Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing leadership skills for community and civic engagement
Leadership development
P. Adkins, C. Hall, J. Palmer, C. Robles and K. Smith
Master Gardener
Leadership
Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Family and Consumer Science
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.
• 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.
• Youth and adults will demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills in their day to day lives.
• Youth and adults will engage in community based service projects selected to address identified needs.
• Citizens put skills into practice by becoming more engaged in the community, taking on leadership roles.
• Youth and adults will learn the leadership and procedural skills that will allow them to run a meeting.
• Youth and adults will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader and team player.
• Youth and adults will learn about leadership styles and will be able to identify positive and negative leadership characteristics.
• Youth and adults will acquire decision making skills and gain an appreciation for civic engagement.
Initial 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
Intermediate 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
Long-term Outcome: Youth and adults will serve as leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors
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
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program & Volunteer Activities
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener curriculum
Inputs: Guest speakers/volunteers, mentors, agent, classroom,
lab
Date: Spring 2024
Audience: Adults and Advisory Council Members
Project or Activity: Build Organizational Leadership
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)
Inputs: UK/KSU Specialists, Extension leadership
Date: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Audience: Extension Homemakers Club Presidents
Project or Activity: President’s Training
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA),
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service publications
and resources
Date: 2024
Audience: Extension Homemakers Educational Chairmen
Project or Activity: Educational Program Chairmen Training
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA),
Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service publications
and resources
Date: September 2023
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Clothing Volunteer (MCV)
Content or Curriculum: MCV Curriculum, Continuing education hours for
certification
Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,
grants
Date: Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: 4-H Advisory Council
Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,
The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training
Toolkit
Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,
grants
Date: Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Horse, Dog, and Livestock Volunteer
Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,
The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training
Toolkit, Continuing education hours for certification
Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,
grants
Date: Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Camp
Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,
The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training
Toolkit
Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,
grants
Date: Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: After School Agriculture, Essential Elements of 4-H
Youth Development Program, The Power of Experiential
Learning Mentor Training Toolkit
Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,
grants
Date: Sept. 2024-Aug. 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Teen Summit & Teen Conference
Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,
The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training
Toolkit
Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,
grants
Date: Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Communications
Content or Curriculum: Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development Program,
The Power of Experiential Learning Mentor Training
Toolkit
Inputs: Paid staff, state specialist, volunteers, facilities,
grants
Date: Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2025
