Strengthening and Empowering Community Leaders, Volunteers, and Youth
Volunteerism and Leadership Development
FCS, Meagan Klee, Kelsey Woodrum
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD): Developing Core Leadership Skills
Volunteer Development
Master Gardener
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H. 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 & 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 their 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 States 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).
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders in Casey County is critical for the sustainability of the community’s infrastructures which support long term commitment to strengthen families. Through local efforts for leadership development through the Cooperative Extension Service, youth, teens, and adults will continue to gain beneficial information to be applied to leadership positions.
- Youth will serve as teen and adult leaders in the community and community organizations.
- Teens and adults become mentors for younger participants.
- Youth become CITs, Teen and Adults Leaders at 4-H Camp.
- Participants will identify and address critical issues impacting the community.
- Participants will be productive, contributing adults in the future.
- Participants will use leadership and communication skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
- Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills in their daily lives.
- Senior 4-H members will become leaders/co-leaders of 4-H Clubs, projects, and/or day camps.
- Youth will attend 4-H Camp year after year developing leadership and team building skills.
- Participants will engage in community-based service projects to address community needs.
- Participants will utilize leadership skills during 4-H club meetings, activities and other Extension programs.
- Participants learn communication, leadership and procedural skills allowing them to run a meeting.
- Participants will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player, and communicator.
- Participants will learn about differing leadership styles identifying positive and negative leadership characteristics.
- Participants will acquire decision-making skills.
- Participants will gain appreciation for civic engagement.
- Participants will listen and respect people with differing ideas and perspectives.
- Long-Term Evaluation
- Number of participants taking on leadership roles in Extension programs (i.e. group leaders, officers, etc.).
- Number of participants taking on leadership roles in community organizations.
- Number of members involved in Extension Advisory Councils.
- Number of youth who participated in Civic Education and Engagement educational programs.
Intermediate Evaluation
- Number of youth who served as direct mentors to one or more younger youth.
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?”
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
- Number of youth and adults who engaged in volunteer service in their communities through the 4-H program.
- Number of 4-H youth and adults who have volunteered in a non-4-H community non-profits two or more times during the year.
- Number of 4-H members or participants who sit on local, regional, or state boards for civic organizations.
- Number of youth who designed and completed an educational program based on civic need (community service project)?
Initial Evaluation
- Number of youth who received education related to diversity and inclusivity.
- Number of youth and adults who participated in volunteer training/orientation (i.e. club officer orientation, volunteer education/certification, etc).
- Number of hours of youth or adult volunteer related education provided in the county (i.e. orientations, trainings, education workshop, club management seminars, etc).
- Number of youth and adults who have participated in a community-based service project.
- Number of hours of service contributed.
Audience: Casey County 4-H Council, Homemakers Council, FCS Council, ANR Advisory Board, County Extension Council, general public, and Chamber of Commerce Leadership Programs
Project/Activity: Leadership Development Training
Content/Curriculum: KELD, Councils 101
Input: Volunteers, Council/Board Members, Community Partners
Date: September – May
Audience: Casey County Extension Council, Homemakers Council, FCS Council, ANR Advisory Board, 4-H Council
Project/Activity: Casey County Extension Expo
Content/Curriculum: KELD
Input: Extension Council members and volunteers plan and implement community event.
Date: October
Audience: Casey County 4-Hers (6th – 12th grade)
Project/Activity: 4-H Teen Council
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum, Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)
Inputs: Monthly meetings, coordinated service projects, fundraisers.
Date: July – June
Audience: 4-H Club Officers
Project/Activity: 4-H Officer Training
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Club Officer Training Manual, Parliamentary Procedure
Inputs: Training, monthly meetings
Date: August – May
Audience: 6th – 12th Graders
Project/Activity: In School 4-H Club/Enrichment
Content/Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential, Step Up to Leadership, Backpack 4-H Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff and Casey County School Staff
Audience: Casey County Community
Project/Activity: Angel Tree Service Project
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Civic Engagement Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff and 4-H Teen Council
Date: November – December
Audience: Casey County High School Youth
Project/Activity: Issues Conference
Content/Curriculum: Leadership and Community Needs Identification and Problem Solving
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Local Volunteers
Date: November
Audience: Casey County Middle School Youth
Project/Activity: Kentucky 4-H Summit
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Local Volunteers
Date: March
Audience: 4-H Camp CITs, Teens, and Adults
Project/Activity: 4-H Camp Leader Training, 4-H Camp-a-Palooza
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Camp Leadership Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Local Volunteers
Date: April - May
Audience: Casey County 4-Hers (8th – 12th grade)
Project/Activity: Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Leadership Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Local Volunteers
Date: June
Audience: Casey County Junior Cattlemen’s
Project/Activity: KJCA Leadership Camp
Content/Curriculum: KJCA
Input: KCA Staff, Specialists
Date: June – July
Audience: Casey County Cattlemen’s and Junior Cattlemen’s
Project/Activity: KCA Convention
Content/Curriculum: KCA Curriculum
Input: KCA Staff, Industry Leaders, Educational Speakers
Date: January
Audience: Master Gardeners
Project/Activity: Community Gardening Projects
Content/Curriculum: Master Gardeners Curriculum
Input: ANR Agent, UK Specialists
Date: February – September
Author: Meagan Klee
Major Program: Camping
Casey County is located in south central Kentucky but is considered an eastern Kentucky County due to its limited resources and the social economic status of most families. As of 2020, the mean household income per capita in Casey County was $29,123. With limited income for our families, extracurricular activities can be difficult to pay for therefore reducing the exposure, opportunities, and development for our youth.The mission of the Kentucky 4-H Camping program is to improve people through i
Author: Kelsey Marcum
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
Casey County is a very rural county in comparison to many other Kentucky counties. Agriculture is one of the most dangerous professions and it is important that those living in a rural community understand why. This is why Casey County Extension started Ag Safety Day for Casey County 5th graders. Casey County Extension partnered with the Casey County Conservation District, Casey County Farm Bureau, and Casey County School District to make it happen. Volunteers joined to teach different stat
Author: Meagan Klee
Major Program: Natural Resources
A child’s behavior can suffer from an absence of the outdoors. This became an increasing issue during the coronavirus pandemic and the months following as quarantining, isolation, and virtual learning led individuals to stay indoors more often. Nature-Deficit Disorder, coined by Richard Louv in 2005, “is a nonmedical condition that attributes behavioral changes in children to less time spent outdoors”. (https://parentology.com/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder/)To provide additio