Leadership and Community Development
Empowering Community Leaders
C. Kincaid, Verlene Congleton, D Coffey, Patsy Smith, SNAP-ED
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Master Clothing Volunteer
Empowering Community Leaders (general)
Business Retention and Expansion
While Jackson County has a growing number of voluntary organizations such as Food Bank, Jackson County Health Initiative Program (JCHIP), Jackson County Tourism, JCDA and IDA which relate to county-wide issues: i.e. employment, infrastructure, education, cultural development and health. Educational programs and organizations which offer theoretical and practical experiences at community problem solving and building the capacity of volunteer leaders within counties is critical for the sustainability of a community infrastructure that supports long term commitment to strengthen families and communities.
Jackson County has a growing number of voluntary organizations such as Food Bank, Vision 2020, JCDA and IDA which relate to county-wide issues: i.e. employment, infrastructure, education, cultural development and health. Educational programs and organizations which offer theoretical and practical experiences at community problem solving are necessary for citizens for elementary school age to adult. Extension and Extension-supported programs which teach community development with the values of respect for all people, trust, cooperation and sustainable development are necessary.
An informed and active citizenry is involved in county and community projects and activities with the unified goal of improving the overall quality of life in the county.
Local citizens and agents will participate in plans for adults and youth to become involved in community affairs by taking an active part in organizations and in community decision-making.
Extension homemakers will be active in their organization and other community activities with advice from agents.
In order to assume leadership and volunteer roles, citizens will need to feel confident. They will need to learn skills of group development and decision-making with knowledge and skills in personal leadership.
Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership.
Indicator: Homemakers evaluated through leader lesson evaluations.
Method: Homemaker leader lesson evaluations
Timeline: August-May
Intermediate Outcome: Extension homemakers will become involved in community programs.
Indicator: Number of extension homemakers assisting with community programs.
Method: Number of participants will be counted, as well as, observing the number of community development projects related to agents’ work, compared to year before.
Timeline: Year round
Long-term Outcome: Increased number of Extension clients taking the lead in Extension and community projects will become a reality, as well as, general increases in community development as a result of all agents’ efforts. Provide leadership educational programming for youth.
Indicator: Program participates will show an increase in participation in Extension and community development projects. Income and leadership opportunities will increase.
Method: Number of participants will be counted, as well as, observing the number of community development projects related to agents’ work, compared to year before. Homemakers taking and conducting lessons will be surveyed.
Timeline: Year round
Audience: Homemakers
Project or Activity: 4-H and Adult Sewing Programs
Content or Curriculum: Master Clothing Volunteer Training
Inputs: FCS Agent/ Extension Specialist/ Master Clothing Volunteer Curriculum
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Adult Leaders
Project or Activity: Jackson County Fair
Content or Curriculum: All Agents
Inputs: All agents/Fair Board Regulations/KEHA Cultural Arts
Date: August
Audience: Jackson County Homemakers
Project or Activity: Jackson County and WTA Homemakers Council
Content or Curriculum: FCS Agent
Inputs: KEHA Training
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Jackson County Extension Council and Board Members
Project or Activity: Extension Get To Know Us Event
Content or Curriculum: 4-H, AG, and FCS Agent and Board and Council members
Inputs: 4-H, AG and FCS Agent Resources
Date: June 2017 / Meetings 3 Times per Year
Audience: 4-H Youth and Community Members
Project or Activity: 4-H Judges for 4-H Talk Meet and 4-H Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Communication and Expressive Arts
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: All agents and Extension Council Members
Project or Activity: Extension Council and Board Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Extension Council and Board Handbook (Power point Presentation) and By-laws
Date: Six Times Per Year
Audience: 4-H Agent and 4-H Council Members/Community Leaders, Resource People
Project or Activity: 4-H Council Meeting
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Council Handbook and By-laws
Date: Meetings 3 times a year
Audience: 4-H Agents, Volunteers, Teens and Campers
Project or Activity: 4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp Leader Orientation/4-H Camp Handbook
Date: Summer
Audience: Community leaders, volunteers and law enforcement personnel
Project or Activity: 4-H Youth Protection Committee
Content or Curriculum: Youth Protection Standard Curriculum
Date: As Needed
Audience: 4-H and FCS Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Volunteer Leader Forum
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum
Date: 2018
Audience: 4-H Youth and Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Certification Program
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Horse and Livestock Certification Training
Date: Fall 2017
Audience: Community Leaders
Project or Activity: Kiwanis Club
Content or Curriculum: ANR Agent and Community Leaders/Business Owners
Date: Monthly
Audience: All 9th grade students and 4-H and FCS Volunteers, 4-H Agent, FCS Agents, Program Assistants
Project or Activity: Truth or Consequences
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum Truth or Consequences
Date: Fall 2017
Author: Verlene Congleton
Major Program: Community Engagement
The Cooperative Extension Service has been instrumental in the planning of the local county fair and in collaboration with other civic groups and community leaders for the past 20 plus years. Throughout the years changes have occurred that have led to a decline in the popularity of the county fair within the community. The Cooperative Extension has had an active voice throughout the year in planning and preparation on the local Fair Board. The Cooperative Extension Service takes charge of
Author: Verlene Congleton
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
Over eighty percent of youth receive free or reduced lunch in Jackson County due to meeting economic guidelines. Making 4-H Camp affordable for Jackson County youth has been a struggle for many years with the cost of 4-H Camp rising by 50% in the past ten years. The Jackson County 4-H Council held several fund-raisers throughout the year to pay half of the Jackson County 4-H Campers Camp fee however with local businesses and plants shutting down even that wasn't enough for youth to be
Author: Verlene Congleton
Major Program: Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
The Jackson County 4-H Council Leaders along with the local Youth/Family Resource Centers wanted teens to become more involved in leadership and community development opportunities outside of the school classroom. For several years there had not been a local organized 4-H teen club. Council members suggested to invite 4-H Campers who 'aged' out of the camping program to the teen activities and see if these youth who had a 4-H background would want to revive the 4-H Teen Club.