Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth & Adult Leadership Development
Volunteer Development
Jones, Potter, Sarantakos
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Community Leadership Development
Volunteer Development
The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create a positive impact on their future. Leadership opportunities for youth create a setting that reduces the access of youth to risk factors that can negatively impact their success. 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 4-H program is a priority. By assisting the development of leadership skills in today’s youth, we improve the ability to face the challenges of tomorrow (Unlock Your Leadership Potential, University of Florida, 2017).
Kentucky 4-H provides opportunities for youth to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through 4-H youth exercise critical thinking skills, learn to appreciate diversity, practice tolerance, develop socio-emotionally, and strive to contribute to their environment (United State Department of Education International Affairs Office of International Strategy). 4-H participants rate their leadership life skills above average, have a positive view of their leadership ability, and have a positive attitude toward diversity and acceptance of others (Locke, Boyd, Fraze, and Howard, 2007).
With approximately 35 KEHA and volunteers who share their time and expertise with youth and families in the community. Through the efforts of the agents and volunteers, it is the goal to continue to engage, educate, and empower local citizens to become more involved in their community.
*Communities are equipped with competent & effective leaders.
*Communities become more prosperous.
*Gain the needed leadership skills that will allow them to serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities and in community organizations and as mentors for younger youth.
*Receive education on diversity, inclusivity and multiculturalism.
*Identify and address critical issues that impact the community.
*Citizens apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.
*Strengthen community coalitions or partnerships to address community needs.
*Demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.
*4-H members will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities and other venues with 4-H and other community organizations.
*Adults and youth will indicate increased awareness of diversity.
*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.
*4-H members increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
*Adults and youth will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
*Adults and youth develop and enhance leadership skills.
*Adults and youth are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks are more confident and skilled in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global).
*Program participants will learn the communication, leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.
Initial Outcome: Adults and youth will learn about leaderhsip styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
Indicator: The number of youth and adults who participated in volunteer training/orientation.
Method: program evaluation with pre and post assemsent questions.
Timeline:Throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: 4-H members will utilize leadership skills learned during their time in 4-H in clubs, activities, and other venues with 4-H and other community organizatrions.
Indicator: The number of 4-H youth and adults who have volunteered in a non-4-H community non-profit tow or more times during the year.
Method: observation
Timeline: Throughout the year
Long-term Outcome: Gain the needed leadership skills that will allow them to serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities and in community organizations and as mentors for younger youth.
Indicator: The number of hours of youth or adult volunteer related education provided in the county (i.e. orientations, trainings, education workshops, club management seminars, etc.).
Method: observation and verbal evaluation
Timeline: Throughout the year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Advisory Council Training and club officer elections
Content or Curriculum: UK Manual & Councils 101
Inputs: Agents, Extension Volunteers and curriculum
Evaluation Method: post surveys
Date: Throughout the year
Audience: Middle & High School Students
Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit and 4-H Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential, Mentor Curriculum and Build Your Future Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council, Family Resource Centers
Evaluation Method: post surveys
Date: Spring and Summer
Audience: 8th graders – 11th graders
Project or Activity: Multi-County Teen Leadership Academy
Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential, Mentor Curriculum
Inputs: Rowan, Morgan, Fleming, Magoffin and Elliott Counties 4-H Program; local businesses in each county
Evaluation Method: 4-H Common Measurers Survey
Date: September – May
Audience: Extension Councils
Project or Activity: Hosting/Conducting Council Meetings
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, KEHA, KELD
Inputs: Agents, Leaders
Date: All year
Audience: Extension Homemaker
Project or Activity: Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: UK FCS curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialists
Date: August, February
Author: Amanda Potter
Major Program: Leadership
The Rowan County Cooperative Extension Office hosted the Teen Leadership Academy Teens in December 2022. They were given the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of county government and how their jobs each serve a purpose within the county. The teens were then allowed to tour the Rowan County Art Museum and speak with some of the local artists in Rowan County. Several of the students who participated told myself and the other agent how much they loved the trip and it allowed them the o
Author: Peggy Jones
Major Program: Family Development General
Teaching manners and etiquette at an early age is crucial in order for youth to have a successful future, according to the National Education Association. Many children do not have the opportunity at home to learn this skill, which leaves educators and other organizations with the responsibility to teach this important component. When discussing the needs of students in the local school system, the 4-H Manners Program is requested on a regular basis more and more each year. Four eleme
