Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing informal and formal leadership skills for youth and adults
Recruiting, Retaining and Empowering Community Leaders
A. Brewer, M. Preece, K. Bishop, A. Leonberger
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Communications and Expressive Arts
Master Gardener
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical for the sustainability of communities. Strong community leaders are committed to investigating issues, making responsible decisions, and taking ownership of solutions.
Leadership opportunities for youth reduce risk factors that can negatively impact their success. The development of life skills, like as leadership, allows youth to cope with their environment by making responsible decisions, having a better understanding of their values, and being better able to communicate and get along with others. (Boyd, Herring & Briers, 1992, Journal of Extension).
Basic leadership knowledge and skills are essential for success across age groups and 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 the persons they hire. Developing leadership in the youth and adults is a priority.
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 sociology-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).
• Youth and adults will serve as leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger children.
• Youth and adults will identify and address critical issues that impact the community.
• Youth and adults will use leadership skills needed to be successful in the workplace on a daily basis.
• Community members are equipped with effective leadership skills to motivate others to initiate projects.
*Community members engage others to initiate projects
*Civic engagement is possible and desirable for community members
*Communities become more prosperous
• Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles with Cooperative Extension and other community organizations.
- Youth put skills into practice by becoming more engaged, taking on leadership roles
- Youth improve skills in communication or problem solving in addressing community issues and needs
- Youth participants become more engaged in non-formal leadership roles which increases involvement/action
- Youth participants initiate projects that meet the needs of their community
- Youth are inclusive of all individuals
- Youth will volunteer and participate in community service
- Youth will engage in civic involvement
- Youth will maintain future intentions for civic engagement
- Youth and adults increase knowledge of effective leadership skills
- Youth and adults develop/enhance leadership skills
- Youth and adults are informed of community systems, are better connected to communication networks, are more confident and skills in identifying and implementing strategies for change in their community (local/state/national/global)
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Outcome:
- Youth become more engaged as a leader in their community (planning a service project, serving as a mentor, increasing participation in local/state/national levels)
Indicator of Success for Outcome:
- Youth plan a community service project in their community
- Youth report they serve as a mentor for a younger participant
- Youth serve as leaders within their club or county programs
- Youth serve in a state or national leadership position
Method:
- 4-H Common Measures Universal Survey
- Program Indicators
Timeline: After each training and program
Outcome: Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles.
Indicator: Increase in youth and adults serving as leaders and mentors with Extension and other community organizations.
Method: Observation and records
Timeline: After training and programs
Outcome: Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics
Indicator: Youth and adults successfully identify positive and negative leadership characteristics in post-survey
Method: Pre- and post-survey/tests
Timeline: Before and after programs
Audience: Adults & Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Council
Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program, The Power of Experiential Learning, Mentor Training Toolkit, KEHA Leader Training
Inputs: CES Agents, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,
Date: September – August
Learning Opportunities/Programs for Agents/Youth
- 4-H Leadership
- Curriculum: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential, Teambuilding with Teens, My Leadership Workbook (Level 1), My Leadership Journal (Level 2), My Leadership Portfolio (Level 3), Leadership Mentor Guide 1: K-5, Leadership Mentor Guide 2: 6-12
- State and National Programs: 4-H State Teen Council and Leadership Boards, 4-H Leadership Boot Camp, 4-H Teen Conference, 4-H Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, 4-H National Congress, 4-H Achievement Program, 4-H National Conference, 4-H Summit, 4-H Camp Counselors, Local Leadership Clubs/Events
- Training: Agent In-services
- 4-H Global Education
- Curriculum: Empowering Students to Improve the World in Sixty Lessons (Version 1), 4-H Backpack to Adventure: Youth Leaders in a Global World, WeConnect: A Global Youth Citizenship Curriculum
- Local, State and National Programs: 4-H International Exchange Program, Kentucky 4-H International Service-Learning Program, Local Cultural Events/Clubs
Training: Agent In-services & Kentucky Volunteer Forum
Author: Casey Townsend
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
15 out of 18 Summer Transportation Institute high school participants responded to a pre and post survey rating their interest in STEM projects and transportation careers. They rated their interest to do more STEM projects as 66.67% before the program and 86.67% afterwards. Their interest in learning more about transportation careers was 33.33% before the program and 53.33% afterwards. 66.67% of the participants noted that 4-H is a place where they have a chance to be a l
Author: Austin Brewer
Major Program: Community Engagement
Club Fair 2022-2023 Success Story In the last two years, several Franklin County 4-H clubs that were traditionally well-attended have come to a halt due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and low attendance. The only clubs that have remained are the Country Ham Project, Teen Leadership, Clover Buds, Shooting Sports, and Cooking Club. Franklin County 4-H agents Austin Brewer and MacKenzie Preece made a goal to revive programs such as Livestock, Sewing, Horse, and Dog Club. The 2022 Franklin County 4-H
Author: Austin Brewer
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership – 4-H Youth Development
Jekyll Island Success Story Eight middle schoolers from Franklin County were chosen to represent their community at the 4-H Environmental Education Camp on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The trip took place over spring break, and the students were excited to travel to the beach to experience the 4-H Center with a Marine Biology twist.During their time at the camp, the students participated in various beach ecology courses, seining classes, and night hike/astronomy workshops. They learned about the
Author: Keenan Bishop
Major Program: Beef
The problemThe educational program responseThe participants/target audienceOther partners (if applicable)Program impact or participant response.
Author: Austin Brewer
Major Program: Leadership
Teen Conference 2023 Success Story The 99th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 13-16, 2023. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, dev
