Hardin County CES

Title:

Leadership and Advocacy

MAP:

Developing Leadership Skills for Community and Civic Engagement

Agents Involved:

ALL

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

4-H Youth Development Programming

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Empowering Community Leaders (general)

Situation:

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.
An Overview of Diversity Awareness (http://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/w/3/30/An_Overview_of_Diversity_Awareness.pdf)
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.

County Extension Offices will continue to experience a demand for home horticulture information. Volunteers will continue to have an interest in home horticulture and perceive a need for sharing research-based horticultural information with others in the community.

The skills and talents of leaders are essential to build strong programs that enhance the lives of Hardin County residents.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*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.

The public has a positive perception of EMG volunteers as reliable sources for home horticulture information. EMG Volunteers extend the educational outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service in areas such as community gardens, youth gardening, environmentally sustaining lawn and garden practices, and other topics.

Volunteers will achieve a sense of program ownership through development and implementation of Extension programs with the assistance of Extension Agents and personnel. They will also have a strong sense of pride for influencing the future leaders and consumers of our programs.

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.

All participants(EMG) volunteers maintain consistency in completing 20 hrs to maintain certification.
Participants put into practice the skills learned when completing volunteer hours and working with clientele.
Participants engage as facilitators and presenters for classes, lectures, or workshops delivered.
EMG volunteers practice effective skills when interacting with clientele.
EMG volunteers have positive perceptions of their role as reliable sources for home horticulture information.

Volunteers and leadership program participants will utilize the knowledge and skills acquired in leadership programs by planning, executing and evaluating Extension programs in Hardin County.

Initial Outcomes:

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.
EMG Participants gain knowledge in many aspects of home horticulture.
EMG Participants become more aware of Extension's role in addressing the needs of local residents.
Participants master the EMG curriculum by passing the a comprehensive exam at the end of training with a score of 75% or better.
Participants become Certified EMG volunteers when they master the curriculum and provide 40 hours in volunteer service to the local Cooperative Extension Office.

Users of county programs will increase their involvement in Extension programs by enrolling in an Extension sponsored leadership program.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Gain knowledge & acquire skills
Indicator: Number of Youth who demonstrate increased or routine use of like skills learned through 4-H in daily life
Method: Family & Consumer Sciences 4-H program evaluation
Timeline: at end of school year

Intermediate Outcome: Make choices that lead to responsible & beneficial results
Indicator: Number of youth who reported that they set a goal and accomplished it
Method: Family & consumer science 4-H program evaluation
Timeline: at end of school and/or project year

Long-term Outcome: Extension volunteers take ownership of Extension programs.
Indicator: Volunteers use professionals and extension agents less to conduct programs and events.
Method: Survey, visual
Timeline: 2016, 2017

Initial Outcome: Gain knowledge of home horticulture
Indicator: passing score of 70%
Method: quizzes and homework and final exam
Timeline: at the end of every class period and the final class

Intermediate Outcome: engage as facilitators and presenters for classes, lectures, or workshops delivered
Indicator: increase in EMG as presenters for Horticulture program
Method: tally of participation
Timeline: Yearly program review

Long-term Outcome: Increase in clientele contact from the EMG
Indicator: total number of contacts reported through the EMG volunteer log
Method: client count
Timeline: yearly program review

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H youth grades 8-11
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: leadership, communications, civic engagement
Inputs: Teachers, 4-H agents, local business & community leaders
Date: Monthly from fall to spring

Audience: High School youth
Project or Activity: FCS Essentials class collaboration
Content or Curriculum: FCS, Leadership, Health and Communications curriculum
Inputs: Local schools, community volunteers & businesses
Date: Monthly from Fall to Spring

Audience: community volunteers interested in multi-week horticulture training and in giving back tot he community by assisting local Extension Agents
Project or Activity: Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Education Program, 12-15 sessions, 2-3 hours a week
Content or Curriculum: KY Extension Master Gardener Curriculum
Inputs: EMG volunteers, Extension Agents, Extension Office, program fees, EMG Training manual, and Extension publications.
Date: Fall of 2016, 2018, 2020

Audience: Community Leaders
Project or Activity: Hardin County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture Industry - Economic Development Day
Inputs: Extension Agents, Agricultural Retailers, Allied Industry, Farmers, Chamber of Commerce
Date: October 2016

Audience: Community Gardeners
Project or Activity: CanUDigIt?
Content or Curriculum: gardening professional speakers
Inputs: Extension Agent, Master Gardeners,
Date: March 2017

Success Stories