homemaker Leader Lessons
Content or Curriculum: KELD, CES Publications
Inputs: UKCES Agents, UK FCS Specialists, UK CED Specialists
Date: Ongoing
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Arts Engagement
Engaging in the arts has been purported to offer many social and personal benefits. According to a recent research review at the NORC at the University of Chicago, arts engagement is often cited as a vehicle for strengthening social bonds and reinforcing social identity. The Magoffin County Cooperative Extension Service recognizes these benefits of arts education and utilizes arts programming to foster those social bonds, social identity, and develop community. In an effort to engage more
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts
Face-to-face interpersonal communications skills have taken a backseat to electronic communications among young people, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, youth had to relearn in-person education and communication as they returned to school after the year-long hiatus.Teachers and administration at the elementary schools recognized a need for developing communication skills among the students and reached out to the Magoffin County Cooperative Extension Service to gain a better
