Caldwell County CES

Title:

Develop Individuals for Volunteer and Leadership Roles

MAP:

Engaged Communities

Agents Involved:

Shane Bogle, Rhonda Jewell, Ashley Board

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD): Developing Core Leadership Skills

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Community Engagement

Situation:

Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Cooperative Extension.  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 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, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Agriculture programs provide opportunities for youth and adults to actively engage locally and globally to promote life skills [such as leadership] that prepare them for the global marketplace. Through extension programs, individuals 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).    Agriculture leadership skills are applied to make policy changes that make life better for citizens.  Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association mission is to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education, leadership development, and volunteer service. Extension works to improve leadership at the personal level, organizational level, and community level.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Local economy is strengthened through strong local organizational leadership.

*Community problems are solved through actively engaged local leaders.

*Youth will gain the needed leadership skills that will allow them to serve as teen and adult leaders in their community organization and as mentors for younger youth.

*Youth will receive education in diversity, inclusivity, and multiculturalism. 

*KEHA members serve as active Extension and community volunteers engaged in addressing community needs. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Increased number of individuals who practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools, and community outreach.

*Participants improve skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.

*Participants apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.

*Extension volunteer base will increase.

*Youth will demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills in their day to day lives.

*Senior 4-H members will become leaders or co-leaders of a 4-H project club day other project based group with younger 4-H members.

*Youth will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.

*Participants will indicate an increased awareness of diversity.

*KEHA members will practice personal leadership skills through leadership roles at the club, county, area, and/or state level.

Initial Outcomes:

*Participants increase knowledge and skills in personal, organizational, and community leadership. .

*Participants will learn the different leadership styles and be to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.

*Participants will understand the importance of being involved in the community.

*Participants will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills in personal, organizational, and community leadership

Indicator: number of individuals who report knowledge gained through programming efforts

Method: pre-post survey

Timeline: ongoing

Intermediate Outcome: Increase number of individuals who practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools, and community outreach

Indicator: number of individuals who utilize knowledge gained to fulfill leadership roles

Method: observation

Timeline: ongoing

Long-term Outcome: Community problems are solved by actively engaged leaders

Indicator: leaders are actively engaged

Method: observation

Timeline: ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Homemakers, Community Members

Project or Activity: Monthly leader lessons

Content or Curriculum: KEHA approved lessons

Inputs: Extension Agents

Date: September 2024-June 2025

Audience: Community Leaders, Members

Project or Activity: Leadership Caldwell

Content or Curriculum: KELD

Inputs:  Extension Agents, Chamber

Date: TBD

Audience:  Teens

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Council

Content or Curriculum: Unlock Your Leadership Potential / Team-building with Teens

Inputs:  Extension Agents

Date: 2024-2025

Audience:  Teens

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Summit

Content or Activity: KY 4-H Leadership / Leadership Conference for middle school students

Inputs:  Extension Agents

Date: March 2025

Audience:  Teens

Project or Activity: 4-H Teen Conference

Content or Activity: KY 4-H Leadership / Leadership Conference for high school students

Inputs:  Extension Agents

Date: June 2025

Audience:  Teens

Project or Activity: Southern Region 4-H Teen Leadership Conference

Content or Activity: Leadership Conference for teens in Southern Region

Inputs:  Extension Agents

Date: September 2024

Audience:  Homemaker Leaders/Members

Project or Activity: KEHA Program of Work seminars

Content: KELD, KEHA approved lessons

Inputs:  Extension Agents

Date: September 2024-June 2025

Audience: Teens

Project:  4-H Camp Teen Leader

Content:  West KY 4-H Camp Program

Inputs:  Volunteers (teens and adult), camp staff, Extension Agents

Date:  June 2025

Audience:  Master Clothing Volunteers

Project or Activity:  MCV Fall Training

Content:  various

Inputs:  UK Specialists, Extension Agents

Date:  Fall each year

Success Stories

Teen Conference Provides Teens with Opportunities for Leadership and Growth

Author: Rhonda Jewell

Major Program: Leadership

Teen Conference 2025 The 2025 Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky from June 10th through 13th, continuing its long-standing tradition of empowering youth through leadership, education, and service. This year’s conference welcomed a total of 528 participants, including 365 youth delegates, 35 State Teen Council members, 24 State Board members from SET, NRESci, and SSTAB, 80 4-H Agents, 9 4-H Program Assistants, 7 4-H Interns, and 8 volunteers. The event

Full Story

Stuck in the Middle at West Kentucky 4-H Camp

Author: Rhonda Jewell

Major Program: Camping

Stuck in the Middle at West Kentucky 4-H Camp is a unique and impactful event designed specifically for middle school youth (6th-8th grade). This event was a success, bringing together young people from 13 counties in Western Kentucky for a weekend of fun, friendship, and growth. With 81 youth participants, 21 teen leaders, and 23 Extension personnel/ adult volunteers in attendance, the program highlighted the importance of social connection, hands-on engagement, and supportive environments for

Full Story

Teacher Appreciation Luncheon helps Support 4-H Camp

Author: Rhonda Jewell

Major Program: Leadership

4-H Camp provides an opportunity for young people to develop essential life skills that help them build character, develop a sense of independence, and become responsible individuals. There are many life lessons to be learned at camp from learning to respect others, money management, and responsibility for oneself to name a few. According to the American Camping Association, “camp provides children with a community of caring adults who nurture experiential education that results in self-re

Full Story