Extension
It Starts With Us
Develop Individuals for Formal and Informal Leadership and Volunteer Roles
Building Leaders to Improve Community Vitality
Jill Harris, Lee Ann McCuiston, Traci Johnson
Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General
Leadership
Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Community Engagement
Volunteers are important in building engaged and empowered communities.
The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) 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.
Within Todd County there are 120 KEHA members, who share their expertise, and volunteer time with youth and families in their community. Through the efforts of the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and volunteers, local citizens are engaged, educated and empowered to understand family and community issues and take ownership of implementing local solutions. Fourteen homemaker members serve on the Extension Homemaker’s Council, and four on the area homemaker’s council. FCS also has an advisory council that works to plan FCS programs to reach out to the community.
Leadership is a needed and important programming emphasis in Kentucky 4-H. The Cooperative extension service provides opportunities to youth and families to help improve their leadership ability and create most positive futures. 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 the persons they hire. 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)
The development of life skills [such 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).
Leadership skills, including, communication, managing, decision-making, listening, self-motivation and understanding-self, etc., are essential in job employment and career advancement. Based on an America’s Promise Voices Study (2005) a survey of young people aged 10-17, 34% do not believe they have the skills to be successful in life. When asked which “Promise” is missing out of their lives, 67% indicated that “opportunities to serve” is the missing promise. The Todd County Extension Service can be that missing link to provide “opportunities to serve” for youth ages 9-19.
It is vital to instill the values of volunteerism and strong leadership in our young people. Strong leaders are vital to the future of our communities, and to the organizations with whom Cooperative Extension works. Youth are the future leaders of our communities, country and our world, thus the importance of leadership training is great. The Todd County Extension Service plans to enhance the leadership and volunteerism of the youth clientele through education and practice.
Building the capacity of volunteer leaders is critical for the sustainability of communities that support and strengthen families. Economic, social, political and technological advances in society create a higher demand on people to demonstrate more effective leadership and volunteer skills. Leadership skills, including, communication, managing, decision-making, listening, self-motivation and understanding-self, etc., are essential in job employment and career advancement. In Todd County, the FCS advisory councils, County Extension Council, Extension Homemaker Council, and FCS Council indicated a need for leadership development. The Cooperative Extension Service is committed to engaging, educating, and empowering local citizens to investigate issues, make responsible decisions, and take ownership of solutions.
4-H parents,agriculture clientele, and county council members will use the leadership skills gained through training and involvement with Extension Programs to:
--Serve as leaders of Extension organizations to identify critical issues affecting Extension and 4-H youth
--Serve as leaders of other organizations, thus enabling them to identify and address critical issues that directly affect the citizens of the community.
--Utilize the leadership skills obtained in the county to provide leadership in Extension organizations in the district, region, state, and nation.
--Serve as mentors to other adult volunteers in order to improve the programming outreach of Extension.
4-H Youth, 4-H Teen Council Members, 4-H Teen Club Members, 4-H Camp Counselors and other community youth engaged in leadership programming will use the leadership skills gained through training and involvement with Extension Programs to:
--Serve as quality mentors and teachers for Extension in the county, district, state and nation as well as through other community organizations.
--Identify and address critical issues facing the young people of Todd County.
--Exhibit independence away from home.
--Establish a commitment to generosity.
--Gain a sense of belonging and volunteer spirit for the 4-H program and the Cooperative Extension Service and other city, county and community organizations.
FCS
KEHA members serve as active Extension and community volunteers engaged in addressing community needs.
- Todd County's health and economy are strengthened through strong local KEHA leadership.
- Community problems are solved through active engaged KEHA leaders.
- Todd County Homemaker members serve as leaders of other organizations, thus enabling them to identify and address critical issues that directly affect the citizens of the community.
Extension volunteers will:
--Use acquired delegating skills to carry out programs and lead groups or clubs.
--Serve as committee chairs and members to carry out programs and events.
--Conduct public issue programs and consider opinions of others at meetings.
--Serve as officers for local councils.
--Engage in community service and recruitment practices for the community.
--Market the Extension program by word of mouth, with the Report to the People, Agriculture Awareness Day, and Building Strong Families.
--Organize events for the county fair.
--Communicate effectively with family members and other community leaders.
--Interview possible Extension Volunteers who work one-on-one with youth.
--Serve as committee chairs or members for Extension at the district, regional, state, or national level.
Extension youth and other youth involved in leadership programming will:
--Use acquired delegating skills to carry out programs and facilitate leadership groups or clubs
--Serve as committee members and/or chairs to carry out programs and events
--Consider others’ opinions at meetings
--Serve as officers for organized clubs
--Engage in community service and recruitment practices for the community
--Market the Extension program by word of mouth to other youth in the community
--Work together through group processes at leadership camp, trips, conferences, etc.
--Communicate effectively with family members and other community leaders
--Communicate effectively with youth in camp or classroom settings
--Coordinate fund raisers and other community service efforts
--Attend leadership trips, conferences and retreats in and out of state
--Make new friends
--Work and serve on city/county boards or councils and have an active role in county government
FCS
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.
- KEHA members practice personal leadership skills in clubs, schools and community outreach.
- KEHA members Improved skills in communication, problem solving, or group process in addressing organizational issues and needs.
- KEHA members apply skills to assess needs, develop programs and implement solutions for community problems.
Extension volunteers will:
--Learn proper parliamentary procedure and meeting format such as committee setup, agenda,etc.
--Gain an understanding of leadership styles.
--Acquire decision making skills.
--Learn community needs and important issues.
--Gain knowledge of self-esteem and goal setting practices.
--Learn proper communication techniques.
--Understand the importance of diversity.
--Learn the importance of community service activities.
--Understand the importance of risk management and youth protection standards.
--Gain an appreciation for volunteerism.
--Learn how to recruit new members for councils and committees.
--Gain an understanding of the differences in youth and adults .
Extension youth and other youth involved in leadership programming will:
--Learn proper parliamentary procedure and meeting format
--Gain an understanding of leadership styles.
--Acquire decision making skills.
--Learn community needs and important issues.
--Gain knowledge of self-esteem and goal setting practices.
--Learn proper communication techniques.
--Understand the importance of diversity.
--Learn the importance of community service activities.
--Understand the importance of risk management and youth protection standards.
--Gain an appreciation for volunteerism.
--Learn how to recruit new members for clubs.
--Learn how to work with adults on community boards and councils.
FCS
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.
- KEHA members increase knowledge and skills in organizational leadership.
- KEHA members increase knowledge and skills in community leadership.
Long term outcome: 4-H teens and adults who acquired a sense of belonging, loyalty and leadership skills will return as 4-H leaders through summer 4-H camp, communications event judges and volunteers and other 4-H events.
Indicator: The number of volunteers who once were 4-H members in Todd County who return to serve as a camp counselor, event volunteer or judge.
Method: Data collection and follow up survey.
Timeline: End of a 4 year plan of work.
Intermediate outcome: 4-H youth and adult volunteers will use delegating, team work and communication skills while at summer 4-H camp and other 4-H events in working with youth.
Indicator: The number of youth who report an experience of leadership at 4-H camp, communications events and other 4-H sponsored events .
Method: End of week survey for camp and end of year survey and follow up focus group.
Timeline: July - after summer camp and end of program year with teens.
Initial Outcome: 4-H youth and adults will acquire delegation, team work and leadership skills through 4-H club and council meetings, camp training and other trips/conferences.
Indicator: The number of youth and adults who report an acquisition of leadership skills through 4-H involvement.
Method: Survey
Timeline: End of program year.
FCS
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
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
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
All Extension agents will:
--Provide training to 4-H Council Members, CEC Council Members, Homemaker Council Members, District Board Members, Fair Board Members, etc. at monthly, quarterly and annual meetings to insure improved programming.
--Encourage other community members to get involved in Extension work by becoming a council member or group (club) leader.
--Work one-on-one with leaders to train them on how to get involved in Extension on the district, regional, state, or national level.
--Involve clients in community service activities that focus on volunteerism such as: the back pack program, trash-pick-up, food drives, etc.
--Serve on other community advisory councils in order to gain support from existing agencies.
--Train clientele in parliamentary procedure.
--Recruit leaders to attend workshops, serve as chaperones, etc.
--Maintain the Youth Protection and Risk Management Committee and provide updates on policy in regards to the standards and requirements.
--Involve members of the County Extension Council in planning and evaluating programs to
insure effective programming.
The 4-H Youth Development Agent and 4-H volunteers will:
--Provide training to 4-H Teen Council Members, 4-H camp teen counselors and teen educators for 4-H leadership activities at monthly, quarterly and annual meetings to insure improved programming.
--Encourage other community youth to get involved in Extension work by becoming a teen council member or camp (club) teen leader.
--Work one-on-one with teen leaders to train them on how to recognize and adapt to the developmental needs of youth.
--Involve 4-H members in community service activities
--Promote the Kentucky 4-H teen leadership boards to local teens to insure progressive 4-H experiences for youth in Todd County.
FCS
Audience: Extension Homemaker Members
Project or Activity: Officer Training
Content or Curriculum: Roberts Rules Refresh
Inputs: KY Cooperative Extension Agent, KY CES publications and resources, KY Extension Homemaker Association members
Date: August 2024
Audience: Extension Homemaker Members
Project or Activity: Extension Homemaker Monthly Leader Trainings
Content or Curriculum: KY CES Family & Consumer Sciences
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Agents from Pennyrile Area, KY CES publications, KY Extension Homemaker Association members
Date: Monthly (Septmeber-June, except December)
Audience: Extension Homemaker Members
Project or Activity: KEHA Plan of Work
Content or Curriculum: KY Cooperative Extension FCS curriculum
Inputs: KY Cooperative Extension Agent, KY Extension Homemaker Association members, Community partners and resources
Date: Monthly (August – June)
Audience: Extension Homemaker Members
Project or Activity: Cooking School
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum, KEHA Plan of Work,
Inputs: KY Cooperative Extension Agent, KY Extension Homemaker Association members, Community partners and resources
Date: Spring 2025
Audience: Extension Homemaker Members
Project or Activity: Membership Drive
Content or Curriculum: FCS
Inputs: KY Cooperative Extension Agent, KY Extension Homemaker Association members,
Date: July 2025
Audience: FCS Council
Project or Activity: Community Outreach
Content or Curriculum: KY Cooperative Extension FCS curriculum
Inputs: KY Cooperative Extension Agent, Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, Social Service agencies, schools, faith-based partners, health-related partners, and other community resources
Date: Yearly
Audience: Extension Homemaker
Project or Activity: County Annual Homemaker Meeting
Content or Curriculum: FCS
Inputs: FCS Agent, Extension Homemaker Volunteers
Date: December 2024
Audience: Todd County Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: KEHA State Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Officer Training & Educational Chairman Workshops
Inputs: FCS Agents, State Advisors
Date: May 2025
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Pennyrile Area Council Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Officer Training & Educational Chairman Workshops
Inputs: FCS Agents, Area President
Date: 2 times per year
