Hardin County CES

Title:

Activating Volunteer Leaders through Extension Programs

MAP:

Developing Leadership Skills for Community and Civic Engagement

Agents Involved:

Aldenderfer, Fentress, McCandless

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Master Clothing Volunteer

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development

Situation:

Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky.   The Cooperative Extension Service provides opportunities for youth and adults to help improve leadership abilities and create a positive impact on the future.  Volunteers are important in building engaged and empowered communities.   

Basic leadership knowledge and 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.  Developing leadership in the youth and adults who are involved in the Cooperative Extension Service is a priority.  

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).   

Demand for home horticulture information continues to increase for Kentucky county Extension offices. The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program develops trained volunteers to assist county Extension staff in meeting this need for research-based information and public outreach.

The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association mission is to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education, leadership development and volunteer service. With membership totaling more than 13,000 statewide, KEHA members are engaged leaders and active volunteers.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Extension Master Gardeners - The public has a positive perception of EMG volunteers as reliable sources for home horticulture information. EMG Volunteers extend the educational outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service in areas such as community gardens, youth gardening, environmentally sustaining lawn and garden practices, and other topics.

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

Master Clothing Volunteers provide the counties with experienced leaders who can assist in the implementation of sewing-related programs; serve as 4-H sewing club leaders; develop lasting friendships with other Volunteers thereby gaining a support-group that can improve quality of life

Participants of MCV-Led Programs continue to engage in sewing-related activities, sustain or increase the participation in sewing-related activities – sew for pleasure or self-expression; gain skills that can be used to benefit livelihood; save money by mending or altering clothing and by sewing home décor items.

4-H   4-H leaders receive certifications that they can use to engage youth within their program areas to increase knowledge and exposure to their projects. Youth will benefit by learning valuable life skills within their project. Mentor relationships are also established.

Intermediate Outcomes:

All EMG volunteers maintain consistency in completing hours (a minimum of 15 hr. per year) to maintain certification. Participants (certified EMG volunteers) put into practice the skills learned when completing volunteer hours and working with clientele Participants engage as facilitators and presenters for classes, lectures, or workshops delivered EMG volunteers practice effective skills when interacting with clientele EMG volunteers have positive perceptions of their role as reliable sources for home horticulture information

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

The number of KEHA volunteer service hours reported annually for KEHA, Extension and Community activities will increase.

Master Clothing Volunteers continue to hone their skills and increase confidence; seek out teaching and leadership opportunities in their communities; generate interest in sewing related activities within their communities

Participants of MCV-Led Programs learn more skills, consider mending clothing in lieu of replacing it, sew their own clothing or craft items; are provided with a creative outlet

4-H - volunteers practice leadership skills through roles as club or project leaders as well as the opportunity to serve on the 4-H Council, Extension Council and District board 

Initial Outcomes:

Extension Master Gardeners - Participants gain knowledge in many aspects of home horticulture. This is measured through regular quizzes. Participants become more aware of Extension’s role in addressing the needs of local residents Participants master the EMG curriculum by passing (score of 75% or better) comprehensive exam given at the end of the training. Participants become Certified EMG volunteers when they master the curriculum and provide 30 hours in volunteer service to the local Cooperative Extension Office.

KEHA - KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training.

KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.

Master Clothing Volunteers are accepted into a group of individuals that share a passion for sewing; through our MCV training, our volunteers learn standard sewing skills and are exposed to advancements in sewing equipment; they may change point-of-view about the way some sewing techniques can be taught or implemented.

Participants of MCV-Led Programs learn basic sewing skills, accept sewing as a valid hobby, become interested in learning more sewing techniques; improve hand/eye coordination

4-H - 4-H volunteers will gain leadership skills and organizational knowledge through annual continuing education hours, certifications, councils 101 trainings and other leader trainings annually.

Evaluation:

Outcome:  EMGs increase knowledge and become experienced leaders

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting improved horticultural knowledge and/or Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership skills.

Method: Attend Initial 40-hour training at the county level

Timeline:  on-going

Outcome:  MCV’s increase knowledge and become experienced leaders

Indicator:  1, 2 (from MCV Program Indicators)

Method: Attend Fall training at Jabez; lead Jabez classes & throughout KY

Timeline:  yearly (2020-2024)

Outcome: Sewing class participants gain skills  

Indicator:  6, 7, 8 (from MCV Program Indicators)

Method: Attend MCV-led classes 

Timeline:  on-going (2023-2024)

Outcome: KEHA members will gain organizational knowledge through annual officer and chairman training.

Indicator:  Number of KEHA members who report knowledge gained through county and/or area officer and chairman training.

Method: program evaluation with pre and post assessment questions 

Timeline:  on-going (2020-2024)

Outcome: KEHA members will increase knowledge and skills in personal leadership through club lessons and special interest workshops.

Indicator:  Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership knowledge and/or Number of individuals reporting improved personal and interpersonal leadership skills.

Method: end of program evaluations, surveys

Timeline:  on-going (2020-2024)

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

Indicator:  Number of KEHA members who utilized knowledge gained through officer training to fulfill a KEHA leadership role at the club, county, area and/or state level.

Method: Observation, review of officer directories

Timeline:  on-going (2020-2024)

Outcome: 4-H volunteers will lead clubs and hold monthly meetings for youth to work on projects.

Indicator: Number of individuals that complete certifications to be club leaders

Method: end of program evaluations, observation

Timeline: on-going

Outcome: 4-H volunteers will learn to engage youth, practice leadership and increase skills and knowledge through trainings and workshops

Indicator: Number of individuals that utilize skills gained through trainings and attending workshops and KVF.

Method: end of year evaluations, observation

Timeline: on-going.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Master Clothing Volunteers

Project or Activity:  Fall training at Jabez, Lexington, Cave City

Content or Curriculum: classes based on certification needs or requests from members or as determined by the MCV Steering Committee

Inputs: State Coordinator, Agents, Steering Committee, other MCV’s

Date: Yearly in October (2020- 2024)

Audience:  Master Clothing Volunteers

Project or Activity:  Area Work Days

Content or Curriculum: MCV’s get together as determined by their Area Contact or other MCV’s to work on service projects

Inputs: FCS & 4-H Agents or other MCV’s

Date: on-going (2020- 2025)

Audience:  Participants of MCV-Led Programs, general public

Project or Activity:  Level-Specific Sewing Classes

Content or Curriculum: MCV’s teach sewing classes in their counties

Inputs: FCS & 4-H Agents or other MCV’s

Date: on-going (2020-2025)

   

Audience: Hardin County Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity:   KEHA Officer and Chairman Training / County KEHA Kickoff 

Content or Curriculum: KEHA Training Toolkit, KEHA Manual, KEHA Website

Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors

Date: Annually each fall (2020-2024)

Audience: Hardin County Extension Homemakers 

Project or Activity:  KEHA Leader Training and/or Special Interest Workshops

Content or Curriculum: KELD Curriculum, FCS Extension Lesson Resources, FCS Curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors

Date: Monthly (2020-2024)

Audience:  Hardin County Extension Homemakers 

Project or Activity:  KEHA State Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Officer Training & Educational Chairman Workshops

Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors

Date: Annually each spring (2020-2024)

Audience:  Hardin County 4-H Volunteers 

Project or Activity:  4-H Volunteer Orientation/Leader Training

Content or Curriculum: Officer Training & Volunteer Orientation Materials

Inputs: 4-H Agents, State Volunteer Program Mgmt. Specialist

Date: Annually each fall (2020-2025)

Audience:  Hardin County 4-H Volunteers

Project or Activity:  Kentucky Volunteer Forum

Content or Curriculum: core content/subject matter workshops

Inputs: Extension Agents, State Specialists

Date: every other February (even years) (2020, 2022, 2024)

Audience:  Hardin County EMG Volunteers

Project or Activity:  Initial Training

Content or Curriculum: core content/subject matter lessons

Inputs: Extension Agents, State Specialists

Date: Fall of Even Years: 2024

Audience: Hardin County 4-H Volunteers

Project or Activity: 4-H Council 101, Leader Training

Content or Curriculum: core content

Inputs: State Specialists, Extension Agents

Date: Fall (2020- 2024)

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